Being governor? Easy. Winning a slew of bodybuilding titles? No sweat. But keeping ratings up on “The New Celebrity Apprentice”?
The former California governor told CNN in a statement that he will not return to the reality program famously hosted by Donald Trump from 2008 to 2014.
“I loved every second of working with NBC and Mark Burnett,” Schwarzenegger said in the statement. “Everyone — from the celebrities to the crew to the marketing department — was a straight 10, and I would absolutely work with all of them again on a show that doesn’t have this baggage.”
CNN said: “NBC has not commented on Schwarzenegger’s decision. It has also not officially said whether it intends to pick up the show for another cycle.”
Trump mocked Arnold’s low ratings at last month’s National Prayer Breakfast, asking the crowd to “pray for Arnold.”
Early coverage and commentary:
Arnold Schwarzenegger Says He’s Done With ‘Apprentice,’ Blames Poor Ratings on Trump Involvement – Variety https://t.co/hnLWPjwLPB pic.twitter.com/oBwDwLYv9w
— Dr. Román Méndez (@Roman_Mendez) March 3, 2017
Arnold @Schwarzenegger will not be back for @ApprenticeNBC, citing “baggage.” https://t.co/8eMZC6FleQ pic.twitter.com/gS5vx0LDAI
— 10News (@10News) March 3, 2017
Arnold Schwarzenegger breaks down just how toxic the Trump brand name is now: https://t.co/nGgpmbgPRF pic.twitter.com/xiTnTGRqNC
— Shannon Coulter (@shannoncoulter) March 3, 2017
No, he won’t be back. Arnold quits the Apprentice.
Will now take up the violin.#Crybaby pic.twitter.com/Oxq2YKJd93— Mark Truth (@InfoTruth699) March 3, 2017
Trump should be happy that Arnold is leaving “The Celebrity Apprentice.”
It means Trump can host again next year when he’s out of a job.
— Nick Jack Pappas (@Pappiness) March 3, 2017