In a move that will result in no shortage of movie quotes, NBC announced today (Sept. 14) that Arnold Schwarzenegger will be the new host of reality TV show The Celebrity Apprentice, replacing businessman and now US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.
“Gov. Schwarzenegger will use his vast and highly successful business, political and media experience to drive this hit franchise to new heights,” said the show’s executive producer, Mark Burnett, in a statement. The show will return in 2016 with Schwarzenegger as the new “CEO,” who will decide which B-list celebrity gets to be his apprentice—the “Booster” to his “Turboman,” if you will.
Jokes aside, the bodybuilder-turned-actor-turned-California governor is an inspired choice for NBC. Schwarzenegger is certainly charismatic, and just kooky enough to perhaps make the show entertaining. Plus, he seems excited:
And for what it’s worth, here is Trump’s response:
NBC scrapped its longstanding relationship with Trump in June after he made a number of ridiculous comments, namely characterizing Mexican immigrants as “rapists.” Trump had hosted the show since 2004. He maintains that he was not actually fired.