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The Celebrity Apprentice: Season 1

16 episodes Premiered Jan 8, 2004 Updated Jul 27, 2026

The first season of The Apprentice, also known as The Apprentice 1, aired on NBC in the winter and spring of 2004. It featured 16 candidates competing in a series of business tasks. The season was a ratings success, ranking at #7 in the average weekly Nielsen Rankings, with an average viewership of 20.7 million viewers each week. The final episode of the season was seen by an estimated 28.05 million viewers and ranke

Season overview

The first season of The Apprentice, also known as The Apprentice 1, aired on NBC in the winter and spring of 2004. It featured 16 candidates competing in a series of business tasks. The season was a ratings success, ranking at #7 in the average weekly Nielsen Rankings, with an average viewership of 20.7 million viewers each week. The final episode of the season was seen by an estimated 28.05 million viewers and ranked as the #1 show of the week. It was the most popular new show of 2004. The series was a variation of The Apprentice series, hosted by a real estate developer. It was a reality competition series where contestants competed in business tasks, with the goal of being hired by the host. The season is currently available on DVD.

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Episodes

S1·E1

Meet the Billionaire

Jan 8, 2004

The contestants are split into two teams, one team of 8 men and another team of 8 women. The two teams are then given their first challenge - sell lemonade on the streets of New Y

S1·E2

Sex, Lies and Altitude

Jan 15, 2004

For the second task, the corporations have to design advertisements for the Marquis Jet Card.

S1·E3

Respect

Jan 21, 2004

The challenge this week is a lesson in negotiation. The task is a scavenger hunt of sorts - the teams are given a list of items to buy from vendors from all over New York City.

S1·E4

Ethics, Shmethics

Jan 29, 2004

This weeks task is to manage a Planet Hollywood restaurant in Times Square. The object is to make more money in one night than the same night last year.

S1·E5

Trading Places

Feb 5, 2004

After a corporate restructuring, where Project Managers Nick and Kristi choose their own team, the new co-ed teams are given their fifth task: hold a flee market.

S1·E6

Tit for Tat

Feb 12, 2004

This week's task is to raise money for charity at a Sotheby's celebrity auction.

S1·E7

Dupe-lex

Feb 19, 2004

This week's task is renovating and leasing apartments in New York City.

S1·E8

Ice Escapades

Feb 26, 2004

This week's task is marketing a new product.

S1·E10

Wheeling & Dealing

Mar 11, 2004

This weeks task is operating a rickshaw pedicab service.

S1·E11

A Look Back

Mar 18, 2004

Nobody gets fired on this episode, in which Mr. Trump recaps the first 10 shows and explains his termination decisions. The episode also includes outtakes from past episodes.

S1·E12

Circus, Circus

Mar 25, 2004

This week's task is to lure gamblers to Trump's Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City by creating a new and unique game of chance for customers to play.

S1·E13

The Price is Height

Apr 1, 2004

This week's task is to rent out a luxurious penthouse for one evening. The catch is it must be rented for at least $20,000.

S1·E14

Down to the Wire (1)

Apr 8, 2004

In the first individual task, the remaining four candidates participate in a series of round robin, one-on-one interviews with some of Trump's most trusted advisors, who give their

S1·E15

Down to the Wire (2)

Apr 15, 2004

The final two tasks, running a Chrysler-Trump golf tournament.

S1·E16

Down to the Wire (3)

Apr 15, 2004

The final two tasks, running a Chrysler-Trump golf tournament.