英语文摘:NBC: "Celebrity Apprentice" to continue with or without Donald Trump

BEIJING, May 16 (Xinhuanet) -- NBC said "Celebrity Apprentice" will stay on the network’s prime-time schedule with or without host Donald Trump, according to media reports Monday.

Mr Trump told FOX News Channel in April that he had already decided on whether he would run for president in 2012, but would have to wait until after the Celebrity Apprentice finale airs on May 22 on NBC to announce his intentions.

NBC Entertainment president and chairman Robert Greenblatt told reporters on a conference call Monday that Celebrity Apprentice would air in the fall no matter what Trump decides.

"If he decides to run for president and is unavailable to do the show, we will bring the show back and there will be somebody else sitting at the head of the boardroom table," Greenblatt said. "Who that is, we're not even going to really entertain because I'm still hoping we will have Donald in the seat."

Trump, 64, co-produces Celebrity Apprentice along with TV producer Mark Burnett. The show has consistently been the top-rated network show when it airs Sunday nights.

If Trump announces his candidacy while his reality show is still on the air, he could run afoul of federal law mandating equal time for candidates on broadcast networks.