Business-reality hit that became a political-cultural origin story.
Why it matters
Episode guide
107 episodes across 7 seasons — titles, air dates, and synopses.
At a glance
Contestants battle business tasks for a job under a famous host who eliminates weekly. Corporate theater as prime-time sport.
Network & studio
- NBC — broadcast network
Why watch now
Watch for the cultural DNA of the 2000s — and the star power that made living rooms feel like red carpets.
Cultural impact
Business-reality hit that became a political-cultural origin story.
Creators
Mark Burnett
Key cast
- Donald Trump as Host
- Ivanka Trump as Advisor
- George Ross as Advisor
- Carolyn Kepcher as Advisor
Flash facts
- Premiered 2004 to huge ratings.
- Catchphrase 'You're fired!' entered the lexicon.
- Later seasons shifted hosts after Trump's political rise.
FAQ
What network aired The Apprentice?
The Apprentice is associated with NBC (2004–2017).
Why is The Apprentice in the TV Flash top 100 for the 2000s?
Business-reality hit that became a political-cultural origin story.
Who are the key names behind The Apprentice?
Creators and principals include Mark Burnett.
Official & further reading
External sites for further reading — TV Flash is not affiliated with these networks or studios.
Back to the decade
Also on the dial
Related & side shows
Chuck
Nerd with a supercomputer in his brain — Buy More as spy base.
My Name Is Earl
Karma list as sitcom engine — trailer-park moral philosophy.
Heroes
Save the cheerleader, save the world — then the writers' strike hangover.
Scrubs
Fantasy cutaways in a teaching hospital full of found family.
30 Rock
Meta sketch-show workplace farce at machine-gun joke density.
Friday Night Lights
Clear eyes, full hearts — small-town football as American scripture.