NBC announced today that it has ordered The Apprentice 6, a sixth edition of Donald Trump's popular reality series. And having apparently plugged every possible Trump property in the New York tri-state area (you knew they were starting to scrape the bottom of the barrel when last week's The Apprentice 4 episode plugged "Trump Bar," a bar located in Trump Tower), The Apprentice 6 will film in a new location: Los Angeles (or, as NBC more generically terms it, "Southern California.")

ADVERTISEMENT

"The Apprentice continues to be a top performer for NBC so we're pleased that the show and Donald Trump will continue to play a key role in this network's future through a fifth and now sixth cycle," said NBC Entertainment president Kevin Reilly stated in the network's pickup announcement. "We think viewers will agree that a California back-drop, with Donald's West Coast business interests and relationships, will provide an exciting new flavor for the series next season."

According to NBC, The Apprentice 6 will feature "new challenges, twists and surprises" -- including "tasks indigenous to and emblematic of the new locale." One detail NBC did not disclose is where the edition's candidates will live. Unlike New York, Trump doesn't own any California skyscrapers and his trump.com website lists Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles (and its accompanying custom-designed oceanside "The Estates" homes) as his only California properties.

Naturally, The Donald is excited about the chance to get some free promotion for his mysterious "West Coast business interests" -- and also glad to get another chance to remind the public about how popular the show has made him, especially with the younger folks. "I am honored by the great success of The Apprentice and it's been a lot of fun working with Mark Burnett and NBC," stated Trump. "I could never have imagined that firing sixty-seven people on national television would actually make me more popular, especially with the younger generation. While I love shooting in New York City, I look forward to filming season six in Los Angeles."

Apprentice creator and executive producer Mark Burnett is also excited about the chance to plug The Donald's "left coast" operations. "Donald has so many recent West Coast projects, that it made perfect sense to change locations and along with it change the flavor of the weekly tasks," said Burnett. "Seeing Donald operate in Southern California will provide yet more insight into his remarkable world."

Although NBC's Apprentice 6 announcement did not confirm a broadcast date for the sixth edition, it is expected to air as part of NBC's Fall 2006 schedule. The Apprentice 5 filmed this fall and will premiere in early 2006. The Apprentice 4 will air its two-hour live finale on Thursday, December 15 at 9PM ET/PT.

FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON GOOGLE NEWS