More Work For 'apprentice'?

The entrepreneurial spirit abounds for those involved with "The Apprentice." There's talk at NBC of mounting a spinoff of sorts to its Donald Trump-hosted hit that would follow "Apprentice" victor Bill Rancic during the next year as he dives into his grand prize: overseeing the construction of a 90-story Trump International Hotel and Tower in Rancic's hometown of Chicago. Sources stressed that the discussions are in the early idea stage and that no formal deals are in place, but "Apprentice" creator/executive producer Mark Burnett admits that a follow-up series on Rancic "seems like a fairly obvious choice." Burnett wouldn't elaborate on specific plans for the show but did hint that Rancic might even be persuaded to hire some of the contestants from "Apprentice" -- Are you listening, Omarosa? -- to work on the construction project and, of course, he'll have to deliver a progress report to the boss each week. Rancic may well need the help and counsel. According to published reports, the $700 million project is facing an uphill climb in securing final approvals from city officials.