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Trump Undecided on 'Apprentice' Choice

Posted on: Thursday, 16 December 2004, 12:00 CST

NEW YORK - Donald Trump is usually in high-rise buildings. Right now, he's on the fence. On Thursday, the real estate mogul will choose one of his final two candidates on the second season of NBC's "The Apprentice" in a live broadcast from Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center.

Either lawyer Jennifer Massey, 30, or software executive Kelly Perdew, 37, will follow in the footsteps of previous "Apprentice" winner Bill Rancic and win a six-figure salary.

"Last year, I felt beforehand I was going to go with Bill," Trump told The Associated Press Tuesday. "This year, I have no idea. I think they're both really talented."

Trump said Perdew was "smart and tough" while Massey is "smart and manipulative." Trump will base his decision on how Massey and Perdew act under the pressure of the live audience.

"It's the hottest ticket in town," Trump told the AP. "I'm trying to get friends in and even I've had trouble."

At least one of Trump's friends will definitely be there. Daytime talk-show host Regis Philbin will co-host.

And despite his bravado, even The Donald acknowledged he's a little nervous about the live finale.

"It's going before 30 million people live. It's three hours live," said Trump. "I don't do live TV for a living. I build buildings for a living."

That hasn't stopped network interest in televising Trump's upcoming nuptials to Melania Knauss. Trump said two networks would like to hear him say "I do" instead of "you're fired!"

"Everybody wants that to happen except for me and Melania," said Trump. "We'll see."

More certain is the third season of "The Apprentice," which Trump said is "almost done." He and executive producer Mark Burnett are now talking to NBC about the possibility of fourth and fifth seasons.

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On the Net:

http://www.nbc.com/nbc/The-Apprentice-2/

Source: Associated Press/AP Online

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