A LETTER TO DONALD TRUMP FROM GARY B. DUGLIN

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Dear Donald,
 
     Give me a break!  I realized long before the Presidential election that you have for years been America's "narcissist-in-chief".  But I myself have spent more than 43 years in an industry where screen credits and bylines are vital to the careers of entertainment, broadcasting and journalism professionals.  But isn't the title you'll be known as...come January 20th, 2017...enough?  Donald, your name is on everything from books to buildings.  Are you so conceited that you need to take a credit of executive producer - on a revamped version of your old NBC television series, The Celebrity Apprentice - even though you have nothing to do with the production of the programs?

     I will say this, Donald.  If you were the creator of The Apprentice and/or The Celebrity Apprentice formats - which you're not...since only executive producer Mark Burnett is credited for conceiving the shows - then I would not have a problem with you receiving that specific on-air acknowledgment.  That being said...published reports are noting, however, that you, Donald, did develop the two series along with Burnett.  If that is true...then you should..."make a deal" - which you profess at being an expert at doing - and negotiate with Mark Burnett for a change in the screen credits.

     Burnett would continue to be given the credit...Created by MARK BURNETT.  But the following credit would be added.  Developed by MARK BURNETT and DONALD J. TRUMP.  

     Burnett would remain executive producer, as will the show's new host, Arnold Schwarzenegger...who NBC says will also act in that capacity.  But you, Donald... would drop the executive producer credit from any shows being produced while you are in The White House.

     And if you, Donald - while temporarily residing at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue - have an arrangement to be compensated for your original creative participation in The Apprentice and The Celebrity Apprentice...that wouldn't bother me either.  After all...there have been past U.S. Presidents who have accepted royalties for books they have written...even when they were sitting at The Oval Office desk.  But to be paid a weekly income - what The Hollywood Reporter says is, at minimum, a 5-figure salary - with the title of executive producer...is at the very least...peculiar.  But most of all...it undermines the prestige of the office of President of the United States of America.

     Donald, those of us whose occupations have taken us in to the world of media are generally aware of how television shows are produced.  But the average person...the average voter...has no clue what is involved.  And, therefore...the average American citizen thinks that since NBC will be broadcasting The New Celebrity Apprentice starring Arnold Schwarzenegger - premiering Monday, January 2nd, 2017 - that it's "the peacock network" that writes the paychecks to the program's new host, all other on-air talent, and the behind-the-scenes staff and crew.  But in actuality...MGM - which purchased Mark Burnett's production company in 2015 - pays those bills.  Thus, there is still a perceived conflict of interest that the nation's soon-to-be President will be a salaried executive producer of a series being aired on the NBC television network.  

     Will there even be a disclaimer at the beginning of each show?  I can only imagine what it might say.  Therefore, Donald...your relationship as executive producer of The New Celebrity Apprentice is indeed a conflict of interest.  And I remind you that although MGM acquired Burnett's company last year...he was simultaneously appointed president of MGM Television...which oversees The New Celebrity Apprentice. 

     To put a cap on this entire matter...as most people know...it was The Apprentice and The Celebrity Apprentice that are responsible for catapulting you to national stardom when the two series were hits during most of your 14 seasons as host.  The programs - and your catch phrase..."You're fired!"...made Donald Trump a household name all across the country...and are, in part, enormous factors in helping you in your campaign for President.

     Donald, there is already a boycott underway by viewers who were fans of the original Apprentice franchise.  But those admirers of your old shows say they will not be watching Arnold's programs because you're still connected with it.  You, Donald, are hurting The New Celebrity Apprentice, your producing partner - Mark Burnett, Arnold Schwarzenegger, MGM, NBC and the list goes on and on.

     In a political year that has been stranger than strange...having the name Donald Trump on the credits as executive producer of a network television show - while you occupy an office in "the west wing"...not in "the boardroom" - adds to the oddity in ways that are far beyond any expectations.  Therefore, Donald...it is your obligation to sever ties with The Celebrity Apprentice.  It's unlikely that you're keeping your name on the credits for the money.  So that means it has to be solely for your ego.

     Come on, Donald.  Show Americans who have opposed you for the last year-and-a-half that you're able to do what's right.  Politics aside...it's time to get your priorities straight.

     I welcome your response.

     And that's The Controversy for today.

     I'm Gary B. Duglin.

     "We'll talk again."

The Controversy is a publication of GBD Productions.  Founder and Editor-In-Chief of The Controversy is Gary B. Duglin.

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