by Maria DeBlassie
Daily Lobo
UNM graduate students and professors might have a chance to make it big on "The Apprentice" today.
Brandon Nickens, casting director for "The Apprentice," will be on campus from 1 to 5 p.m. at Hodgin Hall looking to cast people for the show.
Nickens said it's his job to interview people and get to know them.
"I figure out who they are inside and out," Nickens said.
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The auditions at UNM are for the fourth season of the show, which will be the first season of "The Apprentice" to feature Martha Stewart, said Charlene Chavez, associate director of Alumni Relations.
Chavez said applicants should bring a completed application form to the casting call. The form can be downloaded from "The Apprentice" link at the NBC Web site.
Nickens said he looks for people with great personalities and some experience with business.
"First and foremost, you have to have a strong business angle," Nickens said.
Nickens said they are scouting in as many cities as possible because they want to give everyone an opportunity to be on the show.
"People that go into this show are people that wouldn't try out for other reality shows," he said.
They chose Albuquerque, specifically UNM, because Anderson Schools of Management is one of the better business schools, Nickens said.
What makes "The Apprentice" so unique is the idea that anybody can make it big, Chavez said.
"It's not a dating show and doesn't have anything to do with eating something gross," Nickens said. "People can relate to this show."
Chavez said people get caught up in the drama of the show.
Even if the contestants don't win the apprenticeship, Chavez said, it will be a good experience and a way to show off their talent for business.
Nickens also said it provides contestants with connections not only with other members of the show but in the business world at large.
Nickens said the most challenging thing for the contestants is they have a limited amount of time to get things done.
So far, Chavez said she's received many phone calls and e-mails from students interested in applying.
Expect to wait in line outside of Hodgin Hall today, Chavez said.
Nickens said the craziest thing anybody has done to get on the show was to pay another person a lot of money to get their place in line. He said the guy was Sam from season one.
Chavez said Donald Trump's infamous line, "You're fired," is so popular because it's catchy.
"It's the hype of the show," Nickens said. "For 'Survivor,' it's 'The tribe has spoken.' You happen to do it. It sticks. That's media culture for you."
As for Donald Trump in the flesh, Nickens said, "He's actually really down-to-earth for being an icon billionaire. He has a good sense of humor."
