| The Ultimate Merger | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Omarosa's Ultimate Merger[1] |
| Created by | Donald Trump Andy Litinsky |
| Starring | Omarosa(season 1) Toccara Jones(season 2) |
| Theme music composer | Mark C. Rooney Mark Morales |
| Opening theme | "Real Love" Performed byMary J. Blige |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 16 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Donald Trump Robert C. Horowitz Lewis Fenton D Renard Young Andy Litinsky |
| Production locations | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Production companies | Juma Entertainment Trump Productions TV One Original Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | TV One |
| Release | June 17, 2010 (2010-06-17) – September 22, 2011 (2011-09-22) |
| Related | |
| The Apprentice (American TV series) | |
Donald J. Trump Presents The Ultimate Merger is an American reality televisiondating game show. A spin-off ofThe Apprentice, the series premiered onTV One on June 17, 2010. The series' first season starredOmarosa, who in 2004 appeared on thefirst season ofThe Apprentice, another American reality series.[2] This show was not remotely as successful or as popular asThe Apprentice, with a 1.9/10 rating onIMDb.[3]
Season 2 premiered on August 4, 2011, starring formerAmerica's Next Top Model andCelebrity Fit Club contestantToccara Jones.[4] The show was canceled in 2012 after airing two seasons on TV1.[5]
The format ofThe Ultimate Merger is reminiscent of two previous reality series,The Bachelorette andThe Apprentice.[6] Twelve men selected by billionaire real estate mogul,Donald Trump (host and co-executive producer ofThe Apprentice, later 45th and 47thpresident of the United States) compete for the affections of Omarosa, the former political consultant who has become the most infamousApprentice contestant.[7][8][9][10] Omarosa receives assistance in the selection process from her spiritual advisor Dr.Jamal Harrison Bryant, pastor of the Empowerment Temple A.M.E. Church inBaltimore, Maryland.[11][12][13] Other personalities appearing on the series include comediansGeorge Wallace andLoni Love, TV chef G. Garvin, authorKarrine Steffans, andApprentice alumni Katrina Campins, Troy McClaine and Nick Warnock.[14]
While on the show, the contestants live together in a huge suite at theTrump International Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.[1] In each episode, they are directed to participate in a mental or physical challenge designed to gauge each man's potential compatibility with Omarosa. The winner(s) of each challenge attend a date with her later that evening. Subsequently, the contestants must gather in the "Mediation Room", where Omarosa (assisted by Dr. Bryant or another celebrity guest) questions several of the contestants regarding their actions and attitudes while on the show. One or more contestants is then selected for elimination by Omarosa, and that man must immediately leave Trump International and the show.
This process resulted in one man,R&B singerRay Lavender, remaining as the potential beau for Omarosa. However, because Lavender was legally separated at the time (and thus technically still married), he was eliminated as well – and Omarosa was left with no one.[15]
Soon after the first-season finale, Omarosa publicly revealed that she was in a new relationship withAcademy Award-nominated actorMichael Clarke Duncan who later died on September 3, 2012, due to a heart attack.[16]
Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth is a reality show personality who worked at one time as a scheduling correspondent for then-Vice PresidentAl Gore during theClinton Administration.[17] She was a contestant on thefirst season ofThe Apprentice, where she was "fired" in Week 9 of the 15-week process. She returned for the series'seventh season (the first incarnation ofThe Celebrity Apprentice), but was "fired" once again in Week 10.[18] In 2000, she married Aaron Stallworth, but the two separated in 2005 and later divorced.[19][20]
Source:[21]
Ray is a 33-year-old R&B singer originally fromMonroe, Louisiana, now residing in Atlanta, Georgia.[22][23] Eliminated in episode 8.
Al B. Sure! is a 41-year-old R&B recording artist fromMount Vernon, New York, best known for his 1988 single "Nite and Day".[24][25] He and Omarosa have dated previously.[6] Eliminated in episode 8.
Charles is a 43-year-old foreign currency trader from Washington, D.C. He and Omarosa have dated previously.[26] Voluntarily leaves the show for personal reasons in episode 4. Returns – and is eliminated – in episode 8.
Isaac Keys is a 32-year-old formerNFL football player from St. Louis, Missouri, now residing in Los Angeles, California.[27] Eliminated in episode 7.
Lyle is a 36-year-old attorney originally fromNew Bedford, Massachusetts, now residing inBowie, Maryland.[10][26] Eliminated in episode 7.
Javis is a 34-year-old entrepreneur originally fromJersey City, New Jersey,[28] now residing inDouglasville, Georgia.[23] Eliminated in episode 6.
C.J. is a 27-year-old author/model from Los Angeles, California. In 2009, he appeared as a contestant on thefirst season of the reality seriesTrue Beauty. Eliminated in episode 5.
Michael is a 29-year-old concert promoter from New York, New York. Eliminated in episode 4.
Eddy is a 30-year-old Christian rapper from Miami, Florida, now residing inPalm Beach Gardens, Florida.[12][29] Eliminated in episode 3.
Sterling is a 42-year-old fashion designer from Los Angeles, California. Eliminated in episode 3.
Jason is a 30-year-old massage therapist from New York, New York. Eliminated in episode 2.
Darrell is a 40-year-old movie producer fromMemphis, Tennessee. He is the author of the bookThe Black Actor's Guide to Not Working in Hollywood, which was published in 2003.[30][31] Eliminated in episode 1.