The Ultimate Merger Explained

Alt Name:Omarosa's Ultimate Merger[1]
Runtime:60 minutes
Company:Juma Entertainment
Trump Productions
TV One Original Productions
Creator:Donald J. Trump
Andy Litinsky
Executive Producer:Donald J. Trump
Robert C. Horowitz
Lewis Fenton
D Renard Young
Andy Litinsky
Location:Las Vegas, Nevada
Starring:Omarosa (season 1)
Toccara Jones (season 2)
Country:United States
Network:TV One
Language:English
Theme Music Composer:Mark C. Rooney
Mark Morales
Opentheme:"Real Love"
Performed by Mary J. Blige
Related:The Apprentice (U.S. TV series)
Num Seasons:2
Num Episodes:16

Donald J. Trump Presents The Ultimate Merger is an American reality television dating game show. A spin-off of The Apprentice, the series premiered on TV One on June 17, 2010. The series' first season starred Omarosa, who in 2004 appeared on the first season of The Apprentice, another American reality series.[2] This show was not remotely as successful as The Apprentice. It has a 1.9/10 rating on IMDB.[3]

Season 2 premiered on August 4, 2011, starring former America's Next Top Model and Celebrity Fit Club contestant Toccara Jones.[4] The show was canceled in 2012 after airing two seasons on TV1.[5]

Show format

The format of The Ultimate Merger is reminiscent of two previous reality series, The Bachelorette and The Apprentice.[6] Twelve men selected by billionaire real estate mogul, Donald Trump (host and co-executive producer of The Apprentice, later 45th president of the United States) compete for the affections of Omarosa, the former political consultant who has become the most infamous Apprentice 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 in Baltimore, Maryland.[11] [12] [13] Other personalities appearing on the series include comedians George Wallace and Loni Love, TV chef G. Garvin, author Karrine Steffans, and Apprentice alumni Katrina Campins, Troy McClaine and Nick Warnock.[14]

While on the show, the contestants live together in a huge suite at the Trump 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 singer Ray 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 with Academy Award-nominated actor Michael Clarke Duncan who later died on September 3, 2012, due to a heart attack.[16]

Participants

OmarosaOmarosa Manigault-Stallworth is a reality show personality who worked at one time as a scheduling correspondent for then-Vice President Al Gore during the Clinton Administration.[17] She was a contestant on the first season of The Apprentice, where she was "fired" in Week 9 of the 15-week process. She returned for the series' seventh season (the first incarnation of The 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]

Contestants[21]

Ray LavenderRay is a 33-year-old R&B singer originally from Monroe, Louisiana, now residing in Atlanta, Georgia.[22] Eliminated in episode 8.
  • Al B. Sure!Al B. Sure! is a 41-year-old R&B recording artist from Mount Vernon, New York, best known for his 1988 single "Nite and Day".[23] [24] He and Omarosa have dated previously.[6] Eliminated in episode 8.
  • Charles ParkerCharles is a 43-year-old foreign currency trader from Washington, D.C. He and Omarosa have dated previously.[25] Voluntarily leaves the show for personal reasons in episode 4. Returns – and is eliminated – in episode 8.
  • Isaac KeysIsaac Keys is a 32-year-old former NFL football player from St. Louis, Missouri, now residing in Los Angeles, California.[26] Eliminated in episode 7.
  • Lyle SilvaLyle is a 36-year-old attorney originally from New Bedford, Massachusetts, now residing in Bowie, Maryland.[10] [25] Eliminated in episode 7.
  • Javis DortchJavis is a 34-year-old entrepreneur originally from Jersey City, New Jersey,[27] now residing in Douglasville, Georgia.[28] Eliminated in episode 6.
  • C.J. MillerC.J. is a 27-year-old author/model from Los Angeles, California. In 2009, he appeared as a contestant on the first season of the reality series True Beauty. Eliminated in episode 5.
  • Michael MaddMichael is a 29-year-old concert promoter from New York, New York. Eliminated in episode 4.
  • Eddy PuyolEddy is a 30-year-old Christian rapper from Miami, Florida, now residing in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.[12] [29] Eliminated in episode 3.
  • Sterling WilliamsSterling is a 42-year-old fashion designer from Los Angeles, California. Eliminated in episode 3.
  • Jason MitchellJason is a 30-year-old massage therapist from New York, New York. Eliminated in episode 2.
  • Darrell KiedoDarrell is a 40-year-old movie producer from Memphis, Tennessee. He is the author of the book The Black Actor's Guide to Not Working in Hollywood, which was published in 2003.[30] [31] Eliminated in episode 1.

    • Notes and References

    1. Trump, Omarosa reunite for 'Merger' . Schneider, Michael . November 9, 2009 . . July 11, 2010.
    2. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_15_105/ai_n6006380/ "Omarosa: 'The Apprentice' TV show's most popular contestant has the nation talking and watching."
    3. Donald J. Trump Presents: The Ultimate Merger (TV Series 2010–) - Ratings - IMDb . en-US . 2024-04-22 . m.imdb.com.
    4. News: Harlem's Toccara Jones On TV Ones 'The Ultimate Merger' . Harlem World . July 7, 2011 . July 19, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110926033247/http://harlemworldblog.wordpress.com/2011/07/07/harlems-toccara-jones-on-tv-ones-the-ultimate-merger/ . September 26, 2011 . mdy-all .
    5. News: Resnick . Gideon . 2016-09-02 . Donald Trump’s Dating Show Pitted Rich Versus Poor for Omarosa’s Heart . 2024-04-22 . The Daily Beast . en.
    6. Web site: Omarosa Says New Reality Show Isn't Run-of-the-Mill 'Love' Fare . Bland, Bridget . June 14, 2010 . AOL Black Voices . July 7, 2010 . July 22, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100722034435/http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/06/14/omarosa-new-realty-show-love-ultimate-merger/ . dead .
    7. News: Omarosa and Donald Trump back together for new reality series; he'll give her dating advice . Eisinger, Amy . November 10, 2009 . . July 4, 2010 . November 20, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091120092456/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2009/11/10/2009-11-10_omarosa_and_donald_trump_back_together_for_new_reality_series_hell_give_her_dati.html . dead .
    8. News: Omarosa Manigault-Stallwort (sic) is back and has teamed up with Donald Trump to create new dating show . Kinon, Cristina . June 17, 2010 . . July 4, 2010 . June 19, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100619090321/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2010/06/17/2010-06-17_omarosa_is_back_and_this_time_its_personal.html . dead .
    9. Web site: Omarosa debuts sizzling new dating show on TV One . Martin, Pharoh . June 17, 2010 . InsightNews.com . July 4, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110713040814/http://insightnews.com/aesthetics/6128-omarosa-debuts-sizzling-new-dating-show-on-tv-one- . July 13, 2011 . mdy-all .
    10. Web site: Who wants to date a diva? . Woodman, Tenley . June 17, 2010 . . July 7, 2010.
    11. News: About Jamal Bryant . JamalBryant.org . July 7, 2010 . July 25, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100725113758/http://wwme.jamalbryant.org/jamal_bryant.htm . dead .
    12. News: Dating show hijinks abound on premiere of Trump, Omarosa's 'Ultimate Merger' . Streeter, Leslie Gray . June 18, 2010 . . July 20, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100723005351/http://www.pbpulse.com/music/2010/06/18/dating-show-hijinks-abound-on-premiere-of-trump-omarosas-ultimate-merger/ . July 23, 2010 . mdy-all .
    13. Web site: Omarosa Takes on Love in 'The Ultimate Merger'. BlackAmericaWeb.com . Tonya. Pendleton. July 1, 2010. July 20, 2010.
    14. Web site: Trump, TV One, Omarosa's Ultimate Merger . June 6, 2010 . harlemworldblog.wordpress.com . July 23, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100617001050/http://harlemworldblog.wordpress.com/2010/06/06/trump-tv-one-omarosas-ultimate-merger/ . June 17, 2010 . mdy-all .
    15. Web site: Omarosa Picks No One On Ultimate Merger Finale, Season 2 On The Way, Ray Lavender Interview . August 6, 2010 . RealityTea.com . August 6, 2010.
    16. Michael Clarke Duncan & Omarosa Gush About Their New Romance . Oppenheim, Gena . August 13, 2010 . . July 19, 2011.
    17. Web site: The Surreal Life's Omarosa. People. July 18, 2005. July 4, 2010. January 9, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110109074158/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1083768,00.html. dead.
    18. 'Celebrity Apprentice' recap: 'Selling out'. Entertainment Weekly. Lindsay. Soll. March 7, 2008. July 5, 2010. April 11, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090411110917/http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2008/03/celebrity-appre.html. dead.
    19. Web site: Omarosa Splits from Husband of Five Years. People. August 25, 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080314170443/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1082973,00.html. March 14, 2008.
    20. Web site: Omarosa, Trump Team Up For Dating Show. TodaysTHV.com.
    21. Ages, occupations and hometowns are correct as of June 17, 2010.
    22. News: Ray Lavender – Artist Profile . . July 21, 2010.
    23. News: Where is ... Al B. Sure! . Parham, Marti . January 14, 2008 . . July 18, 2010.
    24. Al B. Sure! Returns With Hidden Beach Debut . Mitchell, Gail . May 18, 2009 . . July 18, 2010.
    25. Web site: Omarosa Searches For True Love in Donald J. Trump's The Ultimate Merger . June 21, 2010 . . July 7, 2010.
    26. Web site: Isaac Keys hopes to unlock Omarosa's heart . Norwood, Candice Jade . July 12, 2010 . . July 20, 2010.
    27. Web site: Jersey City man wooing Omarosa on reality show . Colaneri, Katie . July 16, 2010 . . July 16, 2010.
    28. News: TV One's Omarosa dating game features two metro Atlantans . Ho, Rodney . June 16, 2010 . . July 6, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100620170246/http://blogs.ajc.com/radio-tv-talk/2010/06/16/tv-ones-omarosa-dating-game-features-two-metro-atlantans/ . June 20, 2010 . mdy-all .
    29. Web site: Christian hip-hop star to appear on Omarosa's reality show . Bellini, Jason . June 14, 2010 . Houston Chronicle . July 6, 2010.
    30. Web site: Memphis native, Darrell Kiedo, out to win Omarosa's heart . Greenberg, Emily . June 17, 2010 . . July 13, 2010.
    31. News: The black actor's guide to not working in Hollywood . 9781413412239. July 13, 2010 . Kiedo. Darrell. 2003. Xlibris .

    This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "The Ultimate Merger".

    Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.