Trump, Omarosa make up for new reality show
'Apprentice' archvillain teams with The Donald for 'Merger'
One thing about Donald Trump -- he knows how to make engaging television. Even though The Donald reportedly can barely stand Omarosa, voted top TV reality villain by TV Guide -- the outspoken diva and real estate mogul are reuniting.
The duo, who quarreled on the first season of Trump's ''The Apprentice," will partner on ''Omarosa's Ultimate Merger,'' a new reality series Trump is launching with Omarosa looking to find a mate among 12 eligible bachelors.
(TV One)
PHOTO GALLERY
The return of Omarosa
Set to air on TV One next spring and geared to an African-American audience, the show will put the dozen hopefuls through weekly tests -- challenging them both on relationship and business issues. At the end of 12 weeks, one battered survivor will presumably stand triumphant.
Omarosa, who only uses her first name now (having dropped Manigault-Stallworth), is called a ''great personality'' by Trump, who adds in a statement she is ''smart, witty and difficult.''
Trump himself will also appear on the show and, according to a source involved in the production, ''can't wait to mix it up again with Omarosa. ... You know The Donald -- he thrives on conflict, as long as it makes him money!''
HELPING THEIR OWN: Madonna may be playing down those stories she's going to marry young boyfriend Jesus Luz, but the Material Galpal sure is working hard to boost his career. Madonna lined up Luz with some of her favorite acting and singing coaches, and reportedly is thinking of making a duets album with him as well. On top of all that, there are three scripts the two are considering for a possible movie project for Jesus. Let's just hope it isn't another bomb like Madonna's ''Swept Away'' or ''The Next Best Thing.''
• While Tom Cruise's daughter Suri is the one gracing all the magazine covers, it's his son Connor Cruise, 14, who is getting a lot of career attention from the actor and ex-wife Nicole Kidman. Not only has Connor already appeared in mom Nicole's ''Australia'' film and Will Smith's ''Seven Pounds,'' but the teen is currently filming the remake of ''Red Dawn,'' and Papa Tom is touting the kid as a ''huge star ... someday bigger than me'' to all the top honchos in Hollywood.
SCARY NEWS: The ever-expanding investigation of the ''Burglar Bunch'' celebrity house-robbing ring has taken a new, far more serious turn. As first revealed here, the L.A. cops have found links between key Hollywood paparazzi and Nick Prugo and the others allegedly responsible for break-ins at the homes of Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton and other famous types.
Now I've learned the FBI has become involved, since it appears a number of those paparazzi have ties to suspected al-Qaida operatives in Southern California.
SEEN ON THE SCENE: While here promoting his new Power men's fragrance, rap superstar 50 Cent was spied slipping into the Dana Hotel and Spa in River North. ... Before chatting up their ''Pirate Radio'' flick at AMC River East on Monday, director and writer Richard Curtis and the film's co-star Tom Sturridge dined at Sunda, a meal Curtis claimed took him ''around the world'' in just a couple of courses.'' ... Supporters of the newly named Bright Promise Foundation (formerly the Illinois Humane Society) celebrated the organization's 140 years of aiding Illinois children at an Elysian Hotel fete honoring longtime supporter and philanthropist Bernice Weissbourd, co-chaired by Peggy Bodine and Janet Owen.
STEVE WHO? Steve Guttenberg, long on the D-list, has embarrassed himself by floating a false rumor of another ''Three Men and a Baby'' sequel.
Not only did ex-co-stars Tom Selleck and Ted Danson quickly shoot down Guttenberg's trial balloon, but Danson reportedly quipped, ''What? Does Steve really think audiences are dying to see 'Three Grandpas and a Baby?' ''
GOOD SPORT: Bears tight end Greg Olsen is hosting ''Shake the Lake,'' an evening of country music, featuring headliner Keith Anderson and David Nail and emceed by ''Ramblin' Ray'' Stevens of US99, from 8 to 11 p.m. Friday at Joe's Bar on West Weed. It benefits the Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation and Gus Foundation's cancer research programs.