Show returns to Thursday nights in January

The Donald is returning to the place where he first staked his claim as a TV personality.

NBC has announced a premiere date for its "Celebrity Apprentice." The seventh edition of the show, which will feature 14 reasonably famous people vying to raise money for their favorite charities, is scheduled to premiere at 9 p.m. ET Thursday, Jan. 3.

The scheduling of the show on Thursdays is a major hedge against a prolonged writers' strike. "Celebrity Apprentice" will slide into the hour now occupied by "The Office," which has exhausted its supply of new episodes for now, and "Scrubs," which has six completed episodes yet to air -- hardly enough to fill out the rest of the season.

Fourteen celebs -- including ex-"Sopranos" star Vincent Pastore, actress/author Marilu Henner, former "Apprentice" contestant Omarosa (who's dropped her last name, apparently) country singer Trace Adkins and KISS bassist/merchandising maven Gene Simmons -- will compete in business-related tasks while raising money for non-profit groups. The winner will get to present a $250,000 check to their chosen organization.

Trump is typically understated in assessing the seventh version of his show. "This will be the most exciting season of 'The Apprentice' yet –- maybe even better than season one," he says. "Our 14 celebrity contestants are incredible individually, and as a group they will make 'The Celebrity Apprentice' one of the hottest shows on television."

The other contestants are model Carol Alt, actor and veteran celeb-reality show contestant Stephen Baldwin, former Olympic gymnast Nadia Comaneci, 2005 Playmate of the year Tiffany Fallon, softball star Jennie Finch, TV producer Nely Galan ("The Swan"), former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, "America's Got Talent" judge/editor Piers Morgan and Ultimate Fighting legend Tito Ortiz.