NEW YORK (AP) – The next “Apprentice” finale won’t be huuuuge.

During a news conference Tuesday, Donald Trump announced that the live finale of the third season of NBC’s “The Apprentice” will be held at the Skirball Center of the Performing Arts at New York University on May 19 (9 p.m. ET). Unlike the second season’s much-bemoaned three-hour finale and reunion last December, this swan song will only last an hour.

“At my insistence, I wanted it to be a one-hour finale,” said Trump. “We ended up with a reunion and all of this nonsense. Nobody wants that. What they want is a finale where somebody gets fired.”

The real estate mogul and “Apprentice” star also said he felt “very badly” for Chris Shelton, the 22-year-old “Apprentice” candidate who was arrested early Sunday for disorderly conduct at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa, Fla. Trump even offered to “be there” for Shelton.

“He’s got a problem,” said Trump. “He’s got an anger management problem. We talked about it on the show. He truly is an angry guy.”

On the competitive reality show, real estate millionaire Shelton frequently screams during boardroom sessions. During a pizza-selling task on the March 31 episode, Shelton engaged in an expletive-filled spat with teammate Alex Thomason. Trump said Shelton’s fired-up temperament will again be on display during Thursday’s episode.

“By circumstance, it happens to involve Chris to a large extent,” said Trump. “He has a very interesting time on the show.”

Shelton was arrested in Florida after “causing a scene” over being asked to pay a $20 cover charge to enter the hotel bar. After several attempts by staff to calm Shelton, he continued to yell and curse, a police report said. He was released after posting $250 bail.

“You’ve got to cut him a little slack because he’s young,” first-season winner Bill Rancic told The Associated Press. “He’s just got to chill out.”

During the press conference, Trump also announced Rancic, who was “hired” live a year ago, will continue to work in sales and marketing on Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago.

“He’s done everything I’ve asked him to do,” Trump said of Rancic.


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