Ox Notes: August 21, 2007

Every day it becomes more apparent that Donald Trump's celebrity edition of The Apprentice is really happening. He announced yesterday some of the celebrities who've already signed on to the show: Jim Cramer, Carmen Electra, Joan Rivers, Naomi Judd, George Foreman, Kimora Lee Simmons, Pete Rose, Dana Patrick, Tony Hawk, Jeff Gordon, and Trump's own creation, Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth. I'm not sure if "Dana Patrick" was a misprint of Dan Patrick or Danica Patrick, though.

In more reality show casting news, three more names have surfaced as possible candidates for Dancing with the Stars 5: Richard Quest, Nia Peeples, and Patrick Swayze. ABC hasn't announced when it will reveal the final cast, but TV spots the network is running for the show are available at ABC's website.

TV Guide has an interview with Kristen Bell following the announcement that she'll be joining the cast of Heroes -- a gig which may have come about as she was riding the train with Hiro and Syler.

The TV mag also has an interview with Kenneth Branagh ahead of tonight's HBO premiere of his updated version of Shakespeare's As You Like It.

And if you're a dominatrix or a rapper, Trading Spaces wants you. TLC is trying to branch out beyond neighbors in an effort to revive its flagging decorating staple. The casting notice also called for vegetarians, and I think I can speak on behalf of my people when I say that we don't really have a uniform design aesthetic that we subscribe to. Just don't decorate our homes with a meat motif and we'll be okay.