Producers of ‘The Apprentice’ sue Israeli TV

jerusalem (ap) | The producers of the popular reality TV show "The Apprentice' are suing an Israeli TV station for allegedly stealing their idea, a lawyer said last week.

Mark Burnett Productions and Fremantle Media filed suit in a Tel Aviv court this week against the Israeli TV channel Keshet Productions, accusing them of copying "The Apprentice' for the Israeli show "The Ambassador,' said a lawyer for the plaintiffs, Zohar Lande.

Officials from Keshet did not return a message seeking comment.

The suit alleges that "The Ambassador' copies extensively from the American show, even using the hands of real-estate magnate Donald Trump, host of "The Apprentice,' in its promotions. "The format includes all the components and creates the overall look and feel of 'The Apprentice,'' according to the suit.

In 'The Ambassador,' 14 contestants were forced to present Israel in the best light in front of hostile international audiences — including the Cambridge University Union in England. A panel of judges threw one person off the show each week. The contestant deemed most successful was rewarded with a position with a U.S. Jewish organization.

In 'The Apprentice,' 18 contestants perform business-related challenges. Trump throws one contestant he judges as the weak link off the show each week, and the winner receives a high-paying job with one of his companies.