The Celebrity Apprentice: Season 11, Episode 1 - Pepperoni Profit (2011)

The episode begins with the introduction of the new cast of celebrity contestants for Season 11 of The Celebrity Apprentice. The celebrities are excited and nervous as they gather in the boardroom, where Donald Trump greets them. He explains the rules of the competition and introduces the first task: to create and sell pizza. The contestants are divided into two teams, with the men forming Team Backbone and the women forming Team A.S.A.P.

As the teams prepare for the task, the men, led by John Rich, decide to focus on a pepperoni pizza, believing it to be a crowd-pleaser. They brainstorm ideas for their pizza and marketing strategy, with John taking charge and delegating tasks. The men express confidence in their ability to sell the pizza, and they plan to set up a booth in New York City to attract customers.

Meanwhile, Team A.S.A.P. is led by Lisa Rinna, who is determined to create a unique pizza that stands out. The women discuss various toppings and ultimately decide on a gourmet pizza with a twist. Lisa emphasizes the importance of creativity and teamwork, and the women rally together to prepare for the task. They also plan their marketing strategy, aiming to appeal to a more upscale clientele.

On the day of the task, both teams set up their booths in busy locations. Team Backbone sets up in a high-traffic area, while Team A.S.A.P. chooses a location that they believe will attract a more discerning crowd. As the selling begins, both teams face challenges. Team Backbone struggles with their initial sales, and tensions rise as some members feel that others are not pulling their weight. John tries to keep morale high, but frustration begins to simmer.

Team A.S.A.P. initially has a strong start, with their gourmet pizza attracting attention. However, they face their own set of challenges, including disagreements over pricing and marketing tactics. Lisa tries to mediate the conflicts, but some team members feel sidelined. The pressure mounts as the clock ticks down, and both teams scramble to maximize their sales.

As the task comes to a close, both teams tally their sales. Team Backbone ultimately sells a significant number of pizzas, thanks in part to their aggressive marketing and location choice. Team A.S.A.P., despite their creative approach, struggles to match the sales figures of the men. The atmosphere is tense as both teams await the results.

In the boardroom, Donald Trump reviews the sales figures with the contestants. Team Backbone is declared the winner, and John Rich is praised for his leadership. The men celebrate their victory, while the women are left to face the consequences of their loss. Lisa Rinna, as the project manager, is held accountable for the team's performance.

The episode concludes with the women discussing their strategy for the upcoming boardroom meeting. Tensions are high as they prepare to confront the reality of elimination. Lisa reflects on her leadership and the decisions made during the task, knowing that one of her teammates will be sent home. The episode ends with a cliffhanger, leaving viewers eager to see who will be fired in the next episode.

The two teams are led by John Rich for the men's team, and Marlee Matlin for the women's team.

In 'Pepperoni Profit', the teams are tasked with creating and selling pizza, specifically focusing on the pepperoni pizza, to generate the highest profit.

John Rich focuses on leveraging his connections in the music industry to attract customers, and he emphasizes teamwork and effective communication among his team members.

Marlee Matlin's team emphasizes creativity in their marketing strategy, opting for a unique theme and engaging promotional tactics to draw in customers.

The teams face challenges such as managing their time effectively, dealing with unexpected customer demands, and ensuring their pizzas are of high quality while also being profitable.