CNBC's Burnett on "The Apprentice" is no synergy, dents credibility

Alessandra Stanley of the New York Times critiques the latest edition of Donald Trump’s “The Apprentice” show and is stumped as to why CNBC anchor Erin Burnett appears as a judge.

Stanley writes, “The names are not the biggest show business can offer — Joan Rivers and Dennis Rodman are among the headliners — but the basic formula still works, and Mr. Trump manages to preside with a straight face.

“That was a little harder for Sunday’s guest judge, Erin Burnett, a CNBC business news anchor, who took the place filled by Mr. Trump’s daughter Ivanka on the premiere episode.

“NBC keeps testing the limits between news and entertainment in pursuit of cross-promotional synergy.

“Ms. Burnett, whose day job is to report on the teetering economy, was shown last Sunday night shilling for Mr. Trump. It’s one thing for NBC to promote the reputation of a business tycoon who makes money for the network; there’s no synergy in denting the credibility of one of its most visible business reporters.”

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