Bret Michaels, Sharon Osbourne and Cyndi Lauper may all get to hear the words “you’re fired” from Donald Trump on the NBC program’s new season.

Nine others are joining them, including — for now — former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was impeached last year and is facing federal racketeering, extortion and fraud charges. He’s accused of trying to trade state government business for campaign cash and of trying to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama.

Blagojevich was denied the opportunity to compete on last summer’s I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!

News: Rod Blagojevich’s Reality-TV Dream Is Dashed

Blagojevich’s reality show dreams could be dashed again. He was due in court Monday for a hearing in his federal corruption case, and his lawyers could address his upcoming appearance on Celebrity Apprentice.

A photo of the new cast shooting their opening appeared in the New York Post and reveals that actress Holly Robinson Peete and former baseball star Darryl Strawberry will also be facing the Donald this cycle.

Rounding out the competition: wrestlers Goldberg and Maria Kanellis, Take Home Chef Curtis Stone, comedian Sinbad, Olympic swimmer Summer Sanders and writer/comedian Carol Leifer — the inspiration behind Seinfeld’s Elaine.

The selection of this menagerie of people already has taken a hit. Seth Meyers joked on Saturday Night Live’s “Weekend Update” that the new cast of Celebrity Apprentice reduces the meaning of “celebrity” to “mammal.”

Not so long ago, reality TV was the last place any self-respecting celebrity would wish to end up.

Now, though, the famous — and almost-famous — are lining round the block to get on the most popular shows, like “Dancing With the Stars” or “Celebrity Apprentice.” And it isn’t for the money.

Stars on a multi-character scripted drama can make upwards of $50,000 an episode – sometimes way upward. On reality shows, celebrities get what is referred to as Most Favored Nation status — which means nobody gets more than anybody else. The celebs on “Dancing With the Stars,” for example, get $200,000 for the entire season, [See celebrity reality TV payments on The Wrap] whether they’re booted or not, a bonus of $100,00 if they’re number one, a smaller bonus if they’re number two, an even smaller bonus if they’re number 3, a top TV agent told The Wrap.

So Marie Osmond made what Emmitt Smith made, what Cloris Leachman made, what Belinda Carlisle made this season — and she was the first celeb booted off.

Of course, every reality show is different. A celebrity with a show built around his or her life is likely to get producer credit and maybe something on the back end. Participants on an existing show generally get a flat fee without residuals.

“Between scripted shows and reality shows,” said a leading TV agent, “in the success scenario there’s just no comparison — and that’s the way it should be. On scripted shows, they have to have talent.”

But, in Hollywood, there’s always more than money. Especially former celebrities are sniffing out any opportunity to put themselves on the map — or sell themselves in a different guise to a whole new generation of fans.

“It’s all about the endorsements and other appearances. There’s a lot of heat coming off that show,” the TV agent said.

Lauren Conrad has gone from nobody to television mega-celebrity by committing her young adult life to video on the MTV series “Laguna Beach” and its follow-up “The Hills.” No longer simply an aspiring fashion designer, she has launched her own clothing line on the back of her cable network visibility.

Her fellow cast members Heidi Montag, Audrina Patridge and Whitney Port have similarly diversified into music, film acting, fashion design, earning themselves millions of dollars in the process.

“Emmitt Smith always says that people outside of football didn’t really know his face before he was on the show,” said Deena Katz, senior talent producer on “DWTS.” “Marie Osmond and her dolls… they’re more of a multi-million-dollar property now. It put these guys back in the spotlight.”

Jerry Springer used “Dancing With the Stars” to help him escape the pigeonhole of his notorious daytime circus and turned it into a hosting slot on “America’s Got Talent.” It also put him in a position to be fielding, for the first time in his career, movie offers. Joey Fatone used the show as a springboard to become the host of “The Singing Bee.”

And the list goes on: “DWTS’” Julianne Hough got a boost to her fledgling country music career; Mario Lopez was tabbed to host “Extra.”

The thing that has changed from the “Battle of the Network Stars” days is, in a word, volume. “There’s more of it out there,” said one television agent who has set up reality shows for his clients. “With more out there come more opportunities for people who wouldn’t otherwise have had an in on television. Now they are given their shot, their 15 minutes. And some people are parlaying those 15 minutes into 30 minutes or hours or full careers.”

Though, for some, like Gary Busey, the options for reinvention seem limited to a stint on “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew” — a hit show that is unlikely to do very much for its participants other than reinforce stereotypical views.

The television agent said he will spend several hours in development meetings trying to identify career goals and branding options for his clients before coming up with a reality show pitch. His greatest successes have come when he has been able to resuscitate a career — he did not want to name names, but he has done so several times by now.

“Some shows have been proven to be safe and have developed reputations as career rejuvenators,” a television insider said. “‘Dancing With the Stars’ is a show people can do. ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ is safe to do. Of course, it’s up to you to conduct yourself in a way consistent with your celebrity brand.”

Indeed, there’s no question a cleverly crafted reality show stint can do wonders — especially if the celeb is willing to open up the idiosyncracies of his or her personal or professional lives to public scrutiny.

“At a time when the business is contracting and opportunities for a lot of celebrities are disappearing,” the insider said, “there is greater pressure to take advantage of those kinds of shows.”

After 12 weeks and competition from 13 other contestants, Trace Adkins was ultimately defeated by British tabloid editor and TV show judge Piers Morgan on the reality TV series, The Celebrity Apprentice. Donald Trump made the decision Thursday night (March 27) at the close of the two-hour season finale of the NBC program. Adkins’ laid-back personality made him a favorite among the other contestants. Trump also noted Adkins’ character and ethics, calling him a “special guy.” However, Trump ultimately rewarded Morgan for his fundraising abilities at various charity events, including a concert and auction in New York City featuring the Backstreet Boys. In praising Adkins, Morgan acknowledged, “I’m an evil, obnoxious Brit.” During Thursday night’s telecast, Adkins performed his latest single, “You’re Gonna Miss This.” A special live version of the song is now available for download at iTunes, with proceeds benefiting Adkins’ charity of choice, FANN (Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network). His 6-year-old daughter is one of the 12 million Americans who are afflicted with severe food allergies. Morgan’s charity is the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund which supports the families of military personnel lost in service to our nation and for severely wounded military personnel and veterans.