We haven’t been hearing much about Amal Clooney lately. She’s been in Como, Italy with her husband for much of the summer, and I have every expectation that George and Amal will be at Lake Como through August, possibly even into September. George loves summering in Italy and Amal has the kind of schedule (does she though?) which allows her to take huge chunks of time “off.” At this point, I kind of think Amal is like a stunt-barrister – she’s brought in at the last minute to raise the profile of certain cases and garner public sympathy/attention. I’m not saying she’s not a real barrister, or a brilliant, epic legal mind, I’m just saying… it doesn’t seem like she’s working her fingers to the bone for her clients.
So would Amal ever leave her barrister job for good? Would she leave her firm to take over as host of the American version of The Apprentice? NBC sh-tcanned Donald Trump months ago and I guess they’re in the market for a new boss. And they allegedly want Amal. Really?
Human rights barrister Amal is NBC’s number one target to take over from Donald Trump as host of the prime time show, the US equivalent to Alan Sugar’s The Apprentice. Amal, 37, who married Clooney in Venice last September, tops a short list of “powerhouse” female candidates that includes Facebook CEO Sheryl Sandberg and Fantastic Four actress Jessica Alba, who also runs a billion dollar household products empire.
Bosses at NBC turned Trump’s own catchphrase, “You’re fired!”, on him after he made incendiary remarks about illegal Mexican immigrants being “rapists and murderers” last month during a political campaign speech. Now the network wants to hire in his place a high-profile woman who can command as much attention in the boardroom as on the red carpet, and executives believe human rights barrister Amal fits the bill perfectly.
One said yesterday: “As well as the cachet of being married to George, she is also a highly respected figure in her field and, since she rarely says anything in public, there is still something of an air of mystery to her. Basically we want Amal, although there are a couple of other prominent women in contention. We think she could be a perfect fit, if her schedule can be made to dovetail with shooting requirements.”
The idea of filming mainly in New York, where she is a regular lecturer as a visiting professor at Columbia Law School, appeals to the new Mrs Clooney, according to friends of the couple.
These include nightclub tycoon Rande Gerber and his wife, former supermodel Cindy Crawford, who has hosted and guest starred on several American TV shows and is reportedly encouraging Amal to “go for it”.
The Apprentice isn’t really my jam, or maybe that was just because I always hated Donald Trump. So… I don’t really care about the show in general. But! It would be interesting to see a woman host the show. If Jessica Alba was the host, that might be really cool. I also think Sheryl Sandberg would be great in this kind of role, but I am almost positive that Sandberg would never, ever do it. My qualm about Amal taking on this kind of role… well, she really doesn’t have any executive experience, right? She’s never been a CEO, president, CFO or chairwoman of anything. Her role as a barrister has always been part of a team and she’s almost always been a junior member of the team. If she did it, it would just be naked stunt-casting because Amal is a unicorn, wrapped in an enigma, covered in terrible, expensive clothes.
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.
Nope, try again.
This is the best fan fiction I have read in awhile. They must be smoking the good stuff at the Express this week.
Ha! Completely agree!
Blinds about her thirst for her own reality show were confirmed months ago, but this isn’t it..what does she know about business? –how to marry $ and spend it.
“what does she know about business? –how to marry $ and spend it”
Maybe that’s the advice she gives to the contestants?
“Okay, you first assignment is we are going to go shopping at a Mets game. Who are your team captains?”
No. Just….no.
George is Stephen Colbert’s first guest, so one Clooney will be in NYC in early September. And the vulva vest, again, Kaiser?
That vest is ugly as sin.
Ohhh, that was my thought, too. Can we banish it forever, pretty please!
I don’t think so
It’s this show about winning an apprenticeship to work at the host’s company?
What will the winner win if Amal hosts it? Become a member of the Clooney PR team?
Amal looks good on the pictures above.
Outside of the first ‘winner’, have any of the winners actually worked for Trump? And is that why they switched to Celebrity Apprentice, because Trump didn’t want to employ people who ‘won’ this contest?
I just want to give her a glass of water. Or six.
This would be a bad move for the Clooneys, if she accepted it, which I believe she won’t.
I think this is an attempt at creating buzz for a show that should be retired or better yet, fired.
Ha-ha, I see what you did there.
Her casting would make no sense. She doesn’t have anything to do with business.
Amal wants to be a celeb so badly wouldn’t surprise me if she does this. Not that she has any experience or qualifications. She is a jnr barrister who hasn’t even won a case but she did make millions overnight by marrying George Clooney.
…agreed.
Same here. A year ago, I would have laughed about it, now even this seems possible.
George and Amal are both probably laughing at the absurdity of this story her no.1 job these days is being papped being mrs George Clooney. Her career as britains top legal barrister seems to have become irrelevant it’s her part time job, something to keep her busy when George is away making movies.
Stunt barrister is the best description I have seen anywhere for what she does. I am in the same line of business and I can tell you now that it is not compatible with the amount of time she spends on holiday and away from London. Sure, you’re self-employed, but that means you can work from home in your PJs when you have a legal pleading to draft instead of going into the office. It doesn’t mean you don’t do the pleading because you’re on vacation. In my experience clients want one thing above all else: availability. Stuff happens in litigation, often urgently and without notice. They want to be able to send you to court or pick up the phone for advice when it does. Obviously people recognise that you may sometimes be away – but for months on end? No. Friends of mine who have kids take on fewer cases; that means they’re much less likely to work 60 hours a week and they can leave early and enjoy that time with family. But they still work 46 plus weeks a year for the reason that they have to be be available on those cases if something comes up. And they all say that it restricts career progression while they do it. So my view is that all AC will get are these last minute profile-raiser stunt jobs. Long running serious litigation which goes on 52 weeks a year for years on end? Forget it on her lifestyle. Now I don’t care if AC gives up work. I’m not so devoted to the job that I’d do it if the alternative was summering in Como. Actually I’d give it up in a heartbeat. But please, be honest about it and stop pretending to be a unicorn barrister.
You’re a barrister? But not working in the same field I can guarantee. I have a friend who does work in the same field and she rarely goes into chambers (she can work from home or abroad) and if any of you decided to take a glimpse of her life in random pictures you would throw her under the same lazy bus. Yet if you bothered to spend time with her you wouldn’t be so judgemental. She has had time to write numerous books, teach, be on various committees, go on vacation with her family and friends (which also include British celebrities) and raise 3 kids and even presented a couple of TV shows. But because she isn’t working 24 hours a day 52 weeks a year in chambers or her home office, she can’t be serious about her job? How does anyone know Amal isn’t flying back to London (or elsewhere because in her line of work, it isn’t all London) for different meetings? There isn’t paparazzi photos of her 24 hours a day so you don’t know she is on permanent holiday. Surely you do know that even on holiday in another country you can answer your mobile?
None of the things you described relates to a litigation practice. It describes someone who qualified as a lawyer and does other things related to law.
As for Amal, was she in Egypt recently because there was another court appearance for Fahmy . Somehow the press forgot to mention she was there.
As for the Apprentice, I hope it is a joke because this would not help whatever type of career she currently has.
What tv shows?
Your comment is belittling to Junior Barristers. Being a barrister is not just about being on the phone, and a lot of legal casework especially in Britain is not as easily accessible via the Internet. Now just because you know one barrister who has a great schedule does not mean that is the norm. I can name thousands of both junior barristers and QC’s who would disagree with you. You have not said what kind of law or level barrister your friend with the great schedule is, and you also said she writes and does tv work, well that is a different type of work than a barrister with cases.
The problem with Amal is George’s PR not necessarily Amal’s career. They have claimed she is this Clarence Darrow fighting for the just, even going so far as making it seem she was fighting against Enron, not for them. Now they have done a 180, and she is up for hosting the Apprentice. Most law professionals would think is an intellectual big step down. How do I know the PR is involved ? Well if it was something they had issues with George’s well respected publicist would shut it down completely or at least deny quickly as it could be damaging to her career and none of this has happened, and this story started floating late last week. I don’t understand the need to define Amal’s career at all in the media, but George has the need. Which also makes people wonder about the whole marriage too.
@Nic919 – I’m not describing any litigation process, I am saying that they don’t work 24/7 as everyone seems to think, they do have time for other things too. And Italy is only a few hours away from her chambers so if they needed her there, she can get there and who is to say she hasn’t gone there? Just because you don’t see paparazzi photos doesn’t mean she has never been. The Fahmy case isn’t just a straight out trial with Amal being the chief defence council. She isn’t allowed to represent Fahmy in an Egyptian court, no one but Egyptian lawyers can. His case is multifaceted. Khaled Abou Bakr is representing him in court for his criminal case, Amal is trying to get him extradited to Canada (like Peter Greste got to Australia) and Joanna Gislason is attempting to sue Al Jazerra on his behalf. Are one of these people more “his lawyer” than the others? Each is doing their own job bringing their own expertise and helping him get out of this.
@dippit – sorry, I won’t disclose who she is on this board for fear of the humongous amount of international barristers here ripping her life to pieces because of me. I just get a little sick of reading comments from people who don’t know what really goes on in a person’s life but because they say they work in the same field seems to mean they can say any old dross and people believe them.
@noway – If you really know anyone in her field, you would actually know what you said is rubbish. Ask the thousands that you know. Has she said she wanted to present the apprentice or is it the producers wish list. It’s a big difference.
On a gossip website it is unlikely any will know the 24/7 of any of the subjects’ lives. I think you’re expecting too much, unless you can make claim to having more intimate knowledge re Amal. Nonny provided some insight based on direct experience in the field, you did likewise citing anecdotal info about a friend.
I incline to suspect your friend is not a Junior with limited experience and very few years Call. The latitude on formal working Amal appears to allow herself is certainly atypical for a Junior.
@Blabberwort You seem proud to boast that barristers don’t have to go into an office or courtroom very often. Any person in the legal profession, and I would bet Amal herself, would tell you there are a large amount of work and hours involved physically in a courtroom and office. Maybe it wasn’t your intention, but by gloating about your “friend” you make it seem like she is doing it between vacation trips . It belittles the profession, and is inaccurate or rubbish as you would say. You made a far more cohesive argument that she was returning to London and we just don’t see it. Although with the Daily Mail and other aggressive gossip rags in the UK on her at least two times a week, I find it unlikely.
My point about the Apprentice was not that this wasn’t a floating the possibility list, but if they thought it was a bad idea George’s people would shut it down or deny it quickly, which hasn’t been done yet. No offense to Donald Trump or maybe some, the host of the Apprentice is an intellectual step down and career impediment to her and it would behoove them to squash it if she wanted to proceed further in law. I would also not be surprised if she is floating this out there by her PR team, as I heard something similar about Cindy Crawford’s new model tv show and Amal on it. Only time will tell what she is doing. I really don’t care about her career, although working in the media publicity field I find the whole media blitz on her and her career fascinating to watch. Still, I have many family and friends in the human rights legal field in both the UK and US I found your comments message and tone made it seem like they can do their job between coffee runs, and I find that offensive.
@dippit – exactly. People don’t know 24/7 of people’s lives so how do they know she isn’t working on cases? How do they know she hasn’t been going to and fro when needed? How do they know anything she may need isn’t either bought with her or sent on? She isn’t backpacking and will turn up in random places, she is in a large villa in Como, not on the moon but a couple of hours away where she could be working while there. She doesn’t need to be within 15 minutes of her chambers or courtroom (which most of the time isn’t even in the country so for people who say they work in the exact same field, it doesn’t make sense.)
@noway – I have been a long time lurker and a few months ago (and I am 99% sure it’s you) you said you were an international human rights lawyer and now you say it’s your family who are all human rights lawyers, and you work in media publicity? You did say that didn’t you? Unless I am mistaken and it is another noway.
Nobody else is horrified by the puffy sweater?! I guess maybe i missed it on the first go-round.
It dawned on me today that her horrible outfits actually humanize her and make her more likable! I can feel real jealousy and envy when someone is a consistently great dresser. But Amal doesn’t make me feel bad about my wardrobe. Thanks, Amal!
No way. I see her trying to get on as a CNN legal analyst or even ABC, etc., who occasionally appears for commentary on international issues, humanitarian rights, something to boost her profile as a “great legal mind.” Nothing less for Mrs. Clooney. LOL
Oooo she (and Mother) want this, really want it. Always have. What I’m enjoying is that their whole making her out as the legal unicorn and above Hollywood makes this a complete between a rock and a hard place situation.
She goes for it, then the whole independent, purposeful career woman myth is busted. George is exposed for mis-selling her and he’s back to being the butt of jokes for getting with fameho promo women; and this one has a certificate. The Clooney Brand, already struggling to maintain a B – tequila (A on name recognition ONLY), plummets to Zzzzz. And the little support Amal has on her Style site meltdown as all the so called “haterz” are shown to have called it correctly way back.
Added to which, Amal has no experience or qualifications for this job, presents poorly in public reading prepared statements in her own ‘job’, and seems to lack any charisma or engaging personality. So the show would be a failure.
The whole marriage is a stunt, not just her lawyering.
This would be a hoisted by their own petard blowing up right in their own PR faces.
*fixes popcorn* and I would tune in ONCE just to laugh as Amal hair flicks her way through a Boardroom with people more experience in business and with much greater claim to celebrity than her.
I agree with everything you said, but from my understanding it is Celebrity Apprentice as the Apprentice itself was cancelled a few years back. The contestants are b- and c- celebrities, and winner gets a cash prize to a charity. NBC has lost its cookies, this show has jumped the shark years ago. If she does this or the Cindy Crawford produced model show either that was floated earlier, she really would seem like someone who just wants celebrity and that would be a bad move.
I agree with both your posts, the truth behind this whole relationship is becoming clearer every minute.
Too low-rent for Mrs. Clooney, no way is this true.
Totally agree-
Blindgossip.com has an item about this today – saying she is too royal now for this-
BTW – have the Carlyle boys been booked for the GC visit to NYC yet?
There booked and ready to go, along with his hairdresser.
A few years ago, a popular US cable hairstyling competition show replaced Jaclyn Smith with Matthew Mc’s then-girlfriend (now wife) Camilla during its third season.
The ratings tanked and the show was canceled. She tried, but it was awful.
I think the scenarios would be very similar, if this actually happens.
Taking this job would be career suicide. Not that it seems like she cares.
This is a big step down from a law firm. Just say no Amal! Besides, now that it’s celebrity apprentice, you have to deal with idiot minor celebs. I liked it better when it was about a bunch of hungry nobodies. At least there were some business marketing concepts that you can learn about.
Well, well, well…There was this grand roll out for Amal as this fantastic barrister, involved in vital cases and so on. Turns out she’s just another fame ho after all. Why bother doing important work in the real world when you can be a reality star on The Donald’s crappy show?
This story probably was invented to talk even more about the unicorn lawyer that she so clearly is not. But the Celebrity Apprentice wouldn’t be the level she’s aiming at. Should be at least CNN/ABC, hired as a ‘legal expert’. THIS I could see happening. Otherwise, this would be a definite career suicide, if there’s anything left of a career. On the other hand, I still don’t think a real career matters that much to her, since she got George impressed fast and furious. I do believe she has what she wanted.
Siri, she seems very conniving to me, and has George eating out of her hand. But it shows that if her career as this ‘amazing humanatarian lawyer of all time’ was true, they wouldnt have her name linked to this at all. I think what she really wants is to get on to a panel like cnn or Charlie Rose, something more upmarket. She knew when she took the Clooney name, this would open the doors for her in the entertainment field. There has been something fishy about this women from the start, and its all starting to come out now.
I , too, think she would love to be on-camera, using whatever kind of experience in the legal field. I also wouldn’t be surprised if she steps into journalism from the side line. That is her goal, to become famous herself. As an “expert”, and then her mother could also see a revival of her career after that. Another “expert”. They knew what they wanted, and why Amal took Clooneys name. I’ve watched an interview on CNN, or was it ABC, with her mother…she LOVES to name drop. But you don’t really learn a lot, or get a question aswered in a clear way. Don’t we have enough of those people sitting around in studios?
A successful reality show host needs to project some personality, even if it’s bad (like Trumpet.) There’s no indication that Amal can do anything but pose & smile. Appropriate courtroom demeanor is quite opposite what interests TV viewers & keeps conversation moving on the apprentice. Making her the host would be the end of that show.
Can someone tell People magazine to stop trying to make “Amal” happen? I feel like I’m being force fed this woman, she’s like dog poo, she is everywhere!!!
Wait until you see the first interview with legal expert Amal on the evening news;-)
Doesn’t this require business/finance experience? Or even business legal?
Nope, with her face she might be a better choice for serving as a horse-show juror!