2012 'Celebrity Apprentice' Cast Revealed, Head-Scratching Ensues

Another year, another season of "Celebrity Apprentice." The reality competition show that just wouldn't die is back for a 12th season, and NBC just announced the new cast members.

For the most part, it's what you would expect from a "Celebrity Apprentice" list: a few washed-up celebs here, a few no-namers there, a model or two, a Real Housewife of Somewhere or Another, and a couple of people who make you go "hey, I like that person, too bad he/she is on this show."

But there are two names that stand out as a bit odd for this show: Clay Aiken and George Takei. Both men are gay, and Takei is rather outspoken about it and is one of the lucky gay men out there to have been able to get married to his partner. Trump, meanwhile, flatly said that he opposed gay marriage and even civil unions for gay couples earlier in 2011 when he was considering a run for presidency.

That begs the question: why the heck are these guys on the show? Will Aiken or Takei take the opportunity to address the issue? Or will they simply ingratiate themselves to the jerk with the orange face like all the rest of the contestants do? Or is the whole thing planned so that people will tune in and hope to see some sparks fly?

We'll see, I suppose, on February 12th when the show returns with new episodes.

Here's the full cast list for season 12 of "Celebrity Apprentice":

Men:

Arsenio Hall
Clay Aiken
Adam Carolla
Lou Ferrigno
Penn Jillette
Dee Snider
George Takei
Michael Andretti (Indy car driver)
Paul Teutul ("American Chopper" star)

Women:

Cheryl Tiegs
Debbie Gibson
Tia Carrere (singer/star of "Wayne's World 2")
Victoria Gotti
Lisa Lampanelli
Dayana Mendoza (former Miss Universe)
Aubrey O'Day (singer)
Patricia Velasquez (actress/model)
Theresa Giudice ("Real Housewives of New Jersey")

Photo source: Zimbio