Lou Ferrigno on Celebrity Apprentice Season 12: "It's Tough — But Basically It's Like a Chess Game"
Lou Ferrigno joined the Celebrity Apprentice Season 12 press call on January 4, 2012, describing the experience as difficult, challenging, and ultimately a lot of fun — before a bad phone connection forced him to sign off early.
From the Vault · 2012
This is an archival piece from the Premier Guide Miami collection. The coverage, context, and details reflect the time it was originally published.
Lou Ferrigno said it plainly: "It was very difficult and very challenging. I learned a lot but I really had a lot of fun. It's tough — but basically it…" — and Premier Guide Miami was in the room when it happened.
On January 4, 2012, NBC held a press call for Celebrity Apprentice Season 12, premiering Sunday, February 12th at 9 p.m. on NBC. Lou Ferrigno was among the four contestants on the line — alongside Adam Carolla, Penn Jillette, and Aubrey O'Day — though a persistent bad phone connection forced him to sign off before the call concluded. Premier Guide Miami was among the outlets on the call.
Love Miami covers the city's conversations — the interviews, the creative voices, the tastemakers and innovators who define South Florida's cultural identity. This is the pillar where Miami speaks for itself.
It was very difficult and very challenging. I learned a lot but I really had a lot of fun. It's tough — but basically it's like a chess game.
Asked how the experience compared to what he had expected going in, Ferrigno was straightforward: "First of all, I was on the show with a bunch of great talent, great people, great friends. It was very difficult and very challenging. I learned a lot but I really had a lot of fun. It's tough. But basically it's like a chess game." His co-stars were less restrained in their assessments of him. Adam Carolla said he was most intrigued to discover "Arsenio Hall's 3-1/2 personalities" — but it was Aubrey O'Day who, when asked which cast member was the most volatile this season, answered without hesitation: "Arsenio Hall." Carolla had also noted earlier in the season's February press call that seeing George Takei "with a skip in his step" was enough to keep him from complaining — a sentiment that applied equally to Ferrigno, whose energy and physicality on set became a recurring point of reference for the cast. Ferrigno signed off mid-call due to a bad cell connection, asking to be excused rather than risk answering questions incorrectly. Celebrity Apprentice Season 12 premiered Sunday, February 12, 2012, on NBC.
For more upcoming events across South Florida, visit the Premier Guide Miami Events Calendar .
The PGM Edit
Lou Ferrigno on celebrity apprentice season 12 — this is the kind of conversation Premier Guide Miami was built to have. Follow us for more Love Miami.
Premier Guide Miami
The Live · Love · Play Dial
Brightline's Buzzer Beater Is Back for the Miami Heat Season — Skip the Traffic, Catch the Game
Brightline's game-day train service returns for the 2026–27 Miami Heat season, connecting fans from Orlando, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and Aventura to MiamiCentral Station — a 15-minute walk from Kaseya Center. The Heat open at home October 21 against the Timberwolves.
Major Lazer Is Headlining Faena's Art Basel Music Series — and Chase Sapphire Reserve Cardholders Get a Private Dinner
The Faena Art Music Series returns December 2 with Major Lazer headlining and Richie Hell opening. Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders get access to a private sunset cocktail hour, an exclusive dinner called 'Transatlantic Express: A Shared Table,' and a VIP area. Tickets go on sale October 27.
You're the Jury: This Interactive Courtroom Show at the Manuel Artime Theater Puts You in the Deliberation Room
The Jury Experience — a 60-minute live theatrical show by Fever where the audience becomes the jury — is running at the Manuel Artime Theater in Miami through the end of the year. No two performances are the same because the room decides the verdict.
The Fort Lauderdale Dining Guide: Seven Restaurants Worth Building Your Trip Around
From a gondola dinner on the Las Olas canals to a Michelin Guide steakhouse, a coastal Italian chophouse on the Intracoastal, and a Greek estiatorio with house olive oil from the village — Fort Lauderdale's table is better than it's ever been.
Independent.
·Unsponsored.
·Always Free.
Premier Guide Miami has never accepted payment for editorial coverage. Our story →