George Lopez
Comedian George Lopez, pictured here at the premiere of 'The Smurfs' in 2013, is among those reportedly being courted by NBC to host "Celebrity Apprentice." Getty

Now that Donald Trump has been given the boot from NBC due to offensive comments he made about Mexican immigrants, the network is hard at work finding his replacement on the hit reality show “Celebrity Apprentice.” Now, new reports indicate that NBC is hoping to twist the knife a little further by hiring a very popular Mexican-American celebrity as Trump’s replacement.

According to a new report from Page Six, the peacock network is currently in very early talks with comedian George Lopez about taking over for the fifteenth season of the hit business-skewering reality TV show. The outlet claims that the discussions are in very early stages and that nothing should be considered set in stone until NBC makes the final announcement. The network is reportedly also courting personalities like Mark Cuban, Richard Branson and Martha Stewart to take on the hosting gig and be the one to deliver the iconic catchphrase: “you’re fired.”

According to Reuters, NBC cut its ties with the U.S. presidential candidate after he made some very derogatory remarks about Mexican immigrants coming into the United States. Ironically he was trying to kick off his campaign for president at the time.

“They’re bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime, they’re rapists and some, I assume, are good people.”

In response to the backlash from his comments, NBC announced soon after that not only is it moving forward without Trump at the wheel of “Celebrity Apprentice,” something he would have had a hard time doing while running for president anyway, but that it will no longer air the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants.

“At NBC, respect and dignity for all people are cornerstones of our values,” the network said in a statement (via TV Line). “Due to the recent derogatory statements by Donald Trump regarding immigrants, NBCUniversal is ending its business relationship with Mr. Trump.”

Prior to the controversy and his announcement of a presidential campaign, the network renewed “The Apprentice” for a 15th season, eighth as an all-celebrity cast. With the show committed to bringing another batch of D-list personalities into the business game, only time will tell who is ultimately offered the position as its new host -- and how he or she will do replacing Trump.

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