NEW YORK -- March 15, 2006 -- NBC announced today that "The Apprentice" fans will be able to sign up for exclusive text message alerts to be sent directly to their cell phones from the candidates themselves during the show, beginning this Monday (March 20, 9-10 p.m. ET/PT).

NBC.com will offer weekly Apprentice alerts to subscribers, giving viewers the inside track to the unfolding onscreen action. Subscribers will receive up to five text messages from different candidates synchronized with the broadcast itself (multiple time zones will be available). As the drama intensifies on screen - and boardroom battles rage - candidates will send out messages detailing their thoughts, strategies and decisions as the episode develops.

Viewers can register at www.NBC.com/apprentice or text the word "APP" to the shortcode "62288" (NBCTV).

On this week's "The Apprentice," teams are given their fourth task - to design billboards launching the new face of Post Grape Nuts Trail Mix Crunch Cereal. The winning team - determined by Post executives who judge the teams based on originality, brand image and overall campaigns - cooks alongside world-renowned chef Jean-George at his signature restaurant in the Trump International.

Charmaine takes the lead as Gold Rush's project manager and attempts to unite the team despite adversity and Synergy struggles to keep Brent focused. While the winners break bread, the losers get chewed out in the boardroom and another candidate is fired.

"Gold Rush" - Bryce, Charmaine, Dan, Lee, Lenny, Leslie, Tarek
"Synergy" - Allie, Andrea, Brent, Michael, Roxanne, Sean, Tammy

"The Apprentice" is produced by Mark Burnett Productions. Mark Burnett, Jay Bienstock and Donald J. Trump are executive producers. Conrad Riggs and Kevin Harris are co-executive producers.