'Apprentice,' 'Survivor' Gear Goes to eBay

NEW YORK (AP) _ The latest ``Apprentice'' has been hired and the newest ``Survivor'' has, well, survived. But fans shouldn't fret. In the downtime before the next installments, they

Monday, December 20th 2004, 2:10 pm

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) _ The latest ``Apprentice'' has been hired and the newest ``Survivor'' has, well, survived. But fans shouldn't fret. In the downtime before the next installments, they can own a piece of reality TV history.

Props from NBC's ``The Apprentice'' and CBS' ``Survivor'' are now available on eBay with proceeds benefiting the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, which battles AIDS at 500 sites in 17 countries.

``From the perspective of the foundation, this offers incredible visibility for the importance of the issue,'' foundation President Kate Carr told The Associated Press recently. ``People are combating AIDS with priceless gifts.''

Executive producer Mark Burnett has donated props from ``Survivor'' since he traveled to Africa for the third season and saw the plight firsthand. And during the first season of ``The Apprentice,'' candidates produced a Sotheby's auction benefiting the foundation.

``The Apprentice'' items range from Planet Hollywood mini-basketballs, which were signed by first season runner-up Kwame Jackson, to smocks worn during second season candy bar and ice cream tasks. ``Survivor: Vanuatu _ Islands of Fire'' props include camp supplies, torches and flags. But the allure of the memorabilia is lost on Carr.

``Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,'' said Carr. ``For whatever reason, the reality shows have an essence that touch people. I'd like to think that part of it is altruistic. It's a potent combination.''

Money from the auctions could go to the purchase of prescription drugs or a grant for clinical research projects.

``Our auctions have brought in right around $1.2 million,'' Carr told the AP. ``The `All-Stars' auction brought in around a quarter of a million dollars. Would I love that again? You bet.''