Monday, Feb. 27, 2012 | 2 a.m.
Penn Jillette at Opportunity Village.
Penn Jillette advanced to another round of "Celebrity Apprentice" but more importantly raised $40,000 for Las Vegas' Opportunity Village.
The Rio's wizard and jester led the men's team as project manager, putting together a 15-minute show for the Medieval Times show in New Jersey, for the NBC show, which aired Sunday night. Jillette's "Unanimous" team earned a check for the Las Vegas not-for-profit that helps people with intellectual disabilities.
Jillette got choked up as he talked about those who benefit from the organization.
"All they want to do is be a part of society and not warehoused and not be forgotten," Jillette told Donald Trump in the boardroom near the end of the show.
Jillette put together a show that utilized the star power of a team that included comedian Arsenio Hall, Lou "The Incredible Hulk" Ferrigno and rocker Dee Snider of Twisted Sister, who dressed as a damsel in drag. Very Vegas.
"Phenomenal," was the way American Chopper star Paul Teutul Sr. described Jillette's direction.
They were challenged by the women's team, "Forte," managed by Palms regular Lisa Lampanelli, which put on a farcical frolic about "The Real Housewives of Camelot."
On their side: "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" star Teresa Giudice and former Vegas "Peep Show" diva Aubrey O'Day.
Despite the local tie, the Jersey audience picked the men's team with 558 votes to 363 for the women. That resulted in Trump giving the "you're fired" command to a pouty Victoria Gotti.
Jillette has become a fan favorite through the first two episodes of "Celebrity Apprentice," now in its fourth season.
But as Jillette told our news partners at KSNV, Opportunity Village embodies the spirit of Elvis. Those receiving vocational training through the organization made the scarves Elvis Presley threw to audience members during his blockbuster shows in Vegas during the 1970s.
"I think to not support me on 'Celebrity Apprentice' is to not support Elvis, and to not support Elvis is to not support America," Jillette said with a smile.
With $250,000 in donations at stake for Opportunity Village, Vegas hopes Trump gives Jillette a hunk of burnin' love.
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