Well, that didn’t take long! Less than 24 hours after Arsenio Hall was crowned this season’s Celebrity Apprentice, HollywoodLife.com has learned exclusively that both Fox and TBS are interested in bringing the former talk-show host back to late night television.

Our source explains that Fox is considering a weekly format for Arsenio — his show would likely air Saturday nights against Saturday Night Live on NBC — while TBS is floating the idea of pairing Arsenio’s show with Conan O’Brien‘s on weeknights. There’s even been talks about a show that could air in the morning, then replay at night.

But much like Rome, Arsenio’s comeback won’t be built overnight. Regardless of which network he decides to use as his late-night vehicle, the earliest a new show would debut is the fall.

— Written by Andy Swift, reporting by Russ Weakland

Follow @AndySwift

More Arsenio Hall, Celebrity Apprentice Winner 2012:

1. ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ Got It Wrong — Clay Aiken Should Have Won
2. ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ Live Season Finale: Was Arsenio Or Clay Hired?
3. ‘Celebrity Apprentice’: The Final Two Contestants Revealed

How many of you were surprised when Donald Trump told Arsenio Hall he was hired on the May 20 season finale of The Celebrity Apprentice? Oh, everyone? Me too, because it seemed that all signs were pointing to Clay Aiken as this season’s champion. Not only did Clay’s team earn more for his charity — he raised $301,500 while Arsenio only raised $167,000 — but nearly every returning contestant polled said they expected Clay to win.

So what happened?

The Donald attempted to justify Arsenio’s win during a May 21 appearance on the Today show — he explained that Arsenio remained undefeated throughout the competition, while Clay lost one week as Project Manager — but I’m not buying it.

Doesn’t everything in the business world come down to the almighty dollar? I’m no Trump, but I’d rather have someone like Clay at the helm of my company, knowing that he’d make more money for me even if he did lose out on one little account. And shouldn’t the contestants’ massive age gap — Clay is 23 years younger than Arsenio — prove even further that Clay has a natural business sense?

My suspicions increased when Arsenio started talking about how his experience on The Celebrity Apprentice could lead to more TV opportunities.

Arsenio Hall Talk Show In The Works — Major TV Networks Trying To Win Over Winner Of Celebrity Apprentice 2012

“This show — [Trump] believing in me, NBC believing in me — has kind of allowed me to re-enter [the TV world]” Arsenio said. “The greatest builder in the world has built a bridge I’m going to walk across back into into show business.”

Is it possible that Arsenio’s Apprentice win was really just part of a much larger comeback plan for the former late-night host? Everyone is buzzing about Arsenio getting a new show, and you have to admit, the Donald will have major bragging rights when he finally does.

What do YOU think? Did Arsenio deserve to win this season’s Apprentice, or was Clay robbed of the title? Drop me a comment with your reaction to the winner, and your thoughts about the late-night conspiracy.

— Andy Swift

Follow @AndySwift

More Celebrity Apprentice:

1. Exclusive: Dayana Mendoza Tells Me Getting Fired Was ‘A Relief’
2. Exclusive: Lisa Lampanelli Reveals the Moments She Felt ‘Vindicated’
3. Recap: Penn Jillette & Dayana Gang Up Against Clay Aiken

A season of boardroom battles and charitable cat fights came down to The Celebrity Apprentice‘s live finale May 20, and even though the final two contestants couldn’t have been any more vanilla — it was beloved good-guy Arsenio Hall against beloved good-guy Clay Aiken — I was still biting my nails until Donald Trump finally announced his decision to hire…

Arsenio!

Arsenio Hall Won Celebrity Apprentice 2012 — Did The Donald Hire The Wrong Guy?

That’s right, the forever-in-second-place comedian finally came in first — and to be honest, I was pretty surprised! Not only did Clay’s team earn more money ($301,500) than Arsenio’s ($167,000), but most of the returning contestants polled predicted his victory without hesitation.

EXCLUSIVE DETAILS: ‘Arsenio Hall Show’ Take 2 — Big Networks Want To Bring Arsenio Back To Late Night TV

But before we head to the comments section and debate whether or not the right celebrity won, can we all just agree that Clay and Arsenio’s duet of “Lean On Me” was a beautiful moment of television? Really, we’re all winners.

— Andy Swift

Follow @AndySwift

More Celebrity Apprentice:

1. Exclusive: Dayana Mendoza Tells Me Getting Fired Was ‘A Relief’
2. Exclusive: Lisa Lampanelli Reveals the Moments She Felt ‘Vindicated’
3. Recap: Penn Jillette & Dayana Gang Up Against Clay Aiken

The May 13 episode of Celebrity Apprentice was truly a gift — for those of us with waiting problems, that is. Within the first ten minutes, Donald Trump unleashed those two terrifying words every celebrity fears. But which member of the final three was fired? Was it Clay Aiken, Aubrey O’Day, or Arsenio Hall? I know, I know, the suspense is killing you…

After all three contestants defended themselves in the boardroom — Arsenio had a particularly difficult time justifying his nasty treatment of Aubrey — the Donald ultimately decided to fire Aubrey, leaving Arsenio and Clay as the season’s final two contestants.

UPDATE: Arsenio Hall Or Clay Aiken?? — See Who Was Crowned ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ Winner 2012

Of course, this week’s episode brought more than just one epic firing. It also marked the return of every contestant whose been fired thus far this season — and yes, they all brought their baggage.

So what’s your take on the final two? Do you think Aubrey was the right person to be fired this week? And who do you think will be crowned The Celebrity Apprentice on next week’s live finale?

— Andy Swift

Follow @AndySwift

More Celebrity Apprentice:

1. Exclusive: Dayana Mendoza Tells Me Getting Fired Was ‘A Relief’
2. Exclusive: Lisa Lampanelli Reveals the Moments She Felt ‘Vindicated’
3. Recap: Penn Jillette & Dayana Gang Up Against Clay Aiken