Douglas Gorenstein/NBCDonald Trump is honoring Joan Rivers.
The comic legend and Fashion Police host filmed two appearances on Trump's NBC reality series Celebrity Apprentice just before her tragic death at the age of 81 in September, the first of which is set to air this Monday. And on a panel for the series at the 2015 Winter TCA Press Tour on Friday, Trump had nothing but praise for Rivers, who won the show back in 2009.
"She was fantastic," he said. "She was strong and vibrant. She is so good on the show on Monday night."
But did the show ever consider not running footage of Rivers after her death? "We had a decision to make. Do we leave her or do we not leave her, and we decided to do it in memoriam," Trump explained. "I think it's inspirational, it shows how smart and sharp and incredible she was."
Of her appearance on the show, executive producer Mark Burnett said viewers can expect to see Rivers hard at work, saying, she "busted her ass helping other people and feeding hungry people in New York City. She's a true American."
Trump also said when he saw her "three days before the tragedy" just after filming her second appearance on the show, he remembered saying, "'She'll be around forever. She's unbelievable. Look at her.'"
And the cast was also quick to gush about Rivers, with Vivica A. Fox saying, "We were all very starstruck when she walked in the room…when she walked in we were all so pleasantly surprised. She was very kind and very honest and a hard worker."
Real Housewives star Kenya Moore described her as "this little powerhouse of a woman," and saying she was, "so big in heart and she got around really well. She cracked jokes and made us all feel welcome. It was a great inspiration to have her their on set."
Celebrity Apprentice airs Mondays on NBC.
(E! and Celebrity Apprentice are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)