I never thought I would say this, but thank God for The Celebrity Apprentice. Just one week ago, my beloved 30 Rock aired its final episode filmed prior to the strike, and I was not prepared to let go of my Jack Donaghy just yet. But luckily, last night, Alec Baldwin showed up to lend support to his brother, and honestly, could he have been any more hilarious? His single minute of airtime proved more entertaining than the collective work of the rest of our "celebrities." His false enthusiasm about ink and his assertion that "There’s no one more full of crap than Stephen" made up some of the night’s funniest moments, and his appearance even spurred Piers to proclaim that Alec "showed everyone what a real Baldwin is." Ouch. I know the show is setting up Piers to be the villain of the season, but when the man speaks the truth, could you really hold it against him?
Along with the episode’s good moments, however, come the bad, and last night’s worst moment was in its final minutes. Yes, the tongue-wagging, semi-sexist and ever-quotable Kiss frontman got the boot, leaving behind a string of memorable moments. Hey, not everyone can voice their support of children with AIDS and still sound like that pervy guy who hangs out at the local pool with a bundle of roofies in his back pocket. But now, merely three weeks into this proverbial dead horse of a show, we lost the most interesting and watchable contestant in all of Apprentice history (my heart goes out to the producer currently sobbing in a closet somewhere).
But let’s rewind a bit to the beginning of this week’s episode.Seems Nadia’s ouster provided more grief for Nely (second from right)than the fired Olympic gymnast herself. And to that I say: Seriously,Nely? You’re a successful television producer, probably prone todealing with stress, pressure and all that jazz, and you actually cried on Celebrity Apprentice?People, this is a lousy Trump-branded TV show, not a SallyStruthers-helmed "Save the Children" commercial. Not that Nely is thesharpest tool in the box (and the show boasts a pretty big box oftools). Girl didn’t even know that Kodak made printers. Somewhere,Larry King is sympathizing. Assuming he’s learned how to turn on thepicture box, of course.
Anyway, on to the challenge. After announcing the switcheroo that placedGene at the head of Empresario, The Donald instructed the two teams tocreate a campaign for Kodak’s new ink products. Naturally, with Gene atthe helm, the girls had a creative advantage over the men, and therocker came up with an inspired slogan in mere minutes. Not that manyof the women even attempted to argue or put their two cents in — seemsGene had most of his teammates at "hello," or, in this case, "I am abenevolent dictator."
On the men’s side, Hydra opted for Tito as their project manager (inwhat capacity he managed, I have yet to figure out), and it seemed theteam was a little lost at first without Gene to provide creepy, yetuseful, suggestions for the challenge. But Piers stepped up and createda slogan that seemed to fit Kodak’s message well: "Kodak presents theink revolution that’s going to knock you out." Admittedly, I don’tthink it’s quite as catchy, as Empresario’s "It’s a Kodak World.Welcome," but apparently, the photo company is serious about its ink.But really, folks, do consumers actually care about the intricatedetails of what’s inside the printer? I mean, the last time ink made animpact on my purchase was when Gelly Roll pens were a status symbolin junior high.
Effective slogan aside, Hydra’s presentationwas downright heinous. Not only did their trailer seem more fit fortornado-bound park than a high-profile campaign, but Hydra’s somewhathomoerotic "knock-out" photo really didn’t seem to promote the rightimage for the clean-cut company. Sure, the concept may have beenclever, but that photo of Tito and Lennox "I like cats" Lewis was asbizarre as Gene’s bird’s-nest hair. I don’t know about you,PopWatchers, but I can’t remember the last time I saw a knocked-outboxer smiling. But I’m sure Lennox was just thinking about how much hewished the printer was a snuggly kitty. Hydra’s message, however, wasenough to win them the challenge (I’m sure Alec’s monetary contributiondidn’t hurt the men either). At least Gene ended his Celebrity Apprentice run with his sense of humor intact. You have to love his command to the elevator operator: "Down, Jeeves."
What did you think of last night’s episode, PopWatchers? Are you as devastated as I am to see Celebrity Apprentice’sone source of entertainment leave the show? Did you, like me, enjoythe surprising rapport between Piers and Jennie? Does it seem thatOmarosa disagrees with her teammatesonly in order to have leverage in the boardroom? And, finally, are you looking forward to a Piers v. Vincent showdown in two weeks?
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great episode! and Gene’s ad slogan was better! Can’t believe they didn’t win. He played it well until the very end, banking on Trump getting rid of Finch because she’s hardly there compared to him & Omarosa. I wish I had his charisma…
I still love this show. I think it was obvious that Gene was done with the show. He made his appearance, got some money for his charity, time to get out quick before the cat fights start. I’ve never been a Kiss fan, but I have a new respect for the man.
I’m still confused as to why they showed clips for the next 2 weeks. I mean now we know at least half of the cast who won’t get fired next week.
I’m glad that I’m not the only one who thinks Gene kind of threw the boardroom. He didn’t seem happy to be there. Yes, he was, by far, the most imaginative & innovative person there. I think he liked coming up with ideas…but he really isn’t a team player and I think he just got bored.
I’m with realgenius: Gene got his charity money and figured he was done. What does he need Trump for? As an aside, I saw the last 10 seconds or so of the girls’ commercial on TV two nights ago for the pet adoption thing from last week: they dumped the “loser” ad in Canada!
Too bad Gene is gone…but he pretty much engineered, didn’t he? Those ladies are in big trouble if they cannot beat those idiot men’s team…what a bunch of bozos – I am amazed they can get their pants on in the morning…and Omarosa is still the most useless celebritiy in the world today…shame on the producers for putting her in for the “hate” factor….although she certainly is the most hateful person they have ever had.
Why isn’t Alec Baldwin married? He seems like a genuinely fun person; somebody find him a woman!
Love Gene, but he’s one of the most passive-aggressive people I’ve ever seen. Trump did everything in his power to keep him from being fired but he’s one of those where if you say “white”, he’ll say “black”. Trump said to bring back Nely(who NEVER shut up in the execs meeting) and neither love nor money would make Gene say her name because it wasn’t stated by him first.
It’s sad to see him go because he’s so colorful. I would have loved to see him and Omarosa go at it. She wouldn’t stand a chance…that is if she would even let him get a word in edgewise. If you notice, that’s her weapon. She NEVER really listens when being criticized, just talks over the person constantly, throwing in a nervous, snide laugh here and there while babbling on and on. Anyone else notice that she’s had a nose job?? Subtle, but definately softened her features…however, nothing can help change her disgusting, pathological lying, disingenuous personality.
I also thought Gene was just ready to leave the show. He did everything but say “you can’t fire me, I quit”. Too bad ’cause he was the best thing about this show. Stephen Baldwin is the least-likable Baldwin, Piers Morgan just wants to be Simon Cowell. Carol and Marilu seem to be the best of the women thus far.
I think Gene left on purpose – he seemed bored with the whole thing. Trump asked why he put himself in that position where Trump had no choice and I believe it was deliberate.
But my days of watching the show are over. I never watched it before and watched it this time because Gene cracks me up.
Now he’s gone, I could care less about the rest of them.
You’re right – A producer is sobbing somewhere.
Greek nation is in mourning over the ouster of our most famous celebrity Geniosis Simmonakis aka Gene Simmons. We will now drink ouzo and eat a ton of souvlaki in his honor.
الصورة وحشة0
عايز صور بالبكيني0
I’ve never watched this show before but did this time because of Gene Simmons. I never thought that he might have tried to get fired until I saw the other postings. Anyway, since Gene is out, I am too.
Who is that bearded goofy guy sitting to Trump’s side- He looked like he was about ready to cry and in agony over the boardroom situation. His lame attempts at trying to over-dramatize the situation were pathetic- He needs to be fired
I’ve seen Gene Simmons with his hand superglued to a vibrator hanging out with Carrot Top…He seems somehow less impressive after that.
Gelly Roll pens in junior high? Oh good lord, I feel old now.
Gene totally orchestrated that so he didn’t have to deal with those F listers anymore. Not that I can blame him (although I do kind of like Piers and Lenox). But man, now that Gene is gone, there goes the neighborhood. BTW, could Trump have found more of a frumpy, boring, unstimulating, and intellectually-lacking group of female “stars” on the face of the planet? Who is this Nelly person and why is she wasting pixels on my tv screen?
As soon as Gene brought back Jennie instead of Nelly I knew he was throwing the challenge. The man is a master marketeer, but he was definitely getting bored. His new season of Family Jewels begins next month so maybe that also played into his departure.
I do not see the problem with firing Gene, as Omarosa pointed out GENE DID NOT EVEN KNOW THE NAME OF THE KODAK PRINTER they were promoting. Trump was left with no choice, he did all but tell Gene flat out that he would have to fire him if he didnt bring back Nely into the board room. The womens team is AWFUL besides MaryLou and Omarosa, they have no shot
lburnet2 how could someone not know Nely has had a nose job(along with quite a few other things, and the work is not that good)??? I spend half the shoe disracted by her plastic face
I do not see the problem with firing Gene, as Omarosa pointed out GENE DID NOT EVEN KNOW THE NAME OF THE KODAK PRINTER they were promoting. Trump was left with no choice, he did all but tell Gene flat out that he would have to fire him if he didnt bring back Nely into the board room. The womens team is AWFUL besides MaryLou and Omarosa, they have no shot
lburnet2 how could someone not know Nely has had a nose job(along with quite a few other things, and the work is not that good)??? I spend half the shoe disracted by her plastic face
Mitch, the “beared guy” is Jim Cramer from CNBC’s “Mad Money” and is a professed multi-millionaire and former hedge fund manager.
Omarosa cracks me up. She’ll argue against her team during the challenge, so either way she’s fine. If they win, no problem. If they go to the boardroom, she has something to use against them.
Gene wanted to be gonewhen he lost, because his ego demands that he wins or he leaves. His way or the highway, and I think he was smug and happy about how it went down.
He picked the two people who had the LEAST reason to be fired, purposely giving Trump no choice but to fire his trump card – and his audience.
I’m surprised Gene didn’t smile, point his finger at Trump, say “You’re fired,” and walk out.
maybe alec baldwin isn’t married because he yells at children through voicemail messages.
funny…yes.
bashing your little daughter…not so much.
as for the apprentice. gene was hilarious. “gene simmons, you are one powerful and attractive man.” i hand’t watched but a few parts of the show this season and i might not watch again. most of the celebs are just boring. its one thing when you get “celebrities” that have a little panache. not that i like gene simmons, but he was an attraction.
I hated to see Gene go but he definitly deserved it for acting like a complete fool and missing the concept of the ink and printer completely. But like others have said I think he was ready to leave or he would have taken Nely to the board room.
I think some of these “celebrities” are seriously regretting ever agreeing to be on the show. Gene obviously didn’t really care about he show, the softball player lady (Finch?) seems really out of place and awkward, and Lewis is the tamest freakin boxer I have ever seen, and really seems like he hates being there but goes along in a doofus kind of way. By the way, Kate, props for the “I love cats” thing.
how spineless was Carol for not speaking up about big mouth Nely?? had she done so trump would have fired her right there and then!
I’m in love with Gene Simmons. I want to eat frog legs over that beautiful head of hair with Trump stroking my leg next to me drinking a dry martini. Vive La France!!!
“Does it seem that Omarosa disagrees with her teammatesonly in order to have leverage in the boardroom?”
It seems that Omarosa is incapable of agreeing with anything that isn’t her idea. But she shouldn’t have been brought to the final boardroom, and Gene’s firing was just.
Word on the producer sobbing. Gene was so watchable – not likeable, but highly watchable. And he’s like David Caruso on CSI Miami, EVERYTHING he says sounds pervy and dirty… most of the women are just sooo meh. Anyhoo, Gene is on Ugly Betty next week as Amanda’s biological father, so tune into Ugly Betty for your pervy-Gene fix!
Love Piers on this show, let the insults fly!