Good news, PopWatchers: Both my cough and 100-degree fever have subsided, so I’ll no longer be stuck in that bitter, flu-induced haze that last week kept me from enjoying what would probably be this season’s best episode of Celebrity Apprentice. The bad news is that this week’s show didn’t quite measure up to the others in the drama department, even though it did boast a fairly notable guest star and the return of George (!). Even the boardroom was tame. I was hopeful that Trump would open a can on Nely when she said she couldn’t understand why the mogul couldn’t get past Gene’s "sacrifice" for her three weeks ago (her words: "Get over it." Girl has got some cojones!). Instead, The Donald quietly fired the television producer, something he seemed to be itching to do ever since Gene’s ouster. Not that she should have necessarily gone home over Omarosa, who’s raking up quite a tally when it comes to losses. But could Celebrity Apprentice’s producers really let go of Omarosa, especially after she poured that drink on Piers’ head?
Aside from Omarosa’s smack talk and Piers’ snippy comments, has the cutthroat spirit of The Apprentice lost its way this season? Granted, it’s nice that our celebrities are competing to win money for their charities, but, with the exception of last week, Celebrity Apprentice is beginning to feel like a more like a telethon than a drama-fueled hour of intense competition. Our cast members are dropping in and out from week to week (last week Tito had to attend a fight; this week Stephen Baldwin (right) skipped out to talk at a church), and they hardly even seem up to preserving the air of competitiveness. Not only that, but when Piers (left) called Lennox out on his poor managerial skills, the boxer and his teammates simply laughed in agreement. And we know that Lennox is a nice guy, but since when does an Apprentice project manager make decisions democratically? Come on, you had to think that a few flurries dropped in hell when Omarosa asked Trump if she could opt out of choosing two teammates to be placed on the chopping block. Not that we should be too worried about a snowstorm a-brewin’ in the underworld. Empresario’s project manager did manage to whip out her trademark fangs throughout the episode, even if only for a few minutes during the episode’s first few minutes.
This week’s challenge: Borrowing a page from Project Runwayseason 2 (only natural, given this week’s special guest), ourcelebrities were instructed to design a creative window displayadvertising Vera Wang’s new mattress line for Serta. Naturally, sincewe know that Lennox "I Like Cats" Lewis likes cuddly things, he waschosen as Hydra’s project manager this week. And if we didn’t know whyLennox chose to be a silent contributor over the past few weeks, boy,did we learn why last night. To say that our champion boxer doesn’tquite have a gift for words would be an understatement, not that thatmakes him any less likable. Could you imagine, though, how Lennox wouldsurvive in the corporate world, let alone the original Apprentice world? He would be eaten alive. But not, you know, in that Mike Tyson way.
With Lennox as the leader — if we can really call the vote-happyboxer a leader — the men pretty much developed their plans the same waythey had in the previous six weeks. Trace created a slogan, Piersthought it was a brilliant idea, and Tito and Lennox stood by anddaydreamed about their girlfriend and kittens, respectively. Thoughtheir brainstorming technique may have grown stagnant over time, atleast Hydra reclaimed their creative mojo. Not only did they not opt touse Lennox for his star power, but they also managed to think outsidethe box when it came to the challenge. Not that good ol’ Piers wasgoing to let his team’s plans to manifest too smoothly. Seems he was alittle starved for drama, and decided to call Lennox a "monster" andpoint out his lack of contribution. The tabloid king claimed thatHydra’s project manager neglected to share any ideas so he could not beblamed in case they lost. Hmm, I don’t know, Piers. Could it be thatLennox simply doesn’t have any ideas? How else do you explain hisagreeing to join the cast of Celebrity Apprentice in the first place?
Of course, Empresario had to tame a monster of their own. Aftera demure few weeks, Omarosa briefly unleashed the beast through a pettyargument with Piers in the show’s first few minutes. As soon as herteam banded together, however, the reality TV bad girl managed to spread thelove, at least for most of her teammates. Omarosa wasn’t shy aboutpointing out Marilu’s inability to hone in her creative enthusiasm(Surprising, considering Marilu seems to be the only celeb with achance of winning this thing). And she certainly was more than willingto rip on new team member Stephen Baldwin — or should I say Stevie B? —who arrived late and tried to alter their entire theme last minute(you’ve got to love that face Nely made when Baldwin unleashed his newnickname). Nonetheless, it was obvious that Stevie B provided too little toolate, as the girls were already stuck with their clichéd wedding plans.
Was it me, PopWatchers, or did the window unveilings seem awkwardand uncomfortable? I was expecting our two teams to exhibit theirwindows for longer than just a few minutes, and both displays were soobviously hidden from view for passers-by. And isn’t the point of awindow display to attract attention? Either way, Hydra’s clever Antonyand Cleopatra display clearly trumped Empresario’s scattered weddingset-up, even though the laptops and cell phones seemed out of place. As Lennox said, in a moment of syntactical genius, "At least we’re better overboard than underboard."
At any rate, there really wasn’t anything more overbearing than Vera Wanglast night. Girl was a bit too excited about those window dressings,no? I understand it’s charitable to inflate our celebrities’ egos, butWang acted more like a six-year-old at a Wiggles concert than aworld-renowned designer.
Tell me, PopWatchers, do you think that Omarosa or Nely should havegone home this week? Do you think that this was the perfect week forLennox to whip out his democratic leadership style (only two days afterSupa Dupa Tuesday, of course)? Do you think that Stephen should havebeen given a second chance when he asked Trump if he could bow out ofthe competition? And, finally, who would you cast in the tragicallyinevitable Celebrity Apprentice 2?
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Ah, Celebrity Apprentice 2. My votes would be for an all-sleazy-reality-show-people edition: Brett Ratner, Flava Flav, the Hills chick, etc. I mean, if you have no shot at A- or B-list people, strive to hit bottom!
This is the first season I’ve watched the Apprentice, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m normally not a big fan of reality shows, but since there’s a writer’s strike… Trace Adkins is a marketing genius, and I absolutely hate Omorosa. She is constantly throwing her teammates to the wolves, even though she deserves to go home. But, the producers are building the show as Piers vs. Omorosa, so what can you do? I had never heard of Piers before this show, but I’m quickly becoming a big fan. Go Team Punishment… I mean Hydra!
I thought Nely’s final convo with Trump pointed out quite clearly what a bully he is. He didn’t like her from the beginning and he made it embaressingly clear. Has he spoken to another ‘celebrity’ with the disregard he showed her? No. Even the playboy bunny got a kind and gentle goodbye. Dissapointing as Nely’s preformance was- it was Trump who looked like the idiot.
Stevie B… wow.
Trace had a great idea.
It’s comical that Nely fails to see the rationale behind the fact that Gene didn’t bring her to the boardroom. Gene was ready to go. He’d won money for his charity, had some fun and had better things to do. Had he brought Nely to the boardroom, she would have been fired and Gene would have been stuck there for another week. The fact that she believes it was because Gene thinks she has value is so funny it’s sad. And she’s a television executive?
When Steven Baldwin wanted to sprinkle it with a little “Stevie B” – I cracked up. What a joker. That was almost funny as last week when Piers said he knew the Sopranos star was not going to be killed by Marilu Henner.
Nely didn’t get fired for last night, she got fired because the Donald doesn’t like her. They kept Omarosa because she’s Omarosa and they’re trying to milk her feud with Piers for all it’s worth.
Bringing Lauren and Heidi from “The Hills”!? Oh, yeah! That would be fun to watch!!!
Did anyone read Omarosa’s comments alleging Piers suggested they start a “showmance”? I’m wondering how much of their fighting is a prior plan by them. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure out that the more “entertaining” you are, the more the ratings-sensitive Donald will keep you around.
I hate to be the stickler, but I think the Lennox quote was “overboard/underboard” but who cares!
Does anyone else think that, had Piers dumped the drink on Omorosa’s head, he would have been soundly chastised by other contestants and/or the producers and/or the Donald, and that Omorosa would be suing him today? He’s right, she is trash.
Well, the laptop and cells phone in the Hydro window were part of the whole ‘lounging’ in bed that Wang said she does in her spare time..reading, watching movies, hanging out, the bedroom has become the place to do that and so it was that idea that made it ‘modern’, as Piers said.
I had never heard of Trace before Celebrity Apprentice. The guy doesn’t say much but when he does he blows me away. He is very creative and I could listen to that voice all day long. I hope they showcase him more in the upcoming episodes.
Apprentice 2 ? HMMMMM
How about Spears (either one), Sean Young, Mike Tyson, one of the jacka$$ guys, jenna jameson, One of the Corey’s, ZSA-ZSA’s husband Prince Von A Hole, one of the caveman guys in makeup, Charleton Heston, Rosie O’Donnell, Gordon Ramsey, Howard Stern, and the kid who called Lindsay Lohen fire cr0tch
All I know is that when Gene Simmons left my interest in this show went with him…
I love the way Piers talks down to Omarosa. Omarosa knows she can’t beat Piers. He’s way too smart for her. She deserves it because she’s such a witch and backstabber. Go PIERS! Trace Adkins is a quiet marketing genius. Enjoyed last night’s show.
Smurph — If you have never heard Trace Adkins sing but enjoy his speaking voice, you have to get one of his cd’s. He singing voice is exactly like his speaking voice, and he sounds fantastic. And I am not even a country music fan!
Vera Wang MATTRESSES?! That is most ridiculous partnership I’ve ever heard of. And consequently quashes any inkling I’ve ever had of owning a wedding dress with Vera Wang’s name on it.
BTW, I know Serta use sheep as their “mascot”, wasn’t putting a giant stuffed sheep in their window display and having Carol Alt treat it as one of her wedding guests during the performance a bit, well, psychotic?
Omarosa should have been fired. The whole concept was her idea. I don’t understand why Trump has been gunning for Nely the entire show. At least that’s what it looks like to me. Doesn’t anybody get it that Gene Simmons wanted to go home and his boardroom actions were on purpose? He won for his charity and doesn’t like to be told what to do — so, why not leave? (IMHO)
Omorossa thinks she’s the puppet master, but she is clearly the puppet, and will stay on the show more for her “villianous antics” than for shrewed business acumen. Why didn’t they cast her for Lipstick Junkle?
For Celebrity 2, have the winners from Survivor compete!
Re: the “Showmance’, both claim the other suggested it, and both claim to be repulsed by the other (Omarosa said Piers had yellow teeth, among other things, thats all I remember of it) Not totally surprised, as the show seems more and more fake (the Stephen Baldwin meeting looked staged, as did most of last weeks show). And what is the critweria to win, when often the men’s ideas suck yet get praised by the execs? I no longer respect many of the tie in ads on the show. The men’s window was a big turn off, and VW better not distance herself from what her female mattress buyers know and admire her for, weddings and romance. And why did her ad feature wedding dresses on sewing dummies if she wanted to focus away from that?
I don’t know how many tasks a PM can lose and stay on the show but Omarosa may set the standard. In her defense, at least she is competing, even if it backstabbing and condescending. Nely was either purposely staying below the radar of just underachieving. She never really stepped out and did anything or suggested anything radical and she really didn’t utilize her professional talents well. Why did Omarosa say whe wanted to bring Stephen back to the board room and then get to change her mind. She constantly acts like the expert on the show but then does stuff like this or asks if she can only bring one person back to the BR. Also, history has always shown that religion is an acceptable excuse to leave the show. How about Omarosa refusing to accept SB to their team (which Trump overuled) and then she was bitching because he wasn’t there to participate. Which is it, you want him or not. She is two-faced. Why is SB so mad at Piers, he was in on the mole thing last week also.
oh Kate, I knew I could count on you. I take back what I said last week, excellent review this time
)))
But hey, Celebrity Apprentice 2 is apparently recruiting high-end celebrities…could it really be that bad? Wait…dont answer that