Posts Tagged ‘Donald Trump’

Who knew? After three weeks of getting slammed by the women’s team, the guys finally broke the curse. Or rather, Brian McKnight finally broke the curse.

After chillin’ in the background for the past three weeks (hardly audible) McKnight stepped up to the plate and pretty much single-handedly sunk the nearly-unsinkable Athena women. In what could only be termed as disarray, the women’s team was all over the place under Claudia Jordan’s leadership. Too bad. I like Claudia, but she was out of her element here – especially when pitted against the Rivers (Joan and Melissa), two strong personalities. (Note: I still can’t understand why both are on the show, and it seems an unfair advantage to have both on the same team – but that’s my own personal peeve.)

Anyway, McKnight took the helm of the men’s team (finally, a worthy leader). His first wise decision was not to use Dennis Rodman. He was right. It takes far more energy to keep tabs on and try to control Rodman than simply ignore him. Second-best decision made by McKnight: do what it is you do best. And he did – to the Nth degree!

This week’s challenge was to present ACN’s video phone at an ACN convention. The convention’s attendees would decide the winning team. While the women put on a commercial of sorts, introduced by Joan Rivers, something got lost in translation.

Team Athena forgot the first rule of entertainment: it’s simple – entertain. They tried. But the (supposedly impromptu) proposal, before the crowd of hundreds, just fell flat. While attempting to appeal to the crowd’s emotions, Athena neglected to understand that folks stuck at a convention … just…want … to … party! This fact was not lost on McKnight, who put on his own mini-concert. He played his strength – and he didn’t try to appease his teammates in the process. The rest of the boys only needed to give him room. That voice, the energy – the crowd went mad! Nevermind that the product was vaguely used – and then only by women dancing and spinning on stage. McKnight gave them what they wanted and they voted in his favor.

In fact, the men won 85 percent of the vote. Poor Claudia. While she tried to blame Melissa for not giving her support, she was little girl lost, even while in the boardroom when she chose to also face-off with Khloe Kardasian, a move that gave both Khloe (and me) whiplash. (Seriously, where did THAT one come from?). Her fate was sealed. She got the boot…And Rodman’s still there. Go figure.

I admit: week three was really painful for me to watch. Basically because I had an idea of whom this week’s loser would be about five minutes into the show. And the fact that that person wasn’t Dennis Rodman was even more reason for me not to care. (I swear: on the off chance that Rodman wins this season – I will NEVER, EVER watch another Trump anything again in my life!)

So this week’s challenge was really a hands-down, no-brainer for the women: the teams were to sell as many bridal gowns as possible. Duh! To paraphrase Herschel Walker, ‘Women dream of this day; men only dream of not being there.’ Funny, however true it might be. The women’s team leader was Playboy’s Brande Roderick (I couldn’t make this stuff up), while comedian Tom Green led the men’s team (the polar opposite of grandeur, sophistication and good taste).

While the women brought in a fashion expert to spiffy up the décor (smart move), and worked in unison to bring home yet another win (the team’s THIRD of three challenges), Green, not surprisingly was lost in the shuffle. Though he tried to play to the cameras, in reality he had absolutely no clue. He didn’t think to decorate the boutique in high fashion (or any other fashion for that matter). He didn’t address Rodman to insist that he “appear” to care about the challenge, leaving Rodman instead to his usual routine: mumble incoherent statements. Drink. Flirt. Basically, leaving Rodman to…being Rodman.

In what can only be termed as the least surprise of any Apprentice, the women won. Correction: the women didn’t simply win – they crushed their unwitting opponents. They were David to the men’s Goliath. It’s going to be sad to break the women apart, an inevitability given the losing team’s numbers.

In the end Tom got the boot – which was hilarious given he really didn’t see how he failed his team (though he casually left the guys to hustle in vain to pull off a win, leaving for the hotel in the middle of their spastic workflow).

I felt like Clint Black, who responded to The Donald’s question of ‘Who would you fire?’ with: They should both be fired. (Referring to Green and Rodman.) Black’s got a good head on his shoulders. Too bad he’s on the losing team. But there’s hope on the horizon. Previews for next week’s show reveal a belligerent Rodman in the boardroom (surprise!).

Could it be the end of the mumbling, “dear-Lord!-what’s-he-even-saying?” former NBA-sideshow-bridal-gown-wearing-Madonna-lovin’-excuse of a celebrity? One can only hope. O’ one can only hope!

Celebrity Apprentice Round Two: This week’s challenge was to spearhead a campaign for Zappos, a shoe line. Leading the women was Khloe Kardashian.

Gotta tell ya’: That Khloe is a businesswoman to the bone! Her mad skills and leadership techniques were perfect for this segment – even (dare I say? – a joy to watch (nothing like the spoiled rich girl we’ve seen on “Keeping Up…”

Then there was Scott Hamilton, who took the helm for the men. Though his leadership skills really needed to be tweaked, I have to admit I don’t know how I would’ve dealt with the disrespect (namely from Tom Green). Green’s technique apparently worked. Frustrated beyond belief, Hamilton allowed Green to get under his skin – a move that would cost him greatly.

Both teams presented their marketing ideas to the client: Green was chosen to present for the guys – and did a pretty good job in spite of being him. The women elected Deal or No Deal’s Claudia Jordan, who exhibited flu-like symptoms the night before the presentation. It didn’t go over too well.

Muttering and stammering in front of Trump and Zappos’ executive, the ONLY thing that saved the women this week was Hamilton’s major blunder: Not accepting the ONE decent idea Green offered during the brainstorming sessions: naming the campaign’s heroine with a “Z” (as in Zelda) as opposed to “EEE” (Hamilton’s big idea, which he insisted stood for: Everything, Everywhere, Every time…or something like that). Yeah, whatever.

The guys lost. Hamilton chose Green to faceoff with in the boardroom. Just Green. The Donald, clearly trying to give Hamilton an edge highly suggested he choose one other player to tip the scales a bit. Hamilton complied and chose…(Huh?)…Walker. Yes, Walker, the only guy who came to his defense in the brainstorming session, stepping up to Green in support of Hamilton. The choice was so obviously devoid of thought, Walker shook his head in sheer shock. The kind of shock one gets when hit broadside by an oncoming train. And I understood.

Hamilton, on the other hand, had no clue how to play the game. When asked why he chose Walker, Hamilton said, “For support.” His fate was sealed. Between the “EEE” fiasco and his choice of Walker, Trump announced, “Scott, you’re fired!” Which means Rodman’s still there. There is no justice.

On March 2, 2009, Donald Trump uttered those infamous words, “You’re fired!” to this season’s first casualty.

This year the women’s team (Athena) is made up of poker champion Annie Duke; golf champion Natalie Gulbis; Deal or No Deal’s Claudia Jordan; reality star Khloe Kardashian; comedienne Joan Rivers and daughter Melissa; Playboy’s Brande Roderick; and T-Boz of the R&B singing group TLC.

Rounding out the men’s team (Kotu) are: country star Clint Black; comedians Andrew Dice Clay and Tom Green; figure skater Scott Hamilton; TV star Jesse James; R&B singer Brian McKnight; NBA player Dennis Rodman; and Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker.

The first show of the season featured the celebrities in a cupcake contest. Giving no support whatever to his team, Dennis Rodman pretty much single-handedly turned the win over to the women – who may not have always seen eye-to-eye but were, at leased, focused on a goal.

Joan Rivers served as team leader and really showed her entrepreneurial savvy – much to my surprise. The men’s team was led by Herschel Walker, who is apparently much better on the field then in the boardroom. Nice guy, just not a motivator, a fact made abundantly clear by Rodman, who paid absolutely no attention to Walker’s direction (or lack of, depending on who you ask) – in fact, it would seem Rodman’s only purpose on the show is to sit behind the scenes while he reaches out to somebody much more important on his cell.

Not surprisingly the men lost. In the boardroom Walker faced off with Rodman and Clay – who was out of his element from “go.” For reasons only The Donald knows, Clay got the boot. Don’t get me wrong: I’m not losing sleep over it; I just don’t know why Rodman’s still there. Maybe he’ll be next. (One can only hope.)

(Channeling Anne Hathaway: RUN AS FAST AND AS FAR AS YOU CAN!) Looks like Anne Hathaway had the right idea when she kicked her ex, Raffaello Follieri, to the proverbial curb (regardless of what The Donald had to say about it).

The latest in a long line of “He did WHAT?!” moments came when Follieri sent the judge a picture of himself and the pope – in hopes of receiving a lighter sentence. It didn’t take. Maybe because the judge isn’t Catholic, or maybe because he is.

In any event not even an ‘up close and personal’ photo op alongside the pope impressed either the judge or the prosecutors on the case. And why would it? Though it might be a valuable item in the eyes of some, it pales in comparison to the millions Follieri cheated out of investors.

2008 hasn’t been particularly good for ‘Poor Anne’. First, she had to break off any connection with this creep (for obvious reasons). Then there was that Get Smart movie. Good news is things can only go up from here….

Sources say Donald “The Donald” Trump will soon purchase Ed McMahon’s home, allowing the ailing 85-year-old former Tonight Show pitchman to stay there with his wife, Pam.

McMahon has been out of work since a neck injury from over 18 months ago, causing a loan of $4.8 million to go into default. Trump, who isn’t close friends of McMahon’s, says coming to his aid is “an honor.” What a guy!

For the record: this type of gesture is not generally associated with the man who “fires” people for ratings (ala NBC’s The Apprentice). Off the record: Donald, if you’re looking to help out someone else in need, I can be reached via email at jbfre….