Posts Tagged ‘The Apprentice’

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!

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….