The Old Joel on Software Forum: Part 4 (of 5)

The Apprentice (spoilers)

A lukewarm week - no real exciting moments.

Nick was almost absent during the competition, which is odd since he was team leader. When he was on screen, he was generally taking direction from someone else. Yet at the end he had no problems taking credit for the team's win. (Granted he did thank his team, but during the interviews it was definitely "his" win). I'm actually surprised the Trumpster didn't call him on this.

Kristi should get a special prize for being the first team leader to sincerely assume all responsibility for her team's loss. Omarosa and Heidi get the blamemongering awards of the season, and Heidi gets a special [bleep] award.

In addition, WTF about the $180? Can't Omarosa do math? Even with the $180, they got their asses handed to them on a platter - it means they were operating at a miniscule margin. The only reason to note the lost money was to call attention to the financial manager's loss of it, so Omarosa should've kept her damn mouth shut.

I absolutely loathe Trump for firing Kristi simply because she didn't fight for herself. I think that was another truly bad call - what was she supposed to say other than "it was my responsibility as a leader"? Whine about the money and cast aspersions on others as they were cast on her? Whine about her team not pulling their weight?

A classic leadership line is
"I don't want excuses, I want performance."
Apparently Donald wants excuses.

Quote of the week:
"Mr. Steinbrenner, what's up with all your bling?"

Philo

Philo
Thursday, February 5, 2004

I hate that show, I really really hate that show. All the people are MBAs, or business owners, or managers or executives. These are people who will end up in a $200,000 executive position at some point in their careers regardless of whether they appear on this show.

When I first read the premise of the show, it promised to feature people who were savvy and had hustle, but who didn't necessarily have the pedigree to get a shot at a C-Level position.

This show should be entitled "earn a chance to slide into a job that you'll end up in anyway 5 years down the road".

Norrick
Thursday, February 5, 2004

Philo-

Honestly don't they all suck? If these people were truly selected from 200,000 applicants wouldn't you expect to see them do something that we, for example, wouldn't come up with? Have we seen any originality? Any exceptional leadership or strategy?

They picked best looking people they could find who plausibly were businessmen. Actually, to me Omarosa is the closest to someone who could make it as a leader (except for the fact that everyone hates her).

name withheld out of cowardice
Thursday, February 5, 2004

No way could Omarosa make it as a leader - she's too busy seeing everyone as out to get her to focus on the task at hand. Omarosa was only too happy to be the "financial manager" until she suddenly realized who would take the fall for the missing money - then she was temporizing about "stepping in to take things in hand"

Granted that we haven't seen much creativity, but I'm more interested in the interpersonal mechanics. :-)

Philo

Philo
Thursday, February 5, 2004

I thought it was blaaaah too. I've never bitch-slapped someone, but if I started tomorrow, Heidi would be in the first 10.

By the way, what was up with the woman that Kristi was feeding pigeons with near the end? Spends hours holding her hand and listening to her cry, blah blah blah, and then first chance she gets, she slips the ol' knife in between the vertebrae?

Would've picked her if I was Kristi.

I have to admit though, I'm feeling a little bad about making fun of my girlfriend watching Days of Our Lives now ;-)

Nigel
Thursday, February 5, 2004

Hmm. No real surprises from Philo this week, I kind of figured you'd call Trump on firing Kristi because she assumed responsibility.

Coments on the first half of the show:

Nick did a good job, he acted as more of a coach than a leader, but most importantly didn't get involved in any ego battles with anyone. Everyone was happy with the decisions he made because - in complete contrast to Sam - he took into account what everyone else thought was right. It wasn't a rule by democracy, but everyone knew their voice was heard.

The decision to add value to a product by putting time and effort into it was brilliant, and exactly what I thought when I heard Flea Market. My initial thought was candles - you can buy the raw materials extremely cheaply, and by just assembling them you can sell them for many times the price you bought them for. My only worry would be that I could make so many candles I couldn't move them all. So, women's clothing - given that you have women on the team with some good fashion sense was a good idea.

Kristi didn't perform well. While they followed the plan I thought they should've followed the first week - split up - they failed to form a solid plan of action first with specific goals for each team.

She also made a bad decision choosing Heidi and Amorosa for her team, or getting stuck with Amorosa. They're emotional people, and really "wildcards" like Sam was.

It's apparent to me that Kristi was nervous. I don't remember if she was ever team leader before. While Nick deferred to other people, he was the last stop for decisions. Kristi required other people's approval for every decision she made. My guess is having a male influence brought out a Barbra Billingsly program that's deeply rooted in her subconcious. There were times I thought Troy was the team leader.

I was cheering for Nick's team, and when it started to ran I was hoping it wouldn't ruin it for them. It's a case of how one little decision - reserving an indoor booth - can make or break you. But the sun came out and the tides turned, levelling the playing field.

The second half:

When Protege lost, Kristi had an emotional response, which was fine, it was an emotional situation. What was unacceptable was Heidi's defensive posture, which was absolutely childish. What Trump fails to realize is that there's a difference between standing up for yourself and throwing a tantrum.

Also, Amorosa and Heidi were practicing their speech to Trump ad nauseum, while Kristi remained passive during the whole prep period until they went into the boardroom. What she needed to do was practice what she was going to say. Also, and this is just an oversight, she should've asked the guys what to do in the boardroom, they'd been there 4 times before.

The problem is that Amorosa and Heidi were successful in bringing Kristi down to their level. In any conflict oriented situation one person is on the offensive and one person is on the defensive. If all the defensive person does is deflect attacks, they'll never win. They need their own direction that has nothing to do with the direction your opponent is trying to drive you in.

In other words, in a debating situation, make your point and supporting arguments, don't spend too much time on your opponent, just enough to cut down their arguments directed at you, and cut down arguments furthering their idea. Then move on.

Kristi is a smart woman, observant, and astute. This time she was in over her head. I think she'll do fine on her own. I agree with Trump that I wouldn't want her running my company (she'd seek validation on every decision she makes), but in a few years or months when she's back in her element and her confidence is back, I'd vote on her any day of the week.

The criticisms from Trump's left hand woman that they carried only small & medium sizes, while accurate, was not the single most important thing that could've been said at that point. It's apparent to me now that the two people in the boardroom are subservient to Trump, and really not much more mature or forceful in their personality than, say, Kristi. I also noticed this last week when the woman who said their behaviour "won't get you the job here" had to wait for Donald to give her a lead in before she said it.

These are "advisors" and yes-men, glorified gophers, while they may be tigers on their own, they're pussycats around Trump.

One last comment, unrelated to this episode. This show is a massive piece of PR for Trump (I bet all his properties experience a tremendous upsurge in business over the next few years), and a profit making opportunity in and of itself. The show is a business, and whoever said these people were chosen because they'd look good on television, I agree with them. My guess is Nick is around because he's one of the few real candidates Trump has, and Kristi was highlighted a few episodes back to make this episode that much more emotional.

www.MarkTAW.com
Thursday, February 5, 2004

Oh, and another thing I said someone should do that happened this week that also backfired was Kristi saying she only took Heidi because she had to.

As Monday Morning Quarterback, what I would've done is chosen Amorosa and Heidi with a speech along the lines of "Not only was their performance poor, I believe that in the future they'll sabotage the team because the tend to focus more on schoolgirl bickering than the task at hand."

It might not have won the day, but it would've been so satisfying to say.

www.MarkTAW.com
Thursday, February 5, 2004

Oh, by the way, have any of you seen the new TV Guide? Was that meant to be tongue in cheek?

www.MarkTAW.com
Thursday, February 5, 2004

At this stage of the game, the "if I *really* have to pick someone..." thing is transparent game-playing (esp. with Heidi and Omarosa on the team). It's been four weeks - you *know* you have to bring two people, so you don't equivocate about it. You pick two people and give strong reasons for picking them.
It would be okay to say "I hate to bring [x] in here, because I think they're a strong perfomer, but when push comes to shove, I think [quality] is going to be a negative for the team in the future", but the "welllll... I guesssss I have to bring soooomeoneeee... " stuff is as overplayed as "gee, I wish I could rate everyone #1 out of 10, but I can't, so..."

Yeah, I have to agree with you about Kristi. In fact, you make a good point that Kristi and Nick were really two sides of the same coin with a subtle but important difference (both sought consensus, but one made decisions and moved forward while the other bogged down)

The whole scene in the park was weird, and makes me wonder if the whole two days was really so boring that that made it to the screen.

I'm still kinda boggled that Kristi's team only made $110.

Philo

Philo
Thursday, February 5, 2004

You're right, you choose two people and have strong reasons for doing so.

They chose a low margin product (paper umbrellas) and accounted for every expense including cab fare, I believe. Somebody didn't do their math early on.

Heidi's performance at the sales table was childish and unprofessional. People like Heidi and Amorosa piss me off, but the fact remains, Amorosa was able to account for her actions "And what did you do when you found that this money was missing?" "Well, I x, y and z." While Kristi couldn't account for her accomplishments.

Amazing how Amorosa's 5 minutes of "well let's all look in our purses to see if we have the money" saved her, while a day of making decisions couldn't save Kristi because she was less capable of summarizing them.

www.MarkTAW.com
Thursday, February 5, 2004

>>>
I hate that show, I really really hate that show. All the people are MBAs, or business owners, or managers or executives. <<<

Their bios show them as average people, no particular stand outs except Bill. He will probably win.

Tom Vu
Thursday, February 5, 2004

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_05/b3868047.htm

Looks like Philo's not the only one who thinks B-school students can pick something up from this show.

Jason
Thursday, February 5, 2004

I thought firing Kristi was the right thing to do. Not only was her "lead by consensus" management a failure, but throughout the day she was passive and listless.

I'm pretty sure that Trump knows what goes on outside the boardroom. He's made references to several things that he could have known only if he screened the videos or his assistants gave him detailed and opinionated feedback.

I think he was leaning toward Amarosa going into the boardroom, but when Kristi shouldered all the blame and didn't stand up for herself it made his decision easy. Bottom line: if you're the leader and can't account for the failure, then you're gonna get the blame.

Random thoughts:

- "The Omen" Award goes to ... Amarosa. She is just plain evil. Her quote on the NBC page is telling: "I'm going to crush the competition and enjoy doing it." Did you see the 1/10th second smile that transitioned into a game face when Trump fired Kristi? Evil! But, she does a good CYA job in the boardroom, so she'll probably hang on for a while, just not make to the end.

- The Steinbrenner Award goes to ... Heidi. She may be aggressive and bitchy, but at least she's up front about it. I kind of like her for that. She's a doer and just doesn't take shit.

- The "Sorry. Did My Back Hurt Your Knife" Award goes to ... the chic in the park with Kristi.

- Prediction #1: Tammy is going to become the troublemaker in VersaCorp.

- Prediction #2: Bill and Amy are flying below the radar right now because they're not being controversial, but I still think they're the two thoroughbreds in this competition.

- Regret: Kristi has a degree in Industrial Engineering (my degree). Why weren't there any girls that looked like that when I went to school?

- Wondering: The final 15 minutes of Mark Burnett's other show, Survivor on CBS, ran head to head with the first 15 minutes of The Apprentice on NBC (at least in my time zone). I wonder if he's pissed.

Nick
Friday, February 6, 2004

So they said next week there was going to be a love connection in the loft... who do you think it is?

Matt Watson
Friday, February 6, 2004

Omarosa and DT

apw
Friday, February 6, 2004

I was very disappointed that Kristi was fired for following someone else's bad advice.

The amazing things were that:

1) Once she was backstabbed by the person who gave her the advice, she did not switch tactics, and

2) Once she got into the board room with just the 3 girls and the judges, she STILL didn't switch tactics. When it's down to three, the whole POINT is to defend yourself.

JMHO ...

Matt H.
Friday, February 6, 2004

Amorosa and the mirror.

Did anyone catch the charge amount for the umbrellas at the shop? They highlighted the number for some reason, it wasn't $180 was it?

I suspect Amorosa lost the money (or more accurately, hid the money). When she did the final tally she realized that they were screwed and decided that this was a good way to get someone she didn't like kicked out of the group.

Lou
Friday, February 6, 2004

You guys are right that the "well I have to pick someone" thing is BS at this point. What would impress me would be if one of these people would say, "I was the manager and my strategy failed so fire me. This is not a ploy. I had my shot at leadership on this show and failed. I should go". The Trump job is going to be fake-token anyway. The best these people can hope for is to look good enough on this show that some other big corporation bids for5 them.

name withheld out of cowardice
Friday, February 6, 2004

Oh- and before you decide Omarosa is pure evil, be aware that the editors have a tremendous amount of power to shape characters on these shows. To make someone look bad, for example, they could show a negative reaction but never show what it was a reaction to.

name withheld out of cowardice
Friday, February 6, 2004

or interviewing her outside in the rain

apw
Friday, February 6, 2004

It's always true that reality tv shows cast characters as more extreme than they really are - or highlight parts of their personality that aren't normally highlighted.

I met one of the cast members from the Real World a few years back at Shakespeare in the Park (sat next to her), and her episodes were airing just then. She was quite upset with how they portrayed her and didn't seem like the character that was on TV at all (who was quite extreme). Rather interesting.

That said, everything about Omarosa strikes me as very trained, as if she's constantly thinking about how to present herself or others in order to get the job, rather than focusing on the task at hand and working to make that a success. That's not the type of leader I'd want.

Lou
Friday, February 6, 2004

Dude, nobody made Omarosa call "pot calling the kettle black" a racist comment. When we saw the Omarosa/Katrina feud early on, that was all Omarosa - Katrina's contribution was being strong-willed and unable to walk away from personal attacks.

I wouldn't be surprised if at some point we see her actively sabotaging a teammate.

As for Kristi throwing herself on her sword - nah. As a leader you're allowed to fail. The more I think about it, the more I agree with other posters - she didn't show certainty in the field and she wasn't assertive in the boardroom. She needed to be able to explain *why* she failed, $180 aside:

"Mr Trump, we failed because I didn't take charge and establish a good strategy. We didn't find a high-margin product. The $180 is a bad thing, but did not contribute to our loss - even with that money the other team would've beaten us by $500. If we had made $800 profit and lost $180, we would've spent the day at Yankee Stadium."

If she'd said that, Omarosa would be gone.

Philo

Philo
Friday, February 6, 2004

I believe Mr. Trump believes you are allowed to fail as a leader as long as you can prove that you did your best and some other member on the team under performed.

I like the fact that Donald Trump has fired only one person who wasn't a project leader. Hopefully, he has done this because he truly believe that managers need to be held accountable for project failures.

Friday, February 6, 2004

I just saw Kristi on the Today Show, and she echoed the sentiment that her biggest failing was not sticking up for herself in the boardroom (which is kind of obvious based on The Donald's comments).

Matt Lauer asked her to handicap the field, and her picks for the best candidates were Amy and Bill.

Nick
Friday, February 6, 2004

There is a lot of argument on both sides but a quick search of the internet shows that no one seems to know one way or the other if the kettle comment is or is not racist.

The other things people say about Omarosa are true. She is basically political, thus her choice of job. I wouldn't want her as a boss but I haven't seen anyone on that show that I would want as a boss. I think with Omarosa in charge there would be a chance of things getting doen in a dispassionate, organized manner. The rest of them seem like disorganized dolts. Most of them are far more likeable but I don't see anything in any of them resembling qualities I would want in a boss.

name withheld out of cowardice
Friday, February 6, 2004

>>"no one seems to know one way or the other if the kettle comment is or is not racist."

That's because there are a lot of idiots on the internet. It just means hypocrite. Here's a good definition of the idiom: http://www.goenglish.com/ThePotCallingTheKettleBlack.asp

The origin of the phrase has nothing to do with race. The growing level of hypersensitivity in this country is getting ridiculous. It reminds me of the Washington DC mayor's staffer who had to resign for using the word "niggardly" in a staff meeting - even though it means parsimonious, has an etymology that dates back to the 14th century, and has nothing to do with race.

These days it seems that perception bears more weight than intent, which is wrong.

Nick
Friday, February 6, 2004

I certainly understand what the expression means and I am with you on the hypersensitivity issue. The "niggardly" story is ridiculous. I also think the "call a spade a spade" thing has nothing to do with blacks. They question at issue, if you will dig a little deeper, is why "blackness" is considered bad by the pot and the kettle. Is it because black is associated with night and evil or because of black people? My personal feeling is 95% chance it has nothing to do with black people. My personal feeling is also that a large number of Blacks don't see it that way.

I also don't doubt that on some level that woman used the phrase with Omarosa in order to anger her with the black thing while being able to claim innocence.

BTW if you would dig deeper you would find other possible interpretations of the story of the pot and kettle, including the idea that the kettle is shiny polished copper and so the clack the kettle views is its own reflection.

Just because an internet page offers an explanation of something don't assume it is absolutely the accepted truth on the matter.

name withheld out of cowardice
Friday, February 6, 2004

Amy and Bill, I bet they're more active than we know. It's also true that we could be show the "Worst of Kristi" to make her look even more like she fell from a tremendous height.

Given that I understand this, and given that I don't know any of these people and probably never well, I can "pass judgement" on their fictional counterparts.

Can anyone figure out the pattern... Highlight someone a week or two before they get axed or something?

www.MarkTAW.com
Friday, February 6, 2004

the notion that this program is somehow "educational" is distressing. these are people whose ambitions are to be C-list celebrities and C-list executives, working for a C-list real-estate speculator who also has C list celebrity aspirations.

Friday, February 6, 2004

Pot-kettle-black has nothing to do with whether or not "black" is derogatory. They're both black. One of them calling the other black is hypocritical. That's the point.

Richard P
Friday, February 6, 2004

"Did anyone catch the charge amount for the umbrellas at the shop? They highlighted the number for some reason, it wasn't $180 was it?"

It was $182.37.

Kevin
Friday, February 6, 2004

So they didn't lose it, their accountant couldn't account for it.

Kristi may have lost the receipt, but the accountant couldn't figure out that the one item they were selling was the amount they were missing? That's really priceless.

www.MarkTAW.com
Friday, February 6, 2004

The program in and of itself is not educational, nor did I ever mean to say it was.

What it *is* good for is educational *material* - as seen in each of the Apprentice threads we've had on here, it serves as fertile ground for some very productive discussions about leadership, politics, and personal interaction.

"I think with Omarosa in charge there would be a chance of things getting doen in a dispassionate, organized manner. "

Nope. With her as a boss everything will be about what she thinks. Dissention would be viewed as a personal attack. People she doesn't like or can't deal with would be frozen out of discussions, to the point of not even being invited to critical meetings. The entire office would be a cult of (her) personality.

Now, perhaps once she's actually in the chair she would have the maturity to put all the "they're out to get me" stuff behind her and rise to the position - it's happened before. But personally I doubt it.

BTW, "pot calling the kettle black" comes from a society that had no contact with dark-skinned people. It's such a useful and ingrained phrase that most people who use it use it without thinking about it - it's off the tongue before it even registers. Until someone in this thread raised the issue, to me the idea that it was racist was pure silliness.

Philo

Philo
Saturday, February 7, 2004

I suspect Omarosa will make Sam look like a *good* boss.

www.MarkTAW.com
Saturday, February 7, 2004

Amorosa needs to go, I cannot believe that this women has made it this far . She is rude and very ignorant to any leadership qualities. I believe that Trump may have made a good decision in reference to Jesse's leaving , however I think he is just setting Amorosa up for her big fall next week.

Judy Harrison (NJ)
Thursday, February 12, 2004

I just watched The Apprentice. Nick and Amy are the couple!
I somehow knew that Nick was one. They are cute together. Hey! What's up with the phone call Heidi gets?
She was crying! It was like someone in her family died. That's just a guess though. I can't wait until next week!

Troy Lover
Thursday, February 12, 2004

Anyone ever think that Trump is keeping Amarosa for ratings. Because lets face it, everyone likes a b*tch on TV...how boring would the show be without her? VERY.
Why else would she still be on the show? She has no leadership skills. She is rude, stuck up, and speaks down to everyone, including the tv viewers! She is constantly pointing out other peoples flaws, (acruate or not), to take attention away from her own. She is so high and mighty it makes me sick.

Dawn Blanch
Thursday, February 12, 2004

Nick's got charisma, respects others, and looks out for himself. He'll stick around. Katrina (the real estate lady) is flying so low under the radar she needs scuba gear. She'll survive at least another two episodes in stealth mode. Bill? Smooth, no mess-ups. Kwame? Polished but dull. Tammy? High tastes, out of touch, destined to fall soon. Amy? Smooth and even-tempered. She'll still be standing next month. Omarosa? A fraud and a jerk. Labels herself as an accomplished academic and a White House political consultant. Real credentials? Central State U. grad and former assistant to an assistant hr manager at the White House. Plus the most horribly arrogant and selfish character on television. Hope nobody ever hires her again. Troy? Not the sharpest analytical mind, but knows how to connect with people. Good future ahead. Heidi? Filthy mouth. Should be ashamed of herself. Best bets for another month of life? Nick, Bill, Amy, Troy, and Katrina. Most deserving of the boot? Omarosa and Tammy. Maybe they'll become lovers. Most memorable? Long-gone Sam. Most forgettable? Katrina. Future tv star? Nick.

Bruce Dok
Friday, February 13, 2004

As Donlad Trump is a successful businessman, I have to take his reasons for firing the people as advice for myself. Thorugh the firing of Kristi, Trump teaches an important lesson about politics. If people are out to get you, you cannot stand down and let them tread on you. I agree with what was said before on this discussion group, about how she could have easily avoided being fired. Taking responsibility is good, but laying down like a beaten dog is unacceptable. People aren't always going to succeed all of the time. Trump knows this. He's failed many times, most memorably between his initial meteoric rise to riches and his recent financial revival. When you do fail, you always have to articulate why you failed and have an explanation about it. If people are going to attack you, you have to fight back. Taken to a business standpoint, other companies are going to try to topple you. You can let it happen or you can fight back with any means possible. For instance, when AMD chips were slightly faster than Intels (for a short time I believe), Intel cranked up their marketing and capitalized on their brand name in the short term.

For this show, you have to understand the rules and play the game. Business is merely a game with many rules: legal, political, etc. The idea in business is to maximize your gains within the rules of the game. (e.g. Modigliani and Miller's corporate tax shield strategy by using debt) Kristi clearly knows that she has to choose two people and present an argument to defend herself. If she's not prepared for this, then she obviously either doesn't know how to play the game or doesn't want to. Either way, this is a completely unacceptable characteristic for a president of a corporation.

Alan
Friday, February 13, 2004

Amaros has'nt done anything wrong. If she were blonde and blue eyed she'd be preceived as successful, strong and popular. Most of you on this site are dealing with white guilt. You know that you are ridding on the backs of blacks ancestors who built this country after 200 years with no pay and you can't stand to see us get a piece of the action because our genetics due to your torture and abuse have made us the ultimate survivors. Your jealous. Aside from the one day when she fained ill she's been a good leader. Jesse is the evil one She pretended to like Kristi and be her friend in the park and then stabbed her in the back in the boardroom she is immoral and you know it

Sara Jackson
Friday, February 27, 2004

Omarosa is a bitch. There's no way to sugar coat it. Charlotte Hays of the Independent Women's Forum, says: Omarosa really is a bitch: But more than the slacking, it's the way she treats people that makes Omarosa richly deserving of the b-label. Even Donald Trump, a denizen of the famously rough and tumble world of New York real estate, was shocked by Omarosa's rudeness."You were rude. You are rude," I agree. But this makes her a very juicy character. Every soap opera needs one- a bitch. Keeping her on certainly helps the ratings. Every week more people want to see her humbled (a mini Martha Stewart syndrome). I wager Trump will keep her around unless she totally shoots herself in the foot.

johnsville.blogspot.com
Friday, February 27, 2004

oma-hit-the roada!
we ran around the living room singing ding-dong the witch is dead!
best episode ever, heres Heidi, working her ass of and living on diet coke and cigs, and still looking in her mum every moment, while miss thing needs to
have a me lunch to nurse her head!
cant wait to see her call the im a fake law firm and try to squeeze Trump for a few bucks.
I would have liked to see Heidi whack her with a frying pan,
then she could complain of a headache,
at least she is no longer giving us headaches!
stick a fork in girlfriend, its done!

Jo-Anna Hehir
Friday, March 5, 2004

Hey Alan,

I live here in NY, and have had it with that. What whites have had it with, is running behind the racist tree everytime a black is turned down for a job, or loses a competition. Maybe she should have concentrated on getting something done, instead of being constantly abrasive, and definitely acting superior to everyone else. Instead of "taking it like a man", on several occasions she blames it on racism, and discrimination. The most successful people of color have never even uttered the word, because through education and hard work, they earn respect from ALL, without racism being an issue. I'd like to see you proven wrong with a new version of "the apprentice" with a host like Oprah, or Colin Powell. I bet the results would be the same.
She claims to be so professional, and then throws that little tantrum, and bursts back into the boardroom unannounced... bravo!!!! And who the @#$# did she think she was with that speech in the cab on her way home.... sounded like the next Dr. King herself... please.....
Btw- if you look up to her so much, maybe you can learn to spell "hasn't", "perceived","riding","you're", and use proper grammar while you're at it.

Jake Ryan
Friday, March 5, 2004

Let's be honest here, you don't have to be an MBA to encounter this type of competitiveness on the job.

Amorosa, is much like most the sisters I know who have management jobs. We are often vilanized by our counterparts because of the way they believe themselves worthy of privilege with our without the merit or creditials.

It was a honest pictural of who no sympathy is shown us as humans, and harsh judgement awaits our every decision. The only time we are liked is when it appears we want to be what we are not. But being true to yourself means you are eventually labeled a "B" and even if you manage to make friends, once sides have be chosen, you can count on being isolated and abandond.

Just about all the reality shows illustrate how whites love to vote off people of color especially blacks.

We are the only race on earth that has stood up to you people... everyone else trys to play your game, like that Asian girl, who got canned even more viciously than Amorosa but she would never contribute it to race, because are not as honest or real aoub it!

I love the reality and I hope someday people of color in power are respected after all when we go to war in this country you enlist blacks to die for our nation, why then can't we live and enjoy the bounty and power as well.

Shelly O'Neal
Tuesday, March 9, 2004

Let's be honest here, you don't have to be an MBA to encounter this type of competitiveness on the job.

Amorosa, is much like most the sisters I know who have management jobs. We are often vilanized by our counterparts because of the way they believe themselves worthy of privilege with or without the merit or credentials.

It was a honest pictural of how no sympathy is shown to us as humans, and harsh judgement awaits our every decision. The only time we are liked is when it appears we want to be what we are not. But being true to yourself means you are eventually labeled a "B" and even if you manage to make friends, once sides have to be chosen, you can count on being isolated and abanonded.

Just about all the reality shows illustrate how whites love to vote off people of color especially blacks.

We are the only race on earth that has stood up to you people... everyone else trys to play your game, like that Asian girl, who got canned even more viciously than Amorosa but she would never contribute it to race, because Asians and Hispanics are not as honest or real about it! Why did so many white women hate seeing J Lo with Ben... ?

I love the reality show and I hope someday people of color in power are respected -- after all when we go to war in this country you enlist blacks to die for our nation, why then can't we live and enjoy the bounty and power as well.

Shelly O'Neal
Tuesday, March 9, 2004

THIS MESSAGE IS FOR AMORASA IF SHE IS READING HER FAN MAIL. I HAVE WATCHED HER NOW ON JAY LENO AND REGIS AND KELY SHOW. I AM PERSON WHO IS DOES NOT LOOK AT COLOR WHEN MAKING A FRIEND OR JUDGING ANYONES TALENTS. I FEEL AMORASA DOES HAVE A CHIP ON HER SHOULDER. SHE IS VERY STAGED . SHE IS ALWAYS THROWING IN THE "SISTER" THING OR "REALLY THE BLACK THING". I FEEL SHE IS TRYING TO GATHER SUPPORT FROM ALL OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY. SHE KINDA THROWS IT IN YOUR FACE. SHE IS AROGANT AND WHEN CRITIZED SHE ALWAYS COMES OUT ON THE SHOW WITH SHE IS BEING INTERVEIWED ON WITH A DIRECT INSULT TO THE PERSON WHO HAD SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT HER. SHE JUST DOESN'T GET IT! SHE HAS NO PERSONALITY AND BELEIVE ME SHE WILL NEVER TAKE KELLY'S PLACE OR REGIS AND KELLY NO MATTER WHAT TALK SHOW SHE HAS BEEN OFFERED. KELLY IS NOT MEAN SPIRITED LIKE SHE IS. YOU JUST CAN'T FAKE WHAT YOU ARE NOT. AMORASA YOU ARE NOT SOMEONE I COULD WATCH FOR 2 SECONDS ON T.V. YOU SAY YOU ARE NOT AT ALL LIKE YOUR CHARACTER THAT YOU SAY "THE EDITING MADE YOU LOOK THAT WAY" BUT THEIR IS NO EDITING ON THE TALK SHOWS AND BELEIVE ME YOU ARE THE SAME AROGANT PERSON ON ALL OF THEM. I JUST THINK THEIR ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO CANNOT SEE THEMSELVES. AMORASA YOUR NOSE COULD NOT BE ANY HIGHER IN THE AIR. YOU ARE NOT HUMBLE AT ALL! YOU ARE NOT A GRACIOUS LOOSER AND YOU HAVE A LONG ROAD OF DISAPPOINTMENTS AHEAD OF YOU. YOU APPEAR TO HAVE A REAL THING AGAINST THE WHITE RACE AND IT IS VERY OBVIOUS THAT YOU ARE ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO ALWAYS FEEL EVERYTHING IS BECAUSE YOU ARE A BLACK FEMALE THAT YOU ARE BEING PERSECUTED. BELEIVE ME IF YOU WERE A WHITE FEMALE OR MALE WITH YOUR ARROGANT ATTITUDE THAT YOU HAVE EVERYONE WOULD THINK THE EXACT SAME THING ABOUT YOU! HEIDI MAY CURSE BUT AT LEAST I SEE A REAL PERSON THAT ONE CAN RELATE TO AND SHE AT LEAST HAS HEART! HEIDI DOES NOT SEEM TO HAVE A THING AGAINST BLACKS- JUST DIFFICULT PEOPLE! YOU ACT LIKE YOU DID ALL THESE THINGS ON THE SHOW BUT REALLY YOU SAT BACK AND JUST MADE ALOT OF JUDGEMENTS-IF YOU DID NOT BELEIVE IN THE PAINTINGS WHY DID YOU SHAKE HANDS IN AGREEMENT? THAT IS SAYING TO ME YOU AGREEDED-JUST INCASE IT FELL THROUGH YOU WERE GOING TO SAY YOUR COMMENT ON THE SIDE. YOU HAVE A BAD ATTITUDE ON AND OFF THE SHOW AND I FEEL SORRY FOR ANYONE THAT HIRES YOU. YOU ARE NO OPRA WHO BY THE WAY I LOVE AND SHE IS A STRONG BLACK FEMALE. AMORASA I AGREE WITH THE DONALD YOU WANTED TO SIT DOWN ON THE JOB. IF YOU TAKE MEDICINE FINE GRAP A BITE TO EAT ON THE RUN! YOU KNEW IT WOULD TAKE AWHILE TO EAT AND HEIDI WAS RIGHT YOU DIDN'T HAVE THE TIME! I SEE YOU AS A SLACKER WHO TRIES TO TAKE ALOT OF CREDIT FOR A FRACTION OF WHAT YOU REALLY CONTRIBUTED. I ALSO GET A SENSE YOU ARE GOING TO SUE "THE DONALD" YOU LOOK THE TYPE! I FEEL SORRY FOR ANYONE WHO HIRES YOU- THEY DESERVE WHAT THEY GET! AMORASA IN MY BOOK 'YOUR FIRED' ! AND I FEEL THAT KELLY ON REGIS'S WAS EXTREMLY GRACIOUS TO YOU BUT THAT IS THE DIFERENCE BETWEEN YOU AND HER!

linda
Tuesday, March 9, 2004

I JUST READ THE MESSAGE ABOVE ME FROM SHELLY AFTER I WROTE MY MESSAGE. SHELLY I AM A WHITE PERSON WHO IS A NURSE. I HAVE WORKED WITH MANY PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT COLOR AND DIFFERENT RELIGIONS. I AM ALSO A FEMALE. I FEEL IT IS NOT AT ALL THE RACE. IT IS THE PERSON. I FELL THEIR ARE MANY BLACKS THAT DONOT SEE THEMSELVES AS VICTIMS. I THINK IT IS SAD THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT WHITE DONOT SEE HOW THEIR ARE MANY WHITE PEOPLE DISCRIMANTED AGAINST. WHY IS IT ALWAYS YOUR COLOR THAT MAKE YOU JUSTIFY SITUATIONS. FOR INSTANCE-THEIR WERE ALOT OF WHITE PEOPLE FIRED BEFORE AMORASA WHO I AM SURE WERE NOT HAPPY ABOUT BEING FIRED BUT YOU DID NOT HERE THEM SAY OH! I KNOW IT IS BECAUSE I AM WHITE AND ALL MY SISTERS AND BROTHERS WILL AGREE WITH ME. MAYBE THE ORIENTAL GIRL WASN'T RAISED TO LOOK SO MUCH AT RACE AS SHE IS TO LOOK AT HERSELF. THEIR IS STILL A BLACK GUY LEFT ON THE SHOW- AND HE IS BLACK SO I DON'T SEE THIS AS ANYTHING AGAINST RACE! INFACT HE IS A VERY SMART GUY AND VERY HUMBLE AND KNOWS HOW TO GET ALONG WITH OTHERS! I AM SURE HEIDI WILL BE FIRED SOON - IS THAT A RACE THING- SHE IS WHITE! I THINK AMOROSA CAME ON THE SHOW WITH THE ATTITUDE THEY WOULD BE LUCKY TO HAVE HER TO RUN ONE OF THE COMPANY'S AND IF SHE WASN'T PICKED IT WAS A RACE THING! BELEIVE ME I AM A PERSON WHO LOVES ALL RACES AND PEOPLE BUT AMOROSA WAS ARROGANT AND TRIED TO HARD TO BE SOMETHING SHE IS NOT! SHE ACTED LIKE SHE WAS ABOVE EVERYONE! WHY IS IT THAT BLACK PEOPLE SUPPORT HER! YOU DON'T SEE OPRA WITH A CORN COB UP HER REAR=END! OPRA KNOWS HOW TO WORK WITH PEOPLE AND SHE IS A GRACIOUS PERSON _ NOT A FAKE GRACIOUS PERSON. I DON'T SEE ANYONE SO FAR WHO HAS BEEN FIRED MAKE AS BIG A DEAL AS AMOROSA! AND BELEIVE ME THEIR ARE ALL RACES BEING LET GO ON THE SHOW. THEIR IS ONLY ONE PERSON WHO CAN WIN AND ALL THE REST HAVE TO BE FIRED! SORRY TO AMOROSA THAT SHE JUST HAPPENED TO BE BLACK AND WAS FIRED! SHE IS SO SCRIPTED TRYING TO WATCH HER EVERY WORD IN THE TAXIE THANKING EVERYONE! HOW OBVIOUS THAT SHE IS SO FAKE! SHE IS THE KIND WHO WOULD SMILE IN YOUR FACE AND SHOOT YOU IN THE BACK! SHE IS SO PASSIVE - AGGRESSIVE! YOU NEED TO WATCH THE RE-RUNS SHE DIDNOT CONTRIBUTE ANYTHING! SHE SAT BACK ALOT AND SHE KNEW HOW TO AVOID THAT GETTING TO INVOLVED SO SHE WOULDN'T BE FIRED! AMOROSA I HAVE TO AGREE WAS VERY SMART IN THAT RESPECT! I REALLY GET TIRED OF PEOPLE OF THE OPPOSITE RACE ALWAYS USING THE RACE CARD. THEIR ARE WHITES THAT LOOSE JOBS TO SOME OF THE OTHER RACE WHO ARE NOT AS QUALIFIED. THAT IS NOT FAIR! I THINK IN THIS DAY AND TIME IT SHOULD BE ABOUTJ YOUR QUALIFICATIONS AND YOUR ATTITUDE AS A TEAM PLAYER. IF YOU HAVE ALL OF THAT THEN IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER YOU ARE THE COLOR GREEN AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED! THIS ALSO WAS A GAME AND OFCOUSE THE END RESULT WOULD BE A GREAT THING- BUT WHEN AMOROSA STARTS PLACING BLAME ON THE FACT SHE WAS BLACK AND A FEMALE I LOOSE ALL RESPECT FOR HER!

linda
Tuesday, March 9, 2004

This is the first time I've responded to a reality TV message board. I am a white businesswoman who seems to be in the minority regarding Amarosa. I find it very interesting how passionate people have been in their reactions to her and have some thoughts as to why.

I think she is the most professional of all the contestants and carries herself in a way that I'm sure intimidated the rest of them. Most of the time it apprears as if the rest of them are emotionally in junior high school.

If anyone who is reading this knows her, please tell her I admire her and would very much like to have an in-depth discussion about her experience and write an article for her.

Walk in truth and you'll be ok.

Kathy
Thursday, March 11, 2004

what the Heck / I think this show is interesting . Donald Trump is my hero - a true businessman , and people who does not like him are just jealous that he is so rich , I mean , c'mon let's admit it .... you will kill just to be beside Mr. Trump or get employed to one of his companies.

I think Nick if not Amy is going to win this show. Those two are hustlers, players and salesmen.

may the best one win !

carson
Friday, March 12, 2004

I think that these past few messages in many words summarized what I was saying.....

1) Amorosa deserved the boot even if she was the most hung white man on the planet... even whites hate whites with that kind of attitude....

2) To shelly O'Neil..... Black can start enjoying being respected in positions of power when they start deserving it: David Dinkins... Al Sharpton.... Jesse Jackson (even he often acts as a fool), and even that little performance at the awards by the well educated Bill cosby towards Wandy Sykes (a favorite of mine). And if you were right... how do you explain Kwami (sp)

3) Linda- right on... I think your point well taken is that Black Women in positions of power, or any black person I can think of in positions of power and respect ever got where they are by using racism as their platform. I think Oprah would say, "get off your ass and work hard, and stop your whining!"

4) Dear Kathy, AKA ms. glass ceiling.... it seems your one of those women in business who feel women have to act like this in order to get somewhere. Everyone I know like this may be somewhat successful, but is hated by coworkers, customers, and employees. Take Carly Fiorina (HP), Oprah, or Carolyn (Trump's sidekick) who manage to be powerful women, while still being every bit a woman. I as a man respect that more that the bull-dyke agressiveness of some "glass ceiling" constituants.
I agree with you on one point, I think ALL the candidates act immaturely, and seem like it's their first day in business. Almost childish.... I know high school kids with better business sense, and certainly a better personal presence and presentation.

5) Carson: I think if Nick Wins, it's because he's gonna keep his big mouth shut, and let everyone else murder themselves.

I leave you with this: There are old pilots, and there are bold pilots, but there are very few old bold pilots..... Nick gets it..

Jake Ryan
Saturday, March 13, 2004

I just watched Amarosa on "Oprah" and hate the fact that she HAD to use the RACIAL card. It seems that this is how this woman rose to where she is and that's so SAD, but then she's the one that has to live with herself. As everyone who is a fan of "The Apprentice" will see on the last show...this woman LIED to Quamie at dinner and even the following day and she has done this before and eventually this will catch up with her. Every DOG has it's day and she'll eventually get hers!

Terri
Friday, April 9, 2004

The Omarosa supporters are delusional. Please distinguish between trying to place your own travails and ideological beliefs about women and race in the workplace on Omarosa, and actually evaluating her on her own merits.

She is a headcase. Her attitude would have her fired eventually from ANY job.

Before anyone starts up with the "well she worked for the President etc." pablum, please keep up with the current state of the exposing of Omarosa. She was fired from 4 jobs in 2 years at the Clinton administration, she lied on her resume that she submitted for one of those jobs at the commerce dept., and she never did anything higher than admin or invitation-opener. People cited (Surprise, surprise) her bad attitude and disruptiveness as the reason.

Moreover she is no political consultant, she is actually a consultant for beauty pageant contestants.

She also changed her story saying that she never said that Ereka Vetrini used the n-word, when she is on tape doing so on the View I believe.

She was supposed to share the stage with Ereka and Heidi on Oprah, but threw such a fit when finding out who else would be there, that she demanded Oprah put them offstage or in the audience or she would not appear. Oprah obliged.

There's more but it is just superfluous.

Face it, she is a compulsive liar and an embarrassment to black businesswomen everywhere. She is no role model and not even a nice person. And she trivializes issues of race by invoking it as her own personal bludgeon every time she screws up or is called on her behavior.

A liar with a bad attitude is worthless in your company, no matter what race, sex, or creed they are.

John D
Tuesday, April 13, 2004

I am not racist, but I cannot stand how blacks seem to always have some kind of passion and consideration towards Omarosa. Don't get me wrong when i say this.... but SHUT UP about the slaverly thing, it has NOTHING to do with Omarosa's incompetence.

NF
Friday, April 16, 2004

Amarosa is not the bitch you love to hate. She's just a bitch. Period.
Paul Barresi

Paul Barresi
Tuesday, June 1, 2004

I work in a hospital. Sometimes I feel it's staffed by hundreds of Amarosas. Hey - we're all American. We have to deal with it. And it ain't gonna change if you a) turn your back B) do nothing c) see nothing d) fail to speak your mind e) fail to move forward etc

Jimmy Winna
Thursday, June 3, 2004

Check out the latest Enquirer. Tammy and Omarosa were photographed holding hands in the sand at Martha's Vineyard. Wow. I guess they each acquired something from the show after all!

Michael Ming
Tuesday, August 10, 2004