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

"The Apprentice" (Spoilers)

Sorry I'm late...

First, let me say, in the interests of decorum, that I simply echo Heidi's reaction in the previews for next week. [grin]

Kudos to Kwame for doing exactly as we talked about a few days ago - he had a concrete reason for his choices in the boardroom, he said he made a decision, it didn't pan out, but he learned something. Short and sweet.

And he survived.

Ditto on Heidi - she was totally up-front and honest about every observation: "A lot of people have problems with you"
"Yes, they do."
Nice.

Omarosa was a complete and utter train wreck. She had far too much ego invested in this and not enough ... je ne sais quoi ... "herself" if that makes sense. And the whole "I've been walking around a week with a concussion" - oh please. Nice to see the Trumpster come back and finally put the whole thing to rest.

Predictions:
- The finale will be Heidi vs. Troy.
- Carolyn's "I haven't seen anything out of you" will be directed at Amy.

Philo

Philo
Thursday, March 4, 2004

Did Omarosa actually walk into the conference room without being invited?? For crying out loud, she should have been fired for just that.

And I was amazed how she was able to turn on and off the tears at will. I'm so glad Trump saw through that and fired her.

nathan
Thursday, March 4, 2004

Sexually abused by Richard Hatch, and attacked and given concussions by tiny pieces of drywall.

.
Thursday, March 4, 2004

Nick's meeting with Trump was interesting at least because we have some insight into the selection criteria. "Energy", wasn't it?

Did anyone buy what he was saying to Nick about how well he was doing?

Scot
Thursday, March 4, 2004

Overall the best job tonight was from Mehgan. That artwork was overpriced junk!! She should get a prize for convincing the team to go with her work just because it had higher sticker prices.

NathanJ
Thursday, March 4, 2004

I was overjoyed to see a couple things;

1. Kwame has vocal cords.
2. Omarosa finally got caught.

Heidi's a trainwreck waiting to happen. Her self-restraint just isn't there.

Edward
Friday, March 5, 2004

It's a little ironic that Omarosa was thrown out on this of all weeks, when she probably added more value to the team than in any other week. She seemed to be the only one in the group who wasn't clueless about art, was the only one who didn't pick that pricey artist, and was the only one who actually sold any pieces. Of course, her overwhelmingly negative presence always outweighed any actual contributions she ever made to her teams, and it's pretty amazing that she lasted as long as she did. It's just funny that her performance was relatively good this week, and she got canned anyway. The moment she started crying, I knew it was over for her, and she knew it, too.

And if I can make a prediction, I think Carolyn's comments in next week's show will be directed toward Katrina, because that's exactly what I think to myself every time I see her on the screen -- Katrina has shown me nothing since day one. Everyone else has had some shining moment, but what has Katrina done? I think she'll be the next one to go.

Rich
Friday, March 5, 2004

I thought it was funny how Omarosa kept clinging to the fact that her choice in the artist mattered. Trump isn't looking for an art gallery manager.

Acquired knowledge means absolutely squat if you can't communicate it well, and get along with your team.

Nigel
Friday, March 5, 2004

Omarosa sure shot herself in the foot. If she had handled herself better in the boardroom, she could've walked away from this round. What a drama queen.

And why did she keep on referring to her role as finance manager? What finances?!? One lousy accounts receivable stub?

Oh, and that pretentious little speech in the taxi - it drove me nuts. That's why you kick people when they're down - because some just won't stay down. Where's a giant, animated Monty Python foot when you need one?

I'm a little confused about last week's preview for this episode. I could've swore I heard a female voice saying "I just can't stand the pressure anymore." But I never heard those actual words come out of Omarosa's mouth. Hmmm.

I hate to make a prediction as to whom Carolyn's comments were directed. There's too many possibilities. But I think Carolyn has always been with Protege, which is now Kwame, Troy, Heidi, and sometimes Amy. So I would have to say Heidi.

Nick
Friday, March 5, 2004

At the top of the episode, Trump said that Nick needs to stop loosing, but both times he lead his team it was to victory, admittedly Trump wouldn't know that until the end of this project. Trump singled Nick out at the beginning of the episode.

His comments about Amy ("I wouldn't have done it / I think it's mistake") were taken the wrong way by Amy based on the expression on her face. What he was getting at was when Versacorp AND when Protege got to choose someone they chose Amy, they're basically saying "she's the best person on the either team." If it was allowed, it would've been a wise move to choose the other team's project manager - you'd throw them in to confusion from the start.

I keep saying the teams should split up, but this time I disagree - how can you figure out which artist's work is better if you don't see both? But it seems it worked out for Nick's team. Anyone who said he consulted his team too much on the flea market project should've been surprised by his "executive decision" this week.

The abstract/nature art is going to be easier to sell because it has no inherent meaning - you can put any meaning you want on it, and you can buy it like bedroom sets: you want it to set the mood for the room it's in. The other artist's stuff, while fascinating, was too highbrow and niche, and the team didn't even know how to sell it. Besides, I don't think I want those two girls in my living room. I've stopped watching horror movies because I don't want those images in my head, I'm certainly not going to invite them in to stay. I'd love to see a book with the whole series, or go to a showing of her work though. I'd never want to go to a showing of the nature art guy's work... zzzzzzz, but I would want it in my living room. Go figure.

A poll on NBC.com "Why did Protege lose this week?" with the options: 1. Kwame chose a high-risk artist, 2. Omarosa and Heidi's fighting was distracting, 3. Troy and Heidi didn't understand the art, and 4. The team didn't believe in their product, an overwhelming 60% chose The team didn't believe in their product.

This was Trump's message before the episode got underway. Personally, based on my statements above, I think Nick's team just got a better hand dealt to them. Abstract art, nature art, is probably going to outsell art with a message simply because once there is a message to the art, you have to match the message to the buyer.

I thought Omarosa's reheasing her boardroom speech again would've saved her, but she had two things working against her.

1. Kwame was too mature to play any games, so any attacks aimed at him would've rolled off.
2. Heide won't roll over. When attacked, she stands up for herself, and their arguments meant that Omarosa was plugged in to those arguments, and reacted emotionally to them.

Whoever said Kwame could choose Heidi and Omarosa just because they'd give each other heat & he could fade in to the background was right.

Heide thought she was in for it. As soon as Trump addressed her she said "I know you're gonna choose me" or something like that. I agree that she's too emotional. In fact Ereka, Heidi, Omarosa, Kristi and Jessie exemplify a certain stereotype of women - overly emotional, take everything too personally, and crack under pressure. By comparison, Kwame, Bill, and Troy look like Zen masters.

Nick gets emotionally involved but in a typically male way, and in his personal Interview, Trump sort of commended that "passion." Good ploy on Nick's part, asking Trump about his mentors & getting him to talk about his parents.

Kudos to The Donald (and this is what they call him on NBC.com) for calling Omarosa on her constantly making excuses. I think Omarosa's breakdown was real. She wasn't able to make any allies, and was under constant stress because of it. Yes, she created this situation herself, but I hardly think crying was a ploy. In typical Omarosa style, when backed in to a corner, she charged ahead and walked in to the boardroom, refusing to play by the rules.

Observation: Now that the teams are down to 3 and 4 each, the PM choosing 2 people to go in to the board room will no longer work. We're in for a change of the way the game is played.

www.MarkTAW.com
Friday, March 5, 2004

For a minute there I thought Omarosa was going to pull the race card on the Donald. I woulda paid money to see how that one would have gone down.

As much as I couldn't stand her, it's a bit sad that she's gone. The unintentional comedy was simply off the charts with her.

My vote is for Katrina to start acting the part of raving lunatic. I believe Carolyn's comments are directed toward her. She absolutely vanishes at game time.

C
Friday, March 5, 2004

I wish Nick had asked Trump how he acquired his exquisite taste in home decor.

ken
Friday, March 5, 2004

Now that Omarosa is gone, who will be the "hated" ? Think about it if she was not on the prior shows, and served as someone for the masses ( us ) to hate would there have been any good television? There is no good without evil and boy was she (presented) as evil.

moses whitecotton
Friday, March 5, 2004

Oh, I can see Nick becoming "the hated one". Whole bunch of bravado going on there, and he'll be high off of his team's win. I bet he'll be impossible to work with unless he feels like he's in charge.

I can't say that this was a particularly rivetting episode though. Once the artists were chosen, the die was pretty much cast. I agree that the abstract painter was the best choice though.

My criteria for buying art tends to revolve around how the thing will look hanging over my sofa, and will have any uncomfortable explanations to give when the grand parents come to visit.

The horror art was visually stunning, but I can't imagine wanting to see it hanging in the living room.

Steve Barbour
Friday, March 5, 2004

Wow.

Omarosa is on the Today Show saying that she isn't really a b*tch, but that the directors of the show have something against black women.

Other than that it was just more excuses as to why she was chosen.

Friday, March 5, 2004

Ken-

I'm with you buddy! Remember the early episode in which he gives the first tour of his place? He talks about how he has had all kinds of people, foreign dignitaries, royalty all so "impressed" by his apartment. I imagine a large percentage of them (especially old money Europeans) must have been politely appalled by it.

What did he tell his decorator, just find the most expensive crap anyone will sell you? I'll bet if it weren't for the radiation hazard he'd have the place trimmed in plutonium.

name withheld out of cowardice
Friday, March 5, 2004

Is it just me or do you guys think this is a ridiculous show? When I first heard that this show was going to air, I was very excited. However, it turned out to be another "MTV'S Real World" type of thing.

These supposedly successful businessmen and businesswomen are a joke. I cannot believe they have their own businesses. How can they succeed? They look and act like recent college graduates with no experience but an ego the size of mount Everest.

How can they leave their businesses to come to a show like this? Who is running their business while they are away? If they are THAT successful, they should just take a lifelong vacation as the dough is rolling in.. Why do they even need Trump? :)

Secondly, they have the biggest ego I've ever seen, yet, I haven't seen anything special that they do. Last night's episode was yet another example of this. The side that picked the most normal looking art won. Wow! What a suprise? It is baffling noone wants to spend thousands on a picture with bloody heads! (sarcasm) I couldn't believe that poor woman spend close to a grand to get that picture of the kitten. Boy, did she look stupid?!

I know if it was a real show of business wit, #1 we would have to pay to watch it, and #2 it would be perceived as utterly boring by the audience who loves to watch braindead shows like "Bachelorette" for the thousandth time. So I guess they had to dumbify it for the average person to enjoy it. In the meantime everyone in the show looks stupid.

Oh well... It was my fault to have high hopes for an intelligent show.

p.s. Donald Trump *REALLY* needs a new hair cut! He has a ton of money but I guess some thing just can't be fixed with money! :)

confused
Friday, March 5, 2004

name withheld-

I imagine the conversation went something like this:

Decorator: Why don't you take a look at these swatches and tiles I've picked out, then get back to me on which ones you like so we can get a sense of your personal style?

Trump: Er, how long is this going to take?

Decorator: Um, well, that's really up to you...

Trump: Let's just do this- get a bunch of expensive furniture and stuff, and just dip it all in molten gold.

Decorator: You're the boss!

ken
Friday, March 5, 2004

Confused, your portrayal of elitism comes across as weak and, quite honestly, spiteful. Really, what were you expecting? A bunch of 50-something guys in suits having power lunches and delegating to low-level employees? This show is unique in that these are not only the leaders and decision makers, they're also the do-ers (the low level employees), and that is a lot of the entertainment of the show. And ultimately this is intended to be entertainment, so of course they're going to choose younger professionals, and of course they're going to be the pretty people (well, apart from Heidi...Ay karumba). Beyond that I've seen nothing that doesn't realistically parallel the real business world. Of course I feel the same way about Survivor -- when it first came out all of the wannabe elitist poo-poohed it, proclaimed that they were too busy sipping wine and reading old war recounts, and how it's all so unrealistic -- people don't really act that like. They are in denial about the way the real world operates.

BTW: Your assessment of the art world is intriguing -- there are a lot of "not normal" artists who make a tremendous living. Mind I thought it this case they made a horrible choice (the artist herself seemed to not believe in what she was selling -- "Uh..yeah...this is the dichotomy between good and evil..and err...").

Dennis Forbes
Friday, March 5, 2004

Ken-
There was a very funny series of "Doonesbury" cartoons, more than ten years ago, I think, on this very topic. Uncle Duke was Trump's new Yacht captain and Trunp was giving him the tour. He had gold faucets in the bathroom (on the yacht I mean) and he pointed out everything to Duke with great pride always describing it as "quality!" Duke interupted for a clarification- something to the effect of "Excuse me sir, but by 'quality' do you mean 'outrageously expensive'?" The Donald replies something to the effect of "are there any other deifnitions?" Duke responds something like "None that matter"

A&E had a show called "America's Castles" which showed the mansions that rich people from the late 1800s and early 1900s had built. Some of them had real style.

name withheld out of cowardice
Friday, March 5, 2004

TLC's "Trading Spaces" has people with more integrity and organizational skills than the ones in this show. I worked with many other people in teams and I saw nothing childish happening like the things that happen on this show. The people they picked for this show are very unprofessional.

Your average Joe doesn't watch this show anyway. It is a shame they had to turn it into this kind of entertainment.
Drama always sells I guess.

As for your comments on "pretty", if I had never seen pretty before, I'd buy it.

confused
Friday, March 5, 2004

Trading Spaces is entirely unlike this show. In Trading Spaces, everybody wins (so to speak). In this show, much like Survivor, one person wins in the end, so ultimately there is only a big I in team. Sadly a lot of life works that way too.

Dennis Forbes
Friday, March 5, 2004

It's a brilliant idea for a show for the same reason Dilbert was a brilliant idea from a comic- just about everybody can relate to it. It's Dilbert adapted into a reality show. I don't normally watch reality shows, but I did get sucked into the first Joe Millionaire, and the Apprentice is way more of an intelligent show, though I know that's not saying much. The point is, yeah it's a reality show with all of the drama and petty bickering, but I'd venture it's better than most.

Of course, if anyone here wants to actually admit they watch a lot of reality shows, they could support or refute my claim with a bit more to back it up.

ken
Friday, March 5, 2004

"My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance" is the best reality show yet.

apw
Friday, March 5, 2004

and as far as the most intelligent reality show...that honor would have to go to "The Mole" (not the celebrity version though)

apw
Friday, March 5, 2004

Yes, "The Mole" was highly intelligent.

I heard ABC lost the rights, so maybe someone else will pick it up and bring it back without the celebrities.

The Mole
Friday, March 5, 2004

Best reality show is The Amazing Race.

Wasn't too suprised by Apprentice this week. Omarosa has been living on borrowed time for a while now. However this was one of the few missions she didn't screw up.

Am I the only one who thinks they should have them play a game? Not Monopoly, but Acquire which they play at the Mind Sport Olympiad. Or maybe there's another business based game that would be interesting.

I'd really like to see something where the players are all pitted against one another.

Clutch Cargo
Friday, March 5, 2004

What about Eco Challenge? A bit too much reality?

Elephant
Friday, March 5, 2004

Eco Challenge is a breed apart. It's also a Mark Burnett show, but it's a real race. The footage is really more of a quasi-documentary of the race edited for entertainment value, with depth added by showing the contestants background stories. Great show, though.

The other reality shows consist of people put into a staged environment*. I can't stand most of them, but Burnett has figured out how to engross me with Survivor and The Apprentice.

*I think The Restaurant is the other exception to this. But, I try not to watch too much TV, so I can't comment on it.

Nick
Friday, March 5, 2004

Clutch - There's only one game they would play - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3179679296&category=19094

I'll second the "Amazing Race" comment - it's the only reality show I've watched where I genunitely rooted for one team/couple/whatever to win.

Greg Hurlman
Friday, March 5, 2004

"In this show, much like Survivor, one person wins in the end, so ultimately there is only a big I in team. Sadly a lot of life works that way too."

You can't blame "competition" for the fact that everybody on the show is an abject and total loser. :)

Brad Wilson (dotnetguy.techieswithcats.com)
Friday, March 5, 2004

Oh, and Trump comes off like an idiot. Honestly, does he just walk around all day and brag about the stuff he owns?

Brad Wilson (dotnetguy.techieswithcats.com)
Friday, March 5, 2004

Thank you Brad Wilson!

I think it would make a funny show to watch these losers at their own work during one of their regular days! Now that would be hilarious!

I am guessing Trump spends 95% of his time in front of the mirror perfecting is hair do! The other 5% gets spent eating lemons so that when he talks, his face gets that "I just had sour fruit" look. Just for that, I could consider "The Apprentice" a funny show! :)

confused
Friday, March 5, 2004

I think the "prize" where they got to have a picnic at his house was just the most over the top, hilarious moment on television. "Come, gaze at my mansion from the outside! Isn't it large? Okay, now, eat some food on my lawn. Don't wreck it."

Brad Wilson (dotnetguy.techieswithcats.com)
Friday, March 5, 2004

Not too unlike the BillG Intern Bar-B-Que. You get to walk down his staircase to the lawn out back. You can look down the halls, go into the guest bathroom look into his "enterteining room" and gaze at the Winslow Homer painting Lost on the grand banks hung in the hallway on the second floor, but you can't touch anything, and don't hurt the grass.

Elephant
Friday, March 5, 2004

"Honestly, does he just walk around all day and brag about the stuff he owns"

Yes. Self-promotion is what he's famous for.

Friday, March 5, 2004

I think Brad Wilson is spot on here. The whole premise of the show is rediculous, Trump is rediculous, and all the candidates are rediculous. They're larger than life blow up dolls, and that's how their supposed to be.

Now tone it down 3 notches and see how it parallels the rediculous elements of your own life. If Omarosa is like Philo's ex-boss on steriods, then what can watching her teach us about how to handle situations with people like her?

I mean come on people. Like giant men chasing after an oblong brown object on a green field is realistic. It's entertainment, but entertainment with some educational value - but you have to dig a little for it.

www.MarkTAW.com
Friday, March 5, 2004

Sounds like the Irish Potato famine to me. Bunch of grown men chasing after the oblong brown potato. . .

Elephant
Friday, March 5, 2004

Omarosa is one CNBC right now. For some reason she isn't in the studio like every other person that has been fired has been.

She is working on a book and a line of business clothing. She calls herself the stongest candidate.

Apparently she is going to be on the Tonight Show tonight....

Ray
Friday, March 5, 2004

I think the most realistic reality show is

"Cribs".

"Yes you too can make huge globs of money and spend it in rooms of a house that you never go in by singing about car rims a prada shoes to some '70s bass line."

apw
Friday, March 5, 2004

Thanks for the Omarosa update Ray.

Anyone got anymore on what she said on the Today Show?

Also, it seemed to me like there was some weird editing at the very end of the show.

Omarosa barges in and Trump yells at her. Then, it seems like the next scene has Heidi sitting down and Kwame standing and they're waiting for Omarosa to get composed and return to the board room. Was I missing something?

steve
Friday, March 5, 2004

re: today show

-she said she was the strongest player.
-everybody there came as an intern, she came as an executive.
-she was the only one that acted like an executive.
-there's been 10 years of reality shows stereotyping strong black women as pushy broads.
-she REALLY had a concussion. had to go to the dr. and everything.
-the dr. told her to sit and eat at least one meal per day. that's why she wanted to eat lunch.
-Trump said it was only a little piece of plaster because as the property owner he is afraid of getting sued.
-it was actually a BIG piece of cement that hit her head.
-people love her.
-trump was scared of her. he's not used to dealing with women as strong as she is.

I thought that maybe the shows editors had made her look like a beeotch. Watching the today show made me realize they didn't have to try.

The Ted
Friday, March 5, 2004

> -the dr. told her to sit and eat at least one meal per day.
> that's why she wanted to eat lunch.

She never mentioned that. All she said to Heidi was "I have to sit down and have lunch". She has a huge attitude problem! I don't care how smart she is. That attitude is not going to make too many friends.

confused
Friday, March 5, 2004

"it was actually a BIG piece of cement that hit her head."

I'm sorry - there were four or five other intelligent people standing right there when it happened - if it had been a real danger I have no doubt they would've been asking her if she was okay, had her sit down, and even called 911 if necessary.

All we saw were startled looks and a little interest. It was a piece of plaster.

Regarding the doctor, granted I have a negative bent towards Omarosa, but I'll bet he *probably* said "you might have a concussion - I recommend..." just like if you're coughing and sneezing he'd say "you might have a cold - I recommend rest and plenty of fluids" it's the baseline recommendation. "Person gets hit in head, say 'concussion' and recommend sitting for one meal a day"

Anyone here have any medical contacts who could confirm or refute this?

Philo

Philo
Friday, March 5, 2004

I'M PARAPHRASING OMAROSA FROM THE TODAY SHOW

The Ted
Friday, March 5, 2004

That's directed towards Philo and confused, who are obviously both confused as to what I was saying.

The Ted
Friday, March 5, 2004

Ted. I know you are paraphrasing. I am not confused about this. I am confused about how techie people are actually drawn to this soap opera like show as if it has anything to offer. I thought it did before I saw an episode and I realized it was all fluff just like anything else on TV these days.

confused
Friday, March 5, 2004

"I am confused about how techie people are actually drawn to this soap opera like show as if it has anything to offer."

Because, deep down, most people enjoy seeing people who are worse off than they are on television. There's really no other way to explain the prevalence of "reality" TV.

Brad Wilson (dotnetguy.techieswithcats.com)
Friday, March 5, 2004

I missed that segment with her getting hit on the head by a vicious piece of plaster, however as you mentioned Philo, the use of rote medical blabber as some sort of proof is pretty questionable - Doctors will virtually always give such boilerplate recommendations, and few would be so confrontational as to proclaim "You got hit by a little piece of plaster and you think you have a concussion? Do you realize how ridiculous you sound."

Dennis Forbes
Friday, March 5, 2004

"sit and eat one meal a day" doesn't pass the sniff test.

I'm not disputing that doctors dish out boilerplate responses. It's just that it seems like a odd thing to say - especially for a concussion.

It'd be like going to the doctor with a sprained ankle and having him say, "don't forget to breathe periodically and go poop when you feel a little back pressure."

I think she's lying. After all, she did work for Clinton! :^)

Nick
Friday, March 5, 2004

This is the only thing I could find about her "political appointment"

http://www.kallipugos.com/archives/000519.html

<quote>
Truth exposed: This young lady was a secretary, and presumably a bad one at that. She served as an assistant to the Deputy Director of Presidential Personnel for only a couple of months, and I believe that she was ceremoniously canned. This is one of those jobs that's about as far out of the loop as you can get, and is in the $20-22k pay range. As for her "political consulting" career, I've been told that she consults a few pageant contestants, which obviously has very little to do with politics.
</quote>

The Ted
Friday, March 5, 2004

This is too rich:

"She said the editing made it seem as though her injury was minor but she said she spent 18 hours in a New York City hospital diagnosed with severe head trauma and a concussion after being hit by a piece of sheet metal."

http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/0220apprentice.html

The Ted
Friday, March 5, 2004

And which NYC hospital was that? Of course she can't name the place, in case they deny it.

T. Norman
Saturday, March 6, 2004

I'm surprised to hear any support for Omarossa. She was a lazy, spoiled, whiney, spiteful, stupid, uncreative, non-team player from the start. Remember her trying to sell the water by straight out lying to the clients? "I'm a water expert who has tasted all your waters and this is much better!". All I can say is "uh... wow - I haven't seen such stuff since gradeschool. And her talking about the art like she knew what she was talking about - she clearly had zero clue, but everyone seems to give her credit for "knowing art". You're all commendably generous but come on folks.

And as for the "plaster" thing. 18 hours? NFW! And yes there were several thoughtful people 5 feet away who would have certainly helped if needed. Trump afraid of a lawsuit? No WAY - it was a tiny, tiny piece, evidenced by Omarossa HERSELF when she started playing basketball in the street (obviously just to give everyone else the finger).

But I agree with whoever mentioned that her taxi speech was the perfectending - so self-endearing, so condescending, so psycho - so hilarious!

Oh yeah - and it doesn't surprise me at all for her to use the race card in her comments about the producers. It totally fits her spiteful personality. Life hasn't been fair to her because she's black, so it's only fair that she fight back hard and dirty to get all those undeserving whitefolk back. But it really isn't a race thing - she's simply a spoiled brat. I've hired and worked with all different types of people, and seen the spiteful, "I deserve this!!" personality a lot. They just never learned the value of a little hard work.

Of course in Omarossa's case I'm sure she'll use this show for maximum leverage, conveniently ignoring the fact that her entire stage prescence was disgusting. So as much as we all may miss her antics in The Apprentice, I'll bet we can look forward to seeing more of her as she "markets her own name" with these equally valueless networks. Gotta love it!

Jeffers
Saturday, March 6, 2004

Omarosa bin Laden finally goes back to her cave.

~~~
Saturday, March 6, 2004

1. What are the odds they actually have footage of Omarosa being hit on the head, but never showed the audience because of amount of discussion it would generate. They have footage of everyone's reaction to it, were they just unlucky here, or did the camera crew have the same disdain for her as well?

2. Her justifications after the show sound just as made up as her justifications during the show. She's using the inherent doubt we have in reality TV to her advantage. Her stories got more and more elaborate as she went along, and as I've mentioned before she was constantly rehearsing (and re-spinning) her boardroom speeches.

3. 18 hours in a NYC hospital is entirely possible, all she has to do is go to the Emergency Room, they'll see she's not at all critical, and leave her in the waiting room all day. Then she'll get in to see the doctor and he'll tell her something innocuous like "Just make sure you get some rest and eat every day," and keep her for a few hours for observations and tests just to avoid a lawsuit.

4. I fully expect an Omarosa talk show within the next year.

www.MarkTAW.com
Saturday, March 6, 2004

Agree with you on 1, 2 & 4 Mark. But still highly doubt the hospital thing. The producers would have shown *something* just for the drama. Whatever (who cares) - the main thing is she exited as she played - in a consistently moronic way.

Now that she's gone, I think Heide, Kwame and Troy will be on the spot. For amusement, here are my guesses as to who goes next:

1) Amy
    I agree - she really done hasn't done anything - except
    keeping Omorosa from being murdered and keeping
Nick's ego at max psi. So now I think she gets
exposed ...if Protege can somehow win with 3...
2) Kwame
    Between Heide and Kwame, my guess is Trump likes
Heide, and the producers may want to keep her
around for the drama with her mom (sick but probable).
And as off the radar as Kwame is, he hasn't actually
done much, has he?
3) Nick
    Between Nick and Katrina, my guess is sometime soon
Nick's "ego vs. skill" will get exposed. I think all the
compliments from Trump lately are a facade. He surely
knows this guy's only asset is his ego (clearly his
"sales expertise" is nill with commodity products, and I
doubt Trump will be handing over anything too
high-end to any of these kids).
5) Heide
    I think Heide's likability will start fading with Omorosa
gone. And as bright as she is, I don't think she stands
much of a chance with the final 3.
5) Katrina
    I can't see Katrina screwing up before Heide. Her real
estate skills should be worth more than an apartment
renovation to Trump. I mean that loss was more due
to Troy's wits than her skills (except she+Bill screwed
up not listing it earlier - dumb).
6) Troy
    This guy has street smarts and a style customers like.
But in the end my guess is Trump wants someone more
polished and with more spine/teeth (as alike himself as
possible)
Winner: Bill
    Unless he screws up royally I can't see him losing.
Then again, the reality TV BS factor may make
spaghetti out of my list :-)

Jeffers
Saturday, March 6, 2004

"But in the end my guess is Trump wants someone more
polished and with more spine/teeth"

Nope. Trump wants someone who will win, and a "poor old country boy" that can put people at ease and convince them that yes, this really is a fair contract is a pretty valuable asset. ;-)

Philo

Philo
Saturday, March 6, 2004

True, and personally I think Troy is awesome. But I still Trump's ego will play a major role. Maybe he DOES want all energy, in which case Nick is his dream come true. Naaaaah.

Jeffers
Saturday, March 6, 2004

As an artist, I'm amazed that Nick and his team managed to sell so much safe, department store-lounge art. I'm doubly amazed that Lia's artwork was not selected by either team, since everyone really liked it.

But is this genuinely 'reality TV'? I wonder how much of the show is scripted. How much is Trump just 'playing' the audience? When is each episode actually filmed? Obviously next week's episode has already taken place. Is the ending a 'done deal' already?

last one standing. Now I'm thinking Troy (or Nick), or maybe Heidi.

~Suzanne

Suzanne Stiver
Sunday, March 7, 2004

I meant to say, the first time I saw the show (week two) I thought Nick would be the last one standing.

I wanted Omarosa to get fired, but after I saw her on Leno last night I thought, hey, maybe Apprentice was just edited to make her the bad guy for the sake of drama.

Suzanne Stiver
Sunday, March 7, 2004

TV is never, ever reality.

Brad Wilson (dotnetguy.techieswithcats.com)
Monday, March 8, 2004

Poor Omarosa! Not only did she have to act as finance manager and work 48 hours without a decent 2 hour lunch...I wonder if she was also in charge of the gruesome guest refreshments at the gallery! Hey...you can't do everything! Thank-God Troy mopped up!

What a bunch! If us that have businesses handled our affairs the way these young, so-called entrepreneurs have up to this point...we should be throwing in the towel and looking for a good reality TV show to pass some time on!

Kathleen
Monday, March 8, 2004

Indeed Kathleen. Actually, this breed already showed their "genius" - with the dotcom "boom". Imagine - take the Apprentice kids, multiply by 100,000, add a bunch more Trumps (including some younger, evel more egocentric and less practical clones) and there you have it - the NASDAQ in the 90's! :-)

But personally I am learning a lot here. Of course O-morose-a will be the first to have her own TV show, and William Hung (Am. Idol's worst = best) has already shown the lesson by being the first of this season's lot to get a record deal.

You gotta love these folks. They exemplify the true colors of not only "reality" TV, but today's real America (no apostrophes required): no skill required.

I'm making a bumper sticker to share my "getting it":
WILLIAM HUNG FOR PRESIDENT
No less talent than the other candidates
But he admits it - so he must be better, right?

Jeffers
Wednesday, March 10, 2004

I think Omarossa is a strong educated, self-assuring black woman and society is not quite ready for her. Even people of her own color are attacking her for that very reason. Some are shocked that a black woman can be a minority on a team and not feel inferior or intimidated. I love her strength. She'll definitely go places because she believes in herself. I think Trump had a hand in turning Heida against Omarossa. He was not pleased that Heida did not dislike Omarossa for her honesty about her. They were both just being honest. Personally I don't think Heida cared one way or the other until Trump planted the seed. In the end, Heida just showed that she could be manipulated and not think for herself. If this were a business decision, it would have been a bad decision. Heida has no class and sometimes that can affect one's success in business. The average person is turned off by women who smoke and swear in the presence of others. I think Omarossa will go far in life. She has already made her mark. She does not have to use anything but her first name and everyone will know who she is. She's already a star.

Girlie Girl
Thursday, March 11, 2004

Personally, I think Omarosa is just a whiny, lazy race-baiter, but damn, I'd tap that booty and suck on those big ta-tas if I ever got the chance.

Hell Yeah!
Monday, March 15, 2004

Right or wrong; Omarossa's behavior will make employers think twice before hiring a black woman. If you've ever had to deal with someone like that in your company, let me tell you, it is miserable and if you try to fire them, you're a racist.

Middle Management
Thursday, March 25, 2004