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Celebrity Apprentice: Who Are You Rooting For?

SavvySugar — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 09:50:55 -0700

We knew there would be a high level of intensity in last night's episode of The Celebrity Apprentice after last week's cliffhanger. The final four are interviewed by Erin Burnett and Jim Cramer and asked about their respective charities, their performance throughout the show, and why the other candidates aren't deserving of the Celebrity Apprentice title.

Even though Erin and Jim both pick Trace and Carol as their favorites, Donald chooses Piers and Trace to go head to head in the final challenge that will be a celebrity auction. He told Carol the only reason she's fired is that he wants to see Piers and Trace "fight it out," because he thinks they don't like each other.

The scene has been set for the final battle: Both men are talking themselves up, in their "war rooms" they're busy trying to get every celebrity they know to show up at the auction, and the promo for next week's episode sets it up as "the arrogant Brit versus the American cowboy." Who are you rooting for to be the first Celebrity Apprentice?

Photo courtesy of NBC

Savvy TV: Celebrity Apprentice Debuts Tonight

SavvySugar — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 15:47:29 -0800

NBC is obviously showing off its business sense by kicking off the network's new reality series earlier than planned. With so many of the regularly scheduled shows cooling on the back burner until the strike is over, reality TV will rule the airwaves in the new year.

Tonight's first episode of The Celebrity Apprentice brings together 14 celebrities who seem to have only their fame in common. The actors, athletes, and musicians are challenged with oh-so-curious street meat in their initial challenge. As hot dog vendors, the "candidates" rally to earn the most money (for charity) and don't hesitate to use their fame to their advantage.

If you're wondering who I think has a chance, read more.

It's difficult to say who my money is on for the series without seeing any hot dog vending. My first instinct was Marilu Henner, because I had a strange affinity for Taxi reruns as a kid, but after reading Gene Simmons' fascinating bio, I think I'll prematurely back his Apprentice ambitions.

I'm keeping in mind that the celebrities' bios are like resumes - they're fine for making preconceived judgments, but you never really know what you're in for until you see a person in action. Will you be tuning in to the latest reality adventure?

Photo courtesy of NBC

The Celebrity Apprentice: Did the Best Man Win?

SavvySugar — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:26:10 -0700

The first season of The Celebrity Apprentice ended last night with its final boardroom firing and I must say, it was probably my favorite episode of all. Maybe they should consider doing all episodes live because everyone seemed much funnier to me last night, especially Trace. It also could be that high stress levels make him loopy, and I can very much relate to that! Listening to him talk about wheatgrass shots and shortening the Backstreet Boys to "BSB" made me laugh - though not as much as when Trace, Piers, and their celebrity teammates were swaying in a line to the smooth melodies of the BSB.

All of the previously fired celebrities are on set for the live final boardroom scene. Most of them are Trace supporters, though several give Piers credit for being an aggressive businessman that knows how to raise a lot of money. Gene Simmons gives a patriotic-inspired speech via satellite from Japan, and while his vote goes to Trace because of his intangible goodness, he did admit that Piers generally got stronger results.

Piers brought in the most money and the most celebrities, but he also brought the most ruthless game and made the most disrespectful remarks. Trace performed all of the challenges to the best of his ability while maintaining his dignity, and his leadership style made his teammates want to work harder. In the end, it simply came down to the numbers - do you think Donald chose the best celebrity apprentice?

Photo courtesy of NBC

Celebrity Apprentice: Will You Be Singing Hallelujah Without Omarosa?

SavvySugar — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 13:01:25 -0800

Donald Trump described last night's episode of The Celebrity Apprentice as the "biggest slaughter in the history of The Apprentice." Empresario, under the leadership of project manager Omarosa, raised only $7,000 to Hydra's $164,000 in a challenge where the teams had to pick artists and sell their work. This was truly a personal victory for Piers - as project manager of Hydra he claimed that Empresario's failure proved Omarosa isn't a real celebrity because she had no connections to call and buy her art.

Aside from any negative feelings about Omarosa's personality, including this challenge Omarosa lost three times as project manager. With that kind of record, she no longer deserved to be there. While she seemed defeated from the moment she walked into the boardroom last night, she tried to defend herself when she quoted her mother: "I may not be the wealthiest woman inthe room, I may not be the smartest or prettiest, but no one will out work me. And this whole process I've outworked and committed myself."

Donald says that this firing was easy and obvious, because Omarosa's team was so badly creamed. In Omarosa's exit interview, she brought out another quote from her repertoire and left us with this message: "No man is your friend, no man is your foe, but every man is your teacher. Peace!" And then she threw up double peace signs - pure Omarosa-ness.

The promo for next week's episode celebrates that it’s Omarosa-free, complete with the Hallelujah chorus. Will you be singing Hallelujah, too?

Photo courtesy of NBC

Celebrity Apprentice: "Selling Hot Dogs"

SavvySugar — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 14:05:50 -0800

In last night's episode of The Celebrity Apprentice, Donald Trump showed us he's still the same tough businessman he's always been - except am I the only one who thought he looked abnormally broad, like he was wearing extra shoulder pads? I think the old Apprentice got a surge of new life with its celebrity twist. Maybe it's because my expectations weren't too high for the first episode, but I was thoroughly entertained the entire hour. It probably doesn't hurt that I love fierce competition!

The episode opens with Donald informing the celebrities that they're all "commodities" and should use their "personal brand" to help them. While you and me aren't celebs with recognizable faces and reputations, we should always be working on our own brand. These are the qualities that you essentially sell to an interviewer to set you apart from the rest. Those are my two cents - now back to the drama!

The fourteen celebrity candidates are split into teams based on gender, which I think really heightens the competitive spirit. Omarosa volunteers to be the project manager for the women (team Empresario) and Stephen Baldwin steps up for the men (team Hydra). Immediately we're faced with striking differences in the teams' approaches - Nely Galan announces that she's brought matching hats for the team to symbolize unity, while the men are busy researching if the mythological Hydra had seven or three heads. I have to say, the hats have a huge lame factor.

To find out what celebrity is fired first and to see a video of the hot-dog vending madness read more

Stephen Baldwin's team whips Omarosa's team; the men raise $52,286 to the women's $17,038.79 and all of the money goes to a charity of Stephen's choice. The boardroom is full of animosity and there's an especially insulting exchange between Piers Morgan and Omarosa; he basically tells her that she's not a real celebrity and she calls him a "British asshole." I look forward to seeing how this relationship develops!

Omarosa drags Carol Alt and Tiffany Fallon to face the Trumps, but in the end Donald fires the former Playmate of the Year (Tiffany) for failing to call Hugh Hefner to buy an expensive hot dog. While Omarosa's viciousness makes my skin crawl and I'd like to see her get the boot, I think Donald made the right choice in the candidate he fired. Tiffany failed to use her celebrity and that was the whole point of the challenge. Following directions is a basic skill but if you don't have it, your employer will definitely notice.

Gene Simmons is still my favorite to take the cake, he certainly proved his celebrity in the first challenge and has some terrific one liners like “Omarosa is a survivor - like a cockroach - you cannot kill her!” I'm going to watch out for Nadia Comaneci though; did anyone else notice she hardly spoke one word the entire episode? She may have some tricks up her gymnast sleeve.

Photo courtesty of NBC

Lessons Learned From The Celebrity Apprentice

SavvySugar — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 14:38:44 -0700

So, now that the first season of The Celebrity Apprentice has come to an end, are you thinking what I'm thinking - will Omarosa make it back next season?! I enjoyed my Thursday night dates with The Donald and his competitive celebrities, and enough viewers tuned in to the first season that the show was already signed for a second one. Of course, I'm already wondering which celebs will make it to the boardroom. During the finale Marilu said she's telling all of her friends they have to be on the show next season - maybe they'll get another Taxi star like Tony Danza!

One off-air concept connected to the show is Trump University on NBC's website, and it discusses the lessons learned from each week's challenges, which can be applied to your own careers. There are several lessons from each episode, so I've selected the best ones from each week.

Episode 1: Think ahead and act early. Even the best idea can't save you if it comes too late.
Episode 2: Don't let your leader smother you. Step out, stand up and fight for the responsibilities that let you shine.
Episode 3: Listening is more powerful than talking. When you open your ears and your mind, you empower yourself to give people what they want. That's a powerful way to build your success.

There are nine more lessons on the list so just read more

Episode 4: Just let it go. Holding grudges hurts your career, not anyone else's. So take a deep breath and move on.
Episode 5: Attacking a colleague's heritage, religion, or race has no place in business. If you break this rule just once, you'll end your career.
Episode 6: Step up and show a strong work ethic every day. Over time, it will protect you from harm and advance your position.
Episode 7: Leaders let people know how their performance will be judged. Clearly stated expectations build your leadership effectiveness and get results.
Episode 8: Keep your professional image spic and span. Any lapse in professionalism can make you vulnerable in times of trouble when people are trying to deflect blame from themselves.
Episode 9: Learn from experience. To become successful in the future, you need to absorb and apply the lessons of the past.
Episode 10: Sooner or later, lying always gets exposed.
Episode 11: Know your track record. Everyone makes mistakes. But don't let one poor performance take you down.
Episode 12: Always have an "elevator speech" ready. It's a short, well-rehearsed explanation of your accomplishments and plans. Write one and practice it - it can be critical to your success.

Photo courtesy of NBC.

Celebrity Apprentice: Was the Right Guy Fired?

SavvySugar — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:52:08 -0700

In last night's episode of The Celebrity Apprentice, the final five were challenged to create a Quizno's flatbread sammie and sell as many as possible in two hours. This challenge differed from the others in that it was all about speed and sales because Donald banned them from calling their contacts this time.

Hydra's sammie concept was "The Champ" named after project manager Lennox Lewis, and Empresario's concept was "The Cowboy Club" named after project manager Trace Adkins. Hydra had an obvious advantage with an extra team member and a more recognizable celebrity to promote their sammie.

In past episodes Donald and Co. have been pretty consistent about firing the project manager, but this time they looked at overall performance and potential to succeed going forward. Stevie B., as he's been known to call himself, was fired even though Trace admitted he'd made all the decisions that day.

Just when I thought we'd see Stephen Baldwin's farewell clip and then call it a night, Donald summons the final four to the boardroom to tell them that two more will be fired before the end of the night!

Photo courtesy of NBC

Celebrity Apprentice: Was the Right Candidate Fired?

SavvySugar — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 11:02:28 -0800

Last night's episode of The Celebrity Apprentice was more of the same old, same old: Piers was condescending, Omarosa used "son" at the end of her sentences, Stephen Baldwin was bossy, Lennox seemed a little sedated (still love him though), Carol barely spoke, and Trace was the charming hero.

So what was different about last night's QVC challenge? Well, Marilu seemed a little kooky, no? I know her nerves just got the best of her, but it was strange to see her not in total control - her act is usually so polished and together.

It's true that Hydra lost because of Marilu - not only was she the project manager, but she was also the star of the QVC spot, too. However, Carol worked for QVC and didn't even bring up the important information about easy pay and that really could have helped her team. For one reason or another (friendship? respect?) Marilu didn't bring Carol back to the boardroom to face the Trumps.

So what I want to know is: Should Donald have fired Marilu for being an unsuccessful project manager, or should Lennox have been fired for sleeping and not contributing much to the challenge?

Photos courtesty of NBC

Celebrity Apprentice: Did Trump Do the Right Thing?

SavvySugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 13:57:53 -0800

The only thing that saved me from turning off the TV during last night's episode of The Celebrity Apprentice was that the challenge took place in Central Park. I love Central Park more than I hated listening to Omarosa and Piers Morgan go at each other's throats, as if they were contestants on Tila Tequila's A Shot at Love. Insults were thrown around for the episode's entirety, like Piers telling Omarosa she's "a disgusting little tramp" and Omarosa constantly berating Piers as a father and telling him, "I ain't goin' nowhere son!" It was kind of insane.

I don't want to spoil the episode in case you're planning on watching it this weekend, but I want to know your thoughts on how the firing was handled. So tell me, did Donald make the right choice in the end?

Photo courtesy of NBC

Celebrity Apprentice: Who Should Have Been Fired?

SavvySugar — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 12:51:55 -0800

While last night's episode of The Celebrity Apprentice wasn't nearly as dramatic as last week, I liked the challenge this week and now that the group is smaller things are definitely tense among the candidates. Omarosa brought Nely Galan and Marilu Henner back to the boardroom, though I think Donald wouldn't consider firing Marilu unless she made a big, obvious mistake. The Trumps admitted in the past that she's Empresario's only hope.

Usually the final boardroom scene is the most suspenseful moment in the show, aside from finding out which team wins. This week, however, my attention dwindled at the end because I don't think Nely or Omarosa does anything that positive for their team. In the end, Donald fired Nely because she didn't show off her skills as a producer and she should have been fired in past challenges.

Photos courtesy of NBC