Heading into tonight's episode of The Celebrity Apprentice I kept thinking about Gene Simmons as a whack-a-mole. During the first couple of episodes of the show the man kept popping his head up. It was from different holes – one week he made a cell call and brought in big donors that saved his team, the next he was a megalomaniacal project manager who alienated half the people with which he was working. I couldn't help but think that if he kept popping his head up Trump was sure to eventually knock it down. Maybe it wouldn't be for the right reason, but when has that stopped Trump. Simmons didn't seem like the kind of guy to lay low however, so I wasn't feeling very good about his chances.

What was the first thing that happened tonight? The whack-a-mole stuck his head up and agreed to move from Hydra, the men's team, to Empresario, the women's team, where he would become project manager. Trump said Empresario would now be an interesting team and Gene said that Trump was the devil. Whether or not Gene was going to get fired tonight, you could feel the mallet over his head just waiting for an opportunity to smack him.

As the task began, Simmons again decided to not meet with the corporation, Kodak, who was pushing a new printer and ink system (the teams had to outfit a trailer with the Kodak printers and sell them, but more importantly they had to sell Kodak on the team's advertising concept). Gene did however acquiesce and sent some of his minions to see the executives, which was a step up from last week.

Nely Galán and Carol Alt took the meeting, and Nely completely embarrassed herself during it. She asked tons of unnecessary questions and made it appear as though she understood nothing at all. Even worse, when she related the information back to Simmons, he said that the Kodak executives were wrong. Simmons can be a hard man to talk to, but Nely didn't push the point and needed to.

Gene was right last week about Pedigree not knowing what they wanted, so there was a chance he was going to be right here too. Gene had his slogan, "It's a Kodak World," and he was sticking to it.

At one point, Omarosa actually said she didn't care about Gene's attitude as long as he got them a win. He must be charismatic, because the Dragon Lady doesn't like anyone even when her team wins.

Over at Hydra, Tito Ortiz was the project manager, but Stephen Baldwin was running the show, or, at the very least, running around the room. He was standing on the table and shouting and yelling and was completely indecipherable. Baldwin came up with some sort of crazy idea about how the Kodak printer and its ink management represented a deal that could knock out anyone, including Tito and Lennox Lewis. So naturally, he took pictures of Lennox and Tito, both shirtless, lying down next to the printer on a table. It was a lot of weight to have on the table, so when the men went to get off the table at the same time and rolled towards the edge Baldwin was standing on, the table tilted significantly. The shift spilled coffee on the laptop that had all their artwork on it, eliminating hours and hours worth of work (some of which would eventually be recovered) and threw the team into a tizzy.

At that point Piers Morgan took over from Baldwin and did his best to come up with a plan B which included outsourcing the printing of all signage. Kinko's, or wherever the guys went to get stuff printed, did a decent job, but not a professional one. Hydra's message was right, but the presentation was horrific.

In the end though, because the message was right, Hydra won the task. Apparently Kodak knew what they wanted and Simmons didn't give it to them (not that Simmons ever accepted that).

In the boardroom, Trump complained that there weren't enough people from Empresario at the Kodak meeting to listen to what the executives were saying. That wasn't true, it was just the wrong people. Nely was a disaster at the meeting and simply couldn't understand the easiest of concepts. Carol, who is clearly too nice for this game, refused to throw Nely under the bus and took joint responsibility for what happened with Kodak.

When the time came, Gene only wanted to bring Omarosa back into the boardroom, but Trump wouldn't accept that. Trump clearly wanted to keep the crazy rock star and tried to tell to Simmons to bring Nely back too. Simmons refused and Trump explained that Omarosa ought not be fired because even if most people don't like her the team didn't lose this task because of her (frankly, I'd fire her anyway). Simmons acquiesced and named Jennie Finch as the other person he wanted to bring in to the boardroom (which Nely had suggested).

With only Jennie, Omarosa, and Gene back in the boardroom Trump was distressed. He told Gene he didn't want to fire him, but that the man had left him no choice. I actually agreed with Trump at one point when The Donald explained that Simmons always insists on doing the opposite of what anyone tells him to do. That unquestionably seems to be the case with the man.

In the end, the whack-a-mole popped his head up one too many times and the mallet found him.

One or two or three other thoughts:

• Why was Nely crying on her way back in from last week's boardroom? Was she really that upset about Nadia being fired? If I were Trump I'd have fired her for that reason alone, whether or not Simmons brought her back in.
• At the start of the task, the contestants were standing by the East River and Trump asked Vinnie Pastore how many bodies were in it. Vinnie made a joke about not answering the question and Trump said as an aside "he probably knows, too." Trump said it with a smile on his face, but I don't think he was kidding, I think Trump actually believes Vinnie knows.
• Piers Morgan on Alec Baldwin showing up at their trailer during the task - "very good to have Alec Baldwin there, because actually it showed everyone what a real Baldwin is."
• Did you notice that the boardroom clip they used all week long during the promos was Trump recounting how he fired Nadia last week, not him firing someone this week. There's a certain level of dishonesty there that I guess I should learn to accept but haven't yet.

What I can more easily accept however are visitors over at The TV and Film Guy's Reviews.

Comments

Simmons left Trump no choice but to fire him. Trump tried to get him to bring Nely back in to fire her. It's Simmon's own fault he was fired, but still...Simmon's made the show interesting and fun. I'm sure Trump wanted to keep him just for the entertainment factor. I have a feeling the show may lose some viewers now.

Annie | Jan 18, 2008 12:56:39 AM | #

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What the heck was Gene Simmons thinking? It was pretty clear that Omarosa and Jennie did not belong in the boardroom, but he brought them back anyway! Nely kept chattering on and on about what she wanted for this task, but Simmons was too arrogant and the ladies could not take it. I thought the women were a sure bet to win, and didn't get why the men were better. But he made a huge mistake. Trump even gave him some help and it was turned down. I was glad that Gene Simmons was fired, er, KISSed off!! HAHAHAHA

Shaun | Jan 18, 2008 12:58:53 AM | #

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I see this a little differently. First of all - I gotta admire Baldwin's attitude - he is energetic, enthusiastic and when stuff goes wrong, he doesn't sit around whining, he gets in gear and moves forward. Not a diva. Not lazy. Liking him more and more.
Now, on the diva side. First of all, I agree with Gene S. that it's not necessary to have your entire team troup over to the exec's office to confab - however, he should have sent his smartest people. Okay, that's tough because it would be hard to put a better no-talent group together.
As far as the firing - to me it looked like Simmons wanted off big time. Figuring 'I got a couple wins, made my money for charity now get me off this show!' He handed Trump every reason to fire him short of flat out saying - I'm fired! Very obvious that he was done with it all. He knew exactly what he was doing. If Trump had fired one of the gals, I think he would have said, "I quit."

Barb L | Jan 18, 2008 3:53:05 AM | #

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Why did they have to show the preview for the next two episodes? Well we know at least 4 or 5 people who won't get fired next week!

Jody | Jan 18, 2008 5:27:16 AM | #

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I agree completely with Barb, Gene knew what he was doing. He's a very smart man. He got himself the exposure and money for his charity that he wanted. He was done. I've never been a Kiss fan but you have to give the guy his props.

Was anyone else confused that they showed previews for the next 2 weeks? Thus letting us know certain people definately won't be fired next week? Like Piers?

realgenius | Jan 18, 2008 5:33:29 AM | #

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I agree with realgenius. Gene got publicity. He got the money for his charity. He most likely would not be in charge again so why stay around and be fired for not arranging the meals fast enough or not cooperating or something he would think is beneath him. Smart play. He had two weeks where the camera was on him. You don't get that much exposure as a member of the team as you do as the project manager. With this and with his own reality shows, Gene Simmons has made sure he is not forgotten when the next generation says, "What is Kiss?"
He knew exactly what he was doing.

Kate | Jan 18, 2008 5:49:44 AM | #

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Well that show was semi entertaining for about five minutes. Without Gene Simmons, this show will not be watchable. He was, by far, the most entertaining contestant.

Omoroso or whatever the hell her name is divulged in an interview that that Nely person, who is that and what makes her a celebrity?, won this Apprentice - so what is the point of watching with no Gene Simmons? Do we really need anymore of Trump and his charisma challenged children?

Brian | Jan 18, 2008 6:46:29 AM | #

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It was a set-up. Instead of asking for a volunteer, why did Trump single out Gene to head up the girls' team? There were no surprise gasps or looks from anyone else. It was obvious. Gene S. got his charity some money and a little exposure for himself.
It worked for him; smart move! If anyone watches his reality show, you know he is a home-body. He wanted to go home. Quite a character.

jt | Jan 18, 2008 6:50:46 AM | #

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The first thing I thought of as Gene,Omorosa and Jennie walked back into the board room is that Gene wants to be fired, he wants to go back home to his family, he probably has other committments to attend to. He's a clever man, an asute businessman, he knew what he was doing.
I do disagree with some of the other readers, though. I think that Piers will step up to the plate with keeping us entertained, he has a real 'hate on' for Omorosa and seems to be fond of letting her know.

Rosie | Jan 18, 2008 7:23:27 AM | #

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I haven't seen the Apprentice for several seasons now, but watched it for Gene Simmons. I will miss the laughs as he was very entertaining. Ultimately he took responsibility for the loss and went home for it. He played it smart and I think Kodak is shortsighted in it's marketing to limit itself to "ink". Everybody knows ink costs money, but people want great photos and quality, not just savings when it comes to prints.

Dan | Jan 18, 2008 10:12:57 AM | #

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I know that some viewers don't like it when reality shows have "celebrity" editions, but so far I have been enjoying The Celebrity Apprentice. I agree with JT and Rosie that Gene is too clever to be "fired". I believe that Gene wanted an early exit from the show, so he asked Trump to switch him to the women's team. Gene already has his own reality show back in Los Angeles, so I think he was satisfied that they had given him enough screen time in New York.

Even with Gene gone, I think the remaining contestants will provide us with lots of entertaining moments. Stephen Baldwin is definitely competitive. I remember BOTH times he appeared on ABC's Celebrity Mole, and he was very intense! Also, I like how Piers takes the challenges so seriously. He gets extra points for insulting Omarosa! ;-)

The women's team might seem more bland, but that's probably because they're not taking as many cheap shots at the men (except for Omarosa, of course). I would like to see the other women speak up, because so far only Nely and Omarosa have shown any "spirit". Also, I wouldn't mind if both teams tried to call in more favors from their wealthy friends-- it's one of the advantages to being a celebrity.

Paige | Jan 18, 2008 10:41:02 AM | #

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Excellent recap! During the opening sequence on the waterfront, I suspected something was up the moment Gene's name came up. I suspect Gene orchestrated the WHOLE thing. Gene undermined himself during the whole project. I was surprised, after the previous project without meeting with the clients, that he let the women go meet with Kodak, but then, the two who went were NOT the best he could have sent (in my opinion), so right there he got off to a good start at losing. Then, by steamrolling the women into doing it all exactly his way, he insured his downfall, and he pissed off the Kodak reps when he walked them around the trailer so even with what I think was a better presentation, the women would lose the task, and then the final maneuver, choosing the other two who he knew would not be fired, thus forcing Donald to fire him. Brilliant! Very well orchestrated to get out of the show with a minimum of fuss and bother and no one else took the hit. With Gene gone, the show has lost some its appeal for me. I too, think Piers will step up and fill the entertainment gap Gene leaves behind. When I saw the promos for the next 2 episodes, I wondered what was up with that...

BTW, here's a link to the TMZ video (length: 1:05) in which Omarosa allegedly drops the information ("She wins", meaning Nely) on the winner:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid353549946/bctid1374431107

rowlfe | Jan 20, 2008 6:52:37 AM | #

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