The basic problem with a two hour edition of The Celebrity Apprentice is that if there's only one task over the course of two hours there's an incredible amount of filler. A two-hour one task edition has nonsense flying left, right, and center that is wholly irrelevant and belongs squarely on the cutting room floor. The good moments from an episode like tonight's are completely overshadowed by the lethargic pace, commercial breaks, and Omarosa's nattering to the camera. To put it simply, tonight's episode was more bloated than The Donald's ego.

Carol Alt, apparently with something to prove after last week, managed tonight on the women's side, and Piers Morgan on the men's. Their task was to create a campaign for Crocs. Well, not so much a campaign, that was a part of it, but as one of the execs described it, the task was "to create an in-store receptacle bin to collect used Crocs." Yes, that's right, tonight we were treated to a two-hour Celebrity Apprentice where the task was to make a green garbage can. I like the Earth and recycling is good, but creating a recycle bin so that Crocs can take old shoes and give away some sort of refurbished version of the ugly shoe to people in need, that was the task? That needed two hours?

On the men's side, Trace finally stepped up and created Hydra's slogan – "wear them, share them." After slapping themselves on their backs, the men decided that the women were spying on them. There were some women standing outside the men's conference room, but the rooms were right next to each other and it may not have even been members of Empresario. If asked, I would say that the women were not spying, the only person on their team that would have done that is Omarosa, and I don't think everyone else would have stood for it The men had no doubts about it though, and Piers and Vinny Pastore concocted a nonsensical scheme that had the two of them fake a fight which got Vinny booted out of the men's team. He then offered himself up to the women who happily accepted the snitch into their midst.

Vinny actually didn't provide bad ideas for the women's team, including suggesting that they use Carol as the spokesmodel for the campaign. On the other hand he was also writing down what the women were doing and was planning on giving the information to Hydra. If Stephen Baldwin hadn't decided that Vinny feeding information over was cheating, the men probably could have done a better job with their recycling bin, which was just going to be a big rectangular box. The women, as Vinny could have told the men, were making theirs look like a huge Crocs shoe, a far better, idea.

Somehow, Vinny then had a crisis of conscience. He informed Marilu Henner that he had been snitching for the men but would no longer, that he would now work for the women. Was he lying? Was he telling the truth? Frankly, by that point, who cared, the task just needed to happen already.

When visited by Ivanka, the men informed her that Vinny was spying and she was actually good with it. She certainly didn't instantly put her foot down, so we knew at that point that the Donald wouldn't be firing Piers or Vinny tonight based solely on that, something more would have to happen.

Junior, upon seeing Vinny with Empresario, actually asked Vinny if Vinny was lying to the women. Vinny told him the same story about how Piers asked him to spy and the men thought he still was when he really wasn't. I still didn't care anymore about what the truth actually was, but I was very impressed that Junior saw that there was more going on than there initially appeared to be. Go, Junior!

After watching Carol do her photo shoot, Piers and Stephen "cleverly" informed Nely Galán that they had a spy by parroting Empresario's slogan back to Nely. Piers said he did it in order to get Vinny back on their side so they could enjoy the laugh. I think it may have been done because he was kind of bored and wanted to see the women's faces. Either way, Nely and Carol spent some time debating whether Piers got the info from Vinny or if the men learned it in some other way.

Carol ended up calling Marilu to find out if Vinny was a rat and Marilu almost spilled what Vinny told her about being a double-agent, but Vinny stopped her because he didn't want the men to know. When Omarosa found out what was going on she had an absolute fit. She questioned Vinny in front of their whole team and then fired him. I'm pretty sure that she didn't have the authority to do that, but Carol let it slide.

When Vinny returned to the men's side he seemed to be most upset with the fact that had this been a mob thing he would have been killed. He seemed unable to get it through his head that this wasn't the mob and that the women weren't actually going to kill him, chop him into pieces, and dump him in the East River. Vinny later claimed he didn't spy, which was odd because we all saw him throw a note to Stephen with part of the women's plan on it. The fight carried on into the next morning and just before the presentation, Piers ended up booting Vinny from the team.

In the boardroom the whole spying thing came out in the open. It was discussed over, and over, and over again. Piers argued that he didn't want the info, that he wanted to get rid of Vinny because he knew that Vinny would have nothing to valuable to add to Hydra and that he hoped Vinny's ideas would ruin the women's team. That seemed much more like Piers making up an excuse after the fact, but Vinny changed his mind about what was going on halfway through the task too, leaving both men even and hating each other.

As it turned out, not only did Vinny really provide minimal information, none of which the men used to their advantage, but the women won anyway. Vinny didn't get credit from the women for the win, but he did provide a lot of support and a good idea or two. Once Vinny realized that the women didn't want him and that the men were divided on the issue he asked to resign. After a lot more jabbering, Trump accepted the resignation and no one was actually fired tonight.

That brings up an interesting point – Gene, in a virtual suicide, left after he got money for his charity and tonight Vinny did the same thing. Are these guys there just to get a little press and money for their charity and then bailing to get more free time? They are, aren't they?

I can promise you that The TV and Film Guy's Reviews will never bail on you like that.

Comments

A few things bugged me about this episode:
1. The two hour length - right, it was bloated & full of filler. Trying to squeeze some suspense out of Pastore's resignation was torture.
2. Okay - two things we get: one is that the editors on these shows will always cut them to get some conflict or to put someone in a poor light, but the hatchet job they did on Stephen Baldwin last night got under my skin; and two: secular TV looks for any opportunity to bash Christians, I get that two - but the hatchet job they did on Stephen Baldwin got under my skin. 'Nuf said.
3. The winners - Sorry, but I thought the guys won. They had a clean presentation and a great slogan. The women had a clever recepticle and extas like flyers and T shirts. The thing is, if you are a charity, you want to save money for the cause, not spend it on frills - and those recepticles are going to be expensive to make and maintain and for some, a little difficult to use. Share the love, but keep the expenses down.
4. I have never longed for George and Caroline more than I did last night.
5. Vinnie really was useless and tho I am not a fan of Piers, it's generally a good strategy that if you're stuck with some dead weight, send him off on a fool's errand.
6. Are the guys bailing? Interesting point. I'd say yes because they so outmatch and outclass the women that there is no challenge.

Barb L. | Feb 1, 2008 5:05:19 AM | #

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The way Vinny carried on about the mafia was ridiculous. He was never in the mob! He played a character on a TV show. I can’t believe the women were dumb enough to fall for him joining their team.

The women won because their bin was creative and cool, plus they had managed to create a campaign while the men just had a slogan and a boring bin. Using Carol Alt 20 years after her prime as a spokes model isn’t the grand insightful idea that Vinny seemed to have though it was.

Stephen Baldwin was a total hypocryite last night. If he thought cheating was bad and really didn’t want the info from Vinny he could have picked up the paper and thrown it away instead of telling Lennox to pick it up. Just because he didn’t pick it up doesn’t mean he didn’t participate in the prank.

Piers was priceless in the boardroom with his wordsmithing and talking, but is it just me or did he look too nervous that he’d be fired by Donald Trump on some celebrity version of his reality show?

anonymus49 | Feb 1, 2008 5:13:04 AM | #

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Vinny had a choice or two here. He could have told Piers that the plan was unethical & not do it. Tell Piers that if he wants a "spy" to go do it himself. Vinny did not have to feed Hydra any info. That was his undoing. I believe the woman would have been okay with Vinny in the group if he had not been a "rat" & given the other side information. At that point Vinny truly was a man without a country & because he did what he did & said what he said he did get what he deserved! Piers needs to be very careful. I do believe he has been put on notice!

Ben | Feb 1, 2008 6:17:12 AM | #

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It actually makes sense that they would bail after getting money for their charities. Unlike the real apprentice do these celebrities really want to win? Its not like they are going to go work for Trump, which for the regular contestants is a huge opportunity for their careers. These celebrities already have careers (well except for maybe omarosa who would still want to work for the donald)

Chet | Feb 1, 2008 6:59:41 AM | #

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I find it interesting (read: hypocritical) that Trump fired the female softball player with a comment that he hopes she never becomes "good" at the cutthroat and competitive tactics he sees in his business world; yet, Trump does not fire Piers, the PM responsible for encouraging or at least endorsing cheating behavior that is considered illegal in some industries. Contrary to many statements on this show, there are business men and women who deal with vast sums of money and capital who strive to lead by a positive, honest, and service-oriented example. Trump's business life might not be "hell everyday," as he put it, if he cleaned up his act. IMHO.

anotheranon | Feb 1, 2008 7:10:13 AM | #

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The only thing Vinny sabotaged was himself. Piers is very smart and he is playing the game. Stephen is a hypocrite, just because he didn't touch the paper doesn't make him righteous. He kept mugging for the camera. Doesn't he recognize that he and Piers make a great team?
Like I've said, Gene made money for his charity, then walked. Vinny tried to do the same except he fired himself (even after 2 of team members said they wanted to keep him).

Note: Is it true that TMZ is reporting that Nely won?

jt | Feb 1, 2008 7:24:49 AM | #

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Unfortunately girls looked pathetic. Whoever thinks that Pierce is wrong and there should not be anything similar to what he did in business is probably not a businessman. Business is a war and your competition is your enemy. Those that treat it like that win.

Igor M. | Feb 1, 2008 7:30:27 AM | #

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Am I the only one who was completely entertained by last night's episode? I thought the 2-hour length was definitely called for - that rat stuff could not have been cut. The last seasons of the apprentice were torture, and every year I kept asking myself why I sat there week after week watching. I would not have started another season had it not been for curiousity about the celebrity version, and I am glad I did. Gene Simmons was a riot and I was definitely laughing out loud last night with the whole double agent thing and the ludicrous way that Vinnie seemed to actually believe the whole mafia thing. Piers may be a jerk, and I wouldn't want to work with him either, but you have to admit he does make for good TV. Firing him would have been like firing Simon from American Idol.

Anon Viewer | Feb 1, 2008 7:58:59 AM | #

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Well, I liked it. I thought it was the best episode of any Apprentice in a long time.

I especially liked the Journey music at the end.

So far the only celebrities I DO NOT miss are the ladies that went home.

Chris from NY | Feb 1, 2008 8:12:47 AM | #

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Barb L., if you think that qualifies as a hatchet job, you must lead a pretty sheltered life. Stephen Baldwin was not much more than an afterthought on this episode. The fact is that he WAS hypocritical about the sabotage issue. One minute he was insisting it was wrong, the next he was right in there with Piers taunting the women about their slogan.

Vincent annoyed me with his constant protestations that he was just fulfilling his assignment. That I-was-just-following-orders defense doesn't fly. And I agree with all of you about the length. It was an interesting hour-long episode stretched out to an agonizing two hours.

Beth | Feb 1, 2008 8:14:43 AM | #

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jt

I wouldn't listen to TMZ. Also, it is a bit unfair to post something like rumor here when we are not close to the end. Thanks

Jojo | Feb 1, 2008 8:15:28 AM | #

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Everyday there are Christians on TV that look great, act classy, and keep their damn mouths shut about it. If Stephen Baldwin wasn't so "look at me, I'm Christian!" all the while acting like such a douche, I'm sure they'd let it slide. The season's halfway through and they haven't picked on him yet - because he was acting hypocritical about it. You can whine and cry all day and spout whatever nonsense you hear on talk radio, but that's not going to change the fact that he looked like a douche, acted like a douche, and he made Christians look bad - don't blame NBC.

| Feb 1, 2008 8:26:03 AM | #

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Not so sheltered that I don't know how editing works - but (and I did miss the very beginning) did Tito leave?

Barb L. | Feb 1, 2008 9:20:15 AM | #

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If Vinny had a guilty conscience and told Marilu what he did by sending Hydra their plans,why did he not tell Empresario Hydras' plans so that he would evened the score.
If Vinny was a man on his own island and knew both teams plans- it would have been interesting if he would have done a whole campaign by himself- just to prove how valuable he really can be

Deborah K | Feb 1, 2008 9:37:33 AM | #

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If Vinny had a guilty conscience and told Marilu what he did by sending Hydra their plans,why did he not tell Empresario Hydras' plans so that he would evened the score.
If Vinny was a man on his own island and knew both teams plans- it would have been interesting if he would have done a whole campaign by himself- just to prove how valuable he really can be

Deborah K | Feb 1, 2008 9:37:38 AM | #

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Barb L., I too missed the first part of the show and wondered, where is Tito? So I looked on the NBC website and found out that Tito had a fight this week so he was absent.

As for the whole "I'm Christian" thing with Stephen Baldwin, he did it to himself, he labeled himself that way and it his choice whether or not he lives up to his own label. But seriously, one person doesn't make Christianity look 'good' or 'bad'.

Bren | Feb 1, 2008 9:49:00 AM | #

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tito left just for the day, he had a fight to go to.

susan | Feb 1, 2008 10:11:45 AM | #

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totally orchestrated DRAMA poorly executed ... all for better ratings!

It failed!

mth | Feb 1, 2008 11:14:16 AM | #

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Note to Trump:
Stephen Baldwin is a L-O-S-E-R. He wants Piers off the show so he will look smarter. That isn't going to fly. I can hardly look at him (does anyone else see the resemblance to the Joker in that smile) so I might stop watching. Come on Trumpster- don't let him get away with it! The whole Vinnie thing was stupid. He needs to get an acting job that in no way mentions the mob. As it is, he's referencing the mob too much. He's just an out of work actor that needs to hit the gym.

justdoit | Feb 1, 2008 11:45:32 AM | #

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I thought this episode was a riot with the spying and the double-crossing. At first I wondered why was "Don't Stop Believin'" was playing. Then I realized that the editors were being too hip for TV - for those who didn't see or hear about "The Sopranos" finale. They even had a guy with a Members Only jacket walk past Vinnie. Did the producers have this guy on stand-by for when Vinnie eventually got fired?

anlette | Feb 1, 2008 12:42:32 PM | #

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anlette,

That was a great observation. I forgot that song played at the end of the Sopranos and I wondered why they focused on that guy.

I was just happy to hear the song by Journey though.

Chris from NY | Feb 1, 2008 4:11:30 PM | #

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What the hell was Vinny thinking? Most likely the guy doesn't think. To double cross the guys would only result in his termination. A girls' team victory means the guys turn on him and Trump fires him for disloyalty and insubordination. All of the guys agreed to the silly espionage game - it wasn't just Piers- they all yucked it up. To fire Piers for joking around is plain dumb. To fire Vinny for taking it all so damn seriously and going to a bad place with it, that's grounds for dismissal. I was chilled by Vinny's mafia threats to Piers. If not for insubordination, he should have been fired for extortion - the guys sided with Vinny only after he started in with the mafia threat crap. Trump was intimidated too and kissed the guy's ass. The softball player was fired because she didn't have the fire in the belly or leadership skills. Vinny falls into this category too yet Trump, to appease the guy, hooded the cobra and flattered the fool instead. Sad.

Pennyloafer | Feb 1, 2008 6:00:51 PM | #

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I wish they would stop the "walking out of the building" part at the end of the show. It's known that they film each contestant leaving the building at the beginning of the season. Last week, the softball player had boots on leaving the boardroom then POOF -high heel pumps. Last night Vinnie had a plaid shirt on, then POOF an all black one.
Just have them saying goodbye in the elevator and that'll be enough. Forget all the staged buh-byes...

Lisa | Feb 1, 2008 7:30:25 PM | #

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I'm just glad Lennox finally called Stephen on his interruptitus -- good grief, the man cannot WAIT to jump in with his "vision" of everything! So annoying!

BusinessBroad | Feb 2, 2008 3:20:08 PM | #

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what was the song called they played at the end of the show?

rachel | Feb 3, 2008 4:55:01 PM | #

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I swear the guy in the hat by the revolving door at Vinny's departure was Bill Murray!! I replayed it several times, that would have been hysterical if it really is him. Loved the "Soprano's ending". Funny!
Piers is smart but annoying and please don't let Omarosa win, still can't stand her.

Jo | Feb 5, 2008 2:40:27 PM | #

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anyone know the song that played at the end of the show?

rachel | Feb 5, 2008 8:36:34 PM | #

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