Thankfully, this week we're back to a single-hour dose of The Celebrity Apprentice tonight. The sour taste from the two-hour filler-edition last week still hasn't left my mouth, but apparently they could have made it three hours because, much to my distress, it spilled over into tonight.

Right at the top of the show, Stephen Baldwin, liar, hypocrite, and coward extraordinaire, decided that he couldn't possibly continue on Piers's team. He insisted on meeting with Trump immediately (this took place, ostensibly, right after last week's boardroom). Stephen wanted to resign. Wait, check that, Stephen said he wanted to resign, what he actually wanted was more airtime, more drama, and to go to the other team. He made it seem like it was Trump's idea and that he, Baldwin, really did want to leave the show, which Trump seemed to buy, but Stephen isn't one to shun airtime, he had another idea up his sleeve from the beginning.

Stephen went back to the suite to inform everyone of Trump's decision and then, immediately after that, he told Empresario that he would be missing the next day anyway (he'd be back for the presentation, but would miss the development on the upcoming project) in order to go speak at a church. Omarosa gamely tried to decline Trump's offer of Baldwin the next morning, but was rebuffed by The Donald.

The task for this week, as explained by Vera Wang, was to design a living window to promote Vera Wang designed Serta mattresses. Yup, Vera Wang designed Serta mattresses. Immediately I wondered why Vera Wang would be designing a Serta mattress, and why anyone would pay a premium for a mattress that might look pretty but would be completely covered by bed sheets anyway. I quickly abandoned that line of though, if she and Serta can get people to buy them, good for her.

Omarosa crowned herself PM for Empresario, and quickly announced that she a "brilliant, brilliant" idea. She described the Vera/Serta thing as "the perfect marriage" and wanted to do a wedding-themed window.

Lennox Lewis was nominally the PM for the men, but Piers kept trying to be front and center. I'll agree with Piers's main complaint, that Lennox ought to have made some decisions rather than asking people to vote on everything, but the odds are that if Lennox did that Piers would disagree with what Lennox said anyway. In the end, it was Trace Adkins again though that came up with the men's slogan. The men really owe that man a debt of gratitude, because he seems, by far, the most creative of the guys. Hydra ended up doing a Cleopatra/Mark Anthony thing (a great romance from history with a strong woman).

During the design stage, Nely Galán said to the camera that she trusted Omarosa. Marilu Henner was quickly thrown on screen, also speaking to the camera, and she said that Omarosa wouldn't necessarily stab someone from behind, that Omarosa didn't care enough to do it from behind, she'd come at you from any which way possible. Now which of those women do you think is smarter?

When it came time to present the living window displays, Vera gushed all over Empresario's. She loved it, and Omarosa started going off about how her team had won and how she was going to "TKO Lennox Lewis." Vera, of course, also gushed about Hydra's design when she saw it. Lennox, naturally, thought his team had won. Only one PM would be right, and I think you all know exactly who I was pulling for.

In the boardroom, right after Hydra started to come apart, arguing about Lennox's management style (or lack thereof), Trump announced that the men had in fact managed to win the task. Take that, Dragon Lady!

It was no surprise that Omarosa chose to bring Stephen back into the boardroom, she doesn't like him and he didn't really help with the task (but he didn't hurt it either as he was absent half the time). It was a stupid call on Omarosa's part, and Trump said as much before giving her the chance to take it back. The crazy woman then said that she wanted to have the whole team stand together in the boardroom rather than her being forced to select two people.

One always has to remember with Omarosa that as tenacious as she is, she just has never been that smart. There was no way Trump was going to allow that, and it just made Omarosa look scared. George, who was back this week, ended up being the one to tell Omarosa that she was ridiculous and that she would have to make choice. In the end, Omarosa opted to bring back Nely (Omarosa didn't get the feedback she needed from her) and Marilu (Marilu didn't clearly communicate her thoughts according to the Devil Woman).

Trump clearly, and for some ridiculous reason, has had it in for Nely for a long time. He opted to fire her tonight solely because he didn't get the opportunity to do it when Gene Simmons chose to not bring Nely back into the boardroom. It was Omarosa's "brilliant, brilliant idea" that ended up losing tonight, and the biggest complaint about Nely this week was that she couldn't force Omarosa, the project manager, to go in a different direction. Trump was very open and honest about Nely getting fired for a past mistake and not one on this task, completely negating other weeks where Trump opted to not fire people for past mistakes saying they were irrelevant.

He's fickle. I guess it's his show and he can be fickle, but it's not fun to watch. He didn't want to fire Omarosa, who unquestionably (seriously, try and argue it) deserved to go tonight. I don't know why he likes the Evil Queen, but he does, (ratings, maybe?) and despite tonight's loss being wholly her fault, he didn't want to lose her. He ought to be ashamed of himself. I'm sure he isn't, but he ought to be.

A thought and a quote:

• It was nice to have George back sitting next to Trump tonight. He really added something to the show when he was a regular and they should think about bringing him back next season.
• Piers on the Dragon Lady – "Omarosa's ego writes checks her body can't cash." What I want to know is if she also is getting sent to Miramar. After all, she was number two, Cougar was number one. Cougar lost it, turned in his wings, now she's number one. And, if that's not a reason to strap her to a rocket and send her off into the wild blue yonder I don't know what is.

Wherever Omarosa's travels take her I sincerely hope it isn't The TV and Film Guy's Reviews, though you should feel free to visit early and often.

Comments

It is obvious that Trump is clearly keeping the celebs that create the most controversy for ratings. O was included from the get go becuase they knew she would be immediate heat. I think out of all these celebs, Piers seems to have the most business accumen. I don't know how a second Celeb Apprentice will play out or who they could even get. Since NBC ordered more, we'll find out.

P.S. Next week looks good with Piers and O on the same team!

Trump's Shirt | Feb 8, 2008 4:19:23 AM | #

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It is obvious that Trump is clearly keeping the celebs that create the most controversy for ratings. O was included from the get go becuase they knew she would be immediate heat. I think out of all these celebs, Piers seems to have the most business accumen. I don't know how a second Celeb Apprentice will play out or who they could even get. Since NBC ordered more, we'll find out.

P.S. Next week looks good with Piers and O on the same team!

Trump's Shirt | Feb 8, 2008 4:25:41 AM | #

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What a crazy 2 episodes of Celebrity Apprentice,I hope he cans Omarosa or Piers if that will ever happen, I doubt he wins and I can believe the men won that challenge it surprised me because everything has they say hit the fan, Thank you Mark Burnett, Thursdays for right now are good for me
I wonder how season 2 of Celebrity Apprentice will go, and here a good suggestion for season 2, NASCAR Sprint Cup 4 time champion Jeff Gordon, he would make a perfect asshole on either team, if it stays the same formula.

Dillon C | Feb 8, 2008 4:30:00 AM | #

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Trump couldn't wait to fire Nely. She's made too many mistakes and should have gotten canned a long time ago.

I love seeing O scared and Trump has that affect on her.

Hydra kicks butt. They seem to pull it off. Even though they don't get along, each team member has something to contribute. Trace is a man of few words but very creative words.

jt | Feb 8, 2008 7:12:17 AM | #

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I kept waiting for one of the other contestants to call Omarosa on the fact that she turned into a groveling fool once she knew she was in jeopardy after losing the task. Normally, she operates in attack mode but she wasn't nearly as arrogant when she knew she might be on the chopping block.

Schmooz | Feb 8, 2008 8:42:34 AM | #

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I totally agree with previous comments: Trump is keeping the celebs who can create the most drama (Omarosa, Piers, Stephen). I don't believe for a minute that Stephen was actually going to resign-- Trump needed him to fill a spot on Empresario's team (since the women keep being eliminated). Piers is obnoxious, but you can tell that he is a very savvy business man. Omarosa is just plain obnoxious!

There were some fake spoilers on a website that claimed that Nely would be the winner, but I knew that it had to be false. I thought Trump stated before the premiere that the finale would be broadcast LIVE (maybe in March?), and it would be between TWO contestants. Anyway, I could tell that Trump couldn't wait to get rid of Nely.

I would prefer the two finalists to be Trace and Marilu, but I bet it will most likely be Piers and maybe Omarosa. :-( Trace comes up with creative solutions WITHOUT being an insufferable jerk. Marilu at least tries to take responsibility for her team's failures, instead of trying to blame others!

Paige | Feb 8, 2008 8:48:37 AM | #

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One other comment to share regarding the whole marketing issue. As I watched the episode last night, the thought had crossed my mind early in the episode with the whole bridal theme for Vera Wang as a marketing tool that maybe Vera Wang would feel like--been there, done that. Of course, that turned to be what killed Empresario on the task. But as I'm flipping thru a magazine here at home today, I see an ad for the Vera Wang Serta mattress and what is pictured in it but Vera Wang posing with a mannequin wearing a bridal dress. No sign of a mattress anywhere in the photo.

Schmooz | Feb 8, 2008 9:03:53 AM | #

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I'm not sure that Balwin deserves to be called those names - I get where it comes from, I just get a bit weary of it. I actually think the women's team, with Baldwin there part time, worked together better than the men, but the men, once again, had that creative spark that makes all the difference. I get a kick out of Trace who sort of sits on simmer forever and then pops out some great idea or slogan.
I don't think Nely was the weak link here - I actually think it was Marilu or maybe even O - but Trump's wanted her gone for some time. Feel like we're being set up for an O & Piers show down.
Nice to see George again.

Barb L. | Feb 8, 2008 9:49:57 AM | #

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Why is everyone defending Nely? What has she done? For a TV producer she doesn't seem very creative and she doesn't seem able to stand up for herself either. Seriously, Nely goes to Omarosa for help and totally trusts her! If that is the best she can do, good riddance.

Bren | Feb 8, 2008 1:18:56 PM | #

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Piers should win. He's clearly the most savvy businessman and makes for good TV. People may think he's arrogant, but he has a right to be - he's the best out of all of them. Stephen was really stupid to leave that team... despite their bickering, he & Piers worked extremely well together. And Omarosa must go! If she's in the final 2, I will be extremely angry.

I agree about George as well. I hope he comes back more often.

Tony | Feb 9, 2008 2:43:21 PM | #

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I liked Nely. I also like Marilu. Omarosa, not so much. I think Omarosa thought she was likely the one to be fired, hence her ploy to have everyone stay once D got her to drop the Baldwin boy. D is very obvious in his guidance on who he wants to keep, so much so, it almost makes me ill. Well, after all, it is HIS game show, right? As soon as the women settled on the bridal theme, I thought, "same old - same old" and was right. Too bad. I've been on the women's side since day one, and even though I find Piers to be abrasive and obnoxious, I think he does possesses the business skills to make it work, more than any of the others.

xyzzy | Feb 10, 2008 9:17:16 AM | #

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I REALY THINK THAT OMAROSE IS A DEVIL, AN EDUCATED ILLITERATE. SHE IS CELEBRITY WANNA BE, SHE HAVE NO RESPECT 4 NO BODY, SHE IS APPUSIVE AND SHE HAS NO RIGHT 2 SAY BAD THINGS ABOUT SOMEBODYS FAMILY. SHE IS A LOOSER AND NO MAN WILL KEEP SUCH PERSON IN HIS HOUSE AS WIFE.SHE IS URGLY BOTH INSIDE AND OUT,AND HER MOM DIDNOT DO A GOOD JOB IN RAISING HER. HOW CAN A LADY PICKS FIGHT WITH EVERYBODY MAY BE SHE IS NOT ONE AND PLEASE MR TRUMP AM A HUG FAN OF YOURS PLEASE,PLEASE AND PLEASEEEEEE DONT EVER BRING THAT LOWLIFE,IDIOT OF A PERSON ON YOUR SHOW AGAIN. AM SO SORRY 4 WHAT SHE SAID ABOUT PIERS FAMILY AND MAY BE SHE IS NOT A MOTHER AND SHE WILL NEVER BE

candy brown | Feb 15, 2008 6:34:34 AM | #

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