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'The Celebrity Apprentice': Good versus evil
Last week's episode of The Celebrity Apprentice ended with a not-terribly-exciting cliffhanger. As you may recall, Trump brought the last four candidates back into the boardroom and informed them that by the end of the night two of them would be going home. I can't imagine that anyone lost sleep worrying about who the last two candidates would be (or really, one, as Piers Morgan was unquestionably going to be a finalist), but it was still interesting to watch the elimination unfold tonight.
At the start of this week's episode, Trump informed the four candidates that they would be interviewed by two CNBC personalities, Jim Cramer and Erin Burnett. Based upon what Burnett and Cramer thought Trump would make his decision on whom to fire.
Carol Alt, Trace Adkins, and Piers all spoke very well in their interviews. Lennox Lewis on the other hand, seemed to have some trouble expressing his ideas. When talking to the interviewers, Piers came off as his usual, cocky, self. Burnett made it clear to Trump that she didn't like Piers. Cramer pointed out that Piers would be the guy if you wanted to make money, but didn't like him either. They both did however like Carol, and when asked, Cramer said that he would choose Carol and Trace for his final two (they didn't show us Burnett's comments but we learned later that her opinion was the same).
After hearing from the CNBC folks, Trump called the candidates back to the boardroom and questioned them about the experience. When it came time to discuss what Cramer and Burnett thought of Piers, Piers was happy to accept their criticisms. He pointed out that if he were fired by a hard-edged businessman for being too hard-edged he would be okay with that. It was a very good point, and a great excuse Trump could use in order to keep Piers. Carol even stated that Piers out to be in the finals, and when asked, Lennox agreed that Piers helped him win. While Lennox's statement was fair, and probably truthful, it was one of the last Lennox would give as a candidate as his firing came soon after it.
Almost immediately after that, Piers nearly did get himself fired by cutting Trump off and then stating that he would beat Trace more easily than he would Carol in the finals. Even so, Trump couldn't get rid of Piers. Instead, he fired Carol, explaining that she was wonderful but that he wanted Trace and Piers to fight it out in the finals. Trump referred to it as good (Trace) versus evil (Piers).
Hmmm… I seem to remember a certain recapper stating last week that it would be Trace and Piers in the finals. Okay, so it wasn't the toughest thing to guess, but I still need to point out just how right I was.
The next morning, Trump, before giving the final task, announced which four celebrities would be helping the candidates out – Carol, Lennox, Stephen Baldwin, and Marilu Henner. Trace grabbed Lennox and Marilu for his team and Piers took Stephen and Carol.
The task for the teams would be to run a single charity event. Piers opted to be in charge of organizing the catering and charity auction, and Trace would be doing the décor and entertainment, which would include a Backstreet Boys performance). Both teams would have to auction items, but Trump wouldn't be basing his decision solely on the amount of money brought in. Trace must have been thrilled with that, as he soon acknowledged that he couldn't possibly earn as much as Piers. Trace explained that he was going to try and out-celebrity his opponent. Trace's grand plans including chartering two jets to fly people from Nashville to New York for the event.
The one-on-one moments Trace had with the camera explaining his ideas and strategies tonight made him look very, very smart. Up until this episode, more of ten than not, Trace has been quiet, just throwing in his two cents as needed. Apparently, in this case, quiet does not mean dumb.
As the various members of the teams went out and did bits and pieces of the organizational work (most of which had to already have been done by others as the event was the next day), Piers went to go see Sarah Ferguson and asked her to auction herself off. She agreed, showing that Piers has some celebrity power of his own.
For his part, Trace didn't seem to be doing as well. He wanted to try and get the Backstreet Boys' manager to accept some changes to their rider, but the manager apparently had never heard of Adkins and wasn't really in the right mood to talk anyway. By the next morning, Trace did get to sit down with the Backstreet Boys and discuss whether they needed every little thing they had requested, especially as they were only going to have one dressing room not two. Not only did the Boys need everything listed, they also wanted wheatgrass juice. Trace had never heard of wheatgrass, but seemed game to do his best, at least in front of the group.
Stephen, on the other hand, did less than his best. He seemed to do, at most, a half-hearted job at getting celebrities to attend the event (his portion of the task). Worse than that however, he didn't seem broken up by it. In fact, he was quite amused by the fact that it was possible Piers would lose because he, Stephen, had done a bad job.
Will Stephen's tanking the task be enough to catapult Trace into the winner's circle? Will Stephen still call himself a man of God, even after deliberately hurting a charity auction? Will Trace end up kicking the Backstreet Boys in the seat of their pants and thereby giving Piers the victory?
We'll find out next week, and until that time I'm going to be over at The TV and Film Guy's Reviews.
It was pretty clear that Piers and Trace would be the final two. What was surprising is that, when give a choice of team mates, Lennox and Stephen were chosen first leaving the much more capable Marilu and Carole standing there. Trace's reasoning, that he wanted to take Piers' security blanket (Lennox), made sense, but would that really be worth it? And why in heaven's name would anyone choose the utterly useless, quite annoying Stevie B? The man's incapable of bringing out celebrities, raising money, or doing much of anything else.
I fell a little for Trace when he had to deal with the Backstreet "Boys". Aren't they rather washed up anyway? Seems like they're a little low on the totem pole of celebrity to be demanding much. And whether they knew who Trace was - something I, who don't listen to country, even knew - they treated him rather obnoxiously. Poor man.
The good news is that I do like both Piers and Trace and admire their genuine passion for their respective causes. While I think Piers should win, I certainly won't have any cause for complaint if Trace is the winner.
Isembard | Mar 20, 2008 9:02:46 PM | #This episode was quite entertaining! There were glimpses that showed both Pierce and Trace were very amused at having to play up their roles as "Evil Brit" vs. "The Cowboy" during the cut scene as they walked out of the building as Trumps's final two. People need to realize this is not really "reality" t.v. so much as deliberate scripting and scene splicing and not take this show too seriously.LOL!^^
Trace's was amusing as he deemed bottled water and tea as "extravagant" for entertainers performing at a charity event. However, the Backstreet Boys seemed to realize within the first few moment of their meeting that they were set up to play up the roles of demanding entertainers and rose to the occasion admirably, with two of the members rather visibly amused and rueful at the roles as proceedings went on, with one jokingly asking for "wheat grass" as a refreshment.LOL. (Though I'm pretty sure this is going to get a bit over-blown as usual for a advertising ploy for the final episode.)
On the whole, the most fun episode yet. Great choice in choosing Piers and Trace as adversaries. It should get good ratings as they "battle" it out. The end cause is to benefit charities so ~any~ way to come out high financially is a wonderful thing, (with Piers predictably to this end). Should be very entertaining watching their characters play out. Can't wait till the finale.^^
| Mar 20, 2008 11:59:09 PM | #I have to say on Stevie Bs behalf that he captained his teams twice to wins, which brought a lot of money into his charity. And Piers was right that even though he didnt like Steve, they did work well together - look to the pre Vinnie's firing challenges to see what a good match they were. I am getting a little tired of making Trace out to be a fish out of water - I think hes seen riders with crazier stuff than a request for a few wheat grass shots.
Barb L | Mar 21, 2008 5:13:52 AM | #I'm rooting for Trace. I'm interested in seeing who Pier's big celeb is who shos up via telephone or satelitite or whatever? More British royalty possibly?? I was surprised Carol was the "last pick". I think Piers got lucky with that. It was hilarious watching Lennox yell "Done!", with Marilu Henner. Good stuff. I'm very surprised the Backstreet Boys were hired for this event? Who is this event for? I'm still trying to wrap my head around that. Oh well. One more week, it's been a great season, can't wait for the next one.
realgenius | Mar 21, 2008 6:13:20 AM | #If Carol Alt calls in a favor, the big celeb could be Letterman or Stern. Both would be huge for a NY crowd. At least that is my wife and I's thinking of who the celeb is.
Piers' Shirt | Mar 21, 2008 7:31:14 AM | #We saw Simon in the preview for next week unless they hide a celebrity, I would say it's Mr. Cowell auctioning American Idol final tickets. Maybe Sharon and Ozzy?? Piers using his Britain's Got Talent, X-Factor contacts.
Rob | Mar 21, 2008 7:48:39 AM | #I think most of the audience could have predicted a few weeks ago that Trace and Piers would end up being the finalists, especially with Trump wanting to play up the "Good vs. Evil" angle. Yes, I do believe that the producers are pushing Trace and Piers to do all that trash talking on camera to amp up the rivalry. I'm just relieved that Omarosa wasn't invited back for this final challenge.
I'm pretty sure that Stephen Baldwin was purposely slacking off because he really wants Trace to win. I still don't understand why Piers chose Stephen first, especially over Carol.
I agree with the previous comment that the Backstreet Boys were told by producers to act obnoxious. The wheatgrass juice request was obviously a line that a writer wanted them to demand! ;-)
I'm not sure what kind of demographic the fundraiser is supposed to be targeting, but the Backstreet Boys make me think that the guests will be mostly 20-30 year old women (former BSB fans). Maybe Ivanka used to be a fan when she was a teenager? I'm just waiting for the moment in the show when one of the BSB members tells Trace, "Hey! I wanted my bottled water at room tempertaure. I want it THAT way!" (Sorry, I couldn't resist a BSB reference!) :-)
Paige | Mar 21, 2008 8:09:24 AM | #Good one, Paige! Made me laugh about the water. Yeah good show last night. I'd love to have tea with the Duchess of York. But-Go Trace!
Kate2 | Mar 21, 2008 8:27:01 AM | #I am for Trace all the way, he's a true southern gentleman. Piers is so awful, complete pond scum and I still don't get what makes him a celebrity.
Why is anyone wasting time on this group the backstreet boys?? I never in my life have listened to them or could I name one of their songs, aren't they like musical "hasbeens", or one hit wonders??
Ditto on Trace Adkins being a class act. I admire his integrity in not sinking to the level of Piers and some of the others. My husband predicts that Trace might get fed up with the Backstreet Boys' prima donna behavior and hand them their walking papers- then fly his band up to NY, (as well as any other country stars he could get hold of?)and perform the concert himself. He is certainly a more current musical act than the B.B. The editing of the episode makes it look as tho he couldn't get hold of too many Nashville celebs, but who knows the real story. Country stars stick together, especially when it involves charity. Go Trace! Integrity trumps backstabbing and trash talk any day! (sorry for the pun)
Kim | Mar 21, 2008 1:27:02 PM | #This celebrity Apprentice has been pretty entertaining. I wanted to watch it since I found out Piers was on it. I find him hilarious on America's Got Talent. Also Stephen Baldwin was great on the celebrity mole a couple of years ago (though watching him on the Apprentice has made me dislike him). Piers may be mean, but he makes entertaining television. The season would have been boring without him. Maybe we'll see his fellow judges from America's Got Talent or Regis and Jerry Springer who were hosts for that show.
Joan | Mar 21, 2008 1:43:34 PM | #First off let me say I will win. There is no question about it.
Secondly, Julie, have you lived your life in a vaccumm, or are you 90 years old? The Backstreet Boys are not one hit wonders they actually had more #1 hits than N'Sync (in case you also don't know who they are they were also popular at the same time and had Justin Timberlake as a member.) They are trying to make a comeback and jumped at the opportunity to do this show. Trust me they are that obnoxious.
Piers | Mar 21, 2008 4:10:45 PM | #OK, the Backstreet Boys are not "washed up" and you know what i never heard of trace either! And no they did not treat him obnoxiously, if anyone did he treated them that way. And BSB have more fans then you think so no they aren't low on teh totem pole, considering they are doing a world tour to support their 2007 album Unbreakable(which they are)! Keep the Backstreet Pride Alive cause As Long As There'll Be Music We'll Be Coming BAck AGAIN!!!!
Abbie Carter | Mar 21, 2008 5:48:12 PM | #I love the Backstreet Boys lol. I think the wheatgrass juice thing was hilarious and so was Trace's face. The BSB has released a new album while not hitting critical acclaim in the states is very popular in Europe so the statement that they're wash-ups is wrong.
But I gotta admit, they were acting pretty prima-dona but hey, if it's been working for them for years and if that's the agreement they got to come perform that this stuff was guaranteed than they deserve it. Trace did come off as kind of rude with his facial expression nonetheless quite hilarious! I wish I could have tasted some of those horde overs. They looked very good.
claire | Mar 21, 2008 6:13:08 PM | #I kind of figured out it would be Trace and Piers at the end a couple of weeks back as The Donald clearly was playing favorites with those two, but I was rooting for Carol anyway, just because she is hot, hot, hot! Trace taking Lennox as his choice was completely predictable as soon as I saw who was brought back to help on this final task. Though Piers is good and has performed very well, I've never liked him very much. I had heard Trace's name but was totally unfamiliar otherwise, not being into country music all that much. I have not heard any of his music that I am aware of, at least I do not connect his name with any music I have heard recently. I was surprised to see Stephen do so miserably at rounding up celebrities to attend. Of course, as he said, there was only one day available to arrange appearances, and that IS a rather short amount of time so maybe it isn't all that much of a surprise. I'd have been calling my agent and enlisting my agent's help in locating people and it is not apparent that he did that. It took a moment for me to realize the Backstreet Boys were kidding with the the things they wanted until the wheat grass came up and it suddenly dawned on me they were playing along with the joke and I really felt sorry for Trace if he was so clueless about these lists. I really LIKE Trace, and I envy his deep voice, which I would love to have. I would be proud to count a man such as Trace among my friends. Trace is just nice, a really GOOD guy! I seem to remember that at the Smoking Gun website, they have actual images of documents of celebrities lists of demands for appearances. As I recall, these are called "perk lists" and if you go to http://www.thesmokinggun.com you will find links to some material on celebrities perks lists. OK, so I am working from memory here and working without a net so I might have the link wrong... sue me if my memory has failed me, yet again....
xyzzy | Mar 23, 2008 9:26:33 PM | #I wouldn't be surprised if the surprise guest is George W. Bush. After all, Piers is playing for the Fallen Heroes fund and it would make sense for Bush to support that charity. Ironically, however, Donald Trump despises Bush and is very publicly outspoken against both the President and the Iraq War.
Julie | Mar 26, 2008 1:08:37 AM | #listen hear yall can just shut your mouths and just go some where
kelly | Aug 13, 2008 7:31:53 AM | #
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