Celebrity Apprentice Episode #7

[suzieq]

Ok, the show starts out with a 4 minute recap of last week.

Once the catch up is out of the way, in walks THE Gary Busey where one of the women squeal so loud that Lil Jon and Meat are shown taking a shot of a mystery beverage Meat's face says it all. Disbelief, disappointment, and defeat in a way. What do they have to do to get rid of this guy?

Gary goes into an apology of sorts to the team that he wants to be involved in tasks more and he will be more focused. On the side...Gary says to John Rich, "you have something to say to me". And John Rich states his opinion of what he thinks Gary is up to. He's either crazy or a saboteur. Rich lays out the challenge for Gary to prove him wrong. Latoya is seen with a hand on Meat's shoulder as he sits in a side chair.

Next task is given out to pitch three items that Omaha Steaks has to offer. Criteria are set and project managers are chosen. Hope for team ASAP and Gary for Backbone. Immediately Meat is given the task of cook. Which learning, had a huge undertaking. Meat isn't a cook (says he). John Rich was given task of Menu and Lil Jon wasn't given anything until later. So, while Meat is learning the product, Lil Jon is taking web cam pics. Meat sets up John Rich to "Gary sit" while Meat and Lil Jon go meet with the prep chef. And omg the banter as to who was going to "Gary sit" was so funny.

The ladies were completely organized had a menu change, made adjustments and Hope led the team, made decisions and managed a fairly cohesive team.

Ivanka comes in to visit Backbone and Meat has no clue what's going on. Although he was frustrated, the way Meat was portrayed was actually very funny. I felt bad for him, but still he had highlights of humor keeping him sane I think. Sorry, I digressed. Gary totally mis managed the time and Backbone did not get a rehearsal. Sending Meat into a bit of head holding. Meat's always prepared.

The ladies team went first on presentation. They chose 3 presenters. Latoya, Star, and NeNe. The first two were prepared foods already and the third was cooked on set. The presentation was well organized and they had a set theme for Omaha Steaks Poker night "kit" if you will.

The men's team was basically the Meat and Gary show. Meat bringing enthusiasm to the presentation of cuts, cooking on set and warmly explaining what he was doing to the meat. Gary followed up by a visual story that was supposed to accompany the vision of Omaha Steaks. He missed the mark though. Lil Jon and John Rich weren't interactive much with the presentation part of the task.

The execs had wonderful things to say about Meat Loaf, but thought Busey's tales were too lengthy . On the women's side, the execs were happy with the presentation overall. And in the boardroom the women were declared winner of the task.

Boardroom pre winner: there was much discussion about the respected project managers. Meat was so shaken he could barely speak. The frustration and closed body language was so evident. Donald Jr and Ivanka both brought it up. He was livid that they didn't have a rehearsal and that was the fault of the PM. Plus the two typos that were on the Menu had Gary's sign off on the proofread. The menu itself was wrong and Meat had proof to back it up. Meat wasn't going down without a fight. After a bit of "who do you thinks", Gary said he had 3 solid team players and couldn't pick 2 to come back with him. Donald said to Meat, "I'm gonna make you happy, Gary you're fired".

The women were in unison for once and didn't get real catty this week, but wait until next week.

I was never so happy to hear those words, there was a Facebook celebration with many capital letters going on a chat. The only thing that would have made me happier would have been to see it happen one week sooner and Mark would still be part of team Backbone. But I have a gut feeling that Meat, John Rich and Lil Jon on gonna go on a winning spree.

Next week, Meat is shown saying Yipeeeeeeeeeeeee!

I've left out a TON of details guys, but you have to watch this episode. It's the most screen time I've seen Meat get all series.

Suzieq

[Wario]

great review Suzie!

Only thing you forgot to mention, after busey was fired, the guys left the boardroom table except meat. he was just sitting there and The Donald told him "You did a very good job meat loaf". and meat left and waved goodbye. No doubt the trumps love him

[Vickip]

Originally Posted by suzieq

Ok, the show starts out with a 4 minute recap of last week.

Once the catch up is out of the way, in walks THE Gary Busey where one of the women squeal so loud that Lil Jon and Meat are shown taking a shot of a mystery beverage Meat's face says it all. Disbelief, disappointment, and defeat in a way. What do they have to do to get rid of this guy?

Gary goes into an apology of sorts to the team that he wants to be involved in tasks more and he will be more focused. On the side...Gary says to John Rich, "you have something to say to me". And John Rich states his opinion of what he thinks Gary is up to. He's either crazy or a saboteur. Rich lays out the challenge for Gary to prove him wrong. Latoya is seen with a hand on Meat's shoulder as he sits in a side chair.

Next task is given out to pitch three items that Omaha Steaks has to offer. Criteria are set and project managers are chosen. Hope for team ASAP and Gary for Backbone. Immediately Meat is given the task of cook. Which learning, had a huge undertaking. Meat isn't a cook (says he). John Rich was given task of Menu and Lil Jon wasn't given anything until later. So, while Meat is learning the product, Lil Jon is taking web cam pics. Meat sets up John Rich to "Gary sit" while Meat and Lil Jon go meet with the prep chef. And omg the banter as to who was going to "Gary sit" was so funny.

The ladies were completely organized had a menu change, made adjustments and Hope led the team, made decisions and managed a fairly cohesive team.

Ivanka comes in to visit Backbone and Meat has no clue what's going on. Although he was frustrated, the way Meat was portrayed was actually very funny. I felt bad for him, but still he had highlights of humor keeping him sane I think. Sorry, I digressed. Gary totally mis managed the time and Backbone did not get a rehearsal. Sending Meat into a bit of head holding. Meat's always prepared.

The ladies team went first on presentation. They chose 3 presenters. Latoya, Star, and NeNe. The first two were prepared foods already and the third was cooked on set. The presentation was well organized and they had a set theme for Omaha Steaks Poker night "kit" if you will.

The men's team was basically the Meat and Gary show. Meat bringing enthusiasm to the presentation of cuts, cooking on set and warmly explaining what he was doing to the meat. Gary followed up by a visual story that was supposed to accompany the vision of Omaha Steaks. He missed the mark though. Lil Jon and John Rich weren't interactive much with the presentation part of the task.

The execs had wonderful things to say about Meat Loaf, but thought Busey's tales were too lengthy . On the women's side, the execs were happy with the presentation overall. And in the boardroom the women were declared winner of the task.

Boardroom pre winner: there was much discussion about the respected project managers. Meat was so shaken he could barely speak. The frustration and closed body language was so evident. Donald Jr and Ivanka both brought it up. He was livid that they didn't have a rehearsal and that was the fault of the PM. Plus the two typos that were on the Menu had Gary's sign off on the proofread. The menu itself was wrong and Meat had proof to back it up. Meat wasn't going down without a fight. After a bit of "who do you thinks", Gary said he had 3 solid team players and couldn't pick 2 to come back with him. Donald said to Meat, "I'm gonna make you happy, Gary you're fired".

The women were in unison for once and didn't get real catty this week, but wait until next week.

I was never so happy to hear those words, there was a Facebook celebration with many capital letters going on a chat. The only thing that would have made me happier would have been to see it happen one week sooner and Mark would still be part of team Backbone. But I have a gut feeling that Meat, John Rich and Lil Jon on gonna go on a winning spree.

Next week, Meat is shown saying Yipeeeeeeeeeeeee!

I've left out a TON of details guys, but you have to watch this episode. It's the most screen time I've seen Meat get all series.

Suzieq

Excellent review ... thanks Suzie

[BostonAngel]

Great summary Suzie. I just loved hearing those words, "Gary you're fired". I am going to watch this episode several times this week. I felt so bad for Meat while he was getting so frustrated. He showed what he is made of. He was awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[suzieq]

Originally Posted by WarioLoaf

great review Suzie!

Only thing you forgot to mention, after busey was fired, the guys left the boardroom table except meat. he was just sitting there and The Donald told him "You did a very good job meat loaf". and meat left and waved goodbye. No doubt the trumps love him

I forgot a lot of stuff. I'm just so damn excited I can barely type! I didn't review last week due to a kick ass head ache. Backbone is going to pick of the ASAP one by one now, at least until a merge or a transfer!

[suzieq]

Originally Posted by BostonAngel

Great summary Suzie. I just loved hearing those words, "Gary you're fired". I am going to watch this episode several times this week. I felt so bad for Meat while he was getting so frustrated. He showed what he is made of. He was awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I felt bad too. I was saying outloud...."go to your happy place Meat, it'll be over soon."

[Vickip]

Originally Posted by WarioLoaf

great review Suzie!

Only thing you forgot to mention, after busey was fired, the guys left the boardroom table except meat. he was just sitting there and The Donald told him "You did a very good job meat loaf". and meat left and waved goodbye. No doubt the trumps love him

Yes, and I liked how Meat agreed with Donald when he said how hard it is fire anyone.

[Wario]

Originally Posted by Vickip

Yes, and I liked how Meat agreed with Donald when he said how hard it is fire anyone.

uyeah, that was teh otehr reason he stayed behind. doyee lol

[Vickip]

Originally Posted by BostonAngel

Great summary Suzie. I just loved hearing those words, "Gary you're fired". I am going to watch this episode several times this week. I felt so bad for Meat while he was getting so frustrated. He showed what he is made of. He was awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I absolutely agree with you Cathy

Originally Posted by suzieq

I forgot a lot of stuff. I'm just so damn excited I can barely type! I didn't review last week due to a kick ass head ache. Backbone is going to pick of the ASAP one by one now, at least until a merge or a transfer!

[Vickip]

Originally Posted by WarioLoaf

uyeah, that was teh otehr reason he stayed behind. doyee lol

[Shea]

Originally Posted by suzieq

Ok, the show starts out with a 4 minute recap of last week.

Once the catch up is out of the way, in walks THE Gary Busey where one of the women squeal so loud that Lil Jon and Meat are shown taking a shot of a mystery beverage Meat's face says it all. Disbelief, disappointment, and defeat in a way. What do they have to do to get rid of this guy?

Gary goes into an apology of sorts to the team that he wants to be involved in tasks more and he will be more focused. On the side...Gary says to John Rich, "you have something to say to me". And John Rich states his opinion of what he thinks Gary is up to. He's either crazy or a saboteur. Rich lays out the challenge for Gary to prove him wrong. Latoya is seen with a hand on Meat's shoulder as he sits in a side chair.

Next task is given out to pitch three items that Omaha Steaks has to offer. Criteria are set and project managers are chosen. Hope for team ASAP and Gary for Backbone. Immediately Meat is given the task of cook. Which learning, had a huge undertaking. Meat isn't a cook (says he). John Rich was given task of Menu and Lil Jon wasn't given anything until later. So, while Meat is learning the product, Lil Jon is taking web cam pics. Meat sets up John Rich to "Gary sit" while Meat and Lil Jon go meet with the prep chef. And omg the banter as to who was going to "Gary sit" was so funny.

The ladies were completely organized had a menu change, made adjustments and Hope led the team, made decisions and managed a fairly cohesive team.

Ivanka comes in to visit Backbone and Meat has no clue what's going on. Although he was frustrated, the way Meat was portrayed was actually very funny. I felt bad for him, but still he had highlights of humor keeping him sane I think. Sorry, I digressed. Gary totally mis managed the time and Backbone did not get a rehearsal. Sending Meat into a bit of head holding. Meat's always prepared.

The ladies team went first on presentation. They chose 3 presenters. Latoya, Star, and NeNe. The first two were prepared foods already and the third was cooked on set. The presentation was well organized and they had a set theme for Omaha Steaks Poker night "kit" if you will.

The men's team was basically the Meat and Gary show. Meat bringing enthusiasm to the presentation of cuts, cooking on set and warmly explaining what he was doing to the meat. Gary followed up by a visual story that was supposed to accompany the vision of Omaha Steaks. He missed the mark though. Lil Jon and John Rich weren't interactive much with the presentation part of the task.

The execs had wonderful things to say about Meat Loaf, but thought Busey's tales were too lengthy . On the women's side, the execs were happy with the presentation overall. And in the boardroom the women were declared winner of the task.

Boardroom pre winner: there was much discussion about the respected project managers. Meat was so shaken he could barely speak. The frustration and closed body language was so evident. Donald Jr and Ivanka both brought it up. He was livid that they didn't have a rehearsal and that was the fault of the PM. Plus the two typos that were on the Menu had Gary's sign off on the proofread. The menu itself was wrong and Meat had proof to back it up. Meat wasn't going down without a fight. After a bit of "who do you thinks", Gary said he had 3 solid team players and couldn't pick 2 to come back with him. Donald said to Meat, "I'm gonna make you happy, Gary you're fired".

The women were in unison for once and didn't get real catty this week, but wait until next week.

I was never so happy to hear those words, there was a Facebook celebration with many capital letters going on a chat. The only thing that would have made me happier would have been to see it happen one week sooner and Mark would still be part of team Backbone. But I have a gut feeling that Meat, John Rich and Lil Jon on gonna go on a winning spree.

Next week, Meat is shown saying Yipeeeeeeeeeeeee!

I've left out a TON of details guys, but you have to watch this episode. It's the most screen time I've seen Meat get all series.

Suzieq

Awesome review Suzie.

[Vickip]

I also thought Hope did a great job as PM tonight
Looking at the previews for next week, I wonder if we'll get to see the big NeNe / Star showdown

[melon]

Originally Posted by WarioLoaf

uyeah, that was teh otehr reason he stayed behind. doyee lol

I think your bad spelling/punctuation/typing is a symptom of excitement, must be.

Great great GREAT news RE Gary!!!! Bye bye Gary, lol RE Gary Sitting ha ha

[kkzag]

Great re-cap as always Suz,
I loved how the Reps said Meat could be a spokesperson for Omaha steaks. He was awesome & I knew he was safe after I saw his performance.

Really looking forward to seeing him...in 11 days! I have no words to express how badly I need this little week-end get-a-way...Just praying he stays UPRIGHT for the show!

Kar

[realViking]

Excellent review, Suzieq
Just watched the show here from Norway...and I can really feel some of the frustration that Meat is feeling at the show.
But now Gary is out, and now the game can begin. I think the mens team are really strong, so A.S.A.P ,watch out!
If it wasnt for Meat, I wouldnt have watced the show...and if it wasnt for the show, I wouldnt now about The Painted Turtle.
So all in one, Meat, Your My Man!

Tine

[carole]

Wow, what a great episode. I really felt for Meat and felt his frustrations with Gary. Thank God Gary is finally gone, now the men can come into their own again. I loved how much they praised and appreciated Meat. For someone who hadn't rehearsed, his presentation was great. The women's team did very well too, but that bloody Star, she just has to take over everything, they always have 2 project managers.

Carole

[glamourgirl]

Great review, Suzie. Meat did most of the work on this task. He works so hard with each task, he definitely deserves to be in the finale.

[CarylB]

So .. Gary Busey wins it for ASAP again, and finally hits the showers.

Given he was Project Manager for Backbone, that seems to be Trump's best decision, even if delivered a week too late, for without his sterling efforts to hand victiry to the opposing team Backbone might have secured a major donation for one of the charities the men represent. Still he's gone now, and Backbone are now in with a strong fighting chance on the next task.

To me it was a fasicnating episode. Because Meat virtually delivered the task solo he featured heavily in the final edit. Secondly was watching the contrast between ASAP's planning and reparation and Busey's disorganised road to near disaster. Meat's winging his part of the presentation, with no rehearsal, was superb, singled out for praise by Omaha Steaks (and rightly so) and delivered an end product which was effective and a winner in terms of meeting the brief of a cookery demonstration. Busey's disappointing variety pack and rambling discourse handed victory to ASAP.

ASAP's variety pack was a clear winner. They managed the initial client meeting well. Star tended to take over the initial decision making as she usually does .. but her ideas are generally good ones. She then resorted to her usual managing the branding and graphics, but Hope stepped up to the challenge of PM rather well I thought, seemed to keep a good eye overall on what was happening, and was assertive in controlling NeNe during the rehearsal. Despite my sadness that despite Meat carrying nearly all the hard graft on his shoulders, ASAP deserved to win on meeting the criteria.

As to Backbone ... JR said early on he thought Busey was trying to mss up to get another one fired .. actually I think Busey showed very clearly how he cannot manage a project of this kind unless the team manage it despite him. They won it for him the last time he was PM. Last night we saw for the first time the strong team effort, which has featured so strongly until now, virtually absent save for some efforts by JR and Lil John to lift Meat's spirits, but efforts whch fell short of actually pitching and helping him until close to the presentation. The two of them were given little direction or even tasks, and seemed to cruise. Intentional or not? Having seen only the edited programme I don't know ... But basically I formed the impression they just buckled their seatbelts and waited for the inevitable car-crash, whilst Meat soldiered on with the lion's share which had been dumped on him by Busey at the outset. Again, I don't know how far this dumping most of the work on Meat might have been a strategy of Busey's .. but if it was, it backfired and big time. Meat would always pull his weight and put all his efforts into the task. He did, and what he delivered in terms of the presentation was imo the strongest of both teams. It met the brief, was faultless, and rightly commended.

From the start Busey was .. well, Busey. His line of questioning at the initial client briefing clearly bemused them, interrupting them before they could answer useful questions from the others .. and the ridiculous discussion about animation? No-one will ever convince me that's "genius" at such an important opportunity. To me it hovers between missing the point and self-absorption in his own rambling thinking to the point of stupidity. "His ways are "subtle and mysterious"? .. my granny's ass! He failed to manage the different threads of the task, gave a rambling and confusing presentation, failed to ensure the brand image was prominent .. for eg if you HAVE to fly a damn kite into your spiel .. at least have one there with the brand message on. The menu was wrong and shot a hole in what Meat was doing .. I wondered if JR and/0r Lil John had set a bear trap for Busey .. if they did, he jumped right in when he was asked to sign off the print copy. He couldn't even manage a spoll-chick!

The tension amongst Backbone in the boardroom was palpable .. Meat sitting GRIPPING his arms across his chest to hold in his feelings as he struggled to articulate his frustrations with the way the task had been mis-managed, the lack of any coherent plan which left him having to deliver with no rehearsal, and the amount of work dumped on him; three times as much as any ASAP member involved in cooking, and only two of them actually heated a pan in the demo. I'd like to say Busey was gracious in accepting responsibility at the end of the board meeting. I'd like to, but it's hard after we'd seen flat denials of things he's said .. (whoever heard of a word "c'boy" .. gimme a break!) That was imo a carefully prepared defence for when it was raised in the boardroom. And on leaving in the limo to continue his assertions that everyone ganged up on him? Not gracious at all .. and if any of them did on this episode, it could only have been in desperation to try and survive as a team. In previous episodes they have sometimes had to corral him in order to get throuh a task, but they worked their tails off to win his first PM task for him, and if JR and Lil John sat back, safety harnesses in place, and allowed him to fail? He only inherited a whirlwind of his own destructive creation imo.

I think Meat felt let down by the failure of anyone to come and help until so late in the day, and I really felt for him as he soldiered on alone, I suspect knowing in his heart that all his work would be unlikely to secure a victory because all the other wheels were off the wagon and rolling into the far distance. He was tired, frustrated, demotivated, but he kept on trucking, as he does. And I think as a team the three remaining members have sufficient friendship and trust to weld together and give a strong performance next week.

Bad taste award of the week? Nene, when LaToya's skillet throws up flames .... “she’s doing the Michael Jackson on me!”

Most heartfelt phrases uttered? By Meat .. "Thank you" to Trump as he left the boardroom, and in answer to "It's never easy" .. "No it isn't!!"

C xo

[Explicit Sinz]

Great recaps! So glad you two can stay objective enough to flesh out the details I miss while I'm yelling at the television! I do envy you both in that arena! Props to you both Suzie and Caryl !

[Julie in the rv mirror]

Originally Posted by kkzag

I loved how the Reps said Meat could be a spokesperson for Omaha steaks. He was awesome & I knew he was safe after I saw his performance.

Yeah, I thought it was great how they said during his presentation, "He really knows how to cook a steak", after Meat said he couldn't cook. So, good job there!

I felt bad for Meat that JR and Lil' Jon didn't step in and help him more, but I kind of agree with their strategy to just let Gary crash and burn on his own. For them to bail him out at this point wouldn't really be fair.

As to JR's assertion that Gary was a saboteur, well, I think that requires a degree of strategy and forethought that I'm not sure Gary is capable of. I really think Gary is lost in his own world.

Meat did an excellent job, but the women's team deserved to win this one.

Originally Posted by CarylB

From the start Busey was .. well, Busey. His line of questioning at the initial client briefing clearly bemused them, interrupting them before they could answer useful questions from the others .. and the ridiculous discussion about animation? No-one will ever convince me that's "genius" at such an important opportunity.

Like when Busey asked them if they got meat from Arizona? lol

[CarylB]

Originally Posted by Julie in the rv mirror

As to JR's assertion that Gary was a saboteur, well, I think that requires a degree of strategy and forethought that I'm not sure Gary is capable of. I really think Gary is lost in his own world.

You know I've dithered back and forth on this one and tend to agree with you largely re sabotage and strategising .. but then I look at how he focuses in the boardroom, and recall some of the things he's said there. The previous week when confronted with his offering himself to Australian Gold as their advertising spokesman, he didn't say "I don't remember that", didn't even just lie and leave it at that. He said carefully and more than once "No negotiations took place". Something that he could defend because it was true, they hadn't actually negotiated. Then in last night's episode, when JR confronted him during the task about being called "boy", he went through his not recalling it routine and apologised, rather half-heartedly imo, and asked if JR accepted his apology. But in the boardroom he trotted out the somewhat ridiculous story that he'd said "c'boy" (as if that would have been better ). That smacked to me of a prepared defence because he knew it would come up in the boardroom. Much of the time he's so jammed up his own .. let's say "thinking" .. I agree he's totally unaware of the impact his words and behaviour are having on those around him. But when he gets into that boardroom he can focus on trying to dig himself out of a hole.

Meat did an excellent job, but the women's team deserved to win this one.

No question on both counts.

Like when Busey asked them if they got meat from Arizona? lol

Yes .. another herring that would put the setting sun to shame!! I'm sure it's quite hilarious for some spectators .. but trying to achieve an objective with this going on all the time?

Wouldn't you feel exactly like this?



Caryl

[carole]

Thanks Suzie and Caryl, you sum it up well. That picture speaks volumes and tears at my heart. I can just feel Meat's frustrations and just want to jump through the computer and help him.

Carole

[realViking]

Just watced the episode again. And now I really laught at it.
I could really feel Meats frustration stronger now, and excuse me, but Gary did seem like A total Idiot!!! There, thats out in the open
And Meat, if I could come trough the computer and give you a hug, I would! Believe me!
But thats not possible
By the way, that steak really made me hungry.....To bad the clock is midnight here in Norway, or else I would have made that now....

Tine

[robgomm]

I've haven't been so happy in a while as when Gary was finally fired. I felt so bad for Meat that he could barely even speak in the boardroom. Meat is a professional, it's in his blood, so for him to be that mismanaged and not able to prepare was just so upsetting to him. That he soldiered on and still made an amazing presentation and cooked some great food (is there anything he can't do?), is such a great credit to him and shows what character and spirit he has.

I don't hate Gary Busey, I think he's a nice guy, but obviously things have taken their toll on him and he's not really all there anymore, and he's not able to focus on what he's doing properly. He's very scattery all over the place, but I do feel bad for him because i'm sure he doesn't want to be that way, but he probably is because of the injuries he's had.

[Meat Redfish]

Meat Loaf great chef! mmmmmm so when is he inviting us all to his for Steaks!!! ill bring the beer! :) (Gary NOT invited!)