Celebrity Apprentice Recap

[BostonAngel]

Originally Posted by LisaT

Have just watched the show and it was great - very entertaining! Meat remained pretty much in the background in this first episode, but I can't wait to see him shine - which we know he is gonna do in the weeks to come. Thanks again to Suzie for posting the link.

Have watched all 3 prior seasons of Celebrity Apprentice. I remember last season on one of the first tasks, Bret Michaels was very much in the background - he end up sweeping floors! He laid low for the first few tasks then really hit is stride. He ended up winning in the end! Meat seems to be using somewhat the same strategy and hopefully will have the same result

[Smithie]

Originally Posted by Dave

Good play to keep quiet at first...

My thoughts exactly. Very smart move.

[Evil One]

Originally Posted by Kathy

Silly question: Why did it take three women to deliver the pizzas? I could have done it by myself :)

If it's anything like the UK one then it's part of the (unseen) rules that the teams have to play by. There is only enough recording equipment for each team to split into two, and the number of people on each subteam has to be roughly even, which is why you see ridiculous things like four people going off to pick something up.

[Vickip]

Originally Posted by Kathy

It was an interesting episode, sometimes riveting and often funny! I can't help but feel manipulated when I watch a "reality" show, because it's the producer's job to filter what I see for the sake of ratings. He'd be crazy not to. So last night, when I found myself loving to hate Richard Hatch, I appreciated it when Trump asked the other men "Who would you fire?" The fact that three replied "Richard" made me feel like I was being shown something at least close to the truth.

Silly question: Why did it take three women to deliver the pizzas? I could have done it by myself :)

I'm already looking forward to next Sunday! But I won't need any "closure" about Meat and Gary, because I'm not sitting in judgment on either of them, except in the small context of how their actions may have affected their team's chances of winning. The way I see it, Gary did something that honked Meat off, Meat got mad and reacted, and that's that. Whether we see it next week or later on, learning the details won't change my appreciation of the passionate honesty of the moment.

-Kathy

Very well said Kathy

[Vickip]

Here are some pics from the Celebrity Apprentice premiere party in Nashville, TN last night :

http://wireimage.com/SearchResults.a...&sfld=C&vwmd=e

[BostonAngel]

Originally Posted by Vickip

Here are some pics from the Celebrity Apprentice premiere party in Nashville, TN last night :

http://wireimage.com/SearchResults.a...&sfld=C&vwmd=e

Love them all! Thank you Vicki. You alway find the best Meaty stuff

[Vickip]

Originally Posted by CCfan

Love them all! Thank you Vicki. You alway find the best Meaty stuff

You're welcome Cathy Thanks .. I just love finding and sharing the Meaty goodies

[Vickip]

Originally Posted by duke knooby

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZknGvBBH41U

Thanks for posting the link

[CarylB]

Thanks so much for the link Suzie!! (I'd caution against signing up for the howtowatchnbc.info link given on the other apprentice thread btw. I did, paid my money, and 24 hours later am still waiting for details on how to watch the programme) I let the free one buffer away yesterday afternoon, and then watched the programme last night. I'm not sure what added value the Trump offspring bring to the proceedings (but then I'm used to Margaret and Nick in the UK, with their acute observations and pithy comment, who stay with their teams throughout the proceedings), and was surprised to see little evidence of them observing during the two day task, just popping in a couple of times.

Thoroughly enjoyed watching Meat's participation in the task and his wholehearted effort as he threw himself into whatever task he was doing. In the boardroom he was shrewd, only commenting on what went on when asked, and was clear and non emotive when asked to comment on Richard Hatch's leadership style, and when asked to say who he would fire. Playing a cautious and quiet game in the boardroom is wise .. also he seemed to me to be distancing himself from the strife Trump encourages perhaps because imo his style is more to deal with issues at the time, get past them and refocus on the job, rather than carp behind the scenes and then bicker in the boardroom.

I'd never heard of Hatch .. actually wouldn't have recognised quite a few if they'd knocked on my door And it took me a while to realise that the face like a Siamese cat in a windtunnel belonged to David Cassidy! I think Hatch, like many, construes "leadership" as controlling, and whilst I know the programme is edited, I saw no shred of motivating in his style which I thought overbearing and rather bullying, setting himself apart from his team, and barking orders. Despite editing I think you can tell a lot from what individuals include in their talk to camera! He was quick to blame those who hadn't managed to call in support, but how much effort and encouragement did he give to them I wonder? We didn't see much of the preparations before they went to the pizza parlours (I hope we see more of the "before" in future programmes, because that tells you more than their work on the day) but can't help feel that if he had shown more true leadership skill at that stage he'd have been quick to point it out!

The success of the women's team was largely down to their calling in bigger and better favours. Star was the winning leader because of her team rather than down to her skill imo. She brought in the huge $40K donation, but was blinded by that to such an extent she missed out on the one that got away, and predictably shuffled off accountability to Lisa. Do the rules prevent any flexibility in achieving the task? There were team members standing in a closed pizza parlour while a delivery truck was stuck in traffic, unable to get to both destinations. Someone could have walked the distance quicker .. but the team leader was too focused on her $40K. I liked both Lisa and Marlee (the latter being one I recognised ) .. two to watch.

If ever there was a case for firing the leader of the losing team this was it imo .. but I guess Trump thinks Hatch will be good TV, and Cassidy didn't make a hugely impressive showing, particularly in the boardroom, where Trump obviously likes to see people robustly defending themselves. (Meat may keep out of the general boardroom brawling, but I think we can rely on a robust defence if he's attacked ). Jose is like an active volcano imo .. big, rumbling beneath the surface, and ready to erupt. Meat was focused, hardworking, and his presence was a real pull in the parlour during the task, and his strategy impeccable in the boardroom. I'm really looking forward to seeing him lead hs team next week

Caryl

[Julie in the rv mirror]

Originally Posted by CarylB

Star was the winning leader because of her team rather than down to her skill imo. She brought in the huge $40K donation, but was blinded by that to such an extent she missed out on the one that got away, and predictably shuffled off accountability to Lisa.

A good leader also knows how to delegate, not necessarily does the tasks themselves. I don't think Star was spectacular, but I don't think she was bad, either. She didn't know how large the donation was from the firehouse, and I think she was right to focus on the $40K, which she knew she had coming. I agree with her that she probably couldn't have made anywhere near that much in the store, though I'm not sure I agree with her decision to close it, particularly once the $40K donor agreed to take only one pizza. I'm not liking Lisa much right now- she seems two-faced and whiny to me (prior to this show, I had no opinion of her either way).

Originally Posted by CarylB

If ever there was a case for firing the leader of the losing team this was it imo .. but I guess Trump thinks Hatch will be good TV, and Cassidy didn't make a hugely impressive showing, particularly in the boardroom, where Trump obviously likes to see people robustly defending themselves. (Meat may keep out of the general boardroom brawling, but I think we can rely on a robust defence if he's attacked )

I don't think Richard Hatch will win Mr. Congeniality, but he's very shrewd- he couldn't have won Survivor otherwise. I think he will make good TV, but I also agree with Trump that at least Hatch will be a strong competitor, even if he isn't well-liked. I hated to see David leave over Hatch, but he really didn't defend himself much at all. I agree with you that I don't think Meat would have that problem.

[Dave]

Donald Trump is known for running a "gentleman's club" style boardroom. There are many reports of temper flares and verbal throw downs on a regular basis in the presence and from The Donald. I found it interesting that Donald Trump chose to play off his unabashed love for machismo dynamic so much in allowing the trouncing of David Cassidy during the boardroom meeting. It was fascinating that with all the American media focus on anti-bullying and suicide prevention, that the reality of the American executive boardroom power play was allowed to be aired so unfiltered. Bravo to The Donald for showing that to be successful in the business world, you must have a "Backbone" and not whine and complain about the shortcomings of others. Yes, the American version of The Apprentice is very, well "Americanized" but you cannot really expect anything different. The Donald has once again illustrated his superb ability to know what "works" and what doesn't work in "Corporate America" today. The boardroom is a nasty place and thankfully has been portrayed as such without rose tinted lens.

[LisaT]

Originally Posted by Julie in the rv mirror

A good leader also knows how to delegate, not necessarily does the tasks themselves. I don't think Star was spectacular, but I don't think she was bad, either. She didn't know how large the donation was from the firehouse, and I think she was right to focus on the $40K, which she knew she had coming. I agree with her that she probably couldn't have made anywhere near that much in the store, though I'm not sure I agree with her decision to close it, particularly once the $40K donor agreed to take only one pizza. I'm not liking Lisa much right now- she seems two-faced and whiny to me (prior to this show, I had no opinion of her either way).



I don't think Richard Hatch will win Mr. Congeniality, but he's very shrewd- he couldn't have won Survivor otherwise. I think he will make good TV, but I also agree with Trump that at least Hatch will be a strong competitor, even if he isn't well-liked. I hated to see David leave over Hatch, but he really didn't defend himself much at all. I agree with you that I don't think Meat would have that problem.

That's how I see it too, Julie.

[CarylB]

Originally Posted by Julie in the rv mirror

A good leader also knows how to delegate, not necessarily does the tasks themselves.

Absolutely .. (although good delegation isn't simply a case of barking orders like Hatch .. and in short-term projects a good leader will often help out with delivery where there's a problem as long as he/she can see that other areas are coping well) .. But when you delegate you pass on responsibility, not accountability; that's something that continues to rest with the leader. If you delegate and the person fails to deliver it's usually your head on the block ultimately as the manager who chose what to delegate and to whom.

Caryl

[Vickip]

Originally Posted by Dave

Donald Trump is known for running a "gentleman's club" style boardroom. There are many reports of temper flares and verbal throw downs on a regular basis in the presence and from The Donald. I found it interesting that Donald Trump chose to play off his unabashed love for machismo dynamic so much in allowing the trouncing of David Cassidy during the boardroom meeting. It was fascinating that with all the American media focus on anti-bullying and suicide prevention, that the reality of the American executive boardroom power play was allowed to be aired so unfiltered. Bravo to The Donald for showing that to be successful in the business world, you must have a "Backbone" and not whine and complain about the shortcomings of others. Yes, the American version of The Apprentice is very, well "Americanized" but you cannot really expect anything different. The Donald has once again illustrated his superb ability to know what "works" and what doesn't work in "Corporate America" today. The boardroom is a nasty place and thankfully has been portrayed as such without rose tinted lens.

I absolutely agree with you Dave

[JaysScout]

I, like most everyone on here, certainly hope Meat wins. First, he's a good guy....and second, I'd like to see him raise as much as he can for The Painted Turtle. It was nice to read in a prior post that Meat said he did do very well for his favorite charity. My wife and I were fortunate to get to see Meat backstage in Dover, DE in January. Since I work in profession baseball, I thought it would be cool to have Meat and the NLE sign a couple of bats for me. Meat did one alone, and he and the NLE did the other. Selfishly, I have kept the one signed by everyone. :) However, I shipped the other to my daughter in Houston, TX. She is a director at a YMCA there and can auction it off to raise $ to send kids to summer camp. Knowing how civic minded Meat is, I sent him an e-mail informing him of what I was doing with the bat, and told him that whatever amount was raised for the YMCA from his bat, my wife and I would make an equal donation to The Painted Turtle. If anyone is looking for a worthwhile charity, please check the website for The Painted Turtle. www.thepaintedturtle.org/turtle.

[carole]

Thanks so much for the link Suzie, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I did feel sorry for David and the way Hatch treated him. He behaved similarly on Survivor, shoving one of the female contestants during one of the challenges. And like Donald said, he wouldn't have dared to shove that baseball player, or even Meat but David was an easy target. I wanted to punch him in the face!!!!!! Really looking forward to seeing Meat as Project Manager, he will be a great leader.

Carole

[Vickip]

Originally Posted by RaysScout

I, like most everyone on here, certainly hope Meat wins. First, he's a good guy....and second, I'd like to see him raise as much as he can for The Painted Turtle. It was nice to read in a prior post that Meat said he did do very well for his favorite charity. My wife and I were fortunate to get to see Meat backstage in Dover, DE in January. Since I work in profession baseball, I thought it would be cool to have Meat and the NLE sign a couple of bats for me. Meat did one alone, and he and the NLE did the other. Selfishly, I have kept the one signed by everyone. :) However, I shipped the other to my daughter in Houston, TX. She is a director at a YMCA there and can auction it off to raise $ to send kids to summer camp. Knowing how civic minded Meat is, I sent him an e-mail informing him of what I was doing with the bat, and told him that whatever amount was raised for the YMCA from his bat, my wife and I would make an equal donation to The Painted Turtle. If anyone is looking for a worthwhile charity, please check the website for The Painted Turtle. www.thepaintedturtle.org/turtle.

What an amazing story .... thanks for sharing it
I truly hope that you and your daughter can raise a lot of money for such worthy causes.
I'm sure your message (and generosity) made Meat very happy.

And thanks for posting the link to the Painted Turtle's website .. I really need to check it out again

[carole]

Here's a bonus scene from the boardroom that was posted on Twitter, hope the link works. And I agree with Meat, he is the biggest celebrity there!!!!!

http://bit.ly/ezPYOB

Carole

[Julie in the rv mirror]

Originally Posted by CarylB

Absolutely .. (although good delegation isn't simply a case of barking orders like Hatch .. and in short-term projects a good leader will often help out with delivery where there's a problem as long as he/she can see that other areas are coping well) ..

You're right, and I wasn't implying that Hatch would make a good leader, necessarily. (It's interesting to note, though, that the men chose him unanimously without any hesitation.) I'm no huge fan of Star's, either, but in her defense, she did do as you describe when she tried (very tactfully) to take over when Dionne Warwick was struggling with the cash register, and Dionne shut her down. How would it have looked if Star shoved her way in at that point?

I wasn't aware of the rule that was mentioned earlier about sub-teams being equal, but that would explain why Star couldn't send out another delivery person/ team.

Originally Posted by CarylB

But when you delegate you pass on responsibility, not accountability; that's something that continues to rest with the leader. If you delegate and the person fails to deliver it's usually your head on the block ultimately as the manager who chose what to delegate and to whom.

True, also, and had the women lost, maybe Star would have been in the boardroom as well. But, you can't totally absolve the person(s) entrusted with a task from all accountability, either- otherwise, what is their motivation to do a good job?

[LucyK!]

Just watched the first episode (big screen thanks to Mr K ) and got to say I loved it, really entertaining and interesting to see Meat in a very different role, not being boss He really did a great job and looking forward to seeing what's to come

However, what I really did not like about the show was the expectation of the contestants to "cash in" on their celebrity friends and relatives to raise money. Constantly through the show it was "well you're famous, you have the contacts, why didn't you raise more money?" which I think is hideous, and actually massive credit to Meat for not standing in front of the camera and participating on what appeared to be a pi$$ing contest over who has the richest friends. Inevitably Meat has many, many contacts, but surely they're irrelevant to this process?!

Obviously I wasn't there on the day, I have no idea if Meat made calls and got people down there - Steinman and half of Anthrax could have been in that pizza place for all I know - but if he did it was done in a dignified, appropriate way, as opposed to the show-boating from some of the others.

[suzieq]

Originally Posted by Lucy!

Just watched the first episode (big screen thanks to Mr K ) and got to say I loved it, really entertaining and interesting to see Meat in a very different role, not being boss He really did a great job and looking forward to seeing what's to come

However, what I really did not like about the show was the expectation of the contestants to "cash in" on their celebrity friends and relatives to raise money. Constantly through the show it was "well you're famous, you have the contacts, why didn't you raise more money?" which I think is hideous, and actually massive credit to Meat for not standing in front of the camera and participating on what appeared to be a pi$$ing contest over who has the richest friends. Inevitably Meat has many, many contacts, but surely they're irrelevant to this process?!

Obviously I wasn't there on the day, I have no idea if Meat made calls and got people down there - Steinman and half of Anthrax could have been in that pizza place for all I know - but if he did it was done in a dignified, appropriate way, as opposed to the show-boating from some of the others.

Very good points Lucy. To add, I was thinking along the lines of "why" would they call in favors "For" the other team manager if that could be your ace in the hole when "they themselves" are project managers. You can see Meat shake his head "yes" when Trump even brought up the point to David Cassidy. But I agree, I'm pretty sure Meat had a few choice phone calls/emails made but it wasn't showcased as a spectacle...but credit was given where credit was due.

[CarylB]

The day before the pizza sale was when they called in as many favours and rustled up as much support as they could. It was a strategy adopted by each team, and there was a brief shot of Meat on the phone doing his bit. To me it's part of what being on Celeb App is about, and how it differs from the basic programme. They're in competition, but principally they're wanting to each raise the most money to win for their charity, so to use your contacts and your name to do this seems to me to be perfectly acceptable, and in line with what good celebrities do to raise money for causes, because that was what they were about. I liked the way Meat spotted a black credit card and said "Hey, you've got a back card! .. you can ...." and got a good donation for that sale

I didn't see it as a pissing contest .. more a case of using your contacts, your networks, and it was always going to be the deciding factor .. there's only so many pizzas you can sell in a day, and if you can get donations for them, so much the better. Any pissing was engineered in the boardroom imo for dramatic effect, although I think Trump made a fair point in identifying that this was where the task was won or lost, and I wondered why Jose had not made contact with Yankees players who he said he did know.

Caryl

[AndyK]

Originally Posted by CarylB

I wondered why Jose had not made contact with Yankees players who he said he did know.

I don't know the exact details, but there was something in the programme about Jose not being welcomed in the baseball fraternity anymore, I think it was something to do with his book. I'm sure when America wakes up they'll fill us in.

Pissing contest or not, Meat just quietly got on with the tasks in hand without too much showboating, which is the ideal strategy for the first week in Apprentice I think. Gives you time to work out the characters of those around you, don't make any immediate enemies and don't get too much focus from Donald Trump straight away. It's pretty clear that Richard, Jose, Star and Lisa will all have their cards marked and Donald Trump will be watching their progress over the next few weeks.

Project manager in even the second task is a risky strategy as you're still working out the characters around you, got to hope it pays off for Meat.

[CarylB]

Originally Posted by AndyK

I don't know the exact details, but there was something in the programme about Jose not being welcomed in the baseball fraternity anymore, I think it was something to do with his book. I'm sure when America wakes up they'll fill us in.

Never sabotage your networks eh?

Pissing contest or not, Meat just quietly got on with the tasks in hand without too much showboating, which is the ideal strategy for the first week in Apprentice I think. Gives you time to work out the characters of those around you, don't make any immediate enemies and don't get too much focus from Donald Trump straight away. It's pretty clear that Richard, Jose, Star and Lisa will all have their cards marked and Donald Trump will be watching their progress over the next few weeks.

Yes. Julie pointed out that all the men had voted for Hatch without hesitation .. smart move imo He must have seemed to have sufficient dynamism to give them a chance, and it's very wise to avoid being the first man in!

Second in can be risky .. but also shows you are keen to be a player, and Meat's not averse to putting himself on the line Sometimes I think batting second is a smartway to go. You have some feel for the people in the team (and later the teams may suddenly get re-mixed because of surviving numbers) and at the same time you show you're not hiding! Plus the task would seem to be one which could appeal, and play to some of Meat's strengths. Meat said he won a lot of money for his charity during the programme. I hope next week is the start .. and just the start

Caryl

[Dave]

Originally Posted by AndyK

I don't know the exact details, but there was something in the programme about Jose not being welcomed in the baseball fraternity anymore, I think it was something to do with his book. I'm sure when America wakes up they'll fill us in.

Well, when you are called in front of Congress and lie that you did not take steriods, then get called to the carpet, write a tell all book where you oust your teammates...yeah, a problem could arise.