Celebrity Apprentice Episode #9

[suzieq]

Ok guys this will be a quick one:

The show starts off as usual, Team Backbone in the celebration room. In walks NeNe and Star when it was determined that LaToya was the fired one.

The next task is given and criteria for judgement is set. The task is to present a hair show. I can describe it like a fashion show, but utilizing products and stylists familiar with the brand. Meat and Lil Jon do rock, paper, scissors to determine project manager. Meat's paper covers Jon's rock and Lil Jon is PM for the task.

The women.....WHOA! NeNe went all Busey on Star creating this verbal blast in front of Trump, Farook (sp? but he was the owner of the highlited company), Ivanka and Eric. Why did NeNe go off? Well edits, edits, edits.....and what I gathered was that Star put NeNe up to PM this task as a strategic ploy. That's what got NeNe hot under the collar.

They show the women's team getting in the van, in absolute silence. NeNe had managed to alienate every member of her team, yet the task needed to be done.

I have to say, Team Backbone was looking crisp. They were organized and came up with a great concept after a bunch of ideas thrown out by Meat. None of which stuck for the task...but the brainstorming process was quite entertaining. The show captured Meat scooting to the rest room....and still Meat was working....he was throwing out ideas out into the room from behind a closed door. This was enough to make me laugh until my sides hurt.

Lil Jon and John Rich tailored the concept and Lil Jon let Meat know they had something....and shouted through the door. And lovingly Lil Jon called Meat a BIATCH. Again, LMAO! A stroke of genius was had by Jon Rich coming up with the idea to have Niki involved in the task. It was brilliant. If the women had thought of it first, she would have gladly helped them. However, Go Backbone with the score.

The women were working through the task....they lightened up from a very shakey start. However, the boardroom showed more of the NeNe/Star butting heads...so it's not over quite yet.

The women's presentation was put together and the stylists did a lot of the presenting which was a negative according to the company.

The men's presentation was a bit shakey at first but Lil Jon came into his own as the presenter. Meat handled the lights/music timing. Jon Rich was organizing the back and the models. Team Backbone was strong.

To the boardroom....More NeNe smacking Star around like I said before. BUT finally when the attention was put back to the men...Lil Jon was confident thinking that they put together a strong hair presentation for a bunch of dudes. Sighting no weak player on his team. The men were declared the winner....and not long after that, LaToya comes back per Trump. She will be joining Team Backbone on their next task so she can show her strengths. She faught for a spot on Team Backbone by going into Trumps private office 24 hours sooner.

The show is moving along just fine, when a scrolly message creeps on my TV screen. President Obama has an announcement and will be interrupting our program. About 10:45 p.m. my time, the news breaks in with Osama Bin Laden has been killed by Americans and we have his body.

Spoiler online revealed who was fired. But the West Coast of the US will actually witness the firing I believe. Good night and God Bless!

Suzieq

[Vickip]

Thanks for the great quick update Suzie.
For those of us who missed the ending, the episode should be posted on NBC.com tomorrow and will be repeated on CNBC this Friday night. I'm very anxious to see the previews for next week's episode now ...

God Bless the hero(s) who killed Bin Laden ... and God Bless the USA.

[carole]

Thanks Suzie and Vicki, good on the men for another win. So were the police called? I thought that was this episode with the blow up between Star and Nene. That's frustrating they cut the end off, but good news finally about Bin Laden. And the jokes have already started on Twitter about Trump demanding to see his death certificate!!

Carole

[melon]

Well done to all troops, all nations for the last 10 years.

[JennaG]

Originally Posted by carole

Thanks Suzie and Vicki, good on the men for another win. So were the police called? I thought that was this episode with the blow up between Star and Nene. That's frustrating they cut the end off, but good news finally about Bin Laden. And the jokes have already started on Twitter about Trump demanding to see his death certificate!!

Carole

It looks like the conflict between the women continues so perhaps it gets worse next week?

[CarylB]

Originally Posted by melon

Well done to all troops, all nations for the last 10 years.

I agree Mel. Lives have been lost from so many nations in an allied war on terrorism, which continues.

Caryl

[melon]

Originally Posted by CarylB

I agree Mel. Lives have been lost from so many nations in an allied war on terrorism, which continues.

Caryl

Sadly I expect it will continue for some time to come, with Al whatever they are pledging to continue their "Work"

Anywho, to keep myself on topic, you would hope that all the biatching between the girls team will detract from the Busey moment.

Sounded like a great episode & thanks for the recap guys.

[CarylB]

Backbone played to their strengths. NeNe threw ASAP on the bonfire of her indignant anger at Star, and Trump threw Hope after it.

Quite a start to proceedings. Trump's eyebrows didn't make the leap to his bizarre hairline one might have expected as NeNe launched a ferocious verbal attack on Star, no doubt busy calculating the shock effect it would have on viewers, and whether someone would need to step in before the moon came up. The client's face left us in little doubt that it failed to impress him.

Hard to tell from the final edited version if the outburst was calculated as a display likely to ensure she'd be kept for another week of ratings, or if it just took her that long to figure out that she'd been played by Star in the previous boardroom firing session. Perhaps it just took that long to plan what she'd do to show that she could spot a boardroom strategy given it was tied to a large enough flying brick? But although she can eventually spot them when they're that obvious, NeNe is less good at designing them imo, stronger at in-your-face brawling; a tactic likely to keep her in for another show, but less so to keep her in until the end, and against an opponent who is both cunning as a box of ferrets, and far more skillful at divorcing her emotions from her behaviour. But the drive back from the briefing must have been the quietest the driver had ever experienced .. lol Her desire to make her point was of course iikely to make running the project harder, particularly as she managed also to estrange Hope simultaneously .. oops! .. and left ASAP with Star's face looking like Medusa had stared back at herself in the mirror. The only thing that pulled the out was music and shaking to it. Effective to lighten the mood I guess, but not as useful as the brainstorming and planning that Backbone were engaged in. And as ever, Star soon rallied and told us that, being the only one capable of doing what was needed to be successful, she would again do it. Taking one for the team? More taking credit in advance yet again imo. But they left for the presentation venue with a plan, Shake Your Beauty, that seemed to consist of a street team dancing and some hairdstyling, with Star as usual commandeering the presentation itself.

Backbone were comfortable and confident as they moved forwards productively towards their objective. JR is very focused on success, sometimes so much so that imo he is too impatient to make the early decisions and get working; more a doer than a thinker. Meat is hugely creative, full of ideas that come tumbling out, and I wish Backbone would use a method of capturing them in a proper brainstorming session; give themselves an alloted time to generate ideas, before they start rejecting them, so that despite the time constraints on the overall task, they can maximise their ability to stand back, view them, and pick up on and develop the best. "On the road with Farouk!" was a particularly good one he shouted from the bathroom. Backbone, in addition to being able to work cohesively and harmoniuosly, were as usual effective in identifying the experience and skills each has and capitalising on that; LJ's flair for fashion style, JR's for staging, Meat's for lighting. Stroke of genius to bring back Nicki .. interesting that NeNe saw it as a means for them to sabotage ASAP's efforts, and Marlee as a betrayal .. and that's why it was simply smart! :) .. as well as providing their connection to some top NY models.

As they moved towards delivering the task, NeNe was still over-focused on her feelings and her war with Star; dismissing the lead stylist's concerns, almost rejoicing in problems between the stylists and Star when rehearsing, and ASAP's end presentation left me wondering where the "Shake" message had disappeared to. LJ's dislike of rehearsing because he likes winging it is fine for him, but not for everyone else involved. But Backbone's Feeling Good In America theme (with stylists who had been more motivated and energised by Backbone) even without emphasising the safe nature of the products, beat ASAP hands down in terms of colour, lights, flair and excitement imo. In action they are a strong, mutually supportive team and thus delivered, even given LJ's wont to rely on his undoubted ability to energise a crowd, which might not always be the best option, but in this case worked.

In the boardroom Trump predictably milked the NeNe v Star situation, and equally predictably Star was prepared and fluent; NeNe all over the place, her feelings running and dictating her argument. "Going under the radar", which is how Trump seems to see those who don't engage in fishwife fights, appears to have been enough to have him sending Hope to pack her bags.If either NeNe or Star should see fit to ape Backbone and invite her back to help them on a future project I hope she says no, and rings one of the guys to offer her services :)

Frankly I just watch and wonder at Trump's management of the CA process, however I am becoming familar with it, so NeNe's (in any normal circumstances outrageous) behaviour towards a manipulative Star was bound to guarantee that these two would remain with their asses glued to their competitors' seats for another week even if the women lost. So it proved, and Trump (who actually throws more people under the bus than any contestant in the pursuit of ratings) sent the pleasant natured and completely unobnoxious Hope on her way. Even when Hope gave her previous leadership on a successful task in her defence, and pointed out the irony of NeNe's charity being for abused women, Ivanka undermined what she said completely. The die had been cast already imo .. just two singles on the dice.

And to underline the capriciousness of the decisions of this would-be political giant, he will bring back LaToya for the next task. (I guess we should all be grateful that Busey would be unlikely to manage a coherent plea to Trump.) True to form, after listening to her empassioned request, riding in on her sick note, to be allowed to come back and show her "strenth" against the bad girls, Trump doesn't disappoint in slipping in an inappropriate comment. After promising to consider a plea based on the many skills he believes she has (and doubtless the effect such an unprecedented decision could have on ratings) .. as he watches her wiggle her way out of his sanctum .. "Nice pants!" Why not simply say "Nice ass!" and be done with it? But on the basis of him having a soft spot for her (or perhaps her pants), Trump's decision, gift-wrapped in Jose having been forced to quit, was to bring her back into the boardroom ready to join Backbone for the next task. Mind you, if Star WAS Medusa, the look she gave LaToya when she agreed with NeNe that Star was a backstabber would have resulted in Backbone having nothing more than a little stone statuette to take with them and put on display in their war room! As it is I suspect LT may bring some useful attention to detail to their endeavours.

I enjoyed watching Meat this week, relaxed and seeming more comfortable, brimming as ever with ideas in a flow uninterrupted even by a call of nature :) Particularly interesting to watch him put his extensive knowledge of stagecraft and effects to use, and watching him direct with authority behind the scenes .. with or without his headdress as Chief Who-never-shuts-up :)



Quote of the week from Trump:
"And what's the most important part of looking good? Hair!"

Caryl

[renegadeangel]

My guess, after listening to John Rich and Lil John talk, Meat will be the next to go if Backbone loses.

[CarylB]

And mine? He'll be there until the end :)

Caryl

[Steingirl]

Originally Posted by renegadeangel

My guess, after listening to John Rich and Lil John talk, Meat will be the next to go if Backbone loses.

I don't think so. In the recent webcast, the celebrities were John Rich, Meat, Marlee, and Star. My guess is that they are the top 4.

[Wario]

Originally Posted by renegadeangel

My guess, after listening to John Rich and Lil John talk, Meat will be the next to go if Backbone loses.

well preview for next episode shows Meat's PM and on team ASAP.

and if the men were to have lost sunday night, Lil Jon would've gone because he said "there is't a weak player on the team". Im convinced if the men lost trump wouldn't of fired anyone. hes convinced everyone on backbone's stronger then then anyone ever on the show's 11 year run

Face it, John and Lil Jon may talk about meat in not the most positive light at times, but I commend them for not throwing him under the bus in the boardroom.

[BostonAngel]

Originally Posted by WarioLoaf

well preview for next episode shows Meat's PM and on team ASAP.
and if the men were to have lost sunday night, Lil Jon would've gone because he said "there is't a weak player on the team".Im convinced if the men lost trump wouldn't of fired anyone. hes convinced everyone on backbone's stronger then then anyone ever on the show's 11 year run
Face it, John and Lil Jon may talk about meat in not the most positive light at times, but I commend them for not throwing him under the bus in the boardroom.

Meat is the PM next week for the first task which is the comedy show. By the pics we have seen we know NeNe isn't involved in that task, she is already gone. I have a very strong suspicion that Meat's team wins, so whoever Trump fires leaves Meat @ least in the top 5. Then there is the 2nd task for next week. A total of 3 people end up going home. I strongly believe that Meat is at least in the Top 3. I look forward to watching next week to find out if I am right.
Last night's episode was awesome, even if it was interupted for a very good reason - the death of Osama Bin Laden. I think NeNe should have been fired instead of Hope, however it is all about the ratings.

[LisaT]

Originally Posted by Steingirl

I don't think so. In the recent webcast, the celebrities were John Rich, Meat, Marlee, and Star. My guess is that they are the top 4.

That's the way I see it too.

[LisaT]

And out of those 4, I can't see a clear winner at this stage. Although, of course, I really hope it's Meat!

[LisaT]

Although, if I were to hazard a guess, I'd say that Meat and Marlee will be the final 2! (have you all noticed how I am having a conversation with myself here? LOL)

[carole]

Originally Posted by CarylB

Backbone played to their strengths. NeNe threw ASAP on the bonfire of her indignant anger at Star, and Trump threw Hope after it.

Quite a start to proceedings. Trump's eyebrows didn't make the leap to his bizarre hairline one might have expected as NeNe launched a ferocious verbal attack on Star, no doubt busy calculating the shock effect it would have on viewers, and whether someone would need to step in before the moon came up. The client's face left us in little doubt that it failed to impress him.

Hard to tell from the final edited version if the outburst was calculated as a display likely to ensure she'd be kept for another week of ratings, or if it just took her that long to figure out that she'd been played by Star in the previous boardroom firing session. Perhaps it just took that long to plan what she'd do to show that she could spot a boardroom strategy given it was tied to a large enough flying brick? But although she can eventually spot them when they're that obvious, NeNe is less good at designing them imo, stronger at in-your-face brawling; a tactic likely to keep her in for another show, but less so to keep her in until the end, and against an opponent who is both cunning as a box of ferrets, and far more skillful at divorcing her emotions from her behaviour. But the drive back from the briefing must have been the quietest the driver had ever experienced .. lol Her desire to make her point was of course iikely to make running the project harder, particularly as she managed also to estrange Hope simultaneously .. oops! .. and left ASAP with Star's face looking like Medusa had stared back at herself in the mirror. The only thing that pulled the out was music and shaking to it. Effective to lighten the mood I guess, but not as useful as the brainstorming and planning that Backbone were engaged in. And as ever, Star soon rallied and told us that, being the only one capable of doing what was needed to be successful, she would again do it. Taking one for the team? More taking credit in advance yet again imo. But they left for the presentation venue with a plan, Shake Your Beauty, that seemed to consist of a street team dancing and some hairdstyling, with Star as usual commandeering the presentation itself.

Backbone were comfortable and confident as they moved forwards productively towards their objective. JR is very focused on success, sometimes so much so that imo he is too impatient to make the early decisions and get working; more a doer than a thinker. Meat is hugely creative, full of ideas that come tumbling out, and I wish Backbone would use a method of capturing them in a proper brainstorming session; give themselves an alloted time to generate ideas, before they start rejecting them, so that despite the time constraints on the overall task, they can maximise their ability to stand back, view them, and pick up on and develop the best. "On the road with Farouk!" was a particularly good one he shouted from the bathroom. Backbone, in addition to being able to work cohesively and harmoniuosly, were as usual effective in identifying the experience and skills each has and capitalising on that; LJ's flair for fashion style, JR's for staging, Meat's for lighting. Stroke of genius to bring back Nicki .. interesting that NeNe saw it as a means for them to sabotage ASAP's efforts, and Marlee as a betrayal .. and that's why it was simply smart! :) .. as well as providing their connection to some top NY models.

As they moved towards delivering the task, NeNe was still over-focused on her feelings and her war with Star; dismissing the lead stylist's concerns, almost rejoicing in problems between the stylists and Star when rehearsing, and ASAP's end presentation left me wondering where the "Shake" message had disappeared to. LJ's dislike of rehearsing because he likes winging it is fine for him, but not for everyone else involved. But Backbone's Feeling Good In America theme (with stylists who had been more motivated and energised by Backbone) even without emphasising the safe nature of the products, beat ASAP hands down in terms of colour, lights, flair and excitement imo. In action they are a strong, mutually supportive team and thus delivered, even given LJ's wont to rely on his undoubted ability to energise a crowd, which might not always be the best option, but in this case worked.

In the boardroom Trump predictably milked the NeNe v Star situation, and equally predictably Star was prepared and fluent; NeNe all over the place, her feelings running and dictating her argument. "Going under the radar", which is how Trump seems to see those who don't engage in fishwife fights, appears to have been enough to have him sending Hope to pack her bags.If either NeNe or Star should see fit to ape Backbone and invite her back to help them on a future project I hope she says no, and rings one of the guys to offer her services :)

Frankly I just watch and wonder at Trump's management of the CA process, however I am becoming familar with it, so NeNe's (in any normal circumstances outrageous) behaviour towards a manipulative Star was bound to guarantee that these two would remain with their asses glued to their competitors' seats for another week even if the women lost. So it proved, and Trump (who actually throws more people under the bus than any contestant in the pursuit of ratings) sent the pleasant natured and completely unobnoxious Hope on her way. Even when Hope gave her previous leadership on a successful task in her defence, and pointed out the irony of NeNe's charity being for abused women, Ivanka undermined what she said completely. The die had been cast already imo .. just two singles on the dice.

And to underline the capriciousness of the decisions of this would-be political giant, he will bring back LaToya for the next task. (I guess we should all be grateful that Busey would be unlikely to manage a coherent plea to Trump.) True to form, after listening to her empassioned request, riding in on her sick note, to be allowed to come back and show her "strenth" against the bad girls, Trump doesn't disappoint in slipping in an inappropriate comment. After promising to consider a plea based on the many skills he believes she has (and doubtless the effect such an unprecedented decision could have on ratings) .. as he watches her wiggle her way out of his sanctum .. "Nice pants!" Why not simply say "Nice ass!" and be done with it? But on the basis of him having a soft spot for her (or perhaps her pants), Trump's decision, gift-wrapped in Jose having been forced to quit, was to bring her back into the boardroom ready to join Backbone for the next task. Mind you, if Star WAS Medusa, the look she gave LaToya when she agreed with NeNe that Star was a backstabber would have resulted in Backbone having nothing more than a little stone statuette to take with them and put on display in their war room! As it is I suspect LT may bring some useful attention to detail to their endeavours.

I enjoyed watching Meat this week, relaxed and seeming more comfortable, brimming as ever with ideas in a flow uninterrupted even by a call of nature :) Particularly interesting to watch him put his extensive knowledge of stagecraft and effects to use, and watching him direct with authority behind the scenes .. with or without his headdress as Chief Who-never-shuts-up :)



Quote of the week from Trump:
"And what's the most important part of looking good? Hair!"

Caryl

Yeah I found that quote ironic, considering his hair. I thought Meat looked great in that headdress. The men just keep showing solidarity each task, while the women fall apart at the seams. With all their infightng, bitching and backstabbing, it's surprising they get anything done. I thought it was a brilliant idea too to bring back Nikki, if only to see the looks on Nene and Stars faces when they realised she wasn't there to help them, but the men's team. While they got pissed off about it, they only had themselves to blame, they didn't think of it. And the looks on their faces when Latoya walked back in was priceless. It will be interesting to see how she does in the mens team where there is no bitching at her like there was in the women's team. But Nene's blow up at the start, in front of Trump and his lackeys and the executives was in really bad form, even for her, and I'm sure that would have been in the back of their minds in judging the task. Next weeks should be interesting, I look forward to seeing Meat as Project Manager again.

Carole

[carole]

Originally Posted by CarylB

And mine? He'll be there until the end :)

Caryl

Yeah, I think so too Caryl.

Carole

[suzieq]

Originally Posted by CarylB

Caryl

Quoted for cuteness. And thanks Caryl for a much more comprehensive review than I could sputter out last night. I'm convinced I am the cliff notes of Celebrity Apprentice sided next to you

Suzieq

[Julie in the rv mirror]

Originally Posted by carole

Yeah I found that quote ironic, considering his hair.

I actually think Trump is able to laugh at himself in that regard.

Originally Posted by carole

But Nene's blow up at the start, in front of Trump and his lackeys and the executives was in really bad form, even for her, and I'm sure that would have been in the back of their minds in judging the task.

Absolutely; I couldn't believe she picked that particular moment to vent. It had to be on the minds of the executives.

Originally Posted by CarylB

And to underline the capriciousness of the decisions of this would-be political giant, he will bring back LaToya for the next task.

More like a wanna-be political giant, IMO.

In regards to LaToya, I think Trump might have brought her back in some part to get back at the women for being mean to her. He made no secret of the fact that he liked her.

[CarylB]

Originally Posted by Julie in the rv mirror

More like a wanna-be political giant, IMO.

And may it remain so. A less appropriate statesman is hard to find imo.

In regards to LaToya, I think Trump might have brought her back in some part to get back at the women for being mean to her. He made no secret of the fact that he liked her.

Oh agreed. However he chose to fire her, even though he could see exactly what was going on .. I may find him odious, but he's not entirely without any observation skills or intelligence. He fired Mark as leader of a task when the concept missed the mark. Star's missed the mark but he chose to keep her and NeNe in for ratings because the potential for fireworks between LaToya and the latter were diminishing (I'd say "over" .. but NeNe could pick a fight in an empty room, so could easily have changed towards LT).

Whether he had this all in mind and planned I have no idea, though I wouldn't put it past the manipulative tycoon. Perhaps he did. But his reasoning as given certainly came across as somewhat capricious, just as his comment as she left the room were imo inappropriate. If that's his usual way, and I have no reason to doubt it, he'd be in more trouble here with Industrial Tribunals than banks, creditors and the IRS ..

Caryl

[robgomm]

That was an interesting episode, but I am find myself disappointed again in JR and Little John for being so dismissive of Meats ideas. If you go over a couple of the ideas Meat threw out, namely dancing accross america and faruq (or whatever it is) across america then that's pretty much what they did in the end. Although Little John put the final stamp on the idea Meat led them in that direction, so I didn't think he got the credit he deserved. I'm a bit pissed off about it to be honest.

[CarylB]

Yes, the basis of the final format clearly came from Meat. I just wish the team he's in would actually build in some proper brainstorming time and methods, so they coould get best use of his creativity, but they're so intent on DOING something .. Meat's a far more creative thinker than either JR or LJ, but JR likes to get started on action as soon as possible, and LJ likes to wing it, so instead of welcoming Meat's stream of ideas they get frustrated and dismissive. All they need to do is just set aside a fixed period of time, then stand back and evaluate and shape the best. That way you still manage your time, don't miss out on an idea which might seem whacky at first but has the potential for being reshaped into brilliance, and would give them the chance to check they've covered all the essentials too .. and things like the product safety mightn't have been forgotten.

Caryl

[robgomm]

Originally Posted by CarylB

Yes, the basis of the final format clearly came from Meat. I just wish the team he's in would actually build in some proper brainstorming time and methods, so they coould get best use of his creativity, but they're so intent on DOING something .. Meat's a far more creative thinker than either JR or LJ, but JR likes to get started on action as soon as possible, and LJ likes to wing it, so instead of welcoming Meat's stream of ideas they get frustrated and dismissive. All they need to do is just set aside a fixed period of time, then stand back and evaluate and shape the best. That way you still manage your time, don't miss out on an idea which might seem whacky at first but has the potential for being reshaped into brilliance, and would give them the chance to check they've covered all the essentials too .. and things like the product safety mightn't have been forgotten.

Caryl

You're so right Caryl, and Meat must have been frustrated by that. I mean they were busy laughing at him, but what the hell were they doing? They weren't coming up with any ideas were they? It was all Meat. Also I was abit annoyed at the editors of this episode, because Meat didn't say that much during the episode, and I can only assume that alot of his stuff was cut out.

[renegadeangel]

Originally Posted by CarylB

And mine? He'll be there until the end :)

Caryl

That's what I'm hoping for, but they don't seem to be all complimentary when he's not around.