Hot-dogging Celebrity Apprentices
Hot-dogging Celebrity Apprentices by Roxanne McDonald
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A hot dog is just a hot dog…, unless you buy it from a star. $5,000 a dog; mustard is extra. |
Remember how in one particular street-hawking challenge one season, a more tendentious (and cocky) contestant tried to sell, oh, I don’t know, ice cream, for a thousand bucks?
Nothing came of it, but nothing against the rules there, evidently, either.
But how about when the task is to sell wieners and you who are committed to the challenge are a super-celebrity? Is it fair to call on wealthy fellows and try to get a celebrity price for a skin tube of ground-up guts and ear flaps?
According to Celebrity Spider, the celebrities’ first team task of vending hot dogs on the New York streets will yield efforts to take advantage of rich contacts and to solicit for 5 or 10k per dog. Somebody evokes the attention of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Somebody else tries for eliciting support from David Wright of the New York Mets.
Celebrity Apprentices to Give Some Back
Celebrity Apprentices to Give Some Back by Roxanne McDonald
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If they can settle on a premiere date, and if they can keep from killin’ each other with coo-coo, “Celebrity Apprentice” should be a hoot as well as a worthwhile endeavor to give something back to a universe that has given these celebs so much. |
In a “Surreal Life” meets “My Big Fat Stupid Boss” kind of charity coup, fourteen exceptional (or exceptionally infamous) business professionals in their own right, aside
from their talented reputations, will go for the challenges that have for five years (or six seasons, actually) had a specialized emphasis on succeeding with the nuances of entrepreneurship.
The rock legend with the nine-inch member (tongue, that is) will compete with a cosmetic makeover queen; the honey of television’s “Taxi”, a beauty turned health guru, will go head to head with an Ultimate Fighting Champ; a celebreality whore will battle wits with the most infamous of former “Apprentice” cheats.
A motley crew that would otherwise only appear on a list of who-would-you-want-to-inhabit-a-new-island or at an eclectic gathering like the Academy Awards, the group will substitute for “real” (non-celebrity) men and women such as former winners Sean, Randall, Kendra, Kelly, and Bill, and will participate in “business-driven” tasks that will ultimately “raise money and awareness for their respective causes.”
Send Him to Tent City! The Apprentice: Los Angeles Premiere
Send Him to Tent City! The Apprentice: Los Angeles Premiere by Roxanne McDonald
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Already pegging themselves for exile to the collapsible quarters, Frank and others are bossy, bullying, and exceptionally boisterous. |
Did I have too much caffeine before sitting down to watch “The Apprentice: Los Angeles” premiere, or are a number of the new candidates wired, amped, whacked, and wigging already? It seems that the fast talkers, the loud talkers, the control freaks, and the blame-makers are stepping forward or making themselves known right from the very first episode.
Sure, we expect aggression. We expect the token know-it-all, the representative scapegoat, the sycophant. We expect the control freak to step in (or bust in), take
over, then displace responsibility when the strategic overthrow doesn’t work, or backfires.
But these guys are antsy, agitated, out-of-control talkative. While Trump is hugging the superheroes (as he should have, calling out and celebrating the successes of Angela, the three-time Olympian gold medalist who also graduated Harvard cum laude), I am wishing he would tell some of the others to shut the *&^# up! (I mean, he likely doesn’t want to fire the most “entertaining” candidate on the very first show, for it gives us viewers a lot less to get as excited about.)
Anyway, here is the status of the “game” in the first and as of the end of the first episode:
Trumping Talk Show Hosts, Now: Donald and Ivanka Take Control of “Today” Show Talk
Trumping Talk Show Hosts, Now: Donald and Ivanka Take Control of “Today” Show Talk by Roxanne McDonald
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When “Today” co-host Meredith Vieira calls Trump on his Rosie-bashing, he calls right back. |
It’s now old news that Donald Trump and Rosie O’Donnell have been hurling ad hominems across the air and cyber (and likely radio) waves. Rosie attacked the Donald for having affairs and for subsequently failing at marriage; Donald retaliated with comments on Rosie’s lack of intelligence, on her weight, and on her being a “slob”.
When Donald and daughter Ivanka Trump appeared on “Today” to promote the upcoming “Apprentice” 5 [which airs on Sunday, January 7, on NBC], Meredith Vieira opened her segment with the clips of the ongoing bash. When she followed up with the challenge that Donald was dishing dirt and fueling the fire, Donald got as impatient with her as he does with ditzy apprentice contestants. (Remember, Trump is big on NOT wasting time.)
Trump refused to be berated and to have the accusations that he was fueling anything…especially since Vieira was the one to kindle this one. He insisted they get on the topic he and Ivanka had come for—to talk about “The Apprentice.” Yet Vieira persisted, challenging the Donald with points about damaging credibility, quoting him incorrectly (saying he used words like “crude”, which he didn’t use), and
nudging until Trump nudged right back. As the transcript, courtesy of Noel Sheppard at NewsBusters, shows, Donald responded, “I have no choice, because every time I go on an interview people ask me about Rosie, so I respond by saying she’s not very intelligent, which she’s not, she’s had many failures in her life, which she has. And I respond. And I get on this show, which is about ‘The Apprentice,’ and the first question you ask me is about Rosie…. And I love you very much but what do–what do we waste time for?” (read more…)
Donald Trump Ad Hominems Alienating How Many Viewers, Then?
Donald Trump Ad Hominems Alienating How Many Viewers, Then? by Roxanne McDonald
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Will his slamming fatties incur a boycott of season 6 of “The Apprentice” or does his ongoing feud with Rosie only add to publicity? |
As the news wires and reporters tell it and the critics comment on it (or them), Donald Trump’s invectives–”fat little Rosie,” a “fat slob,” and “I’d like to take some money out of her fatass pockets,” are not the first of many weightiest insults.
But more importantly, some say Trump knows damned well that ad hominems—and sizist ones at that—are not only inappropriate but bad for the image…. Or are they? Some point to the likelihood that this mutual mush-mouthing between moguls is good publicity.
So, I ask you, fat viewers (myself among you), do you boycott “The Apprentice,” standing up for your rotund right to live free of ostracism and slurs about your weight? Or do you let the bad roll like water (or unctuous, oily goo) off your backs, settle in, and enjoy the next season of competitions?
I will watch, for Trump doesn’t pay my rent directly but does give me some amount of income no matter what he does or says. And besides, though it may be like saying I will eat cat food cause there’s nothing else in the house, I will watch if there is nothing “better” on in that time slot.
Whatever.
Apprentice Season 2—Where are They Now?
Apprentice Season 2—Where are They Now? by Roxanne McDonald
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A happy new year might include—for us TV (and “Apprentice”) fanatics—catching up with the season 3 Apprentice contestants. |
KEVIN ALLEN
According to Wikipedia, Kevin founded a software company with his brother.
As well, according to Kevin on his official website, he has gotten involved with “two projects dedicated to helping victims of Katrina—[one] a fundraiser [held] at Copeland’s in Atlanta (www.copelandsatlanta.com) called ‘Brunch for the Bayou’. The project will involve, among other things, special appearances by local Atlanta area athletes as well as a sports auction which [was also] accessible via Ebay….”
RAJ BHAKTA
The iconoclastic and unrufflable Raj is reportedly in real estate development, but is also now big in politics, spearheading the non-partisan Coalition for the Advancement of the Republic (C.A.R.), and
running— according to Wikipedia writers–for U.S. Congress in 2006 elections for Pennsylvania’s 13th Congressional District as a Republican (though he only made it as far as “winning the Republican party’s nomination in an uncontested primary,” losing to “one-term Democratic incumbent Allyson Y. Schwartz.”
BRADFORD COHEN
Brad was last reported as also into politics, running for City Commissioner in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. As well, he continues to run his own law firm, successfully taking on numerous high-profile clients at his criminal and personal injury law practice in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; sees his real estate properties renting out exponentially faster (having appeared on “The Apprentice”); and has, he tells NBC Apprentice site visitors, “developed a T-shirt line and signed an exclusive deal with Nordstrom.” Hmm. Wonder if they read, “I survived Apprentice and all I did was make these lousy tee-shirts”?
JENNIFER CRISAFULLI
As writers at Wiki and elsewhere report, in episode of season 2 when Jennifer described the project customers as “two old Jewish ladies”, she was accused of anti-Semitism on the show and back at home was fired from Prudential Douglas Elliman, making her the first to hear “you’re fired” twice in one season.
But also according to Wikipedia, NBC.com, and other reports, Jennifer landed numerous contracts within her first six weeks selling high-end residential real estate. And also an award-winning equestrian, her personal/official website reads, “While Jennifer still participates in competitive equestrian riding, she is always open and enthusiastic for all of life’s new challenges and opportunities.”
PAMELA DAY
Has founded a number of “successful companies”—the investment firm, Crimson Holdings; Blazent, an enterprise software company; and Pamela Day Enterprises, the management firm that “promotes endorsement, hosting, and speaking engagements for Pamela.” Further, Pam stays busy “writing business and investment columns for magazines, hosting business-related talk shows, paid speaking engagements, and endorsing products for working women.”
Season 1 Apprentices: What Have They Done, What are They Doing Now?
Season 1 Apprentices: What Have They Done, What are They Doing Now? by Roxanne McDonald
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With the new year and in anticipation of another promising season of “The Apprentice,” I thought it apropos that we check in and up on former season 1 Apprentice candidates. |
AMY HENRY
Work: Amy reported she had “done some work at CNBC (recaps, commentary, blogging);” and is traveling to promote her latest book as well as speaking at “business conferences and universities.”
Book(s): What It Takes: Speak Up, Step Up, Move Up.
HEIDI BRESSLER
Work: Heidi reports she does up to four speaking engagements a week, is doing consulting for “a very high tech firm,” and is also working on a book and its endorsement deals.
Book(s): I have yet to find the title or working title….
KATRINA CAMPINS
Work: founder/owner of The Campins Company, what she defines as “a boutique real estate brokerage firm that caters to the luxury residential market and represents developers through its marketing and sales of high-end residential developments;” appearing as a weekly
correspondent for ESPN; making regular appearances on CNBC and elsewhere; and hosting the South Florida real estate program, “Step Inside With Katrina Campins.”
Book(s): while Katrina has yet to pen a book, she does appear in a number of “Apprentice”-related titles by Donald Trump, Liza Siegel, and Amy Henry.
JESSIE CONNERS
Work: As reported by Jessie on NBC’s Apprentice web pages known as The Vault (from Seinfeld?) and elsewhere, she is president of Wealth.com and WealthMentoring.com; runs her own hobby farm, chiropractic marketing and management company, chiropractic clinics, and her real estate company specializing in Residential and Investment properties in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Book(s): while no books are listed to Jessie’s credit—yet—it is understandable, for besides running the above companies, she also does speaking and consulting with doctors through her marketing firm, Exposure Marketing.
JASON CURIS
Work: As he tells it, after his appearance on and departure from (in week 2) “The Apprentice,” Jason went “from 11 properties (39 units) to building a property management company that manages my portfolio of 27 properties (100 units) in the city.”
Book(s): Jason is also busy enough to exempt him from the book process, offering motivational seminars to local Michigan (I assume) students and businesspersons.
“The Apprentice” Winners—Where are They and What are They up to Now?
“The Apprentice” Winners—Where are They and What are They up to Now? by Roxanne McDonald
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Before we get into season 6 of “The Apprentice,” which airs on Sunday, January 7th, let’s visit the apprentices/winners past—to see what they’ve been doing. |
Season 1: BILL RANCIC
Dubbed the “original” apprentice, Bill Rancic has had his contracts renewed several times.
Job responsibilities/titles: Executive and other duties have included overseeing the construction of Trump Tower in Chicago, “strategic development of other Trump properties across the country and in Mexico,” and, as you likely know, boardroom consultant on “The Apprentice” seasons
following the first, specifically seasons 4 and 5, sitting in for George Ross and/or Carolyn Kepcher.
Authorship: As well, Bill has penned the book, You’re Hired: How To Succeed in Business and Life.
Season 2: KELLY PERDEW
Job responsibilities/titles: managing director for Angel Venture Partners (according to Wikipedia), co-developer of eTeamz, and member on the social networking site Zaadz.com, Kelly hosts “G.I. Factory” (on the Military Channel) and has founded American Family Protection, Inc., a company providing “government approved training modules to US families on how to respond to a terrorist attack.”
Authorship: Take Command: 10 Leadership Principles Learned in the Military and Put To Work For Donald Trump, a book which despite its military angle emphasizes life and business leadership principles for the professional.
Season 3: KENDRA TODD
Job responsibilities/titles: Not only the first female but the youngest to be “hired” by Trump, Kendra manages Trump’s Palm Beach Mansion project in Palm Beach, Florida. Besides being the recap writer at NBC.com for the earlier episodes of “The Apprentice: Martha Stewart,” she also appears as Agent 53 on “My House,” Florida’s #1 real-estate-investment radio talk show; has appeared in the Billy Blanks Tae-Bo infomercial; and sits on the judges’ panel of the Real Estate Apprentice Foundation, which Wikipedia writers describe as “a grant program helping 5,000 newly licensed real estate agents every year to succeed in real estate.”
Authorship: Risk and Grow Rich: How to Make Millions in Real Estate, which Kendra co-authored with Charles Andrews, offers both entrepreneurial and future-planning advice and information for everyone from business execs to parents saving for their kids’ college tuitions.
A New Year and a New Apprentice
A New Year and a New Apprentice by Roxanne McDonald
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Apparently, Mr. Trump has found ways to revamp “The Apprentice” and re-instill faith of viewers. |
As Dusty Saunders of Rocky Mountain News reports, “The Apprentice” “suffered declining ratings” the last two seasons in New York. So this season—which begins January 7th—Trump is bringin’ on what the teaser trailers indicate is the “fashizzle”. (Yep, a very white and very old Trump actually uses this word.)
And when the voiceover narrator says this new season will be intense, the screen reads “in tents” and shows what are evidently the “losers” having to live in tents that are so untrustworthy that they weaken and flap and threaten to collapse in the great stormy weather of Southern
California. Wait. Last I knew, there were no gales great enough to lift a large woman’s skirt.
Broadcasting critic Saunders describes it as the new “social experiment”—so it’s either “here we go again” (which would make sense as Trump’s co-producer is Mark Burnett) or where’s the “social” element and where’s the “experimental” and how will they top watching whatshername—Omarosa–lie to her team leader about an important call then return to eating her dinner or seeing the fame of former contestants translate into what the most likeable of contestants (Tana, of season 3) has made it: an empire of BeDazzle rivets?
Saunders suggests the ongoing cat and rat fight between Trump and O’Donnell helps inspire renewed interest, along with a get-to-live-like-the-Donald premise of the new Apprentice. If he is right, and these things work to pull viewers and boost ratings, then “The Apprentice” can redeem itself from its present state, which Saunders claims is one of deteriorated and dull employment line reality show.
I like the format, and understand that yes, it will be pretty much the same as the first five seasons. But if it’s any consolation to those with shorter attention spans than mine, it will still be far better than that intended or unintended spoof – what was it, “My Big Fat Lying Boss”?
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