The Apprentice -- 3/10/05

[twickster]

According to the MSN preview,

The teams meet with popular music artists to help raise money for charity; one candidate tries to act a little too hip while another becomes star-struck.

Plus it's corporate restructuring night, so we get to watch the jockeying around as people adjust to their new teams -- always fun.

So, anyone want to put money on what Chris's "where the hell did that come from" outburst of the night will be? "Mr. Trump -- I do not have mad rap skilz!"

[middleman]

"Mr. Trump, I_DID_NOT_KILL_BIGGIE_SMALLS!"

[Rysler]

I'll restate that I'm not ready for corporate restructuring! Aren't there 2 teams of 5? Why is this necessary? ::weeps::

I wanted to see the BrenErinmobile continue.

[twickster]

Yeah, five and five ... so it's just sheer devilry on Burnett's part, I guess.

The musical stars include Moby, Gene Simmons, and Eve. Am I the only one who wishes it were "our" eve?

[Mullinator]

Who the heck is going to win this thing? In past seasons, it was fairly clear by now who the power players were. We knew Troy, Kwame, Bill, and Amy were pretty darn good. We were shown that Kelly and Jennifer seemed the best (even if Kelly turned out to be pretty average and Jennifer would have faired better going into the final boardroom topless). But this time, we have nothing. Really nothing. Using my own completely unscientific method, I plan to figure out who the heck is going to at least end up at the end.

Chris - He has repeatedly been shown as a buffoon. No amount of analysis will lead to any other conclusion than he will be fired.
Angie - Points for - no huge glaring problems, some decent weekly efforts. Against - Poor negotiating, a lot of barely concealed anger, shown smoking. Not a winner.
Stephanie - For - solid contributions multiple times, no truly idiotic/evil moments. Against - Team unity has been against her. Likely final 4 candidate.
Craig - For - well he hasn't killed anyone. Against - Little airtime, and when he does get it, it's usually conflict. Seems like a 6th place finisher that we won't care about.
Kendra - For - Her highlighted moments have shown good decisions. Against - You can count her solo times on screen with one hand. That probably doesn't bode well. She'll be a surprise firing soon.
Tana - For - The last few weeks have shown her as quite capable, specifically noted in the boardroom last week. Move from early season irritant to calm and capable. Against - Early season irritant. Verdict - Another likely final 4 candidate.
Alex - For - A good grafitti win, quite capable in other tasks. Shown as goofy but smart. Against - Not much, but there is no way Trump picks another white male. No way. Final 2.
Bren - For - Shown as an outside the box thinker and extremely capable with people. Against - Quirky, shown smoking, a couple of really poor ideas. 5th place.
John - For - Initially, he was the best. Against - The last couple of weeks doom him. Comes across as an egotistical jerk who, although correct in an assessment, gets it across as poorly as possible. Going home sooner rather than later.
Erin - For - This one kills me. Pretty much everything. Minimal bad ideas, minimal screw ups. Against - No more truly bad moments than anyone else gets. No glaring screw ups. Verdict - Crap, she's probably going to win and cause my head to burst into flames.

In summary, Erin, Alex, Stephanie, and Tana in the final round with Erin winning. But, who in this group do you look at and say "Heck yeah, I'd hire them to lead my company to greater heights. They are just that awesome." None of them. The editors either had very little to work with, or have done a frighteningly poor job of making us care about and believe in these people.

[twickster]

Just out of curiosity, my dear -- are any of my appendages at stake in these predictions?

[FlightlessBird]

If you have sbcyahoo, you can see a clip from tonight's episode. They've been doing this for a couple of weeks now. Usually they just show a clip from the opening scene (when the losers return from the boardroom) but this week they show a scene from the challenge:
Who Wouldn't Diggity That (Preview Scene)
Tana does her best to sound like a hip-hop follower while negotiating with Lil' Kim.

Man does Tana bug me.

[MaddyStrut]

I would say an "against" for Erin would be that she's getting so damn much screen time. I can't remember any of the winners getting so much. She's in that darned confessional every 5 minutes.

Or it could be that she just irritates me so much I notice every second of her screen time because it gives me a headache. But a girl can hope.

Right now I'm pulling for Tana, Bren, Kendra, and a player to be named later in my final 4. I'm not pulling hard though. I haven't seen anyone that really seems like a winner to me.

[Rysler]

Against - Team unity has been against her. Likely final 4 candidate.

I may be tired, but that juxtaposition sent me into fits of giggles.

I like your predictions and analysis, but I'm going to swap Bren for Stephanie... Given MaddyStrut's post, I think Erin may be the unforgettable Ivana 5th placer5 .

Who will flame out tonight? Let's hope it's John!

[Rysler]

Wow, HoYay in the first two minutes :cool: and the mysterious Kendra as project manager vs Chris-the-Not-Homosexual?

Daaaaaaayum this might actually be good.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Is it just me or does John look more like a sexist creep with every passing minute? He was very belittling to Audrey last week (who, granted, sucked, but still...) and now he's talking about bringing these women on his arms as accessories and calling them "chicks." What an ass.

I think Bren is still the only one I like.

[cheddarsnax]

"We be talkin' now!"

Wow.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Lil John...."What?"

[cheddarsnax]

"I'm good at selling myself."

Double wow.

[Rysler]

I'm enjoying Erin's facial expressions. Immensely.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

"Time to pimp some girls."

Yikes.

Gene Simmons is even skeevier, though.

[Rube E. Tewesday]

If John were any more of a pig, he'd be a registered trade mark of Jimmy Dean Sausage.

[LilyoftheValley]

Holy crap, that diggity was painful.

An John is even mroe of an ass than last week.

[Rysler]

John used the word "fluffer" while representing Trump on national television. I doubt he'll make it to the next episode.

[Spree]

John = Ass

[Diogenes the Cynic]

"A MILF is a mother I'd love to fool around with."

Um..close, but not quite.

[Rysler]

Tana's my new TV-girlfriend!

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Erin would make a good vee-jay. She's totally natural at it.

[twickster]

Has Gene Simmons had a facelift?

Fluffer?!!?!?!?! I can no longer hope last week was an aberration.

[BigDummy]

Tana does clean up pretty nice.

"I am a MILF back in Iowa"

[Diogenes the Cynic]

I can't see anyone to blame but John.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Tana pretty much owned this challenge.

[DoperChic]

What was the amount for the losing team? I missed it.

[Spree]

$11,000 versus $21,000 for Magna.

[Rysler]

Trump likes Erin! Yay!

(Sorry Mully)

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Chris is doing a good job of not exploding so far...of course, it's not over yet.

John has to go.

[DoperChic]

$11,000 versus $21,000 for Magna.
Wow. Huge difference! Thanks.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

And....POW...there goes Chris.

[Phelan]

Chris took on both George AND Carolyn!!! :eek:

[cheddarsnax]

So much for Chris not exploding. But he survives another week.

[twickster]

Wow. I think that might be the fastest self-destruct in the history of the game. Two weeks ago, we all had him picked for final four, if not final two. Then, -- poof!

[Rysler]

I was actually laughing at my TV when Trump told Erin to keep talking. :D

...Did Chris actually say he loved John when they hugged? I was busy celebrating the Death of the King. (How many of us were so certain he'd win the whole thing? Wow).

[DrFidelius]

Well, that took me by surprise... I thought that dogpile was going to lead to a different conclusion.

("Were you chewing tobacco at the time?" hee hee...)

[LilyoftheValley]

...Did Chris actually say he loved John when they hugged?

I asked MrValley the same thing. I love you, John...BUT I AM NOT A HOMOSEXUAL!

I can't believe Chris got away with yelling at George and Carolyn.

And why oh why did no one bring up the fact that John was a sexist ass?

[twickster]

("Were you chewing tobacco at the time?" hee hee...)

"We'll have to help you stop that..."

I think he kind of likes Christ. Go figure.

[LilyoftheValley]

Trump likes Erin! Yay!

(Sorry Mully)Yup, Mullinator, I'm afraid you're going to have to give in and finally bump her out of elementary school. (Yay!)


Who else loved the preview for next week?Danny, you're a nut!

[twickster]

I think he kind of likes Christ. Go figure.

:eek:

[CrazyCatLady]

I nodded off in my chair during Will and Grace and missed the first 15-20 minutes. How did the restructuring go down? Was it picking teams like first season, or dumping ballast like last time?

Tana, darlin', that would a be a MILFAW. Please stop being such a goody-goody; there are ladylike ways to intimate the word fuck without actually saying it, but also without resorting to euphemisms.

And was I the only one who, when Gene Simmons asked what guys wanted, immediately blurted, "You're not getting steak and a blowjob"?

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Is there not going to be a new ep next week?

[twickster]

Clips show -- so new material, but no task and no firing. I guess they're trying to pace it so that the finale comes during May sweeps.

[LilyoftheValley]

I think he kind of likes Christ. Go figure.

I AM NOT AN ATHEIST MR TRUMP! ;)

[Rysler]

Who else loved the preview for next week?

Me!

Danny and Michael will make it all worthwhile, I think.

CrazyCatLady, it was ballast. Tana and Craig were happy to be bumped, and Erin was crushed but recovered (she's uncanny), and Stephanie was just plain crushed.

[LilyoftheValley]

Clips show -- so new material, but no task and no firing. I guess they're trying to pace it so that the finale comes during May sweeps.

:confused: Why did the preview talk about a reward that was "out of this world"?

[BigDummy]

I can't believe Chris got away with yelling at George and Carolyn.
That's survivable, as long as it doesn't go too far. Yell at Trump, on the other hand...

[twickster]

I thought that was for the week after next?

[monstro]

Best. Episode. Ever!!

I'm so glad that John was outie this week. Ooh, that man was annoying! Arrogant, cocky, full-of-himself prick finally went DOWN! Boo-yeah!

Chris is absolutely insane and makes for great TV. When his nostrils flare, you know he's going to bring it. I loved him saying he's better than John because he is only 21 years old, especially since last week John thought HE was better than the "22-year-old girl".

For a minute, I was scared Trump was going go fire Chris. All the signals pointed to it. Carolyn and George recommended it. Chris went all beserko, like a drowning rat. Trump kept talking about the unwiseness of delegating such an important task and I was waiting for the axe to fall. But then Erin and John stick up for him. I guess the moral of the story is that if it comes down between you and the PM, don't stick up for him/her even a little bit.

Erin got some cool points. Say what you will about her, but the shut-up face in the boardroom was worth a million dollars.

And I love Tana. Craig was great, but Tana was golden (even though the ebonics stuff was silly, IMHO).

At first I was shocked that they were able to negotiate so easily with those celebrities, but it occurs to me that maybe Trump and/or the show's producers sweet-talked them beforehand. Maybe they were told to go easy on them or something. Or maybe Craig and Tana were just that awesome.

I thought Magna had better celebrities to work with than NetWorth. Is Bare Naked Ladies still popular? (John really put his foot in his mouth when he was talking about borrowing that guy's drums. I laughed all throughout the commercial).

[Scuba_Ben]

What I learned this week: Negotiate BIG. Ask for big stuff, let the other side's ego sell it to them. And negotiate well, for poor negotiating is worse than blowing up in the boardroom.

[Mullinator]

The vast staff of the Raj Ratings has reached consensus on a startling idea. We are now actually more excited for the start of Survivor than the start of The Apprentice. This is somewhat surprising but rest assured dear reader, this won't keep us from putting out the ratings. The hatred and anger may be a little more obvious, especially considering the level of "talent" represented on this "acclaimed" show. Honestly, this week was a little blah. Nothing overly horrific to catch our attention. Usually we can count on something so off the wall happening that it commands our attention, but this week was bland. Well, other than Gene Simmons impregnating half of the viewing audience just by looking at them. I get the feeling that he may be the closest any of us will see to a walking hormone. I will be in the shower for about an hour after this just getting the Gene off of me. On with the show.

Nursery School - Full of crying, childish people that could use either a potty break or a nap. These folks deserve to be watched by the crooked daycares profiled on "60 Minutes".

Todd, Brian, Danny, Kristen, Michael, Tara, Audrey – Here's a what if for you. You are a CEO and have to hire one of these people to run your company. Who do you pick? Play this game and you'll see just how lacking the casting was. It's fun to watch these people screw up and act like idiots, but in the end I want a fair portion of capability and that seems sorely missing. As for me, I'd probably pick Todd with Tara as a backup. Todd was total business school approach which is what cost him, but he wasn't a blathering loon like the rest of these people. And while Tara would probably get bogged down in pointless work, she did at least appear to have good intentions. I wouldn't hire the rest of them to flush a toilet.
John (SS) (College) – Just the continuation of what started as a gentle slide then escalated into a free fall of epic proportions. You might as well have been Wile E. Coyote considering how quickly you went from solid ground to 6 feet under it. Even if you had survived (and you lost to Chris in the boardroom, that's gotta sting), the Rancic/Perdew corollary had you by the short ones. Also, this highlighted a key failure in The Apprentice. In season 1, we had friendships we cared about (Troy/Kwame). Now? Whoopee, he and Chris were friends. WHo cares.

Elementary School - Some growth, but in the end it's a place rife with playground fights, name calling, and a trip to the Principal's office.

Chris (SS) (Elem. School) – You live to fight (and yell) another day. But you still suck. Make no mistake about that.
Erin (BS) (Elem. School) – Crap, you're going to win this aren't you. I guess the only way that will be good for me is that I can go take out massive life insurance policies before my brain forcibly ejects itself from my body when you get to pick between being a pointless figurehead for a tall building or a pretty face for a golf course.

Middle School - A group that might be growing up but still prone to wild swings based on playground fights, name calling, and puberty.

Stephanie (BS) (High School) – Dropped only because I think Trump looks at you as being not nearly as good as you are. Can't remember where I heard this recently, but I'd like to buy you for what I think you are worth and sell you for what you think you are worth.

High School - Not quite a child, not quite an adult. Frankly, I still don't know what to make of these folks.

Angie (SS) (Middle School) – We didn't see you much at all (other than another phone answering. Ever consider ear plugs while sleeping?) but a boardroom shout out as being really good has to be worth something.
Craig (SS) (High School) – You seemed solid and understated, which is probably going to be on your tombstone. Well, either that or it will just be blank, much like my memories of your good actions.

College - Older and wiser, things are looking up. Maybe not ready to enter the real world yet, but getting close.

Alex (BS) (College) – No action, no change. Man, I thought you would have been perfect for this, what with all the street cred from the graffiti task.
Bren (BS) (College) – No action, no change.
Kendra (BS) (High School) – Excellent job. Up to this point a lack of screen time has kept you low in the ratings. But, you did a good job with delegation, understanding where you were needed (and more importantly, where you weren't), and winning big. That will resonate with Trump.

Grad School - These people have a clue, have some seasoning, and have a chance to make an impact.
Tana (SS) (College) – Ladies and gentlement, I can't believe it. But, I think I am now officially rooting for Tana. She is oddly hot. Really oddly, but still. She stepped up in a major way. And c'mon on. "Mother I'd like to fool around with?" That is oddly adorable. More with the oddly, but somehow it works. This is disturbing to me on many levels.

PhD - Ready for tweed jackets, big paydays, and gets to avoid Gene Simmons for life
Cracked up Carolyn is good TV.

The Rancic/Perdew corollary update. Chris is done. Dead meat. I think Stephanie is close. I'm still thrown off by the sudden emergence of Tana. I think I need to take a long, quiet walk.

[AuntiePam]

Did we have no clue before this that John was such a pig? He showed no respect for Audrey last week, but that could have been due to her youth. Asking Erin and Stephanie (was it Steph?) to jiggle and giggle and act stupid? What a jerk.

Trump had to have known about some of that. It was obvious he had his mind made up about John. Chris will pay for his temper later.

Chris did hand off the most important part of the task, and I think it was because he was intimidated by meeting with the artists.

I cringed for my Iowa Girl. Did that look kinda patronizing to anyone else?

Good for George. Negotiating 101, everybody. Start high. :)

[monstro]

I cringed for my Iowa Girl. Did that look kinda patronizing to anyone else?



You mean the way she was speaking? I didn't think it was patronizing but I did think it was unnecessary and embarrassing. If I were one of the artists they were meeting and I had someone throwing out words like "diggity" (or whatever it was she said), I'd roll my eyes and wonder WTF? It's not like Lil John and Eve can't understand or appreciate standard English. Craig didn't do a lot of the talking, but he seemed much more natural.

She did better during the auction, but only because it all seemed like a joke.

[AuntiePam]

Yeah, that's it. Tana wasn't talking down to anyone, but it did sound funny, coming from her. She was sure having fun, wasn't she?

[twickster]

I cringed for my Iowa Girl. Did that look kinda patronizing to anyone else?



Patronizing and clueless -- not an attractive combination.

[Captain Amazing]

Chris would have done better in the board room if he had said something like, "The reason that I didn't go to negotiate with the artists is that my talents lie more in planning and organization than negotiation. I had believed, based on what John had said, that he was a good negotiator, and so I assigned the task to him."

That would have been smarter than saying, "I'm better than anyone on the team at negotiating." That was just dumb, and led to George's obvious question.

[Catsmeow]

Thanks to our station breaking for "exciting news" about the 1" of snow we MIGHT get tonight, I didn't get to see if there was a John taxi confessional...

if there was one...could someone let me know what bacon boy had to say?

[CrazyCatLady]

It suddenly occurs to me how utterly, hideously embarassing it must be to be Tana's kid tonight. Between the dorky attempts to be all hip-hop and the MILFAW thing, I would seriously cringe if she were my mother, and I think I'd spontaneously combust with shame at the thought that my friends might have seen it.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Thanks to our station breaking for "exciting news" about the 1" of snow we MIGHT get tonight, I didn't get to see if there was a John taxi confessional...

if there was one...could someone let me know what bacon boy had to say?
[Paraphrasing] "One day you're up, then as soon as you lose everyone turns on you...[more griping in this general direction]....well at least I have my integrity...I was honest with everybody....blah blah blah, etc."

It was a pretty typical cab speech. Nothing was his fault, everybody screwed him, they're all bastards but he's not bitter. Nothing very original.

How happy must Audrey have been to see John be the next person rolling up to the Loser Hotel right after her?

[Catsmeow]

Thanks Dio!

[Diogenes the Cynic]

It suddenly occurs to me how utterly, hideously embarassing it must be to be Tana's kid tonight. Between the dorky attempts to be all hip-hop and the MILFAW thing, I would seriously cringe if she were my mother, and I think I'd spontaneously combust with shame at the thought that my friends might have seen it.
Dude, your mom's a MILFAW.

[Green Bean]

Well, one thing in Chris's favor is that he really did do a pretty good job of justifying his decision to stay in the studio and not negotiate with the celebrities. I mean, it wasn't entirely convincing, but there was a valid argument in there somewhere. And I liked his answer when Trump asked him why he picked Erin to go to the boardroom.

I mean, the guy's toast, and deservedly so, but this is probably the only opportunity I'll have to say something positive about him.

(Mother I'd Like to Fool Around With. Hee! )

[Duderdude2]

Well, one thing in Chris's favor is that he really did do a pretty good job of justifying his decision to stay in the studio and not negotiate with the celebrities. I mean, it wasn't entirely convincing, but there was a valid argument in there somewhere. And I liked his answer when Trump asked him why he picked Erin to go to the boardroom. )

Damnit, I was just about to make those two points, and you beat me to 'em.

Anyways, I agree that Chris, while getting a bit hot-headed, overall, did a damn fine job defending himself.

[lorene]

It suddenly occurs to me how utterly, hideously embarassing it must be to be Tana's kid tonight. Between the dorky attempts to be all hip-hop and the MILFAW thing, I would seriously cringe if she were my mother, and I think I'd spontaneously combust with shame at the thought that my friends might have seen it.

I definitely got the feeling that she's the type of mom who embarasses her kid
all the freakin' time , just by being who she is. Not that she's a bad person, but she's so earnest, that she'd likely show potty-training pictures to her son's Little League buddies and not understand why the kid is so mortified.
That said, yes, this would have to be a new low in the "God, my mom is soooooo embarassing" Hall of fame.

[The Big Cheese]

Dio, there's no normal/new show next week, I'm guessing they didn't want to go head to head with the NCAA tournament.

I'm glad Chris is still there, he makes for an entertaining show. I think he was gonna get fired until John opened his mouth, until trump found out Chris couldn't have done all that they wanted, then John, who I thought would win, won.

And he is a pig. But, instead of whining about what he says in the confessional, why don't they just confront him, say something like "you sexist pig, how can you ay that."

umm....what's a fluffer?

[Liberal]

Mullinator, what's SS and BS?

[twickster]

umm....what's a fluffer?

A young woman behind the scenes of a porn movie who keeps the male star, er, ready.

[twickster]

Mullinator, what's SS and BS?

Street Smarts and Book Smarts.

[zut]

Street Smarts and Book Smarts.

[MrFantsyPants]

Why wasn't there more fallout when Chris said that he was by far, the best negotiator at the table? The idiot was sitting there with Trump, George and Carolyn. WTF was he thinking?

[Rysler]

Chris went all beserko, like a drowning rat.

Beautiful.

I agree with Mullinator's rating for Stephanie. Trump seems constantly surprised she's still there.

Notice how Kendra, like Chris, delegated negotiation, probably to her strongest negotiator and her "street cred" guy (Similiar to John's theory), but hounded them about the deals they were making and kept them in line?

John. Sucked.

I'm now convinced his Burger King win was a fluke, despite being the only one on the planet who liked his inspirational speech.

AuntiePam, it's obvious Trump was torn between firing Chris and John. Unless there's a catastrophe, I think Chris is gone the next time he's in the boardroom.

Tana likes to have fun, which is great. We'll have to see her do more tasks where she isn't having fun, like the hotel task, and see if she cracks.

I was thinking about Chris this morning in the car was how he sticks by whatever he says. He's NOT a homosexual. He takes a DIP. He's the best darn negotiator even if it hangs him. With less anger and squeakiness, this is a respectable quality. He stands up for himself. Maybe the squeaking comes because he's so often put on the defensive in his life. But I don't see him lying to destroy someone. Even though he knew he had to go after John, he was honest about it.

It suddenly occurs to me how utterly, hideously embarassing it must be to be Tana's kid tonight. Between the dorky attempts to be all hip-hop and the MILFAW thing, I would seriously cringe if she were my mother, and I think I'd spontaneously combust with shame at the thought that my friends might have seen it.

Now I love Tana even more. :D

How happy must Audrey have been to see John be the next person rolling up to the Loser Hotel right after her?

And you know, Audrey did contribute to the bastard's downfall. I hope she can find something in that.

Is the Loser Hotel real? Do they really all have to live together? Or is this a metaphor?

Why wasn't there more fallout when Chris said that he was by far, the best negotiator at the table?

Heh. I can't speak for Carolyn or Trump, but George was probably having too much fun provoking Chris into screeching to notice.

[av8rmike]

Why wasn't there more fallout when Chris said that he was by far, the best negotiator at the table? The idiot was sitting there with Trump, George and Carolyn. WTF was he thinking?
....That George, Carolyn, and His Hairness don't count because they weren't actually sitting at the table, more like away from it? :D

Also, while we're answering easy questions, can someone remind me what the "Rancic/Perdew Corollary" is? I know it has something to do with screen time of past winners, but I don't remember the exact phrasing.

[Scuba_Ben]

Why wasn't there more fallout when Chris said that he was by far, the best negotiator at the table? The idiot was sitting there with Trump, George and Carolyn. WTF was he thinking?IMO, he was thinking: I AM THE BEST NEGOTIATOR, MISTER TRUMP!

:)

Another lesson from this episode: When you get a new project, take a few minutes and determine which part of the project is most critical to overall success. If you as the project head are the best person for that part, do it yourself.

[Green Bean]

My new name for Chris? Flava Flav. I racked my brain all night trying to think of who he reminded me of during the televisied auction, and it's totally Flava Flav on some of the earlier Public Enemy albums--you know, how he would just pop up and produce some unitelligible weirdness in the middle of Chuck D's smooth strong style.
Chuck: Black is back, all in, we're gonna win. Check it out...
Flav: Qwertyuiop! Asdfghjkl!!
Chuck: Here we go again...

And was I the only one who, when Gene Simmons asked what guys wanted, immediately blurted, "You're not getting steak and a blowjob"?Nah, somebody at TWoP did the exact same thing. :p

(How many of us post over there, too? I think their MamaTiger is our MamaTiger, but I'm not sure. I read over there all the time, but don't post much.)

[Rysler]

Nah, somebody at TWoP did the exact same thing.

I don't post, just lurk, but I just read that and thought, "Wasn't that on the Dope"? So, okay, obviously it's from something. What's the 411 on the cultural literacy, yo?

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Is the Loser Hotel real? Do they really all have to live together? Or is this a metaphor?
It's my understanding that all the losers get put up at a hotel together until it gets down to the final two...at least that's what I've read at TWOP.

[zut]

John. Sucked.

I'm now convinced his Burger King win was a fluke, despite being the only one on the planet who liked his inspirational speech.
You betcha. If you remember, Net Worth just barely won the BK task (by like 5% or something), despite Magna having too few cashiers during rush hour and putting idiot-boy Danny in charge of promotions. Barely eking out a win after your competition shoots themselves in both feet is not impressive, and I said so at the time (go me!).

I admit that I really started warming to John after the first episode: he seemed like a guy that wasn't afraid to take on some responsibility, which was refreshing after last season. It's a shame he didn't stay in his role as the competent, go-to guy. However, in the last couple weeks, he pretty much showed that he didn't work well in a team, especially with women. And he was an asshole, too. So good riddance.

[Gangster Octopus]

Don't forget, Chris was helped a lot by his teammates in the boardroom, who said they thought he did a fine job..

I see a new Reality Show Rule Developing: If you are named John (Jon also acceptable) and you ar eon a reality ttV show, you will be a complete Ass, e.g. Jonatahn from the Amzing Race, John from APprentice 3.

Mullinator, I must respecfully disagree with your low rating of Erin, she has been effective, if unspectacular, contestant. I think she deserve's to be, at least, with Stephanie.

[AuntiePam]

Does Tana remind anyone else of Jenna Elfman, from Dharma and Greg?

Tall, perky, upbeat, big toothy smile?

[CrazyCatLady]

(How many of us post over there, too? I think their MamaTiger is our MamaTiger, but I'm not sure. I read over there all the time, but don't post much.)

Near as I can tell, a lot of us post over there. And yes, it's the same MamaTiger. A lot of the others I don't think have the same screen names.

Rysler, it's from every man's favorite holiday, the upcoming Steak & Blowjob Day. It's Monday, March 14, so be sure and mark your calender.

[Gangster Octopus]

I used to post over there, but living on the west coast, by the time the show was over it would take an hour to read all the posts and then there was nothing else to say. :)

[mlerose]

Rysler, it's from every man's favorite holiday, the upcoming Steak & Blowjob Day. It's Monday, March 14, so be sure and mark your calender.

Great, my birthday is Steak and Blowjob Day. Too bad I don't eat steak or have a penis!

[jebert]

Clips show -- so new material, but no task and no firing. I guess they're trying to pace it so that the finale comes during May sweeps.


I think they're taking the week off for NCAA basketball.

[Chefguy]

Way to go, John. From a mortal lock to a loser in one day. I maintained from the beginning of the season that you were the de facto winner. I chalked up last week to personality conflict and a necessary amputation. Then, in the first ten minutes of the show, I lose all respect for your abilities. Your disrespect and open contempt for other professionals and colleagues made you deserving of dismissal, even if your performance didn't. What an ass.

[Rysler]

Rysler, it's from every man's favorite holiday, the upcoming Steak & Blowjob Day. It's Monday, March 14, so be sure and mark your calender.


:o

[Terminus Est]

Why wasn't there more fallout when Chris said that he was by far, the best negotiator at the table? The idiot was sitting there with Trump, George and Carolyn. WTF was he thinking?
I think there was a lot of fallout on Chris that was edited out. It looked liked Trump was getting ready to fire his ass.

Until John opened his mouth.

[Mullinator]

Also, while we're answering easy questions, can someone remind me what the "Rancic/Perdew Corollary" is? I know it has something to do with screen time of past winners, but I don't remember the exact phrasing.

It's something I made up. It's basically the idea that, while each and every person on this show will screw up or make a mistake and likely have it shown, for the ones that do well in the end those mistakes will be minimized. Sure Bill was shown as a little controlling. Kelly was shown as a bit take no prisoners.

But, compare that with them showing Chris as a randomly yelling tobacco chewer. Or Shrimp Stacy from last season coming off as a non-stop talking know it all.

Basically, if your editing ever really shows you as a buffoon, you have no chance. Goes double if you have some kind of honking horn music behind you. Trump won't be picking someone that has served as comic relief or as an examply of continued idiocy. That's why Chris has no chance and Stephanie is teetering. Too many bad moments.

[masonite]

Goes double if you have some kind of honking horn music behind you.I call this the Tubas of Humiliation. Don't ask for whom the tuba honks, it honks for thee.

I think Tana is doomed because of the Corollary, actually -- too much mockery from Carolyn (i.e., any at all), a very awkward line about "Black and white" in an interview, and extended silliness attempting to be "street." I happen to love her and root for her, but I don't think she has a hope after last night.

Even Erin has serious Corollary issues with all the shots of her rubbery facial expressions. The editing always captures her mugging at key moments, and I think she has no chance to win because of this. Could be Final 2, though, and definitely in Final 4.

Angie smokes, Bren thought up the cucumber commercial, and Alex is just meh, plus he is a white male. All my money is on Kendra to win this thing.

[Mullinator]

I call this the Tubas of Humiliation. Don't ask for whom the tuba honks, it honks for thee.

I think Tana is doomed because of the Corollary, actually -- too much mockery from Carolyn (i.e., any at all), a very awkward line about "Black and white" in an interview, and extended silliness attempting to be "street." I happen to love her and root for her, but I don't think she has a hope after last night.

Even Erin has serious Corollary issues with all the shots of her rubbery facial expressions. The editing always captures her mugging at key moments, and I think she has no chance to win because of this. Could be Final 2, though, and definitely in Final 4.

Angie smokes, Bren thought up the cucumber commercial, and Alex is just meh, plus he is a white male. All my money is on Kendra to win this thing.

I'll agree with that, except I think Erin still has a shot (as much as it pains me to say it). I fully expect a final 2 of Kendra and Erin. But Kendra looks the strongest. Of course, so did John about 3 weeks ago.

[Gangster Octopus]

Well, I think it is almost a slam-dunk that a woman will win it.

[«Ðëëp¤F®ïêd»™]

Rysler, it's from every man's favorite holiday, the upcoming Steak & Blowjob Day. It's Monday, March 14, so be sure and mark your calender.

Can someone tell me where this comes from? I wish to celebrate and feel I will need proof of its signifigance to show my G/F.

Thanks. ;)

[Rysler]

Can someone tell me where this comes from?

This site (http://www.steakandbjday.com/) was slightly enlightening.

[lezlers]

Can someone tell me what the deal is with the whole you're-shown-smoking-therefore-you're-DOOMED thing? Is it somewhere in the rules that smokers can't win? Is it an editing thing, akin to the tubas of humiliation?

[lorene]

I used to post over there, but living on the west coast, by the time the show was over it would take an hour to read all the posts and then there was nothing else to say. :)

Hell, I live on the east coast and usually can't get there quickly enough to add anything of merit. That board moves quickly.
[I am dgorman there and on TARflies, by the way).

[«Ðëëp¤F®ïêd»™]

Thanks Rysler.

[CrazyCatLady]

Can someone tell me where this comes from? I wish to celebrate and feel I will need proof of its signifigance to show my G/F.

Thanks. ;)

Just be aware that Steak and Blowjob Day is often celebrated with enthusiasm directly proportional the enthusiasm you showed for Valentines Day. Lots of guys get a nice card and maybe a burger from McDonalds.

[masonite]

Can someone tell me what the deal is with the whole you're-shown-smoking-therefore-you're-DOOMED thing? Is it somewhere in the rules that smokers can't win? Is it an editing thing, akin to the tubas of humiliation?IIRC Trump has a Yoooooge problem with tobacco and alcohol. He's on record saying he'd be extremely disappointed with his own children if they ever decided to even TRY alcohol; don't know if tobacco would also apply but I can guess it would.

I don't think this means you can't smoke if you're going to work for Trump, exactly, but I do think it means if the editors have decided to show you with a lit cigarette in your hand, you are doomed.

Speaking of chaw, if we were, does anyone else notice Chris's facial twitchiness all the time? It's practically at Maria levels. He constantly does this thing with his mouth and nose that reminds me of an anxious bunnyrabbit. Presumably it's the lack of a soothing plug in his cheek.