I will bet dollars to doughnuts that Ivana and her tight little body will be making a pictorial debut in Playboy before the end of 2005.
Sounds like wishful thinking to me, astro honey. 
Thanks, anu-la.
Yep, proposing such a radical bottle redesign was reminiscent of a high school team project. You’ll notice that the Pepsi Edge commercial at the end of tonight’s show featured a bottle not unlike the rest.
Ivana seems to be delaminating quite nicely. Flashing her thong in public is sure to rile The Donald, Carolyn and George.
How is it that these are the best of some 100,000 applicants? What does that say about the rest–or about the judging process?
Happy Thanksgiving, everybody.
Lesson from the task: The packaging should sell the product. Also, a single marketing campaign isn’t nearly as good as something that lends itself to multiple marketing campaigns.
Lesson from the firing: Tell the catfighters to SHADDUP! Had Andy cut Jenn and Sandy off, Trump would have given him some points. So once again, a PM loses because he can’t control his people. Still, I agree with monstro that Andy was letting Jenn & Sandy hang themselves.
That it, like all human processes, is flawed.
See also: my process for deciding who would be the final two.
If it comes down to Kevin vs. Kelly it’ll be too much like last year. I’m afraid that Jenn is going to somehow squeak through. Dear heaven. It’s unthinkable.
I hope that somewhere Pamela and Bradford are kicking themselves hard. Very hard.
I have come to really, truly loathe Ivana. Her jealousy of Jenn is a bit extreme, and it actually backfired, since Andy went right to Jenn and told her everything. Ivana has her good ideas occasionally (though she’s on Kelly’s coattails in this task), but I have to agree that she either needs to get herself a butterfly or a conjugal visit (no one’s going to be conjugating with Kelly after that grotesque bare chest shot).
Trump asks, “Why do the PM’s always stick up for Jenn?” Answer: because she doesn’t suck? Sandy can’t spit out the word “continent,” cannot understand why completely round bottle is not a good idea, and wears a teddy to the boardroom. Who is Andy supposed to side with? It’s really too bad about Andy-- I can’t believe Sandy lasted longer than he did. It’s just not right, but Trump is nothing if not whimsical.
I watched the ep with my 73 year old father, who has never seen the show, and his comment was, “That blonde is obviously the smartest one because she keeps her mouth shut.” I couldn’t agree more. He also thinks that Ivana is overly obsessed with sex, which grossed him out. Again, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Can’t wait to she her drop her drawers for millions next week, and hope Carolyn, George, and The Donald are as squicked out as I am already, just thinking about it.
It’s Thanksgiving night, I’m stuffed full of enough food to kill a village of Pilgrims, and I’m waking up in 5 hours to stand in 30 degree weather to buy a laptop on sale and what am I doing now? Not sleeping. And why? Because I love each of you just that much. I’m writing the Raj Ratings and giving you your reality show crack fix of the week. This week, a shocking twist! Well, no, I’m just caught up in the post Bachelor giddiness. Just an add-on this week (no downloading necessary). For each candidate, I will include a note of what they should be thankful for and what they make me thankful for, all in a vain attempt to reach the one post word limit. Onward and upward!
Edmund Fitzgerald - or, Gone with no hope of returning
Bradford – They are thankful for: Donald’s spur of the moment decisions. He could have rubbed us the wrong way by staying around, but his firing was thrilling and leaves a good memory for all of us.
I am thankful for: Bradford’s big mouth. Come on, his firing was a pinnacle of season 2.
Stacie J. – They are thankful for: Episodes after her ouster. They clearly showed the female coven as worthless idiots which helps save Stacie’s rep.
I am thankful for: Your early ouster. You did seem a bit odd and that would have turned old quick.
Rob – They are thankful for: Tasks that bring back the fired for a little more screen time.
I am thankful for: Turkey and mashed potatoes.
Pamela – They are thankful for: Plastic surgeons. Have you seen the post-show pictures. She is drowning no time soon.
I am thankful for: Reversible implants. Those do not look good.
John – They are thankful for: Short attention span of the American public. I barely remember you.
I am thankful for: My short memory. If I can forget you this quickly, I bet I can eventually purge pocket Stacy.
Jenn C. – They are thankful for: Want ads.
I am thankful for: Your complete flame-out. Schadenfreude at it’s best.
Stacy R. – They are thankful for: Booster seats, high heels, and people initially thinking short chicks are cute and loveable.
I am thankful for: That that cute and loveable notion can be dispelled so quickly and your inner harpie can emerge.
Elizabeth – They are thankful for: She has yet to decide.
I am thankful for: She has spurred me into indecision.
Raj – They are thankful for: Good conservative election results and the fact that his odd quirks lead to being a standout of the series.
I am thankful for: His quirks leading to perhaps what is my lasting legacy on the SDMB, reality show guru.
Chris – They are thankful for: Certainly not weddings, women, or humanity in general. Perhaps he is thankful for an icon like Joe Pesci to pave the way.
I am thankful for: His ouster. He was a bit hard-edged for my tastes.
Maria – They are thankful for: Muppets, to provide a guiding light for her spastic arm motions. Aeon Flux for showing her that eyelashes, when used effectively can be powerful enough to imprison things (3 people just got that joke.
I am thankful for: Her. She was such an oddball character. Not evil enough for hate. Not quirky enough for unconventional love. Not competent enough for anyone. She straddled all lines and mastered none.
Wes – They are thankful for: Who is this?
I am thankful for: Again, who? Was this guy on the show?
Andy (Stuck in Dry Dock) – Let’s get the bad out of the way. That was an awful bottle. Mind bogglingly so. You are funny when hepped up on caffeine for sure. That $100 bribe and the pizza naziism made no sense at all. But, when all is said and done, this was another incorrect firing. When the season is over, I am planning a n Apprentice post-mortem thread to get some issues off my chest that cover various topics. Poor firings are high on my list. At the top of that list, will be Andy’s firing. For more, read Sandy.
They are thankful for: The opportunity. I think he comes off the best of anyone on this show. Gut feeling.
I am thankful for: His dorkiness. He slowly turned into a low budget Troy. The guy you knew wouldn’t win, but that you still rooted for.
Titanic - or, Dead in the water, just waiting for the cargo class to drown
Ivana (no change) – When you get dorky background music, you are dead in Trump’s eyes. Can you see him hiring someone to run a company that has spent a fair portion of the series being mocked by editors. It can’t happen. I’ll say it right now. You are fired next week, without a doubt. Also, wanting to be PM is nice, but you have no right to it. Also, it might be nice to want to be PM with that fervor sometime before the week that would lead you to the final 4. Just saying.
They are thankful for: Timing and Trump oddball decision making. She’ll be in the post-mortem a lot, but she has been a great beneficiary of luck in this series.
I am thankful for: My vocabulary. You are like some cross between George Bush and Dan Quayle when it comes to mangling a word, a simile, or a saying. You make me feel better about myself.
Sandy (Stuck in Dry Dock) - Here’s the thing, you have really grown on me over the last few weeks. You went from ineffective and invisible to being one of the top 2 women on this series (though that isn’t saying much) and actually showing much worth. But, no matter what his Trumpitude said, you didn’t out-debate Andy. You were loud and wouldn’t stop talking. Any other week and Trump would have fired you and commended Andy for being quiet at the right time. Clearly this one makes no sense to me.
They are thankful for: Her career choice. That wedding task propelled you upward a good bit and was such a task coup that it kept you around a tad longer than you should have.
I am thankful for: The editors putting your name on the screen. If not, I would be convinced a different person played you each week based on how your face changes.
Bismarck - or, probably sinking, but it will take a couple more blows
Jenn M. (no change) – I don’t get the under the radar thing. You seem solid, but not spectacular anymore. It’s strange, but you’re still better than the other 2 women.
They are thankful for: A weak female pool. That pretty much paved your path.
I am thankful for: Your wardrobe.
Stuck in dry dock - or, Who are you? Are you on this show? This level now represents those in transition from weak to strong.
No one.
HMS Pinafore - or, Some singing, some dancing, some tragedy. Overall, not too bad.
Kevin (No change) – You weren’t on much this week, other than your Sam Kinisonesque presentation style. Your overall competence and demeanor will carry you on. Plus, being on a team with Ivana gives you an easy future target.
They are thankful for: This game, I think. You seem to be enjoying this more than the others.
I am thankful for: What appears to be the most normal person on the show actuallystill being around.
Queen Mary II - or, Leader of the Pack, vroom vroom
Kelly (HMS Pinafore) – Another win, and pretty decisively. You are the frontrunner for sure. You seem very sure of your choices and always ready to take a chance. These are good things.
They are thankful for: Draws of the hat. You have had plenty of PM turns and have done well.
I am thankful for: A military guy not coming across as belligerent, hard-headed, and like a drill sergeant.
So, I predict Kelly wins and Kevin comes in second. That’s what would happen if Trump judges on the whole show. But, I doubt that will happen so I am pretty sure my prediction is wrong. I do still say Ivana goes next week.
Did anyone catch the brief change in background music to tubas when Andy & Co introduced their tubby little dumbell shaped bottle.
Wishes are all I’m left with since you passed up that opportunity to appear in the “Women of Jeopardy” pictorial.
After his presentation, I wasn’t the least bit surprised. Sandy was bad, but Andy failed to be good in front of the marketing team. I was shocked that that was the best a debate champion could do when speaking in front of a crowd. He was disconnected and not completely coherent. I expected better.
I do think that “best of both worlds” and “go to the edge” were good slogans, better than the other team’s (I’ve forgotten which is Apex and which is not). But the bottle sucked. The round bottle was at least innovative - that thing was just dumb. And barbell shaped.
How is Ivana still in this? Last year, I kept asking the same question about Nick and Katrina…I guess she’s taking their place this year the “why hasn’t he/she been fired yet” place.
As far as creativity, Sandy was up at the board, working. I don’t think she’s going to win, but credit-where-credit-is-due. Based on the editing, she was there for this task, she contributed all the way through, she worked. The person who sucked was Andy. Giving people $100 while starving them made no sense whatsoever. It was two bad ideas, back to back. And he did not use his team well. Plus, the over jitteriness was really off-putting.
Right firing, wrong reasons.
Ivana: did i hear her right when asked what to put in the hole in the bottle? a bit of a boob.? wtf?
the other bottle supposedly had EDGE in letters. I only saw the D & G, did I miss the E’s on my 13-inch tv??
Mullinator – I’m not worthy to share screentime as your sidekick once you become host of The Dope (our upcoming reality show – check local listings) – may I apply now to be your head groupie? I promise I’m not a psycho bitch. Your commentary is absolutely the best thing about The Apprentice this season.
And amarinth – I agree, right firing, wrong reasons. And it’s a shame, because as Mullinator said, Andy had turned into a low-budget Troy (lacking both Troy’s looks and charm, of course…).
THe word Pepsi on the label was on the top and bottom. The “E” in PEPSI provided the first and last “E” in the word Edge. It was quite clever.
LEt’s see if this works onscreen:
PEPSI
D
G
PEPSI
(I couldn’t align it, but I think you can get the concept from it…)
I live to give people, I live to give.
As for this episode, good stuff. I might have fired Sandy, but firing Andy didn’t seem too off base.
RANDOM THOUGHTS:
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Being a good debater doesn’t make you convincing in presentations like these. Debaters talk at people, but many I’ve known have trouble if they need to connect to people. ESPECIALLY if Andy was a CX-er!
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Ivana does seem pervie. I like that. But talk about a complex. She is such a Lady Macbitch that she tries to scheme against people on OTHER TEAMS! Damn woman walking!
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Kelly is solid. I don’t like the guy, but I wouldn’t say he was coasting by. I think he is dominating coast to coast. I think he now has FOUR PM wins. No one else has two.
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Mullinator, great addition to the weekly ratings. I am thankful for your analysis every week!
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I thought Kevin was going to start sweating again! He did well enough for me to think last week’s sweat was heat or exhaustion. That room was a LOT tougher (more people, and they are looking down on you!)
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The problem with Andy’s team was that they didn’t really follow directions (this wasn’t mentioned, so I may be wrong). Wasn’t the assignment to redesign the bottle so that marketing team could do something with it? It seems like Andy and Co. stepped on marketing’s toes by creating the full campaign. I think the Pepsi Veep was just being kind. Andy’s group did terrible. How the heck would that bottle fit in the slots at the convenient stores?
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Jennifer’s ability to garner support of her PM’s HAS to intrigue Trump. Carolyn suggested they get to the bottom of it and Trump obliges by asking right away. And she held up well. Even when Carolyn gives her the “safe answer” dig.
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All Sandy did was out yell Andy. But that is enough some times. IF you have nothing else to say, bang your shoe on the table. In some situations, the first one to stop talking loses. This was one of those times!
Y’know that building they met at in the beginning of the episode? Trump Place. It’s part of a development built over old railyards on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.
I lived in that very building for two years. I like to think of it as Donald’s little shout-out to me.
And I’ll say this: The Hair knows how to run a nice building. Best-run building I’ve ever lived in.
Me, too, Mullinator. We’re not worthy!
I was thinking the exact same thing. It would have been horrible for him to schvitz in front of that mob. Let’s call last week an aberration.
I would have thought one of their first clues would have been the eagerness of the Apex team to shuffle Jenn off to Mosaic. Jennifer is a real snake. I want someone to bring her down big time!
And I agree that it’s going to come down to Kevin and Kelly with Kelly getting the job. He’s a low-key kind of guy who gets things done. There’s a lot of Rancic in that Kelly. (Anybody notice how easy it is to type RANCID instead of RANCIC??)
I thought Andy was very gracious as well. I was hoping he would make it to the final four. I can’t believe Sandy is still in it.
I really dislike these kind of tasks, where all they have to do is design something…a bottle, a catalog. I realize there is more to it, but I much prefer tasks like the ice cream or the wedding shop or the restaurant because it requires more business mangement skills and in a way they are more generic.
I liked to see Stacey defend herself. I agree that she didn’t out-“debate” Andy, but I think they liked how she stood up for herself. It seems too often other players are to quiet in the boardroom. Plus, I think they could tell that Stacey was being steamrolled in some respect. Yes, she was poor in the presentation, but the reason they lost was because the bottle was ridiculous. I though George I think it was Goerge) made an intersting, yet somewhat vital point…you couldn’t fit that drink bottle in your car cup holder. A little thing, maybe, but it show that they weren’t thinking about what the bottle was for. Along with the fact you couldn’t see what was in ther and it was just a bad bottle.
The right firing, no doubt.
Although I agree it looks skeevie, what Ivana does next week, knowing the way these promos are (rememebr Wes’ big “accident”) I bet it isn’t half of what we think.