# The Apprentice -- 4/14 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 14, 2005, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-4-14/299272 "2005-04-14T12:51:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![BigDummy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee59a6/32.png) [@BigDummy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigDummy)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-4-14/299272/81 "2005-04-15T22:05:23Z")
> [@Silver Fire](#): > > Remember last season, Mosaic, and that stupid Crustacean Nation thing? One of the guys started whining in the board room, attributing his non-involvement to the fact that “no one told [him] what to do”. I don’t remember if he was fired then or not, but that excuse didn’t fly then, it probably wouldn’t fly now. Didn’t Craig say something about having a bunch of pictures but no words? He should have offered to write something up. Looked like he was trying but wasn’t getting the concept. I agree somewhat with **Liberal** about that, which I said before. But the thing is, they did contribute, unlike the guy you mentioned. Craig spent the better part of the day in the studio getting the interior shots. Tana was out with her doing exteriors. they were working when there were things to do. But by 1am they were just standing around watching Kendra. It’s just not a very good use of people. > [@Silver Fire](#): > > The way they did it not only did they risk being fired (well, Craig anyway), but they made themselves look like complete assholes. No argument there, and I’m pretty sure I said as much. Like you said, there was a lot more than just a risk of Craig being gone. He’d have been toast as soon as it came up. Though I’d have felt a bit better towards them if they’d just slept on site in case they were needed, as someone else mentioned. > [@Silver Fire](#): > > I learned all this when I was 16 and working at a convenience store; the boss can’t bitch at you for standing around when he’s the one that told you there’s nothing to do. I’ve done plenty of busy work myself, and in a convenience store among other places (I would just mop really slowly). But they’d already been working all day, and there’s no reason to hang around all night too just to do busy work. They could have tried harder, and she could have been a bit less whiney about it. Like I said, a lot of looking bad all around. Not sure I’d give Kendra credit for that much forethought, but yeah I agree she wanted all the glory. And as has been mentioned, it’s probably better she did most of the work; She obviously does nice brochures. She’s just not such a great manager, at least with people close to being her peers. She did an very good job doing something she has a lot of experience with. It’s like Sandy with the bridal shop task last season; well done, but not all that impressive considering (yes I know Sandy wasn’t technically manager on that task, but she really did most of the work). Or what **Mullinator** said a while ago. I also agreed with his comparisons to season 1 people. I despised Tana’s attitude on this and lost a lot of the respect I had for her. But she’s been impressive enough up 'til now that I can give her the benefit of the doubt and assume it was a bad week. Not much more slack, though. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2005, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-4-14/299272/82 "2005-04-16T01:27:59Z")
I finally saw it, and count me with Craig. Craig made a suggestion about what he saw as a more productive use of his time, and Kendra basically told him that it was far more important for him to sit there and look at these pictures over and over and over again while she said “oooh, we could do this and that and the other thing,” and his eyes glazed over. Since the picture-looking and the eye-glazing seemed to be well-covered, there was really no reason for him not to go and find something else to do. Not to mention her pooh-poohing his suggestion that 2/3 of the team sitting with their thumbs up their butts for hours on end was a waste of time and resources really rather did cast doubt on her claim that she respects their opinions. Yes, it would have been better if he’d said, “Look, I’m not staying up all night just to sit here and do nothing. When you get to the point that you have some actual work for me to do, come wake me.” But making someone stay up all night for absolutley no purpose other than hand-holding would fill Mother Theresa with grrr. No comments on the Boardroom–didn’t watch it. I figured watching that lazy, useless twat Alex slide by unscathed yet again after another abysmal performance would only result in me yelling and throwing things. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Silver\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Fire)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2005, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-4-14/299272/83 "2005-04-16T02:15:54Z")
> [@watsonwil](#): > > In that episode, Trump was firmly on the record that he would NOT violate his exemption rule under any circumstance. Well. I stand corrected. It’d still be hilarious though… ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2005, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-4-14/299272/84 "2005-04-16T03:17:37Z")
> [@CrazyCatLady](#): > > I finally saw it, and count me with Craig. Craig made a suggestion about what he saw as a more productive use of his time, and Kendra basically told him that it was far more important for him to sit there and look at these pictures over and over and over again while she said “oooh, we could do this and that and the other thing,” and his eyes glazed over. I don’t think that’s a fair assessment. It seemed to me that Kendra wanted to receive input from Craig and Tana. However, C&T weren’t in the right frame of mind to contribute, and Kendra lacked the sensitivity to notice that. And ultimately, none of them tried to find a win-win situation for them all. Like I said, there’s plenty of blame to go around. Now, several people have claimed that Kendra failed to demonstrate her managerial skills in this task. If anything though, I would say that _none_ of the candidates demonstrated any managerial chops this week. (Remember, even a follower must demonstrate an ability to manage his/her own manager, as needed.) Kendra, at least, demonstrated an ability to manage herself. That’s more than what Tana and Craig did. Heck, I think that Chris, Alex and Bren didn’t do a good job of that either. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2005, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-4-14/299272/85 "2005-04-16T03:38:25Z")
Who do you think might shine when they get to the interviews, with the corporate honchos? I see Tana doing well there, and Bren – they’re decent communicators, and I think they’ll listen to the questions, and not anticipate too much. Not so sure about Kendra, she’s been kinda defensive. Alex **always** looks sleepy and uninterested, whatever’s happening, and Craig – he almost seems like he doesn’t care. He’ll need to project some confidence. Haven’t seen him do that yet. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2005, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-4-14/299272/86 "2005-04-16T03:54:56Z")
I agree with you – I think that Tana and Bren have the best chance of shining, if we go strictly by communication skills. Both of them also have decent track records to back them up (Bren’s Dove soap fiasco notwithstanding). However – and I hate to say this – they both look kinda goofy, which can be a serious disadvantage in high-powered job interviews. Ditto for Craig, albeit to a lesser degree. Alex and Kendra are more polished in their appearance, and this may work to their respective advantages. ---
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2005, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-4-14/299272/87 "2005-04-17T00:41:12Z")
I just watched the episode and then read the thread. You know what? Reading this thread was more enjoyable than watching the episode. They could kill the show right now and I wouldn’t miss it. What I learned from the task: Customer research wins again. See what will appeal to the customers, and sell to that. Manage your people well – keep them going when the going is tough (i.e. well into an all-nighter). What I learned from the firing: Nobody likes a loser. Seven times in a row, sheesh! Buh-buy, Chris. Yeah, Kendra didn’t do too well with running Magna. I think she’ll be eliminated during the interviews. But where’s the kaboom? There was supposed to be a Chris-shattering kaboom! Instead, all we got was I AM NOT LEAVING WITH DIGNITY, MR. TRUMP! ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2005, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-4-14/299272/88 "2005-04-17T01:46:38Z")
So Kendra is locked into the final four, right? Any predictions on the one remaining candidate not to make it? (In other words, who gets cut next week?) ---
**Author:** ![wonderwench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/35a633/32.png) [@wonderwench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonderwench)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2005, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-4-14/299272/89 "2005-04-17T01:58:08Z")
I made a personal pledge never to watch this show (I have also never watched Survivor, The Bachelor or American Idol - but I do love Dog The Bounty Hunter). Yesterday afternoon I had an errand to perform at my local bank branch. A TV monitor was blaring an episode of The Apprentice. I had to turn my back and stick my fingers in my ears. I felt so…so…violated. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2005, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-4-14/299272/90 "2005-04-17T02:21:17Z")
> [@watsonwil](#): > > So Kendra is locked into the final four, right? Any predictions on the one remaining candidate not to make it? (In other words, who gets cut next week?) Here are my rankings: 1. Craig (Most likely to go) 2. Alex 3. Bren 4 & 5. Toss-up between Tana and Kendra (Least likely to go) ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2005, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-4-14/299272/91 "2005-04-17T02:51:46Z")
> [@JThunder](#): > > I agree with you – I think that Tana and Bren have the best chance of shining, if we go strictly by communication skills. Both of them also have decent track records to back them up (Bren’s Dove soap fiasco notwithstanding). > > However – and I hate to say this – they both look kinda goofy, which can be a serious disadvantage in high-powered job interviews. Ditto for Craig, albeit to a lesser degree. Alex and Kendra are more polished in their appearance, and this may work to their respective advantages. Bren looks the goofiest and is in the most need of a make-over. Raj didn’t look that bad in his bow-ties, but Bren just looks weird in one. He at least needs to switch it up with a regular tie. Tana has been so perfect so far that she hasn’t had much practice defending herself. She’s charming, but is she fierce enough to stick it through those final nasty boardrooms? I hope so. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2005, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-4-14/299272/92 "2005-04-17T03:01:26Z")
> [@JThunder](#): > > However – and I hate to say this – they both look kinda goofy, which can be a serious disadvantage in high-powered job interviews. Ditto for Craig, albeit to a lesser degree. Alex and Kendra are more polished in their appearance, and this may work to their respective advantages. You know, I said something similar to my husband earlier in the season. I know that Bren was originally a ‘Street Smarts’ contestant, but by and large, the ‘Book Smarts’ team, while credited with having more money, always\* looked\* trashier to me. Angie is a perfect example of this. Whatever her strengths, I couldn’t get past the striped hair. And I thought that would be a serious disadvantage in business. I certainly don’t have the money that any of the contestants do, yet I go to a salon which, while cheaper than most, would never let me leave looking like that. Or, I would never leave looking like that. Not sure which is the predominant sentiment. I see women in my industry who have really, really perfect hair and I know they probably pay top dollar for it. But since the ‘Street Smarts’ team allegedly have MORE money than the ‘Book Smarts’ team, it’s not just a matter of what one can afford. I don’t really have a question here. Just some observations and wondering. And a strong desire not to be classist. (FTR, if anyone cares, I grew up lower-middle class, and probably am smack in the middle of middle class, so it’s not like I am looking down a high-priced nose and sneering). ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2005, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-4-14/299272/93 "2005-04-17T03:51:40Z")
> [@lorene](#): > > I know that Bren was originally a ‘Street Smarts’ contestant… Actually, he’s a prosecutor. He started on the Book Smarts team. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2005, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-4-14/299272/94 "2005-04-17T10:52:24Z")
> [@JThunder](#): > > Actually, he’s a prosecutor. Specifically, he’s a Narc. At this stage, I’m pulling for anyone but him. ---
**Author:** ![Eleusis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Eleusis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleusis)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2005, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-4-14/299272/95 "2005-04-17T11:15:50Z")
Did anybody see the King of the Hill episode where Bobby went to Louisiana? To me, that’s Bren in a nutshell. Earlier in the thread I posted that I believed that Kendra had “shot to the forefront”, but in retrospect I think that might have been skewed by Trump’s Business Lesson, which was basically, “Sometimes you have to pull an all-nighter”. The way they depicted other candidates “sleeping on the job”, during her “all-nighter” showed her in a very favorable light. Assuming The Donald has any editorial input on the show it seems logical that he would structure his Lesson around what he found most admirable or deplorable in each episode. Anyway, I do agree that she’s not so great a leader and probably will not make it past the interviews. But Og please her over Tana. All in all, I think that this year they all suck. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Big\_Cheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@The\_Big\_Cheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Big_Cheese)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2005, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-4-14/299272/96 "2005-04-17T14:40:22Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > Bren looks the goofiest and is in the most need of a make-over. Raj didn’t look that bad in his bow-ties, but Bren just looks weird in one. He at least needs to switch it up with a regular tie. I don’t think it’s the tie, i think it’s the hair. ---
**Author:** ![Briny\_Deep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/briny_deep/32/17188_2.png) [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2005, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-4-14/299272/97 "2005-04-17T21:39:38Z")
I never see him without singing to myself “Don’t trust your soul to no backwoods southern lawyer.” He and Tana are funny-looking in totally different ways, though. Bren has greasy, scraggly hair apparently by choice. Tana, on the other hand, is just plain homely. What I love about her is her strategic use of (no doubt) Mary Kay products, and her utterly unabashed grins and beams. She projects such complete confidence about her own face, and that’s part of what made her a top saleswoman, I’m sure. ---
**Author:** ![Rainbowthief](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4bbf92/32.png) [@Rainbowthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rainbowthief)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2005, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-4-14/299272/98 "2005-04-18T05:17:36Z")
What the hell does that creep Craig have against Kendra? He’s beginning to look like a passive-agressive version of Chris. Craig was a huge dick to Kendra in the Dominos task and some others too (can’t remember which), then again with the Pontiac task and next week’s task. I hope they have some big blowup and he explains why because I can’t remember her ever being rude to him. Final two: Bren and Kendra Winner: Kendra Alex is damaged goods and no matter what Trump says, he can’t look past someone not having a college degree. He loved Troy and couldn’t overlook that for him, plus Tana and Craig don’t have the kind of accomplishments that would make him change his way of thinking. Maybe if they were real estate developers, but not for a Mary Kay saleswoman and a part time firefighter who owns some shoeshine stands. Very weak group of candidates, though. I think I could’ve made the final four this season, and I have zero business knowledge! ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2005, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-4-14/299272/99 "2005-04-18T14:50:56Z")
> [@JThunder](#): > > Actually, he’s a prosecutor. He started on the Book Smarts team. Yes, that’s what I meant. Damn lack of edit function! My point was that he seems to be an exception to the Book Smarts = more polished look generalization I have going on. ---
**Author:** ![Mal\_Adroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@Mal\_Adroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mal_Adroit)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2005, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-4-14/299272/100 "2005-04-18T15:16:50Z")
The biggest head-scratcher for me at this point is whether Alex will go next or Craig. Okay. I’ll go with Alex for $700, Alex. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-4-14/299272.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-4-14/299272.md?page=6)