# The Apprentice -- 9/29/05 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 29, 2005, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-9-29-05/324013 "2005-09-29T13:52:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-9-29-05/324013/1 "2005-09-29T13:52:15Z")
Tonight’s the night. I wish NBC would put up some kind of preview info on their site. According to TV Guide, one person is going to suffer a family loss (whatshisface and his grandmother? wasn’t that last week?), and another will be injured. Heh. Really injured, or Omarosa injured? And luxury sportscars will be featured – I hope they remember to get a shot of the logo. See y’all back here at 9 Eastern time… ---
**Author:** ![butler1850](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@butler1850](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/butler1850)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-9-29-05/324013/2 "2005-09-29T14:01:20Z")
From last weeks previews… It’s a Lamborghini. I’d go on the show just to drive one… once, even if only for 20 minutes. Can’t comment on the rest yet… don’t know anything about it. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2005, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-9-29-05/324013/3 "2005-09-30T01:29:00Z")
Markus – shut the fuck up. Do you think he’s that bad IRL? Or is being on TV making him a total idiot? ---
**Author:** ![Rube\_E.Tewesday](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f0a364/32.png) [@Rube\_E.Tewesday](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rube_E.Tewesday)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2005, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-9-29-05/324013/4 "2005-09-30T01:36:25Z")
Smooth move, only bringing in Markus when Trump has already told you that’s a bad idea. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2005, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-9-29-05/324013/5 "2005-09-30T01:37:34Z")
Man. Trump _tells_ him not to bring in Markus – and he brings in Markus and Markus only. Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot. ---
**Author:** ![LilyoftheValley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/54ee81/32.png) [@LilyoftheValley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyoftheValley)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2005, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-9-29-05/324013/6 "2005-09-30T01:38:05Z")
Of the “reward”, **MrValle** y says: “Poor women! You _know_ they thought they were getting to drive a Lamborghini.” ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2005, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-9-29-05/324013/7 "2005-09-30T01:39:35Z")
I’m on IM with **Rysler** , who points out they’re the only two who fucked up. I’m pretty sure that Markus is safe if he can keep his mouth shut. _That_ seems damned unlikely though. ---
**Author:** ![LilyoftheValley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/54ee81/32.png) [@LilyoftheValley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyoftheValley)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2005, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-9-29-05/324013/8 "2005-09-30T01:44:45Z")
> [@Rube E. Tewesday](#): > > Smooth move, only bringing in Markus when Trump has already told you that’s a bad idea. Um, yeah. If you don’t listen to Trump when he spells it out for you, you think he wants to hire you? Chris, that was monumentally dumb. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2005, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-9-29-05/324013/9 "2005-09-30T01:46:59Z")
I didn’t know this thread was already begun for I only did a Control-F search, but I posted in the other thread- eah, when I see “Rebirth of italian Intimidation”, I certainly think Lamborghini… I mean, what else could come to mind? Rebirth… Italian… hmmmm… rebirth… like… renascent almost… and Italy… what could you do with Italian and rebirth… something that might have pictures or art or beautiful buildings, but would also say Italian and, coining a term here- renaissance… hmmm. AND TRUMP IS AN EGOMANIAC- IF HE _SUGGESTS_ SOMETHING IT’S **NOT** A SUGGESTION! Idiot! He made the right decision. (Anybody else think Marcus looks like [Gary Sandy](http://www.garysandy.com/header03d.jpg)? ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2005, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-9-29-05/324013/10 "2005-09-30T01:48:20Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > eah, when I see “Rebirth of italian Intimidation”, I certainly think Lamborghini… I mean, what else could come to mind? Should read **Y** eah, when I see “Rebirth of italian Intimidation”, I certainly think Lamborghini… I mean, [what else](http://www.axishistory.com/fileadmin/user_upload/m/mussolini-closeup.jpg) could come to mind? ---
**Author:** ![Improv\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b3f665/32.png) [@Improv\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Improv_Geek)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2005, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-9-29-05/324013/11 "2005-09-30T01:50:35Z")
I’m amazed at his idiocy. The Donald spelled it out, very loudly very blatantly. Now maybe he was hoping that sticking to his gun would get it him a win, but under your boss - if you disagree you’d better be right. Like Markus. ---
**Author:** ![Improv\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b3f665/32.png) [@Improv\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Improv_Geek)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2005, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-9-29-05/324013/12 "2005-09-30T02:01:46Z")
I’m amazed at his idiocy. The Donald spelled it out, very loudly very blatantly. Now maybe he was hoping that sticking to his gun would get it him a win, but under your boss - if you disagree you’d better be right. Like Markus. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2005, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-9-29-05/324013/13 "2005-09-30T02:08:19Z")
> [@ronincyberpunk](#): > > The Donald spelled it out, very loudly very blatantly. But perhaps not quite as clearly as you did. 😉 **Sampiro** thank you for the Gary Sandy link. It’s been bugging the hell out of me trying to figure out who he reminded me of! I actually missed the last 20 minutes due to a screaming child (my own, that is), but I’ve pieced it together here. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2005, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-9-29-05/324013/14 "2005-09-30T02:25:49Z")
Who was the guy last season who decided to waive his exemption? Trump told him that was a stupid idea, and he did it anyway and he got fired. This was just like that. Have these people not watched previous seasons or what? The Donald isn’t particularly subtle. If he tells you that you’re making a dumb mistake, _listen_ to him. There isn’t any subtext in it. Markus is a dumbass for sure, but it wasn’t his fault they lost this task. The guys were arrogant and cocky and too in love with themselves to see how sucky and incoherent their ads were. That small i “italian” thing totally rubbed me the wrong way. It didn’t look clever. it didn’t make anything “pop.” It just looked _wrong_. And Markus, goofball though he admittedly is (His “Smooth as Silk” pitch made me cringe) was right about that “Green With Envy” poster. The women were embarrassing with the Calvin Klein thing, but their campaign was at least coherent. I think I speak for all of us when I say that all our hopes and prayers go out to rebecca and her twisted ankle. I can’t imagine what kind of courage and willpower it’s going to take for her to continue with the show. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2005, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-9-29-05/324013/15 "2005-09-30T03:02:43Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > Who was the guy last season who decided to waive his exemption? Brad. ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2005, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-9-29-05/324013/16 "2005-09-30T03:13:10Z")
Men nearly always lose at car related tasks on this show. They inevitably get too cocky. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2005, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-9-29-05/324013/17 "2005-09-30T03:17:54Z")
To me this was reminiscent of the whole “gay chef leaves with waiter”/“sweaty marathon runners” add for moisturizing lotion. Neither team had an idea what they were doing. They need some liberal arts majors. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2005, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-9-29-05/324013/18 "2005-09-30T03:31:03Z")
The womens’ ad wasn’t too bad. The mens’ ad was ugly and amateurish. I’ve never seen a Lamborghini ad on TV, or in print – has anyone else? Any chance they’ll use part of it, like Pontiac used Kendra’s work last season? (Was it Kendra and Pontiac?) Anyway, lousy reward. Makes me think Trump thought the guys might win. I ain’t saying that women shouldn’t play hockey, but that was lame. What’s up with Markus’ smugness? He doesn’t have a clue, does he? I’m not sure how I feel about Randal’s grandmother’s funeral being filmed. Randal’s being given extra attention (which might be foreshadowing future success) or maybe Trump’s just milking this to show how generous and sympathetic he can be. It seemed unnecessary though. So the woman with the broken foot will leave, and this helps get this season down to 13 weeks? I’m confused about that. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2005, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-9-29-05/324013/19 "2005-09-30T03:40:11Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Brad. … ford. ---
**Author:** ![Mullinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@Mullinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mullinator)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2005, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-9-29-05/324013/20 "2005-09-30T11:15:12Z")
The home office of the **Raj Ratings** will admit we are easily confused, although it has led to a breakthrough in reality TV theory. Initially when tuning in to The Apprentice and it’s ne’er-do-well tag-along Martha Stewart, we were confused about which people were on which show. It took maybe 15 minutes of each episode to realize who we should and shouldn’t expect to see. This led us to realize that, as currently constituted, Martha can not succeed. Since her show is a direct copy of Trump’s with pointless tweaks (like her ending “Dear John” letter), it can only be viewed as a weaker, less useful Trump, sort of like Canada to the US (I kid). Martha could only succeed if it were a summer series with Trump as a winter series. She can’t compete at the same time, because while Trump has sort of a dopey arrogance you can watch, she is evil arrogance which pales in comparison. For more thoughts like these on reality television, be sure to attend my guest lecturer series at Villanova in November. As for the show last night, it was actually kind of good. Buffoonery, idiocy, George and Carolyn firing with both guns blazing. \*\* Looking for Love: Bachelorettes in Alaska\*\* - Or, these people are in a cold, lonely place with no hope for love or revival **Melissa** - Gone and forgotten **Chris** (N:N&J)- You have o one to blame but yourself. Short of Carolyn stripping off her top so you could see the words “Bring Mark” painted across her chest, they couldn’t have been more obvious about your boardroom choice. The lesson is, listen to Trump’s wishes and don’t just push your agenda. If you bring Mark, you are still safe. I think you were actually pretty good. You probably did the right thing by reining in Markus, but you completely ignored where the real problems were. Too bad. **Boot Camp** - Or, in major need of a butt-kicking, but actual physical contact isn’t allowed **Markus** (BC) - Yeah, you’re done. Like a prisoner on death row, it’s really all about the appeals process at this point. **Mark** (N:N&J)- Ouch, you need a good comeback to avoid the dead man walking glares from Trump. And, seriously, a small i in italian and a big I in Intimidation. If I saw that ad, I’d only remember that Lamborghini apparently hires inept capitalizers. As a bonus, you have really, really white teeth. **Big Brother** - Or, beginning the downward spiral into ultimately being canceled **Kristi** (BC)- A bump up the ratings. A weak first task followed by some apparently solid work in week 2. But, the cattiness won’t help you much in the long run. **Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica** - Or, ultimately harmless and forgettable fluff in need of a shot in the arm **Adam** (N:N&J)- I’ve got nothing, except a vaguely unsettling feeling that you are a mute. \*\* Brian \*\* (N:N&J)- I don’t want to short-change his comments, but he has yet to rise to the occasion. **Felisha** (N:N&J)- Eh, I know you were on-screen, but you didn’t do much. I think you might be a dark horse though. **James** (N:N&J)- You were pretty accurate in calling for Chris’ ouster in the boardroom, but one accurate comment does not a shot up the charts make. **Rebecca** (N:N&J)- Ouch on the ankle. While this isn’t Survivor, a lot of walking goes on in this show. Any injury can hurt and right now you’re the infirm baby zebra in a field of lions. **Toral** (N:N&J)- She’s like Vera Peterson. **Clay** (BB)- No real action this week, so a bump back to mediocrity. Huzzah! **Jennifer W** (AI)- Drops a spot due to complete forgettableness. Her Q rating would be a “Meh.” **American Idol** - Or, mostly positive so far but still in major danger of falling apart when a tough theme night comes around **Marshawn** (N:N&J)- Well, you won but the show edited you to be less than great. Based on voting for exemption, I think Kristi probably just had a pointless vendetta against you. So, good job. **Alla** (AI)- A couple warts exposed and shots taken, but ultimately you played a big role in a successful campaign. If you follow this with a project manager win in the next couple of weeks, I think you vault to the top of the charts. **Jennifer M** (AI)- Blair Warner rocks! Seems pretty smart, not a jerk. Can skate. We can leave her here. **Randal** (AI)- Not to be callous, but thanks grandma. He avoided being in the middle of a bad project, gets sympathy for the loss, and no one can make in issue of him missing time because Trump was the driving force behind it happening. He can’t move up until he does well in a task, but he won’t drop unless he kills another candidate. **Survivor** - Or, when they’re good, they are really good. But, there are enough rough spots to keep them from the top spot **Josh** (N:N&J)- While he may not have shone like the sun during a project, he has been everybody’s best friend in the loft. Watch every major conversation. He has been there as a trusted advisor in each. If he does average to great in challenges, he won’t face many boardrooms because he has built up a great alliance factor. Definitely an early leader and doing so mostly under the radar. **The Amazing Race** - Or, the king of the hill. A well oiled machine that shows no signs of slowing down unless a taxi gets in the way * * * **The Rancic-Perdew Corollary** - Well, Markus is clearly done. I think Mark is on a rickety chair with the noose around his neck. Kristi is portrayed as too angry right now. I think those 3 are out of the running. **Seasonal Rankings** Tough to beat the overall effectiveness of season 1. But, I see this one as blowing 3 out of the water and at least matching 2 in interest. So, 1,4,2,3. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-apprentice-9-29-05/324013.md?page=2)