The Apprentice II, Epsiode 14

Well ladies and germs, it is now time for the “Better Late than Never” edition of The Apprentice II, Episode 14. Now, of course, I’m sure that anyone who was looking to Fred to tell them what happened in this episode have either caught the rebroadcast on Saturday or looked for another recap, but what the hell. I am going to watch the program anyway, so I might as well recap it.

At this stage of the game, I guess I don’t need to tell you that the show started with a recap, or that after the recap, the remaining people were sitting around wondering who would be fired. It was IVANA who was fired, by the way. IVANA IS GONE!

Oh, note to Erika: she took off her skirt, she was wearing undies: she wasn’t naked under there.

Only four candidates remain. Who will be fired this week?

This week, Kelly and Sandy are sitting around the kitchen chatting about Jenn. Sandy gets snarky and starts to suggest that Jenn shirks responsibility. Of course Jenn overhears them talking about how Jenn seemed ambivalent about taking the PM job last week. “If you don’t want to do it, I will,” she supposedly said.

Kelly sits on the couch drinking a beer and smirking throughout this whole exchange, as if perhaps he was trying to break up the women’s little buddy-buddy rapport.

When the phone rings in the morning, the gang is told to report to the Trump World Tower. The four contestants pile in the corner office “of one of the most luxurious buildings in the world – Trump World Tower.” Trump spends a few moments pumping up the crew, telling them how they are four in a million…

The teams, project managers and exceptions are gone. It is time for the job interviews! Interviewing the candidates are:

Alan Jope, CEO Unilever
Dawn Hudson, President of PepsiCo North America
Alan “Ace” Greenberg, Chairman, Bear Sterns
Bob Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots.

Two candidates will be fired after the interviews.

The interviews seem grueling. “Tell me the greatest obstacle in your life – No, that is too general. Give me something specific”. “Have you ever let yourself down?” “Can you fire someone?” “Have you ever embellished the truth?” “Are you something that Donald needs? I don’t know. I doubt it.”

Sandy ends up saying that she thinks that working for Trump is safer than owning her own business – that is probably the stupidest thing I heard during the interview montage.

After the interviews, Trump meets with his industry pals to hear what they thought of the candidates. Kelly got a unanimous thumbs up. They all love that he was in the military, and that he knows how to give orders, as well as how to follow them.

Kevin: He is described as over aggressive, sidestepping, but building an incredible resume.

Jennifer: Described as very bright and focused, but Dawn thought she was trying to say all the right things. While she was indeed doing a great job at that, she never said what she really thought or felt. There are some doubts raised about her.

Sandy: “She’s matured to a level where she’s ready for big business”. They love that she’s an entrepreneur, but a concern is raised that she hasn’t got much experience. Dawn gave her a firm “thumbs down.”

Trump invites the gang back to the boardroom, and after another very brief pep talk, he starts conducting his own interviews. “Kelly, why should I keep you over Kevin?” (He has more experience, has drive and is more creative.) Kevin disputes this, because he thinks he is “more open to the learning process.”

Kevin defends his resume, but is fired, because none of the industry leaders understood where he was going with all the degrees and education. They didn’t figure Kevin knew either. In his exit monologue during his march to the taxi, he expresses his thankfulness for having taken part in the show, and departs as a real gentleman. “I wanted to do well, I made it to the final four, but not the final two. I’m going to be alright.”

Kelly is saved, because, as Trump said, “he’s done an amazing job. Unless he does something awful, he’s it.”

Jenn starts to plead her case, as does Sandy. Sandy tries putting Jenn down because she went to Harvard and Princeton and then got a posh six-figure job. Trump stands by Jenn, saying that she’s doing well because she made the right decision to go to the right schools, and she was smart enough to excel.

The gang debates, fights, yells at each other about who is better. They act like they are fighting for their lives. Actually, it is just the girls having a huge catfight. I’d fire them both at this point.

Trump thinks that Sandy can’t defend herself well, but he loved Jenn’s attack and defense. He doesn’t see Sandy being equipped for the job, and he fires Sandy. In Sandy’s exit monologue, she makes a final snarky remark about Jenn, and then thanks Trump for the opportunity.

Jenn?? Oh well. At least it wasn’t Ivana.

The two winners, Jenn and Kelly, are sent back to the suite to get some rest. Kelly surfs the web, Jenn paces. Then they trade barbs in private interviews:

“Jenn sucks,” says Kelly. “She’s difficult to work with, unpleasant to sit with”.

“I have a lot of issues with Kelly. He’s been very manipulative with me and with people I’ve become friends with”

“It doesn’t matter that I don’t like Jenn, but what I know of her I just don’t respect. I think she’s afraid to lead.”

“I am going to kick Kelly’s butt. I have what it takes and I am motivated.”

There is time in this episode for Trump to give another motivational segment. This week we learn that “winning is everything.” “There is no better feeling than being a winner. You have to be positive, and you cannot stop.”

Jenn and Kelly report the next morning to learn of their final task. Kelly is gentleman enough to push Jenn’s chair in for her, which is sweet, considering how much he hates her. Trump congratulates the both of them, “you are the best of the best.”

Once again, the final task is to manage “two really huge events.”

Kelly will manage the Genworth Trump Polo cup, raising money for Alzheimer’s. Jennifer will be in charge of the Genworth Charity basketball classic, raising money for the MBA’s Read to Achieve charity. They both have the same client, Genworth Financial Services, a new company trying to raise their profile. The best at running the event wins.

Of course, the new bosses need employees. Six members of the old teams march back in. (PAM!) Jenn picks Chris, Pamela, and Stacy. Kelly picks Elizabeth, John, and Raj

The employees go to work in a van, the bosses in a chauffeured Maybeck or something – some car that must be impressive to someone who cares. Jenn’s team cheers her on. She speaks to her team in the van and explains the task.

Kelly is doing his homework in the car. He jumps out at one point to give his team, who are following him in a van, directions and instructions. As he’s rushing back into his own car, he yells, “I love you guys.” Chris is puzzled, “He loves us??” Raj has a good laugh over this.

Raj gives an interview, “ I am not interested in Kelly’s victory or defeat. I’m not working for him. I’m doing this because I like winning.” It doesn’t seem like Kelly’s gonna get the love. Elizabeth is very kind to Kelly, and starts to work for him right away.

Jenn and her group go over the paperwork. Chris is a big basketball fan, which will help the team. Pamela and Chris have to work with the MBA. She delegated too much responsibility, thinks Pam. Jenn thinks her job is to delegate and oversee.

Kelly is working spreadsheets, never leaving the computer. John and Raj get fed up and go outside and inspect the grounds. They both say they plan on watching the game. Kelly’s team races each other, play on the field, and generally, shirk responsibilities. Kelly just watches.

The next day, the teams work on their tasks. They teams have large “to do” lists, and get to work quickly. George sniffs around Chris while he’s loading boxes and asks him who spoke to the MBA. Chris admits that it wasn’t Jenn.

Jenn meets with Genworth, showing their reps around the court, which is only ½ way in place. They ask a lot of questions. At one point, they ask Jenn how people with designated seats will know where to go, and when Jenn announces that she’ll have ushers waiting for them, Genworth looks upset. So Jenn asks if they have a better suggestion. The rep from Genworth gets really bitchy and announces that she’s not the organizer, and it isn’t her job. In an interview, one of the Genworth reps states that she’s frustrated with Jenn. She doesn’t feel that Jenn has anything planned out, and that she’s waiting for Genworth to tell her what to do.

Kelly’s team is having issues with Mother Nature. Genworth wants their logo painted on the polo field, but when the field painters get there, it begins to pour. Then Kelly finds out that Tony Bennett is coming to the event. They need a stage! This adds more work. Kelly’s event is hinging on the weather. There is no plan B. What will he do if the match has to be postponed?

Meanwhile, Jenn finds out at the last moment that Chris Webber, MBA star and the Emcee of her event, is trying to cancel. Jenn vows to do everything in her power to get him to show up.

And here is where the show ends for this week.

So there is only one more show this year. What am I going to watch on Thursdays from now on?? More importantly, what will I have to blog about? I may have to start reviewing Arrested Development or something. It is the only other show I watch regularly.