I'm amazed an Jennifer; she looked so good at the beginning, I thought for sure she and Kelly would end up as the final two. But now I see her for the backstabbing, coasting little witch she is.
I think Kevin is the only personable one right now. Kelly is maintaing a credible showing, but losing ground as a respectable leader.
I still think that Andy takes a lot of flack. He may not contribute as much as he could, but he is still under the direction of a PM and must do as told. DT is inconsistant in his expectations when it comes to speaking out, speaking up, taking control and leading.
Oh how embarassed I am for DT's little lap dog. She bites when told, yaps on cue and is such an obvious butt kissing lackey. How I'd like to slap that nasty look off her face.
I'm surprised Wes got this far, but he seemed to fly under the radar screen for a long time, he is basically a vanilla cookie.
I can't wait for Jenn to get it, I hope she is next to get fired, I hope DT finally calls her out for the phony witch she is.
If only Ivanna was not so mean, she could be good if she would just control her nasty remarks.
Conan the Grammarian
· 5 years ago
THE SCHIZOPHRENIC BLINK MONKEY IS DEAD!
And she looked p****d in the cab. Coupled with Maria's glare, Wes's comment about at least getting his own cab was priceless.
Wes was probably the nicest person on the entire cast of characters this year. But he was too laid back and ambivalent to be an effective manager of tasks when saddled with outsized egos and personalities. He should stick with Private Wealth Management where people come to him and he simply has to sit at his computer and analyze the best investment strategy for a customer.
JenM proved she is the queen shark in this episode. She set the stage early to steal most of the credit when she butted in as Ivana was about to answer the question, "How'd you come up with the idea?" By answering, she made herself look like the idea-person in front of the client.
Don't like Ivana, but she deserved at least some Trump-facing recognition for the idea. JenM, on the other hand, is enough of a snake that I think she'll be in the final two. Kelly will be the other snake - unless those two are the only ones on the team and have to jettison one or the other in a loss. And then, Kelly is going to face an adversary that none of his army experience has prepared him to face. He's dead meat walking if he gets between JenM and a spot in the final two.
I hope Trump is more aware of things than he seems and asked simply to test a theory that JenM is a political maneuverer and not a performer.
Too bad for Andy that Trump is gunning for him. He did keep his cool as Trump laid into him. I think Trump was trying to goad him to make him lose his cool. Andy has enormous potential, but not enough seasoning to make the final two. But I think he has finally impressed Trump enough that when he does get fired, Trump will say Andy has potential and that it was tough to fire him.
Kevin is not going to make the final four without help. He's not enough of a snake to take out JenM or Kelly. If Trump takes one player from their team to go to Mosaic, Jennifer will angle to lose Ivana. That leaves Kevin as Kelly and JenM's safety valve. He'd survive longer wearing pork chop baggies in a pool of starving piranha.
Sandy called Wes' mistakes dead on (as did Andy). But simply knowing where the other executive screwed up does not make you a good executive by itself. She needs a convincing win in a task that is not her specialty to rebuild her reputation in the eyes of Trump and the Viceroys. She'll last one more loss if Ivana joins their team. If anyone else does, she's gone at the next loss.
Conan the Grammarian
· 5 years ago
BTW, if Kevin (a law student) sweats that much in making presentations, how will he argue a case in front of a judge?
Chas
· 5 years ago
Who came up with that name "schozophrenic blink monkey"? I LOVE it. I used it last night watching the show.
None
· 5 years ago
OK, i hate to admit it, but the fit wheel was a good idea, but now that's over and Ivana needs to get fired. the only thing of worth she contributed besides that idea was the scene when she placed her hands to the sides of her chest and shook her breasts at the camera....and i still had to convince myself to enjoy it.
Now i have to defend Jennifer's getting the credit...a little defending. the levi president only saw her give the presentation, and she did a great job. for that she deserved the credit. ivana just thought she was getting/taking credit for the idea. i can understand ivana being upset, but come on, the dude only saw her present, and she did a great job.
Andy, well he's smart to keep quite. everyone else with eat each other alive and he'll be left standing.....maybe. his suggestion to wear levi's or a full suit was a great suggestion that was completely disregarded by his team. granted it wasn't the reason they lost, but it was a point that the levi president even pointed out. great thinking andy.
maria, well, weeks ago i thought she was hot, but unfortunately she started talking and she's just gone down hill from there. i think she was trying to assert herself and was hoping that would make her look good.....or maybe she was done with the show and used it for a way out. either way, she needs to stop blinking.
kelly, i used to think he was good, but the last few weeks he hasn't done anything very outstanding. i used to want him to win...but i think you might have persuaded me to vote for kevin.
sandy....no comments either good or bad. ok, one comment...she can stay for now.
wes, well as much as maria deserved to get fired more, i understand why the donald canned him too. right on nadine about how that was so predictable. i saw it coming too. wes should have fired maria himself. last year kwame should have fired omarosa and didnt', wes should have learned from that mistake and canned maria, then just stand up for his decision when the donald asks him about it.
jennifer looked good in some shots, but one of those models had the nicest butt of them all.
i guess overall the show wasn't too great last night.
i loved when wes said in the cab "i wish i had gotten my own cab."
Southern Lady
· 5 years ago
It is enlightening to think about Maria's behavior on the show in relation to Stacie J.'s supposed "meltdown" earlier in the season. Anyone w/ some background in psychology could see that Maria was having emotional difficuties, which included delusion and paranoia. Having said that, it is possible that such behavior comes to the fore when placed in a stressful situation like being in front of the camera.
I'm really beginning to like Andy and hope he makes it to the final two. He has been consistently underestimated and has used that to his advantage.
Dave
· 5 years ago
I for one was pretty pissed that Jen stole away credit for Ivana's idea. That showed a lack of ethics the likes of which I cannot believe. I realize she felt she had to fight for her life, but have some dignity!
Still, I think the way they are editing Jen as "evil" is a little transparent, and they will hold her up for a righteous firing at some point, to let America know the "good guys" win.
Ivana gets credit for having a great idea, which validates her lasting this long, but she still is too easy on mouthing off to make it too much further. I did think her "Fem Bot" joke was extremely funny though, even though it isn't true. I think Ivana has a complex against blondes or something. Hey, Ivana, here's a thought, maybe don't insult blondes when Viceroy Carolyn the lackluster lapdog is Queen of all Blondes. "With me as always is Carolyn, because the golf course runs itself and she has nothing better to do than kiss up every chance she gets"
Kevin is very level headed and talented and gets along with everyone, so he has a good shot. He has many of the good management qualities -- knows when to talk, when to listen, has discretion, can represent himself well.
I don't think Trump was trying to make Andy look bad, Bill called him out and like a cue card Andy had a great response which Trump complimented. As we get closer to the end, Andy will really get a shot at the hot seat.
Sandy has been very consistent and surprisingly competent. I felt she was in the right in her argument with Maria, and she never lost it, so I was impressed. Wes was always too laid back to be a leader in this type of environment.
Kelly needs a major attitude adjustment. The stress is getting to him I think, look at the face he makes many times in the board room. Man, I am glad I am not on TV when stressed!
So new predictions: Ivana goes next, tripping over herself one time too many. Then Commandant Kelly finally blows it, JenM is set up for a "dramatic" fall. Then Andy, Kevin and Sandy left. Tough to say who makes it to the final two, it is down to luck.
You could tell by Wes's comment how awful that cab ride was, that was the most real statement of the show! Any regrets? "Yeah, I wish I took the freaking bus !"
Dave
· 5 years ago
I for one was pretty pissed that Jen stole away credit for Ivana's idea. That showed a lack of ethics the likes of which I cannot believe. I realize she felt she had to fight for her life, but have some dignity!
Still, I think the way they are editing Jen as “evil” is a little transparent, and they will hold her up for a righteous firing at some point, to let America know the “good guys” win.
Ivana gets credit for having a great idea, which validates her lasting this long, but she still is too easy on mouthing off to make it too much further. I did think her “Fem Bot” joke was extremely funny though, even though it isn't true. I think Ivana has a complex against blondes or something. Hey, Ivana, here's a thought, maybe don't insult blondes when Viceroy Carolyn the lackluster lapdog is Queen of all Blondes. “With me as always is Carolyn, because the golf course runs itself and she has nothing better to do than kiss up every chance she gets”
Kevin is very level headed and talented and gets along with everyone, so he has a good shot. He has many of the good management qualities – knows when to talk, when to listen, has discretion, can represent himself well.
I don't think Trump was trying to make Andy look bad, Bill called him out and like a cue card Andy had a great response which Trump complimented. As we get closer to the end, Andy will really get a shot at the hot seat.
Sandy has been very consistent and surprisingly competent. I felt she was in the right in her argument with Maria, and she never lost it, so I was impressed. Wes was always too laid back to be a leader in this type of environment.
Kelly needs a major attitude adjustment. The stress is getting to him I think, look at the face he makes many times in the board room. Man, I am glad I am not on TV when stressed!
So new predictions: Ivana goes next, tripping over herself one time too many. Then Commandant Kelly finally blows it, JenM is set up for a “dramatic” fall. Then Andy, Kevin and Sandy left. Tough to say who makes it to the final two, it is down to luck.
You could tell by Wes's comment how awful that cab ride was, that was the most real statement of the show! Any regrets? “Yeah, I wish I took the freaking bus !”
Conan the Grammarian
· 5 years ago
I get the credit for "schizophrenic blink monkey."
Chas
· 5 years ago
Conan, Good going, you get an exemption for any predictions you make on this board that do not come true. Don't be a Bradford and squander the opportunity.
Seriously, I laugh everytime I see her and I think about it, nice job. It has a good ring to it, doncha think?
Schizophrenic blink monkey, I was going to Email it to Maria, but that would be mean.
I like saying it...schizophrenic blink monkey
Sled
· 5 years ago
Perhaps I missed it, but I don't recall any mention of an exemption for winning this week.
Fran
· 5 years ago
I seem to remember seeing something simila to the fit wheel in magazines in the past. Ivana acted like she had come up with the greatest idea in history . I don't think it was quite as original and creative as she did.
I'm rooting for Sandy from here on in. Maria needed to be confronted and Sandy did it well. If Wes had the cajones to do it, maybe the outcome would have been different.
The contest seems increasingly pointless to me, when we see all it has apparently done for poor Bill. I am sure the money is nice, but it doesn't seem he's getting much other benefit from being a part of The Trump Organization. Money for nothing is fab, but where's the challenge? He looks bored as hell.
gotti girl
· 5 years ago
I was surprised to see two people fired. When one guy was fired, I bet the other guy was thinking, "Yes! I'm off the hook."
Nope! Never underestimate The Donald.
D. Riley
· 5 years ago
Maria was the most annoying, coarse know-it-all of the bunch, did anyone ever notice that when her team approached every task, "she had the most experience" - good riddens to that idiot. Jennifer hit an all time low by not correcting the Levi's rep and giving the credit to Ivana, she just stood there basking as if she'd thought of the concept that she didn't fully understand. Andy might need to use that Harvard degree now, I think he really has a shot. Kevin was a little excited and nervous - I'd like to see him in open court:-). Kevin appears to be on an even keel with everyone and appears to pull no punches - a stand up guy.
Cliff
· 5 years ago
Dave - I totally concur with your comments and predictions - "Spot On!"
Conan - I love the phrase too...can't stop saying it...my boys cracked up over it.
None
· 5 years ago
My question is, when/how did Bill Rancic turn into such an a**hole? I don't remember him being that pointlessly unpleasant when he was a contestant. Or maybe he was just holding back. It just seems like some evil Trump clone climbed into Bill Rancic's body.
Rosemary
· 5 years ago
I can't imagine what thoughts were going on in Maria's head to think that she could tell her PM to back off? In real business life, she would have been fired on the spot. Wes should have fired her off the task right then and there.
Besides having too many people for so few shows that are left, his firing of Maria and Wes, (the PM), was dead on. A possible lucrative account was lost because of one person who took control who was obviously out of her league, if not out of her mind.
Once she showed this maniacal trait, Wes had no other choice but to take her off the task and try to save the account for his team. Failing to do this, he put his own head on the chopping block and rightfully so. What Trump did (firing both of them) mimics real business life situations.
Everyone mentions that when Jenn spoke up during the presentation that she was stealing credit from Ivana. Yet, I didn't hear Jenn take credit for the wheel design. Neither did Ivana when she next spoke, she said it was a cooperative effort.
But Ivana tells us later that Jenn was stealing credit. Hmmm, do we believe our own ears, or someone who is telling us what was being said? If Jenn really took credit for the wheel, believe me, the editors would have shown that, I have no doubt about that.
Ivana and Kevin are not exactly impartial enough to be giving us their spin on what Jenn said or didn't say.
As Trump would say, this was a huge business lesson that played out on our TV screens this week.
Dave
· 5 years ago
"My question is, when/how did Bill Rancic turn into such an a**hole?"
I think that is what the producers drive for those in the boardroom. Notice Carolyn's behavior has been remarkably different in this season than last, and I don't think she has changed personalities. I think the producers and editors very much coach the Viceroys on how to act.
George is the same as last year. I think he might just say to the producers "Look, I am who I am, I was making business decisions when the Romans were running all of Europe, so I don't need your namby pamby suggestions, capesh?"
Bill is doing lots of promoting for his salary. which may be boring to a type A entrepeneur type but seems to be alot of Trump's revenue stream, so it isn't all that surprising.
Profit Prophet
· 5 years ago
There is a God! Maria had to go! She should have been fired weeks ago, but then again most of the people before her were lame as well. Anyway, Wes was not much better, and deserved to be booted. He did have the best line in this year's show when he said, "I wish I had my own cab." That at least deserved some style points.
Rajfan
· 5 years ago
Boring...
Conan the Grammarian
· 5 years ago
Rosemary,
JenM didn't take outright credit for the idea. She did manage impressions, however. What she did was speak up at exactly the time the Levi's executive asked how they came up with the idea, leaving him with the impression it was her idea. Even if Ivana immediately afterward said it was a cooperative effort, the damage was done. And JenM knew it. She then basked in the warm halo of the compliment given to her IN FRONT OF TRUMP.
Ivana was toast if she tried to counter the JenM love-fest in front of Trump (witness the real estate task's botched attempt).
A gracious JenM would have mentioned the contributions of the rest of the team (Kevin for the team-as-models idea, Ivana for the wheel, and Kelly for whatever it was he did). But JenM has shown very little grace thus far. She has already let it be known that she wants Ivana and Kevin gone. She's not about to share accolades with them.
JenM's a better and more polished speaker than Ivana or Kevin, so that only added to her credibility.
She makes Stacy R look like a complete amateur in the being-Iago department.
Rosemary
· 5 years ago
Conan,
Your saying that just by her speaking up at that moment of time, it could be seen by the Levi group, that the credit of design would be Jenn's? Then timing is everything. She timed it well.
Jenn knew she was being given busy work to keep her out of the goings on. It really doesn't pay to conspire cause she came out smelling like a rose anyway.
Obviously, Jenn had to make a positive impression on that Levi fellow. With creative editing going on, we'll never know what all went on there for 3 days.
Ivana's remark in front on Carolyn that Jenn is getting blonder and blonder, was the best. Open mouth and insert foot. Ivana is her own worst enemy.
Bizz
· 5 years ago
gotti girl, Why are you promoting white trash?
gotti's are an embarassment to the world. The sickening display of wealth, accumulated from stealing honest people's money, makes me want to puke. And here you are, glorifying crime... shame on you.
Mike Hofman
· 5 years ago
I felt sorry for Ivana when her idea was credited to Jenn, but even so, her extreme hatred of Jenn is unappealing. It may well be deserved, but it's not professional. Kelly came off as a pompous zip this week. As for poor Kevin's flop sweating, the room looked warm--the Levi's guy seemed to be sweating also.
The real action was on the other team, however. I loved hearing Maria say those ridiculous lines like "Give me bitchy or give me death" and, "If being sexy is wrong, I don't want to be right." What a dork! I did feel sorry for Wes that he was stuck with her, but still, he had a deer-caught- in-the-headlights look for much of the project, which was odd, because he seemed to have exceptional composure in previous weeks. I think maybe he's just a good worker bee, but folded when he was put in the project manager role. I thought it odd that Sandy didn't contribute more, and it was silly and counterproductive of her to get into that fight with Maria. Meanwhile, Andy is looking better and better. He's a good talker but more importantly he seems able to anticpate problems, from Maria's monopolizing the project to the fact that the Levi's people would wonder why the team didn't wear jeans. He's immature, to be sure. But then again, so is Donald Trump.
Christian
· 5 years ago
Some great points in the postings above. However, I don't beleive Jen should be given as much grief for speaking about fit wheel in the presentation.
While she obviously didn't get the concept (she really is blonde isn't she) in the brainstorming stage, she did "get it" when the final collateral was delivered and was confident in speaking about it in the presentation. She obviously didn't want to be viewed as window dressing.
I run into this 'take-over' all the time in professional life... trying to convince the higher-ups of something they can't visualize until it's in their hands. Then, once they have it, they take over and run with it. I don't get bent out of shape over this and always view this as a strength in the long run. Ivana should realize this, especially as a VC.
mmd
· 5 years ago
Are these really the best people they could find? I wish they spent more time finding candidates --- that way there might actually be some interest in a third season. Right now I feel like Im watching a bunch of morons and little children compete for a job they shouldn't even apply for.
Dave
· 5 years ago
"Then, once they have it, they take over and run with it. I don't get bent out of shape over this and always view this as a strength in the long run."
I guess that can work with the right higher-ups, but in many cases getting your credit stomped on doesn't work out well. It is a million times worse if someone at your level steals your ideas. I guess if the higher-ups are those that take care of and respect their staff then you have a very unique and powerful team environment.
In my experience unfortunately it is almost always a down in the mud fight rather than a truly collaborative effort. I have seen more companies operating as teams like the folks on the Apprentice, with bickering, backstabbing, and lots of different directions and no leadership, than the "ideal" team environment that I so hope to find someday. I think the Apprentice this year very truthfully depicts what corporate America looks like in most places today.
It is interesting to note that this season almost all the candidates are from corporate America and mostly lawyers, versus last year's crop of mostly entrepeneurs and small business persons. We have marketing directors, corporate lawyers, and financial executives this year. We had cigar business startups, mortgage business startups, chiropractic business startups, technology startups, restaurant startups, real estate small businesses etc last year. It seems the only ones from corporate America were David Gould (fired first), Kwame Jackson, and maybe Bowie.
(Major Generalization Here) I do believe that much of the bickering, poor team dynamics, et al, is indicative of a large firm/corporate environment, versus last season's environment of small business and entrepeneurship. Anyone find this theory to be true or completely false?
Perhaps that was exactly the idea that Burnett was trying to accomplish by recruiting an entirely different archetype of candidates for this year. If so, I hope he goes back to the entrepeneurs next season.
Conan the Grammarian
· 5 years ago
Rosemary,
I'm saying JenM is managing impressions - and doing it well. Her teammates are on to her, but Trump and the viceroys do not yet appear to be.
JenM is not team-building and competing at tasks. Shes covering her own butt for the boardroom. Kevin pegged it perfectly when he said she always manages to skate. She does that by not sticking her neck out and by participating just enough to be able to point out her contribution when asked in the boardroom.
I've worked with enough of her type. They spend more time in the boss' office trumpeting their own accomplishments than on actually working. I am beginning to truly loathe her.
Kevin, Andy, and Sandy are the only people left in this show that I would want to work with. The rest of them are snakes and rats.
Hortense MacGillicuddy
· 5 years ago
Business 2.0 reports that Melania Knauss, Trump's skanky fiance, will be the new Levi's spokesmodel.
Rosemary
· 5 years ago
Conan,
I know exactly what your saying. I lost it for Jenn a couple of shows back. I did like the way it all turned on those who were trying to backstab in front of the boss. Taking those pot shots can be costly, if not deadly, to careers.
It does appear to me also that Jenn is skating by, resting on her good looks and resume'.
I'm holding out for Sandy to be the "IT" girl over Jenn. I liked the way she stood up to Maria; though having a 20-30 minute argument with Maria as a deadline approached didn't impress me too much. I think that time could have been better spent on making sure the project was completed as specified. It wasn't.
john27517
· 5 years ago
I'm backing Jen at this point. I think she's very polished and a good team leader. Remember, she won as PM. I'm looking forward to seeing her as team leader again. I'm fairly confident she will win.
I think she "got" the idea with the pants wheel. I think she hates Ivana and wanted her idea seem stupid.
Moreover, I'm shallow and like looking at Jen's boobs.
CheapSkate
· 5 years ago
Where is my episode 12 review? i'm dying for it. The holiday weekend makes waiting for it even worse. Come on Nadine, hook me up.
what's the big deal with Jen's breasts? i never really noticed them (except maybe in one episode), even though Ivana keeps bringing them up......Ivana, leave it to Jen's bra to bring up her breasts.
Rosemary
· 5 years ago
It was total Jenn-O-cide last week. I watched the extended scenes on yahoo and everyone was taking hits at Jenn.
She was the topic of almost every scene. It's looking like they may be setting the stage for her departure. Usually when so much time is spent on one person, they don't last too long in the next show.
It would be impossible for me to believe that Ivana would be fired after Jenn, especially since she's about to expose her true self all over NYC and for only 20 bucks.
It's way too predictable to see the end that's coming. I was on a tour bus in NYC last month and when we passed Trump Tower we started talking about the show. Same conclusion, it will be Jenn and Kelly and that was back in October. Great tour in case your interested: www.newyorkpartyshuttle.com
kd
· 5 years ago
I have to admit that Ivana and Kevin dislike for Jen appears to be sour gr*pes. They both had to go into the boardroom twice without her, and that's where their whining comes in. Until week 12, she hadn't been kept in a boardroom! We thought that was a sign of strength in the past, but somehow it's now a conspiracy? PLLEEEEEEZ. She is playing the game well, and has the education and looks (let's remember that DT is the trophy wife type) that appeal to the man. We would be ridiculous if we'd don't think she's a contender for the final two.
Especially since next week, all five of them will walk into the board room, and Trump will say, "It doesn't matter who won this task... Ivana, you little freak, I can't have an apprentice who goes around flashing people for $20!!! You're Fired!"
Conan the Grammarian
· 5 years ago
I think Kevin's dislike for JenM is that he feels he does as much work (or more) and gets less credit. He has been in the boardroom much more than she has.
Ivana's dislike is sour raisins. She was incompetent early on and thinks that JenM just gets by on her looks. JenM gets by on playing the boardroom game and managing impressions like a pro. Ivana can't do either of those things very well. She has stepped up her game on the tasks, but not to the level required to do well at a high level in corporate America.
Ivana flashing? When was the last time you thought Carly Fiorina should stand on a street corner in Palo Alto and flash passing motorists? Is that really how Ivana thinks a corporate CEO should act?
CheapSkate
· 5 years ago
If only the roles were reversed. If only Jen came up with the fit wheel, if only Ivana took credit for it, if only jen was mad at ivana for using her chest as a weapon, IF ONLY JEN FLASHES FOR US THIS WEEK!
www.goshorty.com
· 5 years ago
loved the show so far still suprised ivana is still there!!
Punk
· 5 years ago
Ok, don't get excited about the show tonight, from what I can tell it's not a typical episode. The commericial for Thursday says that the final 5 will go at it. There are only 5 left, right? If i'm right then tonight will probably just be a recap with "never before seen footage." either way i'll probably watch it.
Celebrite Video
· 4 years ago
Trump makes then do stupid things show is a joke.
Narmbrale
· 2 years ago
You don't really need or want that lifestyle, it might hurt y'all slowly more.......Just tell him you don't wanna repeat something your not too proud of z7uas.
All Comments
I think Kevin is the only personable one right now. Kelly is maintaing a credible showing, but losing ground as a respectable leader.
I still think that Andy takes a lot of flack. He may not contribute as much as he could, but he is still under the direction of a PM and must do as told. DT is inconsistant in his expectations when it comes to speaking out, speaking up, taking control and leading.
Oh how embarassed I am for DT's little lap dog. She bites when told, yaps on cue and is such an obvious butt kissing lackey. How I'd like to slap that nasty look off her face.
I'm surprised Wes got this far, but he seemed to fly under the radar screen for a long time, he is basically a vanilla cookie.
I can't wait for Jenn to get it, I hope she is next to get fired, I hope DT finally calls her out for the phony witch she is.
If only Ivanna was not so mean, she could be good if she would just control her nasty remarks.
THE SCHIZOPHRENIC BLINK MONKEY IS DEAD!
And she looked p****d in the cab. Coupled with Maria's glare, Wes's comment about at least getting his own cab was priceless.
Wes was probably the nicest person on the entire cast of characters this year. But he was too laid back and ambivalent to be an effective manager of tasks when saddled with outsized egos and personalities. He should stick with Private Wealth Management where people come to him and he simply has to sit at his computer and analyze the best investment strategy for a customer.
JenM proved she is the queen shark in this episode. She set the stage early to steal most of the credit when she butted in as Ivana was about to answer the question, "How'd you come up with the idea?" By answering, she made herself look like the idea-person in front of the client.
Don't like Ivana, but she deserved at least some Trump-facing recognition for the idea. JenM, on the other hand, is enough of a snake that I think she'll be in the final two. Kelly will be the other snake - unless those two are the only ones on the team and have to jettison one or the other in a loss. And then, Kelly is going to face an adversary that none of his army experience has prepared him to face. He's dead meat walking if he gets between JenM and a spot in the final two.
I hope Trump is more aware of things than he seems and asked simply to test a theory that JenM is a political maneuverer and not a performer.
Too bad for Andy that Trump is gunning for him. He did keep his cool as Trump laid into him. I think Trump was trying to goad him to make him lose his cool. Andy has enormous potential, but not enough seasoning to make the final two. But I think he has finally impressed Trump enough that when he does get fired, Trump will say Andy has potential and that it was tough to fire him.
Kevin is not going to make the final four without help. He's not enough of a snake to take out JenM or Kelly. If Trump takes one player from their team to go to Mosaic, Jennifer will angle to lose Ivana. That leaves Kevin as Kelly and JenM's safety valve. He'd survive longer wearing pork chop baggies in a pool of starving piranha.
Sandy called Wes' mistakes dead on (as did Andy). But simply knowing where the other executive screwed up does not make you a good executive by itself. She needs a convincing win in a task that is not her specialty to rebuild her reputation in the eyes of Trump and the Viceroys. She'll last one more loss if Ivana joins their team. If anyone else does, she's gone at the next loss.
BTW, if Kevin (a law student) sweats that much in making presentations, how will he argue a case in front of a judge?
Now i have to defend Jennifer's getting the credit...a little defending. the levi president only saw her give the presentation, and she did a great job. for that she deserved the credit. ivana just thought she was getting/taking credit for the idea. i can understand ivana being upset, but come on, the dude only saw her present, and she did a great job.
Andy, well he's smart to keep quite. everyone else with eat each other alive and he'll be left standing.....maybe. his suggestion to wear levi's or a full suit was a great suggestion that was completely disregarded by his team. granted it wasn't the reason they lost, but it was a point that the levi president even pointed out. great thinking andy.
maria, well, weeks ago i thought she was hot, but unfortunately she started talking and she's just gone down hill from there. i think she was trying to assert herself and was hoping that would make her look good.....or maybe she was done with the show and used it for a way out. either way, she needs to stop blinking.
kelly, i used to think he was good, but the last few weeks he hasn't done anything very outstanding. i used to want him to win...but i think you might have persuaded me to vote for kevin.
sandy....no comments either good or bad. ok, one comment...she can stay for now.
wes, well as much as maria deserved to get fired more, i understand why the donald canned him too. right on nadine about how that was so predictable. i saw it coming too. wes should have fired maria himself. last year kwame should have fired omarosa and didnt', wes should have learned from that mistake and canned maria, then just stand up for his decision when the donald asks him about it.
jennifer looked good in some shots, but one of those models had the nicest butt of them all.
i guess overall the show wasn't too great last night.
i loved when wes said in the cab "i wish i had gotten my own cab."
I'm really beginning to like Andy and hope he makes it to the final two. He has been consistently underestimated and has used that to his advantage.
Still, I think the way they are editing Jen as "evil" is a little transparent, and they will hold her up for a righteous firing at some point, to let America know the "good guys" win.
Ivana gets credit for having a great idea, which validates her lasting this long, but she still is too easy on mouthing off to make it too much further. I did think her "Fem Bot" joke was extremely funny though, even though it isn't true. I think Ivana has a complex against blondes or something. Hey, Ivana, here's a thought, maybe don't insult blondes when Viceroy Carolyn the lackluster lapdog is Queen of all Blondes. "With me as always is Carolyn, because the golf course runs itself and she has nothing better to do than kiss up every chance she gets"
Kevin is very level headed and talented and gets along with everyone, so he has a good shot. He has many of the good management qualities -- knows when to talk, when to listen, has discretion, can represent himself well.
I don't think Trump was trying to make Andy look bad, Bill called him out and like a cue card Andy had a great response which Trump complimented. As we get closer to the end, Andy will really get a shot at the hot seat.
Sandy has been very consistent and surprisingly competent. I felt she was in the right in her argument with Maria, and she never lost it, so I was impressed. Wes was always too laid back to be a leader in this type of environment.
Kelly needs a major attitude adjustment. The stress is getting to him I think, look at the face he makes many times in the board room. Man, I am glad I am not on TV when stressed!
So new predictions: Ivana goes next, tripping over herself one time too many. Then Commandant Kelly finally blows it, JenM is set up for a "dramatic" fall. Then Andy, Kevin and Sandy left. Tough to say who makes it to the final two, it is down to luck.
You could tell by Wes's comment how awful that cab ride was, that was the most real statement of the show! Any regrets? "Yeah, I wish I took the freaking bus !"
Still, I think the way they are editing Jen as “evil” is a little transparent, and they will hold her up for a righteous firing at some point, to let America know the “good guys” win.
Ivana gets credit for having a great idea, which validates her lasting this long, but she still is too easy on mouthing off to make it too much further. I did think her “Fem Bot” joke was extremely funny though, even though it isn't true. I think Ivana has a complex against blondes or something. Hey, Ivana, here's a thought, maybe don't insult blondes when Viceroy Carolyn the lackluster lapdog is Queen of all Blondes. “With me as always is Carolyn, because the golf course runs itself and she has nothing better to do than kiss up every chance she gets”
Kevin is very level headed and talented and gets along with everyone, so he has a good shot. He has many of the good management qualities – knows when to talk, when to listen, has discretion, can represent himself well.
I don't think Trump was trying to make Andy look bad, Bill called him out and like a cue card Andy had a great response which Trump complimented. As we get closer to the end, Andy will really get a shot at the hot seat.
Sandy has been very consistent and surprisingly competent. I felt she was in the right in her argument with Maria, and she never lost it, so I was impressed. Wes was always too laid back to be a leader in this type of environment.
Kelly needs a major attitude adjustment. The stress is getting to him I think, look at the face he makes many times in the board room. Man, I am glad I am not on TV when stressed!
So new predictions: Ivana goes next, tripping over herself one time too many. Then Commandant Kelly finally blows it, JenM is set up for a “dramatic” fall. Then Andy, Kevin and Sandy left. Tough to say who makes it to the final two, it is down to luck.
You could tell by Wes's comment how awful that cab ride was, that was the most real statement of the show! Any regrets? “Yeah, I wish I took the freaking bus !”
I get the credit for "schizophrenic blink monkey."
Good going, you get an exemption for any predictions you make on this board that do not come true. Don't be a Bradford and squander the opportunity.
Seriously, I laugh everytime I see her and I think about it, nice job. It has a good ring to it, doncha think?
Schizophrenic blink monkey, I was going to Email it to Maria, but that would be mean.
I like saying it...schizophrenic blink monkey
I'm rooting for Sandy from here on in. Maria needed to be confronted and Sandy did it well. If Wes had the cajones to do it, maybe the outcome would have been different.
The contest seems increasingly pointless to me, when we see all it has apparently done for poor Bill. I am sure the money is nice, but it doesn't seem he's getting much other benefit from being a part of The Trump Organization. Money for nothing is fab, but where's the challenge? He looks bored as hell.
Nope! Never underestimate The Donald.
Conan - I love the phrase too...can't stop saying it...my boys cracked up over it.
Besides having too many people for so few shows that are left, his firing of Maria and Wes, (the PM), was dead on. A possible lucrative account was lost because of one person who took control who was obviously out of her league, if not out of her mind.
Once she showed this maniacal trait, Wes had no other choice but to take her off the task and try to save the account for his team. Failing to do this, he put his own head on the chopping block and rightfully so. What Trump did (firing both of them) mimics real business life situations.
Everyone mentions that when Jenn spoke up during the presentation that she was stealing credit from Ivana. Yet, I didn't hear Jenn take credit for the wheel design. Neither did Ivana when she next spoke, she said it was a cooperative effort.
But Ivana tells us later that Jenn was stealing credit. Hmmm, do we believe our own ears, or someone who is telling us what was being said? If Jenn really took credit for the wheel, believe me, the editors would have shown that, I have no doubt about that.
Ivana and Kevin are not exactly impartial enough to be giving us their spin on what Jenn said or didn't say.
As Trump would say, this was a huge business lesson that played out on our TV screens this week.
I think that is what the producers drive for those in the boardroom. Notice Carolyn's behavior has been remarkably different in this season than last, and I don't think she has changed personalities. I think the producers and editors very much coach the Viceroys on how to act.
George is the same as last year. I think he might just say to the producers "Look, I am who I am, I was making business decisions when the Romans were running all of Europe, so I don't need your namby pamby suggestions, capesh?"
Bill is doing lots of promoting for his salary. which may be boring to a type A entrepeneur type but seems to be alot of Trump's revenue stream, so it isn't all that surprising.
Rosemary,
JenM didn't take outright credit for the idea. She did manage impressions, however. What she did was speak up at exactly the time the Levi's executive asked how they came up with the idea, leaving him with the impression it was her idea. Even if Ivana immediately afterward said it was a cooperative effort, the damage was done. And JenM knew it. She then basked in the warm halo of the compliment given to her IN FRONT OF TRUMP.
Ivana was toast if she tried to counter the JenM love-fest in front of Trump (witness the real estate task's botched attempt).
A gracious JenM would have mentioned the contributions of the rest of the team (Kevin for the team-as-models idea, Ivana for the wheel, and Kelly for whatever it was he did). But JenM has shown very little grace thus far. She has already let it be known that she wants Ivana and Kevin gone. She's not about to share accolades with them.
JenM's a better and more polished speaker than Ivana or Kevin, so that only added to her credibility.
She makes Stacy R look like a complete amateur in the being-Iago department.
Your saying that just by her speaking up at that moment of time, it could be seen by the Levi group, that the credit of design would be Jenn's?
Then timing is everything. She timed it well.
Jenn knew she was being given busy work to keep her out of the goings on. It really doesn't pay to conspire cause she came out smelling like a rose anyway.
Obviously, Jenn had to make a positive impression on that Levi fellow. With creative editing going on, we'll never know what all went on there for 3 days.
Ivana's remark in front on Carolyn that Jenn is getting blonder and blonder, was the best. Open mouth and insert foot. Ivana is her own worst enemy.
Why are you promoting white trash?
gotti's are an embarassment to the world. The sickening display of wealth, accumulated from stealing honest people's money, makes me want to puke. And here you are, glorifying crime... shame on you.
The real action was on the other team, however. I loved hearing Maria say those ridiculous lines like "Give me bitchy or give me death" and, "If being sexy is wrong, I don't want to be right." What a dork! I did feel sorry for Wes that he was stuck with her, but still, he had a deer-caught- in-the-headlights look for much of the project, which was odd, because he seemed to have exceptional composure in previous weeks. I think maybe he's just a good worker bee, but folded when he was put in the project manager role. I thought it odd that Sandy didn't contribute more, and it was silly and counterproductive of her to get into that fight with Maria. Meanwhile, Andy is looking better and better. He's a good talker but more importantly he seems able to anticpate problems, from Maria's monopolizing the project to the fact that the Levi's people would wonder why the team didn't wear jeans. He's immature, to be sure. But then again, so is Donald Trump.
While she obviously didn't get the concept (she really is blonde isn't she) in the brainstorming stage, she did "get it" when the final collateral was delivered and was confident in speaking about it in the presentation. She obviously didn't want to be viewed as window dressing.
I run into this 'take-over' all the time in professional life... trying to convince the higher-ups of something they can't visualize until it's in their hands. Then, once they have it, they take over and run with it. I don't get bent out of shape over this and always view this as a strength in the long run. Ivana should realize this, especially as a VC.
I guess that can work with the right higher-ups, but in many cases getting your credit stomped on doesn't work out well. It is a million times worse if someone at your level steals your ideas. I guess if the higher-ups are those that take care of and respect their staff then you have a very unique and powerful team environment.
In my experience unfortunately it is almost always a down in the mud fight rather than a truly collaborative effort. I have seen more companies operating as teams like the folks on the Apprentice, with bickering, backstabbing, and lots of different directions and no leadership, than the "ideal" team environment that I so hope to find someday. I think the Apprentice this year very truthfully depicts what corporate America looks like in most places today.
It is interesting to note that this season almost all the candidates are from corporate America and mostly lawyers, versus last year's crop of mostly entrepeneurs and small business persons. We have marketing directors, corporate lawyers, and financial executives this year. We had cigar business startups, mortgage business startups, chiropractic business startups, technology startups, restaurant startups, real estate small businesses etc last year. It seems the only ones from corporate America were David Gould (fired first), Kwame Jackson, and maybe Bowie.
(Major Generalization Here) I do believe that much of the bickering, poor team dynamics, et al, is indicative of a large firm/corporate environment, versus last season's environment of small business and entrepeneurship. Anyone find this theory to be true or completely false?
Perhaps that was exactly the idea that Burnett was trying to accomplish by recruiting an entirely different archetype of candidates for this year. If so, I hope he goes back to the entrepeneurs next season.
Rosemary,
I'm saying JenM is managing impressions - and doing it well. Her teammates are on to her, but Trump and the viceroys do not yet appear to be.
JenM is not team-building and competing at tasks. Shes covering her own butt for the boardroom. Kevin pegged it perfectly when he said she always manages to skate. She does that by not sticking her neck out and by participating just enough to be able to point out her contribution when asked in the boardroom.
I've worked with enough of her type. They spend more time in the boss' office trumpeting their own accomplishments than on actually working. I am beginning to truly loathe her.
Kevin, Andy, and Sandy are the only people left in this show that I would want to work with. The rest of them are snakes and rats.
Business 2.0 reports that Melania Knauss, Trump's skanky fiance, will be the new Levi's spokesmodel.
I know exactly what your saying. I lost it for Jenn a couple of shows back. I did like the way it all turned on those who were trying to backstab in front of the boss. Taking those pot shots can be costly, if not deadly, to careers.
It does appear to me also that Jenn is skating by, resting on her good looks and resume'.
I'm holding out for Sandy to be the "IT" girl over Jenn. I liked the way she stood up to Maria; though having a 20-30 minute argument with Maria as a deadline approached didn't impress me too much. I think that time could have been better spent on making sure the project was completed as specified. It wasn't.
I think she "got" the idea with the pants wheel. I think she hates Ivana and wanted her idea seem stupid.
Moreover, I'm shallow and like looking at Jen's boobs.
what's the big deal with Jen's breasts? i never really noticed them (except maybe in one episode), even though Ivana keeps bringing them up......Ivana, leave it to Jen's bra to bring up her breasts.
She was the topic of almost every scene. It's looking like they may be setting the stage for her departure. Usually when so much time is spent on one person, they don't last too long in the next show.
It would be impossible for me to believe that Ivana would be fired after Jenn, especially since she's about to expose her true self all over NYC and for only 20 bucks.
It's way too predictable to see the end that's coming. I was on a tour bus in NYC last month and when we passed Trump Tower we started talking about the show. Same conclusion, it will be Jenn and Kelly and that was back in October.
Great tour in case your interested:
www.newyorkpartyshuttle.com
Especially since next week, all five of them will walk into the board room, and Trump will say, "It doesn't matter who won this task... Ivana, you little freak, I can't have an apprentice who goes around flashing people for $20!!! You're Fired!"
Ivana's dislike is sour raisins. She was incompetent early on and thinks that JenM just gets by on her looks. JenM gets by on playing the boardroom game and managing impressions like a pro. Ivana can't do either of those things very well. She has stepped up her game on the tasks, but not to the level required to do well at a high level in corporate America.
Ivana flashing? When was the last time you thought Carly Fiorina should stand on a street corner in Palo Alto and flash passing motorists? Is that really how Ivana thinks a corporate CEO should act?
don't wanna repeat something your not too proud of z7uas.