The Apprentice 2 Weekly Performance Review, Episode 2: Mmmmmm... Donuts!

I think Carolyn said it best: it's not rocket science, it's ice cream! That being said, it's interesting that this week's fired contestant wasn't fired for poor performance in the challenge! Walking into the boardroom, you would have had no idea that Bradford would be the one going home. But, indeed, he was. How did everyone else perform? Let's find out.

Mosaic Corporation:

The flavor you chose was chocolate/vanilla swirl with donuts. I wouldn't have thought it would have been very good. For one, I figured the donuts would be mushy, and for another, the different flavor mixes should have clashed. Did you include ALL the flavors? Raspberry cream, lemon eclairs, sprinkles? Eww. And whoever's idea it was to promote it as a breakfast food needs to be hired right now - brilliant!

Chris and Kevin: Not enough of you to make a good determination of your skills. Doesn't mean you didn't do anything, just that we didn't see it. In fact, I think this may be an indication that you two make it quite a ways.

Raj: I'd just like to say that I still like your style. Keep up the good work, my friend!

John: What the hell were you thinking, barking orders at Raj and arguing with the Project Manager about a simple little thing like spending a couple dollars on food?

Wes: I still don't like you, mainly because of the cocky air you have. It's enough that I wanted to single you out, so let's hope you mellow out a little in weeks to come, or else you may be gone soon. You also weren't a very effective salesman, product information or no.

Pamela: So you didn't like how controlling Kelly was? On the other hand, I just think you can't handle NOT being in control. You may be a successful businesswoman, but if you don't have the respect of your team, you've got big fat nothing. And swooning over toast points and caviar isn't impressing anyone. Asking seventeen million irrelevant questions won't either. Nor will "selling" like a three-year-old that's been sent to their room. You like to feel important, whether anyone cares about what you have to say or not. It's a cliché because it's true - respect has to be earned, and you're begging for respect like a dog begging for table scraps. "I like caviar! See! I've got class!" It's unbecoming.

Andy: I wanted you to be Project Manager this week, and it looks like you volunteered, but lost the luck of the draw. If I were you, I would have fought a little harder - you may have and we just didn't see it, to be fair. I also liked your little speech at the restaurant. I saw it as a small gesture to mend fences. Hey, everyone was against you, and you're classy enough to start fresh and not hold grudges. Time will tell if that happens, but in the meantime, you're another one of my favorites.

Kelly: I loved you in the role of Project Manager this week, particularly the way you handled John's little snit about breakfast. No argument, you laid down the law, and people respected it. Another thing I really respected was you asking Trump to donate the entire amount to charity. Such a simple gesture, something that didn't even need to be done, but it meant a lot in a lot of people's eyes. I would guess you didn't do it for this reason, but I'd be willing to bet that Kevin would be more that willing to back you up if you needed it as a result. Contrary to a lot of PM's, you're making friends, not enemies. Textbook, my friend. This was perhaps the best job by a Project Manager in either season, and you deserve to be saluted for it.

Apex Corporation:

Another disaster for this team! Last week I don't think was so much a victory as a loss by Mosaic, and this week you couldn't overcome a strong performance by the other team. Your flavor was that weird velvet silk cake - it sounded pretty nasty to me and looked worse. Like medical waste or something. Yuck! That was the least of your problems, however, as we'll see.

Elizabeth, Jennifer M., Sandy, and Stacy: Again, not enough to make good comment.

Maria: I like your work for the most part. My biggest complaint with you this week echoes what George said. How could you have missed the second cart a half a block away?