The Entertainer, Episode 2: A Day in the Life of the Concierge

Last time on The Entertainer, Wayne Newton broke the ten finalists into a black team and a red team, and gave them one hour to prepare a show, which they delivered live in front of an audience. While the red team missed their initial cue to perform, their overall effort won, leaving Wayne to eliminate a member of the black team. In the end, Wayne told New York comic Marla Schultz that she was not The Entertainer. Nine hopefuls remain, competing for an extended slot in Wayne Newton's own show - plus a year long contract to headline at the Las Vegas Hilton, a package worth over $1,000,000. So what's next on the road to fame and fortune? Let's find out.

The show opens in the high roller luxury accommodations at the top of the Las Vegas Hilton, the new home to the hopefuls. Two beautiful showgirls in traditional costumes (which means there is a lot of material in the headdress, and not much anywhere else) welcome the cast. The show the black team (which lost the last competition) the way to dine on their peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (borrowing a trick from Big Brother; then again Big Brother has borrowed challenges right out of The Amazing Race and The Mole, so who are they to complain?) The winners are invited to the courtyard for a party. The have a nice spread of food, and the entertainers are entertained for a change. Jugglers, snake handlers, musicians, contortionists; the party is on.

However, Dave tells us that the real party was in the Jacuzzi afterwards, where both the winners and losers hung out together. Dave played the foot massage guy, and says the group is an affectionate bunch.

Parties can't last forever, and it's time for Wayne to give the contestants another taste of his world. He brings him to his estate, and shows them around. He shows off his stable of horses, garage full of cars, and his helicopter. Once they enter his living room, they are greeted by his pet penguin, Charlie. Jennifer loves him. Sarah wants what Wayne's got - it's why she wants to be The Entertainer.

Paul is excited by Wayne's 300 year old piano, and plays and sings for Wayne. He performs an original song he wrote, and the group applauds. Delisco is up next, and he does an even better job. Next on the tour is Wayne's trophy room, which contains all kinds of awards and memorabilia. Wayne gives some of the stories behind the trinkets, including a note Elvis Presley wrote to him six months before his death. It makes Paul reflect on what's important in life. Jennifer appreciates the way Wayne took the time to share this part of his life with them. Theresa is encouraged by what might be hers if she works hard enough.

Back at the hotel, Paul reflects on missing his family, and Dave tries to console him, since he's going through the same withdrawal. Joe thinks he's not scared of winning; he's scared of losing, since there is so much talent around him. Dave notes that this is the entertainment business, and they need to have thick skin.

The next day brings an 8:00 call sheet, and the contestants go back on stage for their next challenge. Wayne has a tough test for them. To succeed in Las Vegas, they have to know Las Vegas, and nobody knows it better than the concierge of the hotels. Today they are going to meet the concierge of the Aladdin Hotel, then they are going to BE the concierge. First, it's time to break them into two teams. Theresa and Nathan are named leaders, and get to pick their team. Theresa picks Delisco, Jennifer, Dave, and Paul. Nathan picks Sarah, Joe, and Jacquie. Each team has an event they need to perform for a group, and they will be judged by both the client and the concierge. The losing team may lose a teammate for good. Wayne wishes them luck, and they are off to the challenge.

Wayne tells us the concierge is not unlike a performer in many ways, but it also may be the worst job in the world. They have to please everybody - and people have diverse needs. The contestants are about to find this out firsthand when they meet Matt, head concierge at the Aladdin - all except for Paul. He's back at the hotel suite, battling his own demons with alcohol. He's wondering if this competition is for him or not. Something tells me he's not cut out to be The Entertainer. He doesn't show up for the competition. Delisco and Dave are disappointed in him.

Meanwhile, Matt has team "A" (Theresa, Delisco, Jennifer, and Dave) take care of a couple who wished to renew their wedding vows. They meet up with Terry and Cynthia, who got married ten years ago while very young, and want to do it right this time. They need flowers, a cake, etc. They have three hours. The couple hands the team a list. The team sets out to do things, but Dave is annoyed. He thinks they should have taken a few minutes to look over the list, then plan and organize it.

Team "B" has a different problem. Angela is having a bachelorette party with a bunch of her friends, but don't have any idea what to do. Nathan asks them how wild they want to get, and the answer is "Wild." He tells them to get ready to party, and heads outside with his team. The team agrees to let Nathan lead since he knows the Vegas scene. They throw out ideas, and put together a game plan. They feel good about the challenge.

Team "A" meets up with Linda, the wedding planner, who tells them where to get certain things or things done (wedding cake, wedding makeup and hairstyles, etc.) Delisco and Jennifer ask a chef if he can get a cake done by 4:30 (about 3 hours from then). They get the samples go off to find the bride. Dave and Theresa bring the bride to the spa, and have her set for the beauty treatment. While Cynthia is having her hair done, Theresa gives her a foot massage, and Jennifer gets her input on the cake design. The entire team is annoyed with the no-show Paul, who is basically blowing them all off and trying to find answers at the bottom of a glass of liquor.