The Apprentice: Los Angeles Finale – Stepping Up

Trump shows Stefani’s video. She is gorgeous, driving along in a convertible, talking on her cell phone. She defends California employers and developers, explaining that you have to be tough. She says she gets pushed every day, so she pushes back. She is a pro at dealing with difficult personality types. Then, she goes to karate class and literally kicks ass. She says she’s a fighter and can take care of whatever Trump gives her, and with class.

James is up next. He tells us that he used to be a sales and marketing executive, but now he has his own company. He says it’s a risky thing to do, but “you only live once.” He tells us that he came to the country as an immigrant and wants to live the American dream. He has two little girls who are absolutely adorable. He has been married for four and a half years, and seeing his wife and daughters every day makes him feel complete. He says that his story isn’t just about him, but about teaching other people to dream big.

Trump brings out special guest George. It’s nice to see him again, after being George-less all season. George says that both of them are very talented. He’s concerned that James loses focus along the way and needs to see the big picture. He thinks Stefani didn’t show quite enough leadership. Trump thanks him and sends him on his merry way.

Ivanka asks about the criticism that they’re co-dependent. Stefani says that she works on a business and legal perspective all the time on a huge scale. Trump says she never stepped up as a leader. Stefani says she was the glue that held the team together. James says that he is a leader that gets in front of everyone, where she is more behind the scenes. Don asks if James can see the big picture. He thinks James got lucky in the final task. James says he’s the current CEO of his own company, which he has started from the ground up. He can see details and the bigger picture.

Trump accuses Stefani of flying under the radar. Stefani says that she was respected by everyone, never took credit for other people’s ideas, contributed, and made her team look good all the team. She filled in the spaces where she needed to, and “that’s what a leader does.”

Trump asks Heidi who he should hire. Heidi says that although she likes James, Stefani is “the epitome of a strong woman.” Kristine agrees, adding that you don’t have to “scream the loudest to be the strongest.” He thinks she kept “the frat boys under control.” Frank says that they’re both great and won’t pick a side. Surya recommends Sanjaya, which Trump doesn’t appreciate.

Ivanka says she’s proud of both of them. She is concerned about Stefani never volunteering to be project manager. Stefani starts to answer, but Trump interrupts her to go to commercial.

Stefani says that she wasn’t afraid to step up. She volunteered to lead when Surya was fired. She adds that she was never brought back into the Boardroom and that no one ever said anything bad about her. Don says that whoever wins must give it his or her all. Trump thinks they’re both outstanding and congratulates them.

Stefani has gone under the radar, but has gotten along. She’s “obviously brilliant.” James is “terrific in every respect.” He loves his creativity, but “there are certain things and certain dialogue… that bothered me very much.”

James is fired. Stefani is hired.

More fireworks go off, and Stefani gets a bunch of congratulatory hugs. Trump, flanked by his children, looks smug and pleased with himself. Trump concludes with “we’ll see you soon,” which you’ll note makes no assumption that there will be a seventh season of this show.

Well, that’s it. I think that Stefani and James both would have been excellent choices for Trump. The fact that Stefani was never project manager probably has more to do with Trump’s “PM For Life” twist than with her own desire to lead, and I really wish she’d said so. As for James, I think he was an excellent candidate. Why did he get fired? Well, apparently he said something that offended Trump. What was it? Frustratingly, Trump didn’t tell us. Just saying to James “you know what you said” is just not adequate. If we’re supposed to be invested in the results of this show, you need to make us, the audience, a part of it.

As a result, we had a lackluster end to a lackluster season. Ratings have been seriously down, and the buzz that this show once enjoyed has almost completely died down. My hope is that there won’t be a seventh season. The concept has run its course.

Nevertheless, I’ve enjoyed writing about this season, and especially hearing from my readers. Thanks for reading!

Betsy Wasser is the Associate Editor of Reality News Online. She can be reached with any comments at betsywasser@gmail.com

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