The Apprentice, Episode 2: Steak vs. Sizzle

This week’s episode of The Apprentice opens with those people lucky enough to avoid the final boardroom after the lemonade debacle. The women and the men who weren’t sent to face Trump wonder who will be sent home. Their questions are answered when Troy and Sam return without David. Sam rather smugly tells everyone that David got fired. Kristi says that at that moment, it became real to her that after every task, someone will get sent home, and that it could happen to any one of them. The men are just glad it’s over.

In an interview, Sam says, “If the men don’t win the next task, we’re all as good as dead, because Mr. Trump does not give second chances.” First of all, that’s a little bit of hyperbole. If the men lose the next task, it’s not like Trump’s going to sit them all down and say, “You know what? Screw this only sending one person a week home. You’re all fired.” However, if what Sam means is that if the men don’t win the next task, he is as good as dead, then I could not agree more.

Meanwhile, the women are focused on the next task. Omarosa says that they need to plan how to select their next Project Manager. She pulls out a bowl and suggests that they pick a name at random. Ereka disagrees, saying that they all know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and thinks they should vote instead. The two of them immediately clash – Omarosa thinks that Ereka doesn’t respect her ideas. Ereka thinks that Omarosa isn’t interested in hearing anyone else’s opinion. The women quickly agree, over Omarosa’s protests, not to pick a name at random, and instead almost immediately select Amy as their next Project Manager. In an interview, Omarosa says that the other women are willing to discuss ideas as long as they aren’t hers.

Amy tries to make peace and says that she will accept the position of Project Manager only if Omarosa and Ereka stop bickering and agree to work together as a team. They respond by squabbling even more. Omarosa says, “It’s always personal with you.” Ereka rolls her eyes to heaven and says, “Darling. Sweetie pie. You have said so many things to me, you have no idea.” Hey, I recognize what Ereka’s doing! That’s sarcasm! I can’t think of a nicer and more productive way to air your grievances!

Crap. Now I’m doing it too.

The women agree, reluctantly, to a cease-fire. Kristi says in an interview that if Omarosa and Ereka can’t get along, it will hurt the team.

Trump’s secretary calls to announce the next task. Both teams are to meet at the Deutsch advertising agency the next morning. Sam is geared up, saying, “This is round two in a thirteen round fight.” The men meet to select their Project Manager. Jason says that he used to work for an advertising agency, so he thinks he should be the leader. The men agree that makes sense. Doesn’t it seem much smarter to choose a Project Manager when you actually know what the project is going to be, like the men did?

The next morning, the aspirants arrive at the Deutsch Agency. There, they meet Donald Trump, along with Donny Deutsch, the chairman and CEO of the agency. He’s wearing jeans and a t-shirt and laws, that man must do some serious exercise, because he is ripped. This would be as good a place as any for me to comment on what the candidates are wearing. They’re dressed in business casual clothing, and I think that none of them quite knows how to interpret that. The guys are pretty much in dress pants and dress shirts with no ties. It’s safe, but really dull. The women look wildly inappropriate, in very short skirts, sleeveless tops, and, in Amy’s case, a chiffon, off the shoulder blouse. Perhaps the worst fashion offender is Ereka, who has a bright patterned scarf tied around her head and big hoop earrings like she’s playing gypsy. Donny leads them all through the offices and points out that it’s a very free, open space. A guy on a scooter zips past him. It’s a cool office – I work in advertising, too, and my office is similarly funky. Every once in a while, someone will come in off the streets and ask if they can look around.

Trump tells the candidates that advertising can be a powerful lesson. Last week they were selling lemonade, but this week they’ll be selling corporate jets. Their assignment is to develop a campaign for the Marquis Jet Card. The winning team will fly on one of the jets to Boston for dinner. The losers will face Trump in the boardroom, and one will be fired.

Donny leads the aspirants to a conference room and tells them a little bit about the product. The Marquis Jet Card allows customers to buy a private jet by the hour. The candidates must design a 30-second TV ad, a magazine ad, and recommend an overall marketing plan. They can use any resources from the agency. He says that he’s looking for big ideas, for something fresh. His final words of advice are, “Swing for the fences. Failure is not an option.”

A title card advises us, “Don’t deal with underlings.” Apparently, each week we’re going to be treated to a business lesson from Donald Trump (last week’s was his talk about the importance of location). Trump advises us not to work with subordinates, but rather to talk to the boss whenever possible. Everybody got it? Okay, let’s move on.