The Apprentice, Episode 6: For a Good Cause

I see where she’s coming from; I really do. Omarosa doesn’t want to overwhelm anyone with a million phone calls, and as Project Manager, she wants to be the central contact person. But instead of explaining that to her team, Omarosa rudely hung up on them. Kwame looks at the phone in stunned disbelief. Omarosa dismissively says that Kwame and Jessie weren’t listening to her. In an interview, Jessie says, “Omarosa creates such negative energy… I think it would be best for everyone on the team if Omarosa was fired.”

It’s time for the Trump Lesson of the Week. Trump tells us, “Know What You’re Up Against.” If you’re negotiating, it’s best to know as much about your opponent as possible. Thus endeth the lesson.

The entire Protégé team arrives at Russell Simmons’s office. Kwame explains that for each meeting, there will be a pilot (in this case, him) and a co-pilot (Omarosa) that will take the lead in negotiations. Kwame says that he’s very excited to meet Russell Simmons, as he has admired him for a long time. But in Russell’s office, Kwame is a little stiff and uncomfortable, prompting Russell to ask Kwame if he’s a lawyer. Kwame says that his background is on Wall Street, and starts throwing donation options to Russell. He suggests a New Year’s Eve concert and after-party. Russell says no. How about one year’s unlimited backstage passes? Russell flatly says, “No. Next.” Kwame says in an interview that he felt like he couldn’t be himself. Omarosa steps in, using her patented smooth evil purr to see if that can convince Russell to give a donation. No such luck.

Then country boy Troy steps up. He drawls that Russell should donate a special night for one person, really focus on that person, and make him or her feel special. Russell is taken aback by Troy’s accent and asks him where he’s from. Thanks to Troy, Protégé is able to break the ice and get Russell to agree to a donation.

Team Versacorp meets with Carson Daly. Ereka and Amy ask Carson if he’s planning on hosting any concerts or events that he might be able to donate backstage passes to. Carson offers that he’s hosting Z-100’s Christmas Jingle Bell Bash. Amy asks if he’d consider giving a limo ride and eight tickets to the show. Carson loves the idea. Then, Tammy chimes in, pointing out that Carson is friends with Tiger Woods. How about a round of golf with Carson, Tiger, the winner of the auction, and a guest? Carson politely says that Tiger is awfully busy, so it won’t work out. Carson clearly says no to any golf-related ideas.

The rest of the team is mortified. Amy says that Tammy came across as not caring about Carson and what he could offer so much as focusing on who he knows. As Tammy speaks, the rest of the team silently will her to shut up. They are absolutely right to be embarrassed. When you think of Carson Daly, do you think, “That’s a guy I’d like to play golf with?” Of course not – the prize that Tammy suggested was not about Carson; it was about Tiger Woods. In a way, it was insulting. Tammy implied that Carson himself is not enough of a draw, that he’d need to throw in a few famous friends to sweeten the deal.

Tammy then suggests a romantic weekend with Carson. Carson, rather understandably, is not interested in a weekend away with someone he doesn’t know. Amy returns to the Jingle Bell Bash plan and asks Carson if he’d be willing to give the winner backstage passes and introduce them around. Carson says yes. Then Tammy keeps talking and says, “Back to the golf,” and wonders if Carson has another famous friend who he might offer up for an outing. Carson pretty much ignores her. Tammy cannot take a hint. In an interview, Amy calls Tammy a loose cannon and says that if she had her way, Tammy would never go to another meeting with them again.

Next, Protégé meets with the Fab Five. Troy says that he wanted to come into the meeting with a strategy. He explains, “Their job is to criticize straight men. You can’t find a straighter man than a kid from Boise, Idaho.” Really, Troy? I’ve got two words for you: leg wax. Before going into the meeting, Troy removes his belt and puts it in his pocket. Immediately, fashion maven Carson notices and tells Troy that without a belt, he might as well be naked. The Fab Five all tease Troy, who takes it good naturedly. Troy says, “I was a virgin on prom night to those kids.” Protégé suggests that the Fab Five donate a day on the golf course with the winner in which they act as fashion patrol. Carson is intrigued by the footwear possibilities, but Kyan has another idea. He says, “Or a similar activity we like to do that also involves balls.” Get your minds out of the gutter… or into the gutter, in this case, because they’re talking about bowling! The Fab Five agree to donate a night of disco bowling with the Queer Eye guys. Everyone loves the idea, and Heidi is jazzed about how well she and Troy worked together. He turns on the good old boy charm, and she’s the tough New Yorker who seals the deal.

If only Kyan had been given a chance to talk to Heidi about those eyebrows.