The Apprentice: Martha Stewart, Episode 6: MVPs and LVPs, Corner Office and Mailroom Assignments

As we saw while watching the show, and read in Betsy’s delightful recap, Jim didn’t bite the dust this episode. Unfortunately, my piece of junk computer did. Sometimes life just isn’t fair. Anyway, I almost wanted to yell at Martha for just dropping by the loft, as I am a true believer of the “call first” rule. Sheesh, Howie had to put down the Martha magazine he hadn’t really been reading to make his bed, as Martha wondered about. In fact, Martha had just stopped by to surround herself in the closed quarters of the loft, which was reminiscent of the jailhouse she once called home. Oh, yeah, that, and she wanted to inform Jim that he would be project manager on this task.

This week, the teams were each given four celebrity dog owners’ names. They were to meet with these celebrities, negotiate, and create a personal experience to auction off and raise money for Beneful’s “Broadway Bark,” a charity that provides funds for homeless dogs and dog shelters. The group that raised the most money would win. As for the team that lost, da... daa... daaa... one of them would be going home.

The Primarius team, with project manager Jim in the lead, was given the names of actor Paul and Amanda Sorvino, soap opera actress Susan Lucci, Broadway stars John Lithgow and Joanna Gleason, and interior designer and photographer Todd Oldham. The Matchstick team’s celebrities were quarterback Chad Pennington, TV star Fran Drescher, Hairspray actors Bruce Vilanch and Jordan Ballard, and Merv Griffin, former talk show host and producer. Marcela would be project manager.

Matchstick

Amanda chose to take the lead in the negotiations with Fran Drescher, because of her personal cancer experience, which bonded her to the television star. After briefly sharing her story, she inquired about the possibility of a guest appearance on Fran’s new show Living with Fran, and Dawna chimed in to ask about a tour of the lot. Fran found both ideas doable. Project manager Marcela had a problem with Dawna and Amanda, as they work very closely together. Even so, Marcela didn’t feel the need to break up the dynamic, though Dawna told us Marcela should have asked her own questions. At the celebrity auction, this package, titled “Fran Drescher Makes You a Star in Tinsel Town” received the highest bid, drawing $28,000.

Meanwhile Leslie, Ryan, and David visited New York Jets quarterback Chad Pennington and his basset hound Chloe. Ryan was all over this task; in fact, Leslie was afraid he might start drooling! Ryan hoped that regular people could visit the Jets’ training camp or locker room and was informed that this is a sanctuary and, therefore, not an option. Ryan got Chad to agree to having the winners and their pets hang out with Chad and Chloe before the game. Leslie sealed the auction package with a dinner before the game. This auction package, “Rough it Up with Chad Pennington,” brought in $3,200.

Amanda, Dawna, and Marcela visited the Hairspray folks, Bruce Vilanch and Jordan Ballard, who were all for allowing the winning bidders to come to rehearsal, receive front row tickets, and have dinner with the cast. Bruce said the package could include about anything but a chance to come on stage. Amanda tried to make this “over the top” suggesting a vacation jaunt, but Bruce’s mom’s Hackensack room was all he could offer. Um, no thanks. The winning bid for this package was a mere $1,900.

Leslie, David, and Ryan met up with Merv Griffin, and Leslie took the lead. Merv got annoyed with David’s note-taking, but Leslie pressed on and learned that Merv owns the Scottsdale Hilton, which has a “bring your pet” policy. Leslie enthusiastically bought into this, calling the auction package, “Living the Good Life with Merv Griffin and His Pup, Charlie Chan.” This auction’s high bid was $7,250.

Matchstick Corner Office:

Goes to Leslie. She may not have aced the best auction deal, but she pressed on with both Chad Pennington and Merv Griffin in a professional manner, trying to secure better packages from their celebrities for their auction. Charles noted that Leslie and Ryan worked well together, and because we saw her conquer Merv and help with Ryan’s celebrity, Chad Pennington, Leslie can luxuriate in this coveted office.

Matchstick Mailroom:

I have to give this spot to Marcela. Even though Amanda did ask to lead during the Fran Drescher interview, Marcela could have offered her ideas and opinions. She had that deer in a headlight look whenever the focus went to her. Yes, Dawna and Amanda might be a team, but it was time for Marcela to show her business strength.

Primarius

Howie, Carrie, and Jim met with actor Paul Sorvino and his daughter Amanda. Jim scored big by securing an auction package that would allow the high bidder’s pooch to work in a film starring Mr. Sorvino. For once, I agreed with Jim! It’s gold to have your dog preserved on DVD. This package, “A Dog’s Day at the Movies,” received a high bid of $15,000.

Sarah and Bethenny visited Susan Lucci at her comfortable shop. Sarah offered the idea of a doggie shopping day and puppy/human spa treatments, along with a dog-friendly lunch. Susan seemed to love this “Diva Doggie Day” package, but this auction received a paltry $3,600 high bid.

Jim, Howie, and Carrie next stopped by the stage of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels to negotiate with John Lithgow and Joanna Gleason. Howie suggested having a car pick up the winning people, who would then attend a meet-and-greet with the cast and have four house seats to the show. Joanna asked, what they would want in their dream world? Of course, the winning bidder going on stage would be wonderful. John Lithgow offered up the perfect opportunity at the end of their show for a walk-on part. “A Dog Day Afternoon” package received a winning bid of $8,500.

Sarah told us that she and Carrie had stayed up late into the night researching Todd Oldham’s passions. When she, Bethenny, and Howie visited Todd Oldham, Bethenny told of their wish list, which included making a doggie den in the winning home. Todd bought right into this and decided he would make people furniture with matching doggie furniture. “A Multi Day Design Experience with Todd Oldham” won Primarius the task with its winning bid of $17,000.

Primarius Corner Office:

I wondered if I should give this to Jim. He did score big with the Sorvinos. Then I thought, naaaa. Carrie gets the Corner Office. She worked on all the winning auctions, even those where she physically wasn’t present. She also had to put up with listening to Jim’s BS at dinner, which, to me, would make dinner a non-eating event. Enjoy it Carrie - especially since it could have been Jim’s!

Primarius Mailroom:

This will be a shared experience for Sarah and Bethenny, though overall, I thought they worked well and hard. Maybe I’ll only make ‘em spend half a day each! I really think they messed up big time with their Susan Lucci moment. Neither even approached Susan Lucci for a walk-on part on her daytime soap! This auction was all about bragging rights, and going shopping or to a spa with a soap opera actress, no matter how famous, would never eke out as many bucks as having your pooch hit the stage or be in front of a camera. To quote Susan Lucci from her website, “I wish that people from Primarius would have made the segment a ‘doggie superstar day’ with a guest appearance on All My Children. Now that would have been an exciting event as well!”

In keeping with this week’s Martha Reward, I will sit back and allow both teams to wallow in the comfort of a job well done. I really didn’t even want to offer up Mailroom and Corner Offices this week because I felt the celebrities truly called most of the shots. Could the teams have tried harder? You betcha. But they all did well in my book.

So enjoy the nothingness of my gifts, dear teams! Maybe I’ll be more generous next week!

The tally thus far with the remaining applicants:

Corner Office: Howie (2), Ryan (2), Amanda (1), Bethenny (2) , Leslie (1), Carrie (1)

Mailroom: Jim (3), David (1), Leslie (2), Marcela (1), Sarah (1/2), Bethenny (1/2)

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out these other Apprentice: Martha Stewart Episode 6 articles:

Sandy McFarland can be emailed with questions, comments, or nominations to the Mailroom or Corner Office at sadygal@yahoo.com.

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