The Apprentice 4, Episode 7: Let’s Talk About Sex

The Trump Lesson of the Week this week is “Get to the point.” Does anyone else think that means Markus is going to get fired? Trump says that with so few hours in a day, people who work with him need to get to the point. And now for the Betsy Lesson of the Week. Don’t buy inexpensive ketchup. It’s just not as good.

Excel begins their presentation. Marshawn says in an interview that she doesn’t really believe in luck, but nevertheless, she hopes all the stars align for them today. Randal starts teaching the class, and he is outstanding. Very dynamic. George watches, then says in an interview that he was impressed by Randal, but he thinks the topic is on the dull side. The class is divided into three parts. First, students answer a questionnaire about their personal communication style. Second, they review the basics of “bold and assertive communication.” Marshawn leads that part and appears to do an excellent job. Finally, they have group practice in communication. Randal says in an interview that when people speak with passion, they stand out in a crowd. He says he felt like his group really knew the subject matter.

Over at Capital Edge, Adam starts by sitting in the audience, then pops up, saying, “Sex in the workplace.” He admits that he is a “nice Jewish boy from Atlanta,” and is a little uncomfortable talking about sex in the workplace. The team has a lot of audience interaction, including Clay asking anyone who has ever had a crush on a coworker to raise their hand up high and “say howdy.” Carolyn watches and says she can’t decipher their message. It’s funny, but not educational. As Alla speaks, Markus plays with some kind of toy. Nice

Clay goes off on a tangent about asses – noticing a guy with a nice one, then talking about a coworker who used to slap his for a job well done. I can’t believe how much I’ve talked about sex and asses. Hot! Felisha dubs Clay “the kind of awkward moments.” We then see a great example of one. Adam is talking about the stress of going out on a date, including that you have to pay for dinner. Clay interjects that Adam is a tight-assed Jew. There is a long pause, and Adam explains in an interview that he was taken aback by Clay’s remark. He thinks that Clay was making reference to the stereotype that Jewish people are stingy with money. He says that Clay is a loose cannon and you never know what he’ll say.

After the presentation is over, he confronts Clay. Clay apologizes, kind of, saying that’s not what he meant and he’ll apologize “if I have to.” Clay explains that he was playing off of the remarks that Adam made about being both Jewish and uptight. I believe him – I don’t think Clay meant at all that Adam, or other Jewish people, are cheap. It’s a really unfortunate coincidence that he made his remark after Adam said something about paying for dinner. Clay should have given Adam a better apology than he did, but I honestly believe he didn’t mean to offend.

In the Boardroom, Carolyn looks absolutely beautiful in a gold dress. Trump compliments her, then asks Markus how Adam did as project manager. Markus says that Adam was sometimes good, but at other times, his inexperience showed. Clay says that Adam really grew during their task. Excel has nothing but good things to say about Randal. Randal, in my opinion, has an excellent shot at winning. Not because, as some of my readers have suggested, Trump would love to hire a black male, but because he’s smart, a good leader, and is respected by everyone.

Carolyn reports that Capital Edge discussed sex in the workplace. Comments from students included that there was no agenda or flow, and that it was “boring, for a juicy topic.” Their average score was 6.98. George tells us that Excel’s comments included that it was lots of fun, Randal was a good coach, and that the presentation was dynamic. Their average score was 7.07. It’s closer than I would have guessed, but Excel wins. For their reward, they’ll have the opportunity to pick a wardrobe that stands out. They’ll meet with designer Michael Kors and each team member will get a complete outfit. Nice!

Capital Edge is really disappointed about their loss. Adam is upset that they lost. Alla says they just need to think of the next task and be strong. Admittedly, it’s easier for her to say that since she’s the only one guaranteed to be around for the next task. Alla is unhappy to not get that reward, though. She loves Michael Kors and admits, “I am jealous.” Rebecca confides that she’s really excited about her reward.

The team members are excited to have the store closed for them. Marshawn goes nuts, grabbing armfuls of clothes to try on. Rebecca makes an effort to go outside of her comfort zone and try on different things. Brian looks great in a bright turquoise sweater. Rebecca is beautiful in a short beaded dress. We briefly see Randal shirtless, and thank you, editors! He puts on a white suit and pink patterned shirt and looks fantastic. They all have a great time.

Back at the loft, Markus stares into the sun while Alla talks to Adam about Clay’s performance. Alla says that many of his remarks might have offended people. Adam thinks his “tight assed Jew” comments skewed some of their reviews. Alla says that Markus slows their progress, but the reason they lost was the presentation. As for Markus, he says he’s ready to let the chips fall as they may. He thinks that, compared to Clay, he’s not a liability.

The candidates gather in the Boardroom. Trump asks Adam if he was uncomfortable with the topic, icking me out by adding, “Sex is always very good.” Adam thinks it was a great course, and that they lost because of their presentation. He says that Clay was very offensive, citing the “tight-assed Jew” remark. Clay says he didn’t say it like that. George says maybe he didn’t mean it that way, but did he say it? George says there is “no place for that in the marketplace.” Go, George! Alla adds that Clay made other remarks that might have offended people. Adam says that Clay made the presentation too provocative. Carolyn tries to figure out the point of the class. Felisha explains that it’s to teach people how to handle workplace intimacy with class. Trump says, “I’ve never heard of classy sex in the workplace.” My husband snorted at that and said, “I’m sure you haven’t.”

Trump asks Markus why they lost. Markus can’t say. He does think that Clay should have talked less about being gay. Trump quickly figures out that everyone knew Clay was gay but him. Discussion at Reality News Online Towers on this subject was immediate and fierce. The great C. Brian Devinney wondered how Trump could possibly not know Clay is gay. In his words, “Romulus and Remus could come out of the cave after being raised by wolves and say, ‘Damn now that's gay.’”

Trump asks Clay if he’s attracted to Alla or Felisha. No, moron, he’s gay. Clay says that they’re attractive women, but it’s not his cup of tea. Trump says he’s cool with it, a suggestion that seems pretty implausible, given the fact that he just showed us how stunned he was that Clay wouldn’t find those two women attractive. Trump says that’s why they have menus in restaurants – everybody likes something different. That’s actually a pretty cool way to look at it.