“We Never Had a Cohesive Team”: An Interview with Bowie Hogg of “The Apprentice”

Last week, on The Apprentice, Nick, Kwame, and Bowie were sent to the boardroom. I could see reasons for firing either Nick or Kwame and was certain Bowie was safe. I was very surprised when Trump fired Bowie, a nice guy who hadn’t caused any major problems. Bowie talked to RealityNewsOnline to give his side of the story.

RealityNewsOnline: Bowie, thank you for taking the time to talk to RealityNewsOnline. Why did you decide to audition for this show?

Bowie: I decided to apply for the show because all the girls I work with were convinced that I would be perfect for this show. That alone made me a success because I had earned the respect from my co-workers. This was also a very calculated risk. I had to quit my job and leave everything that I had grown to love. I really enjoyed my job, and hated leaving my co-workers and all of my customers. I knew going in that I could be fired in week one, but this was a risk that I felt would completely pay off.

RNO: Now that you’ve had more time to think about it, do you have any ideas for how the men might have done better in the first four challenges?

Bowie: We should have won the advertising and negotiation challenges. I don't think we had any chance for winning in the lemonade and Planet Hollywood tasks. The men would have done much better by planning and working together as a team, instead of individuals. I think everyone could see that we never had a cohesive team, and that led to our failure.

RNO: How did the dynamics of the men’s team change after Sam left?

Bowie: After Sam left we automatically had a calmness in our team. We felt like we were more of team, and the five of us left were willing to listen to each other. We started off great as a team, but then once again we were divided as a team when the ethical question came about selling autographed balls at Planet Hollywood.

RNO: What, if anything, did you do after losing a challenge to prepare for a trip to the boardroom?

Bowie: After losing a challenge the thought was going through my mind of the last task. I went into every board room with a plan on how to present the situation. I also spoke with many of the other guys to see what they thought would occur. I was never a target from the other guys, and the two times I went to the final boardroom I knew I was one of the final three going in. With Mr. Trump, you never really know what to expect. It could be a short boardroom, a long boardroom, and Mr. Trump makes the decision and no one really knows exactly what he is looking for.

RNO: In the Planet Hollywood challenge, you were in charge of selling merchandise. Did you do anything we didn’t see?

Bowie: Yes, in the Planet Hollywood task I organized a nice contest system for the employees for Planet Hollywood. Whichever Planet Hollywood employee sold the most product each hour received a monetary bonus. We also sold products outside of the store, and many times sold items on the floor of the restaurant. These products were very difficult to move. The main theme of the shirts were horror movie shirts, which means the product didn't present itself well to customers. When the numbers were compared our retail side blew the girls number away. This task was not lost in merchandise, but lost on alcohol sales. Mr. Trump just had to have some kind of excuse to fire me, and I guess that is the one he found.

RNO: You said that you were “in a gray area” regarding Kwame’s signing autographs at Planet Hollywood. Looking back, do you think it was ethical?

Bowie: The gray area that was implied was that early on I didn't disagree with Kwame and Troy giving out autographs for free. Kwame was signing coupons and pieces of paper for free to create publicity. I became against the plan when they started charging for the autographs, and selling balls that Kwame signed. This is when I felt it became unethical. I told Troy I disagreed with this, but Troy kept reassuring that it was not against the rules. Well it wasn't against the rules, and no lies were told. I really disagreed with what was being implied, but I kept working very hard. I just didn't take that avenue of promotion.

Bowie: I would hire all 15 other contestants, because I have really found the best in everyone. This really is an amazing bunch. If I had to choose some I would have to hire Bill, Jessie, Katrina, Ereka, and Heidi. These five have really shown great skills in many areas. Bill would be the CEO, Jessie would handle development, Katrina and Heidi would handle sales, and Ereka would handle marketing. I would hire Sam also, just because he would keep us all on our toes.

RNO: Why do you think Trump chose you to go home rather than Kwame or Nick?

Bowie: I still am not sure why Mr. Trump chose myself over Kwame and Nick. Kwame does have a Harvard MBA and that goes along way in the business world. I think he kept Nick instead of me because he probably makes for better TV. I am not a "punch you in the mouth person," and I do not create conflict. I really work hard to be friends with everyone, and do not create enemies. For a real answer you would have to get that from Mr. Trump.

RNO:For four challenges so far, the women’s strategy has been to use their sex appeal to win. What did the men’s team think of that strategy?

Bowie: We thought they were using what they had. We know how pretty these girls are, and you can't blame them for using it. I do think they went overboard, and didn't necessarily conduct themselves as young business professionals should. You have to remember though that this is a game, and the girls did what they needed to win. For that I congratulate them.

RNO: What’s next for you?

Bowie: I quit my job before I left, and was offered a re-hire status. I could go back anytime I want, but I have decided to pursue other opportunities. I will continue to do motivational speaking, and am looking at going to work in the field of commercial real estate. I guess I need a new job now. If anyone wants to hire me, they can go to www.bowiehogg.com. I am really excited about the opportunities before me, and am ready to get back to what I am great at, work. Sammy and I have also joked about doing a talk radio show together. We really have a great chemistry together, and at the same time we are complete polar opposites.

RNO: Bowie, thank you again for taking the time to answer these questions.

Betsy is the Assistant Editor of RealityNewsOnline and can be reached with any comments at betsyw42@hotmail.com.

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