There ain’t nothing bad about a new season of The Celebrity Apprentice. It’s a great opportunity to get to know a whole slew of “celebrities” we’ve never heard of before … personally I’m appreciative of the fact that I now know who Clint Black, Trace Adkins, Piers Morgan, and Curtis Stone are. So who will I be able to add to my list this season?
The women, who decided to brand themselves “ASAP” (Artists, Singers, Authors, and Professionals with a Purpose), are an eclectic bunch. I’m glad to hear that Dionne Warwick is alive and well. But can someone tell me who I was thinking of when I heard her name and immediately thought “psychic network?” Thanks. Hope Dworaczyk is the requisite Playboy Playmate, not that anyone would have taken notice of her presence last night. La Toya Jackson is somewhat frightening, and not just because she looks like she’s been ill for a really long time — she also speaks like she’s been frozen and newly thawed. Lisa Rinna I know from the days that my sisters watched soap operas at home, and I believe Niki Taylor was a famous model back when I was growing up. And I guess Star Jones, who was project manager for the first task, is right at home here.
But here are the real head-scratchers: Oscar winner Marlee Matlin is doing the show … huh? You mean after killing it on shows like The West Wing and movies like Children of a Lesser God she decided to contend on a reality show alongside the likes of NeNe Leakes, world famous star of … The Real Housewives of Atlanta? And is that what makes you a marketable “celebrity” now, reality show hopping?
The men went with the name “Backbone,” and are their own interesting group. David Cassidy is of a different generation, although for many of us he still has some name recognition. John Rich is another country singer, but for some reason I feel like he’s not in the same league as Clint Black or Trace Adkins, themselves virtually unknown to us Northerners. And Jose Canseco is about the most controversial baseball player around, while Lil Jon the rapper would probably be controversial if many of us knew who he was.
Meat Loaf is, without question, a huge name in music and beyond … but I don’t think I could name a single one of his songs. On the other hand, Mark McGrath AKA Sugar Ray? I saw him in concert! Gary Busey, meanwhile, is perfect for this show. If you’ve seen him on things like Entourage you’ll know what I’m talking about. That leaves us with Richard Hatch … Survivor winner? Really? His having been in prison for tax evasion probably makes him more well-known than his reality appearance, but still.
Anyway, the teams were tasked with taking over a pizzeria for a day, and the competition finally got back to who could raise the most money; $1,000 slices were flying out the door as the “celebrities'” “celebrity” friends pored in with cash. I’ve always enjoyed that aspect of the show, but what was up with not introducing us to any of the “famous” names that came in to help?
Also missing was the blatant self-exploitation that usually accompanies this series, although I’m sure that’ll come. Donald Trump did walk in with hookers Rockets on his arms, so he certainly isn’t skimping on his nonsense. Everyone else will get there, I’m sure.
The boardroom was insane, as always. I already very much do not like Richard Hatch, and David Cassidy seriously should have hit him in the head with something heavy. Also deserving of a violence pass was Lisa Rinna; was Star Jones seriously implying that Lisa had some sort of control over traffic in New York City? The check that the women lost for failure to make their delivery to the firehouse should have gone to one of the men’s charities regardless of the outcome, on principle. But the women killed on the task.
As he’s done with different contestants in the past, Trump was jumping through hoops to fire anyone other than Richard Hatch. Despite what he said that has to be a personal choice because he can’t be a viewer draw, and as Richard himself said he knows no one with money. Calling David weak for choosing not to engage Richard was absurd, but by that point Trump was hell bent on firing whoever else was within reach. I don’t know enough about David at this point, but I don’t think he should have gone given the circumstances.
Great seeing Curtis Stone again, albeit briefly. Hopefully past contestants will continued to be utilized that appropriately. And Gary’s phone ringing in the boardroom held the promise of a lot of awesome craziness to come. He’ll never win, but he’ll be fun to watch while he lasts!
The “celebrities” are back!
Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Mar 07, 2011 @ 13:00 EST5EDT
For sheer BSC fun, you cannot beat this program. I’m sorry that David is gone, as I think he and Jose would have made a great tag team/unlikely bromance. Richard Hatch is already the villain. And my next pretend band is going to be named Bologna and Dirt, in honor of my favorite crazy, Gary Busey.
I was relieved to see David Cassidy exit. He was my dreamy teen crush when I was twelve and it’s painful to see him mimicking an exhibit in a wax museum. I couldn’t have taken the site of his disfigurement for one more episode. That is if I can take one more episode. Good thing he snuck in the plug for his daughter’s TV show in the first episode.
What I don’t get is where the celebs will go for donations on the next task. Surely they can’t be asking the same “friends” week after week. Unless like you said, they actually reveal who the donors are and give them incentive to give again.
Give me the cut throat competition of real people in need of a good job anytime. IMHO, the celebs are just actors acting like they are living in reality.