Things really heated up on tonight's episode of "The Apprentice," starting with the complete meltdown of the Net Worth (Street Smarts) team. It seems Audrey didn't take kindly to being singled out in last week's Boardroom as the "weak link," so she went out on the balcony and threw a hissy fit, lamenting her lot in life to Angie and Chris. When John came out and tried to get involved, Audrey blew a fuse and stormed off.
Meanwhile, over at Magna (Book Smarts), everything seemed to be just peachy.
This week's task was fairly straightforward. Each team was to design, build, promote, and run a miniature golf course. The team who could earn the most money in one day of operation would win the challenge.
When Audrey nominated herself to be Net Worth's project manager, it was the start of a long, slow downward spiral for the team that just a few short weeks ago seemed unbeatable. There was plenty of resistance at first, particularly from John, but Audrey actually did a decent job of making a case for herself, and the rest of the team reluctantly conceded management of the project to her. Wasting no time, Audrey immediately delegated course design to Chris and promotions to John.
Net Worth decided upon a circus theme for their course, which seemed to mean nothing more than everyone on the team dressing up as clowns. There was some talk of handing out fliers around the neighborhood, but we never actually saw any of it.
Things came to a head for the team when Audrey refused to tell the men if they should spend their time setting up the course or working on promotions. Her inability to make a simple decision drove her teammate's frustration to new levels. Audrey could not seem to understand that, as project manager, she could not simply delegate to her teammates and expect them to figure the rest out for themselves. She could not, for whatever reason, bring herself to take an active role in the running of the project, leaving the rest of the team at loose ends.
Magna, on the other hand, had nothing but smooth sailing. Despite previous personality clashes with her team, Stephanie served as project manager this time around. Because there wasn't much drama, we saw very little of Magna, but from what was shown, it seemed like the team did a good job of pulling together to create their jungle-themed golf course.
Article comments
1 - Eric Berlin
I'm surprised at how quickly Net Worth has devolved into a long and sustained meltdown mode.
John was my early pick as winner, but he needs to take stock after this one: his smug attitude may get him into trouble, and soon. He's good, he knows it, but if his team doesn't start winning soon, he could be gone.
My new pick is Bren, with the still unknown Craig as the darkhorse.
Good job on this as always, Scott.
2 - RJ
I look at these people, and I am aghast. Granted, there are time constraints, but these people in large part are not very good at business.
3 - Eric Berlin
RJ - Keep in mind that for the most part they're being asked to perform tasks and work with products and industries for which they have little or no experience.
4 - martha berman
I am surprised that neither team appears to have the capability of any of the previous teams. I suspect that each year there are more young adults "trying out" for The Apprentice, but for some reason, this year's bunch---both on NetWorth and Magna teams, does not measure up to previous years. Their "attacks" on the problems are not as creative, not as "out of the bo" and they don't seem as committed.
5 - Rodney Welch
What a needy, stupid little wretch Audrey proved to be: all that whining about the burdens of being cursed with beauty (oh boo-hoo) only to turn around at the end and exclaim "Mr. Trump said I was beautiful"! Glad to see her kicked to the curb.
Actually, though, she wasn't my choice. I was really disappointed in John, who was a total, uncooperative asshole. He's no longer my favorite. I expect him to fall on his own sword before too long. And that tobacco-chewing clown may as well start packing his bags. What an idiot.
6 - Eric Berlin
Martha, you bring up a good point. The outcome of the tasks has been pretty weak for the last month or so. I thought both billboards were pretty awful two weeks ago, and the two mini-golf courses were both just above terrible this week. Magna did a minimally creative move -- business-wise -- to get the exclusive marketing rights, but that should have been almost a no-brainer. That Net Worth did nothing beyond (dippin') clowns and flyers is just off mind boggling.
7 - Berta
I hope John gets squared away soon. He's my early favorite pick by quite a long shot. Bren's my second.
8 - Eric Berlin
So you're with me then Berta, eh?
9 - Robert Emory
One wonders how these candidates are chosen. It doesn't seem to be on their brilliance. The capabilities of each might be adequate individually but they all seem to be very average in the Apprentice environment. The old bugaboo political correctness has to rear its head sometime and I think it will this go-around. I predict that Tana will win and that will boost the ratings(need those female viewers), which is the real game after all. John is a more moderate version of Michael who was self deluded about his capabilities and John is going to bite the dust pretty soon. The tobacco man will be the next to go if his team loses, imho.
10 - Donald Trump Apprentice
Check out the great business advice column and the hilarious weekly recap at this site:
The Apprentice Rules