As of tonight, Donald Trump has a new employee in his organization after a grueling, yet entertaining, 15-week long interview. Yep, tonight was the hour and a half live finale coming to us from the Orpheum in Hollywood, California. I found that rather unusual as all of the other seasons ended right here in the New York City area. Not that I was ever invited, mind you. (Sniffle.)
However, Trump had a card up his sleeve. The Apprentice 6 will take place in California. Dang, it just won't be the same, at least, not for me. I'm used to the NYC setting, know the areas, and often see familiar sights. Yes, I lived for a few years outside of Los Angeles, but we're talking first grade. I think it's changed since then. Ah, well...on with the show...The finalists — Lee Bienstock and Sean Yazbeck — were still amidst their final tasks as I wrote in last week's article. Lee was in charge of a celebrity hockey game fundraiser at Chelsea Piers (NYC), while Sean was in charge of a Bare Naked Ladies rock concert fundraiser at Trump's Taj Mahal Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Both had woes. In my opinion, Lee chose a horrible team. No matter how much loyalty he feels with Lenny, the man is not good for business. Pepi? He chose Pepi, fired in Week Two. Roxanne had some strong points, better than Lenny and Pepi, but...! And, then Sean had a strong team — Tarek, Andrea, and Tammy — but Andrea had a health crisis and went running off to a doctor. Eep.As we watched them complete their tasks this week, both still had woes. Yes, Andrea returned (which is great as she's a very strong team member). Her health crisis turned out to be a burst blood vessel in her sinuses. But Sean delegated too much responsibility to Tarek, in particular. Tarek actually did well, but even Trump's representative George commented on it, so it wasn't just me.Lee was totally disorganized and really turned off the fundraisers by not having everything planned. Then he went and put Lenny (of all people!) in charge of the celebrities! What the hell was he thinking? Lenny all but deserted them, offended the fundraiser folks with ill-timed jokes, and even got Lee ticked at him.In the end, both candidates managed to get their acts together, although I don't think Jaime Pressley (the auctioneer for the hockey event) ever wants to see Lenny again. To quote her, "You're not together, little Apprentice Boy!" Nonetheless, both Sean and Lee seemed to have success with their events in the end. I'll admit I couldn't do it.The task endings, as well as recaps on both Lee and Sean, were filmed and shown to the live finale show audience on a huge screen. Live hooplah included Trump asking his Trumplets, Donald and Ivanka, who they'd choose to win. Neither committed. Nor would George commit. This season's other candidates were split pretty much down the middle, too. Perhaps Sean had one more in his court than Lee did. Finally, Carolyn committed and chose Sean. Judging from the audience, Sean was a more popular choice. Me? I wasn't thrilled with either of them, but I'm sure both will go on to success in business. However, they once again didn't ask me. Well, they did, but I didn't vote online for either candidate. I decided to be an apathetic slug. Or something. I thought Lee was too sneaky and Sean wasn't on top of things. Maybe I could have voted for Brent!Trump told them there were two job locations from which they could choose. No, each didn't get a job. He indicated that their choice may play a role in his choice of the winner, but that didn't come into play as both chose the same location. The choices were Hawaii or Soho (a nifty-keen quaint ritzy neighborhood in New York City that is being ruined with stupid highrises — my opinion, of course). Both chose Soho.When Trump revealed the general vote from the online audience, he said it was overwhelmingly in support of one candidate. He chose the same one for the win, but said it was a hard decision.
The envelope, please. Um...okay, no envelope. The winner of The Apprentice 5 is Sean Yazbeck, the Brit in Miami. Throw confetti, dance, and sing...if you must.Just a few tidbits:
- Sean said he plans to marry Tammy (aw, golly gee, how sweet).
- Was Andrea wearing jeans? What was up with that?
- Denis Leary broke the NYC law by smoking in that locker room.
- Those Pontiac G6 cars are really attractive. May I have one?
- Trump believes you must take credit, blow your own horn, in business. Why am I not surprised?
- Hmm...it seems to me that there is a position open in Hawaii. Should I apply?
- Brent had to jockey for position to shake Trump's hand one more time.
- Lenny is still surly and a step behind the world.
- Tell me again. Who is Pepi?
All in all, I was entertained this season, more than I have been for the past few. After all, I'm not applying for a job with Donald Trump. I'm just sitting here writing about a television show. If it entertained me, then it did its job. Donald Trump, I guess you're hired. (The paycheck is in the mail. Really. Would I lie?)Thanks for reading this season and I'm sure to be watching next season.Until then...Dollar bills, y'all...
Article comments
1 - Joan Hunt
Congrats! This article has been placed on Advance.net
Just finished watching the show myself. Not impressed with either of the finalists, but what can I say? They let Roxanne go and everyone else who should have been a contender.
Let's see what happens next season!
2 - Mark Saleski
for a great final twist, they should have fired them both and given the job to last year's runner-up Rebecca. she was stronger than at least half of this year's crop.
3 - BL Johnson
Who actually WON the fundraising contest?
Did I miss that detail? Or was it never made clear?
AND I agree that Rebecca is stronger that this year's finalists. Does anyone know where Rebecca is now?
4 - Suyog
Comapared to last season's finalists in Rebecca and Randall, or even Kendra before, or even Kelly before that - these two looked like absolute nincompoops. This season was very disappointing in its casting - there was nobody you wanted to root for - and this Sean who's got his metrosexual word confused... was jarring with his twiching of his mouth to produce that brit accent - arrrrrgh!
I agree, trump could have fired both of 'em and got Rebecca back!
Suyog
5 - ANN HALL
WHO EXACTLY DID A BETTER JOB FUNDRAISING???
NOTHING WAS MENTIONED ON THE SHOW AND WE'RE ALL
ASKING THE SAME QUESTION THIS MORNING.......IT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN DUE TO TIME CONSTRAINTS AS WE WATCHED PEOPLE MILL AROUND FOR A GOOD 3 MINUTES AT THE END. HORRIBLE END TO THE SEASON.
PERSONALLY, WE THINK LEE MADE A AWFUL CHOICE WITH HIS TEAM--- BUT WAS THE STRONGER CANDIDATE,
NONETHELESS. THE GUY WILL GO FAR, BUT FIRST HE HAS TO GAIN BACK THE 22 POUNDS HE LOST----THE FIRST THING HE SHOULD LEARN IS SACRIFICING YOUR HEALTH FOR A JOB SHOULD NEVER, EVER BE DONE......
***Hopefully, some fabulous company will recognize his potential and offer him a real job.***
6 - Stephen V Funk
Thanks for the recap. I missed the finale. I also missed several other episodes of Apprentice this season. I don't feel like I missed much of anything, though. This from a guy who's been watching this series religiously from the very beginning.
I thought this season was a real klunker. I really hope the new California locale spices things up a bit, or this show is on borrowed time.
Please -- lose the Trump kids next season. Gag. Terrible move. It's always bad whenever George and/or Carolyn aren't there, but the kids were the WORST.
Both Lee and Sean (and most of the other apprentii) were unlikable and unlikely to have actually been hired for an important position with any real company. And I'm certain that Sean's British accent is fake.
Anyway... yawn. Trump -- you better whip this show back into shape next time... or -- it must be said -- YOU'RE FIRED!
7 - Dynamo of Eternia
I watched the finale last night. And of the two remaining candidates, I am glad that Sean won. Of the two of them, I felt he was the much stronger candidate overall, and just much more likable. He deserved this much more than Lee, in my opinion.
As far as who actually raised more money, they never gave the final numbers, but based on the footage being shown from each of the fundraisers, I believe that Sean's team won. I could be wrong and it could be just simply the way things were edited, but it seemed like they were showing several more cars and things being auctioned off at Sean's fund raiser than at Lee's.
I do agree that this season's candidates were not as strong as those from previous seasons. But, if someone from this group was going to win, I am glad it was Sean.
8 - Eric Berlin
I actually liked both finalists. While I agree with the outcome, I was very impressed by the young Lee, who handled himself brilliantly in the final boardroom and during the live finale.
His downfall may have been in his personnel skills -- totally agree that Lenny and Pepi were poor choices. Clearly Tarek and Andrea created an environment where very little was left to go wrong.
What was very disappointing, though, was the bare attention given to the final task by Trump. Further, Trump said very little about what he actually felt about either finalist. What I really liked about the ill fated Martha Stewart version of The Apprentice was that she really went into her decision-making process.
All in all, I think The Apprentice still has legs and I'm looking forward to the LA installment.