The Celebrity Apprentice – What did Trump do that was “a little different?”

Last night’s season finale of The Celebrity Apprentice presented finalists Marlee Matlin and John Rich with the opportunity to join one of two groups. On one side we have Piers Morgan, Mama Rivers, and Bret Michaels. On the other sits Trace Adkins, Annie Duke, and Holly Robinson Peete. Which was it going to be for our two “celebrities?” (And, as a side note, which group is the real “winner’s circle?”)

Picking up where things left off last week, Marlee’s team was struggling with the possibility that Geoffrey Holder wouldn’t be able to appear in their commercial. While Holder’s relationship to 7UP — and the 1970s in general — means nothing to me, what I did recognize was his voice … he was the narrator in the awesome Johnny Depp remake Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. And for you classic movie fans, you might know Holder better as Punjab in Annie. Crazy.

Meanwhile, John was dealing with Def Leppard’s manager and a kick drum. Really? And that’s directed at both sides of the argument — what’s up with John getting so worked up about it, and what’s so special about the band that they can’t do something as simple as kick a drum? And I’m not sure how John felt they’d “worked things out” when the band continued to refuse to help him in person.

I enjoyed both presentations, but I find it interesting that twice now Marlee’s teammates have complained about her lack of direction mid-task, only to not bother bringing it up after-the-fact. I think Marlee’s style proved out in the end yet again, but how can you complain so much about it in a talking head and then not bring it up in the boardroom?

Back to the presentations — I’ve never understood the draw of the Harlem Globetrotters, but Marlee put on an awesome show, and I loved how excited she was to meet the team. It really does make sense why she seemingly gave John the better task for him … she wasn’t failing to be strategic, she was picking what she wanted the most!

But her commercial was awful. She got a great reaction from the crowd when Geoffrey Holder appeared onscreen — clearly they’re older than I am — but it was completely disjointed and nonsensical. And while the disco ball side of her can was okay, the back with Richard Hatch’s outline and the yellow lettering was very cheesy. It didn’t look good on the can.

John also put together a great presentation, but his commercial was bad as well. With no foundation for what was happening, it looked like some poorly constructed idea that was punctuated by Twisted Sister at the end. And while I think it’s childish that Trump judges people on whether or not they grovel and greet him at the door — whereas I can understand it on the part of the executives — John’s real flub was starting the show twenty minutes early. Maybe if he had greeted Trump and the execs he’s have started when he was supposed to. Whoops. But he pulled off a good save, albeit a few minutes slow.

I know why Trump brings most of the “celebrities” back for the live show, but they’re seriously hit-or-miss. It was great watching David Cassidy have a moment thinking about an imprisoned Richard Hatch, but then you have to suffer through Gary derailing over Omaha Steaks, and NeNe … speaking. That said, the montage of Gary-isms was okay; you really don’t want to “pet a burning dog.”

Marlee had an interesting reaction when she learned that John Rich had been passively raising money during his event; it was a unique glimpse at something inside of her that we hadn’t seen before. Anger? Nerves? Fear? Umbrage? I don’t know, but it flared up every time she mentioned it.

I really enjoyed how Marlee and John’s charities — the Starkey Hearing Foundation and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, respectively — were incorporated into the finale. That’s something that should be done every season … the song John wrote may not have been very good, but the deaf choir was moving accompaniment.

At first I was surprised that most of the fired contestants were supporting John over Marlee, but then I realized: if he wasn’t such a good guy, he wouldn’t have stood a chance no matter what. The fact that he is, coupled with how well he did in the game, made him the clear frontrunner. I wasn’t surprised when he won … but I was waiting for how Trump was going to do it “a little different” this year. I figured he’d announce John as the winner and that he was also writing a $250,000 check to Marlee’s charity. So what was different? Anyone?

I don’t know, but I’ll tell you what was awesome: Jack’s feature video. He’s totally reached the “celebrity” status needed to be cast on next season’s show!

Most painfully embarrassing moments:

• Trump having a red carpet literally rolled out in front of him as he walked to the theater. Gross.
• This quote from La Toya: “If we don’t get it done, John Rich is going to win this. Definitely. Without a doubt.” … As opposed to?

Another great season!

Clacked by Aryeh S.
on May 23, 2011 @ 14:00 EST5EDT