
John Rich CREDIT: NBC
John Rich, the Nashville country producer and singer, lassoed the fourth season of “Celebrity Apprentice” with hard work, focus and leadership.
Donald Trump picked Rich over deaf Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin.
In the end, Rich raised more than $1 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.
Both played the game smart. Matlin raised $1 million on one challenge, more than anybody ever has, for the Starkey Hearing Foundation. Rich focused not just on raising money but coming up with creative ideas and winning two challenges for his charity as project manager before the finale.
Rich in that last challenge seemed to have his act together consistently in terms of leadership skills vs. Marlee. But Marlee’s presentation went off with virtually no hitches. Rich started his Def Leppard presentation 20 minutes early. Awkward! He filled the time by riffing a few minutes with music before introducing them again.
While Trump is prone to exaggeration, it can be fairly argued that this was the most entertaining of the four “celebrity” versions of “The Apprentice.” There were conflicts galore. David Cassidy vs. Richard Hatch. Star Jones vs. Lisa Rinna. NeNe Leakes vs. Star Jones. Meat Loaf vs. Gary Busey. NeNe vs. LaToya Jackson. Dionne Warwick was a sourpuss. Jose Canseco was lazy. Meat Loaf was overly emotional. It was fun week most weeks.
During the live portion, Cassidy felt some level of “vindication” that Hatch was in jail (yet again) for tax evasion and wasn’t able to make it.
“It’s a competition,” Jones said about battling Rinna. “Bring your A game.”
“I don’t like responding to that person,” Rinna said.
Trump then lets Busey talk and the crowd titters as he natters on about “neurolinguistic programming” and being able to read people. And he wants to re-sell his story about Omaha Steaks and that kite.
He also gives credit for giving Atlanta’s Lil Jon more exposure. Lil Jon during the show clearly got sick of Busey. “Now that I had a break from Gary, he’s good people,” he said.
There was an entire segment showing NeNe’s biggest outbursts. “I don’t regret leaving because I did what was best for me at the time,” she said. ” About Star: ”I don’t hold grudges.” Jones’ responses: “I was disheartened as I watched the episodes unfolded. She used this platform to attack every single black woman on the show.”
“It’s not a racial thing,” NeNe said.
“Here we go again!” Busey said.
“As a professional woman, I was embarrassed,” Star said, of NeNe’s behavior.
LaToya giggled. Why did she end up on Team NeNe? “Star was using NeNe as her mouthpiece,’ she said. “NeNe deep down has a good heart and I forgave her for what she said.”
Star will become friends “when pigs fly.”
The no-shows besides Hatch on the live show: Warwick and Canseco.
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By Rodney Ho, rho@ajc.com, AJCRadioTV blog
106 comments Add your comment
Jaye
May 23rd, 2011
12:22 am
As an FYI, St Jude’s Children’s Hospital is in Memphis, not Nashville.
annie
May 23rd, 2011
1:33 am
Congrats to John Rich 4 winning Celebrity Apprentice – best choice!! Enjoyed this season.
Bored
May 23rd, 2011
1:36 am
It was a fun season. Where was Dionne during the finale — she was a no-show! Nobody even mentioned her. We knew Jose is looking after his sick father, Richard is in prison, etc. Maybe she’d had enough.
It was a tough call between Marlee and John Rich. Either could’ve been the Celebrity Apprentice at the end. Both were hard workers and had good focus, and both were passionate about their charities.
Unfortunately, reality shows have morphed into this whole “who can be the biggest villain” thing. People want drama, and that’s what reality shows deliver these days. It’s all about who can bring the biggest catfight, who can exaggerate situations, and who can yell the loudest. When the cameras start rolling, people on reality shows seem to lose their minds. We’re now just expectant of fighting — when you hear that Person A is going to be on a show with Person B, we automatically start envisioning fighting between the 2. A competition is a competition, but apparently, to be on a reality show, it has to involve catfights and creation of ongoing feuds. In “old Hollywood,” legendary feuds were created between stars over getting coveted roles in movies — now, it’s all on a much lower level.
Let’s see what kind of cast Mr. Trump cooks up for the next season — how many hot-heads can he match up next??
None
May 23rd, 2011
1:41 am
John would not have won without Lil Jon ,very impressed by Lil Jon’s creativity,coolness.
Iris Gross
May 23rd, 2011
1:42 am
Jose Canseco’s father died in early March (Google that), so he had no sick father to look after, first of all. But I would like to know why Dionne and Jose were missing, especially Dionne since she was on one of the Morning talk shows saying she would be at the finale. I’m very glad John Rich won. He’s everything Star & NeNe were not. He was passionate and ruthless for his causes without being an ass about it. Marlee earned a lot of respect tonight too. Can only imagine how disappointed she was. Both are very worthy causes.
jj
May 23rd, 2011
2:36 am
Nene should not have been there. She quit. Quitters don’t get to return for the glory.
I lost all respect for David Cassidy. Richard Hatch contributed a whole lot more in the time he was there than Cassidy ever did. Cassidy has been in and out of jail on DUI charges, and has let his life go to pot (pun intended), who is he to be judging anyone?
John deserved to win. He earned it. Marlee did a great job too. Both were very talented and very driven. Great outcome all around.
J.R.
May 23rd, 2011
3:00 am
Marlee was great and I’m glad that it came down to those two. John Rich deserved to win. He showed drive, creativity, and focus, and carried himself with class through the whole season. Well done Mr. Rich! And St Jude is a wonderful hospital for children, and they deserve all the support they can get.
angie
May 23rd, 2011
3:40 am
perhaps i heard inaccurately, but what was the deal with trump saying he was going to do something different right before announcing the winner? Did anyone else understand or catch that?
Mitzymy
May 23rd, 2011
4:40 am
I will never watch this show again. This season was the first that I had watched since I watched the very first show, and didn’t like the results at that time. Donald Trump is very prejudiced and doesn’t try to hide it. I am a white CEO and I don’t like it because we have to use talented people of all nationalities to make our businesses successful. He used the African-American ladies to boost his ratings and then booted them off the show when it came down to make a final decision on the winner. On his very first show he picked a white nobody with no education over an African-American Harvard graduate with an MBA and business experience. During his phony campaign for president, he called them ” the Blacks”. I am through with any show that he has anything to do with. He is living in the past and will never change.
Jon Wailin
May 23rd, 2011
4:43 am
If this season accomplished nothing more, entertainment-wise, it brought enlightenment to a whole new generation of music lovers in their discovery of Meatloaf. No doubt his “greatest Hits” double Cd flew off store shelves over the last month or so. A Mega-talent to be enjoyed by folks not even born when he first hit the charts, and for those of us who were there at the beginning of his career, a real treat to see him in this different setting.
diana
May 23rd, 2011
5:09 am
Ive been thinking the same thing after I watched the 1st season and now when I recently saw him on the Today Show
diana
May 23rd, 2011
5:10 am
in ref. 2 mitzymy
UT96
May 23rd, 2011
6:40 am
Mitzymy, I was wondering how long it would take before someome had to bring the race card into play. First, Trump used the word “black” because; well, they are black. They are US citizens, Not African citizens. Therefore, African-American does not apply to any black citizen of the US no more than English-American applys to me because I’m white. Furthermore, the reason there hasn’t been a black winner of apprentice is because there hasn’t been any black who deserved it sans, maybe Holly Robinson Peete over Brett Michaels. You seriously need to get over yourself and drop the whole race issue. It’s people like you that makes people of ther ethnicities not want to take blacks seriously for any reason.
Zara
May 23rd, 2011
6:43 am
Angie, this time Mr. Trump didn’t say the word “You are fired” to Marlee. He just announced, the winner for this season is….
Great season..I really this season’s shows.
Atl48
May 23rd, 2011
7:05 am
UT96 , you are pathetic. (1) Ask yourself, from what continent do most black persons in this country originate?; (2) ask yourself, from what continent (not country) do most whites in this country originate? If Trump referred to African Americans as “the Blacks” why did he not refer to European Americans as “the Whites”? You say “there hasn’t been any black who deserved” to win. How many centuries has that excuse been used in this country?
Dump Trump
May 23rd, 2011
7:24 am
No surprise here – John Rich is as Rupublican as they come. Trump no doubt felt a kinship with the red state red neck.
bevvie
May 23rd, 2011
7:26 am
Star was absolutely right about NeNe! She did attack each of the black female team members. And she attacked at least one or two (Hope) of the white females. NeNe is just an attacker! But she did not go off on any of the men! Which is why she probably left (in addition to the fact that she had little to contribute). John Rich and Lil Jon were not going to put up with her craziness! Congrats to John Rich! Lil Jon also did a great job throughout! Marlee did well, but she was sneaky. She set up a lot of the conflicts on the women’s team and then sort of sat back and let the others do the dirty work. John Rich and Lil Jon played cleaned; therefore, I am glad that John Rich won!
Denise
May 23rd, 2011
7:32 am
They were both great contenders! But a big country congratulations to Mr John Rich!
tim
May 23rd, 2011
7:36 am
Now that Rich won…..can he finally take off his hat??
Carol
May 23rd, 2011
7:37 am
First time I watched Celeb. Appr.( due to the choice of the cast ). I thoroughly enjoyed every episode and was rooting for John Rich or Lil John. John Rich’s winning was well-deserved and his charity touches my heart.
Melanie
May 23rd, 2011
7:37 am
Congratulations to Mr. Rich and St. Jude. My mom is a huge fan of the show and I watched part of one episode with her. Have no idea who Nene is but was most disappointed in Star Jones. The interaction between the two women was not entertaining at all. I used to respect her but here she seemed to sink to the lowest level instead of the class act she was when she left “The View”.
PD
May 23rd, 2011
7:38 am
Mitzymy, I find it quite odd that you have no problem calling “Whites” whites, yet you find it very appalling calling “Blacks” black!! I am certanly glad I don’t work for whatever company you are CEO of, as I have a feeling that you are the type to only promote on ethnic origin as oppose to qualifications.
terri
May 23rd, 2011
7:40 am
anti-climatic
terri
May 23rd, 2011
7:43 am
@ angie, i heard that as well, that is why i said anti-climatic, what did he mean? b’cause all he did was announce the winner as usual….
Bob Decker
May 23rd, 2011
7:43 am
To answer the question of what Trump did different right before he announced the winner was, he did not fire anyone, he just announced the winner.
No clue
May 23rd, 2011
7:47 am
ATL48 – no, YOU are pathetic.
99% of all “African-Americans” did not live in Africa. If they don’t like just being “Americans”, then they can go back to the land of their ancestors in a poor, third world nation in Africa.
I’m an AMERICAN and proud of it.
AnnaMae
May 23rd, 2011
7:56 am
I must say that the segment that was shown on NeNe was the most embarrasing and humilating part of the show. She should have been ashamed to see herself acting that way. I don’t see how she could have sat through that and feel justified!!!! She is a disgrace and for her to be considered a “celebrity” is very, very sad. She had NOTHING to contribute to this show other than DRAMA!
Teresa Spotts
May 23rd, 2011
8:03 am
Well deserved for John Rich for being a good player, and raising that kind on money for charity. A real team player. As for NeNe, what a disgrace for all women, white or black, not all women catogorize or label each other in color, but as women!
Ugh
May 23rd, 2011
8:06 am
Dayum ya’ll. Good grief. Who give’s a ratz dodo?! Trump sucks. He proved it. He put Nene on tbe show for ratings. He got them. He added Star and Latoya. People tune in for that even after this idiot took a jab at the president only to knocked out. (Way to go Mr. President…lol). I will no longer watch the show because Donald is a Chump.
pw
May 23rd, 2011
8:08 am
@Mitzymy – I think you hit it dead on. I have not watched this show since the very first season as well. @PD – Trump said “the blacks” as if we were a diffent species or something.
Listen folks – don’t give Trump any more of your time or attention because he deserves none of it. Take those hours back and do something useful and constructive. Anything he does is only for his own benefit.
Ugh
May 23rd, 2011
8:11 am
edited:
Dayum ya’ll. Good grief. Who give’s a ratz dodo?! Trump sucks. He proved it. He put Nene on tbe show for ratings. He got them. He added Star and Latoya. People tune in for that even after this idiot took a jab at the president only to get knocked out. (Way to go Mr. President…lol). I will no longer watch the show because Donald is a Chump.
Teresa Spotts
May 23rd, 2011
8:19 am
very disappointed in the character of David Cassidy about Richard Hatch going to jail. though Richard Hatch has a problem,this I never expected from who once was adored as a kind person and a teen idol ,very disrespectful, considering his own run in’s with the law during his lifetime! Clean out your own backyard before cleaning mine!!!
ATLPeach
May 23rd, 2011
8:24 am
“African-American does not apply to any black citizen of the US”
So, if our president’s father was African and his mother American, wouldn’t he qualify as African-American?
Such an ignorant statement.
“…yet you find it very appalling calling “Blacks” black!!”
Umm, he called blacks “the blacks”. Never heard him say “the whites”.
The Nerd
May 23rd, 2011
8:36 am
Pathetic! Purly pathetic as it may see! But, since I have watching The Miss USA and Universe Pageants for years, I’m committed to watch both of them and, if it’s on TV, Miss Teen USA.
Tommy
May 23rd, 2011
8:45 am
It was a great season. I am glad that John Rich won because he fought for not only his charity but others peoples as well. He brought in stars, thought out of the box as much on his teammates task as did his won. I also was impressed with Lil Jon and his class. He said he want to “disspell the sterotype of a typical rapper” and did that. I think he and John formed a real bond.
Having two black brothers ot saddens me that there are people that there entire life hinge on a reference of black, colored, or african-americans. It is like you are walking on egg shells on how to refer to you. My brothers aren’t from africa their from Georgia. If refered to I call them black as do they. Actually their skin color is brown like mine.
What about the hispanis? We all don’t mind calling them mexicans, do we? Granted thier not all from Mexico. Do we have to start asking what country your from before we speak. Or do we just call them short brown people would “YOU” be happy with that? Propbly so!
I think its time to call people what they are ….. people. Quit being a chump.
tony
May 23rd, 2011
8:59 am
all those arguing for Trump and his racism are making me laugh…they keep asking what is the problem with him calling “blacks” black…he did not call us black…HE CALLED US “THE BLACKS”. This may not mean anything to you and but to us, it is disrespectful.
You may not be able to relate but please dont be dismissive and disrespectful. That is what Trump did.
As for those of you saying if you dont like it go back to your country/continent of choice….Do you hear yourself? I hope you dont have kids raising them with that mindset!!!!!!
America would be a better place IF everyone put themselves in other’s shoes and sometimes decide to be quiet when they dont understand or agree. Instead, we have to be heard and confrontational.
This is a great country but the people in it make it a very weak country!
DISAPPOINTED.COM
WHY??????
May 23rd, 2011
9:02 am
Please comment only the article. The Black vs. White thing has already been sorta done….back in the 60’s-70’s…LET IT GO!!!!
Scott
May 23rd, 2011
9:22 am
How pathetic is it when you can’t overcome your own ego enough to appear on the finale when charity is the ultimate objective?
Atlantan
May 23rd, 2011
9:22 am
Scratching my head on this hyphenated African-American term. The “N” word was used to describe ????? for years. That word was derived from Spanish, Portuguese and French words that meant black. The “N” word became a sore point, so the next descriptive word for ????? was Negro …also meaning black that came from other languages. That word fell in with the “N” word, so it became unacceptable. The next descriptive term was colored…also wrong…then black ….wrong again…and currently it is African-American. Can the race that is usually darker in pigment than other races pick a panel that can come up with a single word describing them that will suffice for several generations.
KimTyme
May 23rd, 2011
9:31 am
I lost all respect for faux-billionaire and no-real estate owning Donald Trump this season. I will not ever watch him or his shows again. (John Rich owes much of his success to Lil Jon)
Tim
May 23rd, 2011
9:40 am
UT96, you need to check the history of “The Apprentice”… there was an African-American (Black) man with an earned doctorate that won “The Apprentice”… Trump said at that season finale that the winner lead with kindness… The winner (cannot remember his name right now, but I will look it up) took some heat when he didn’t agree with Trump’s idea of hiring the woman whom he defeat (cannot remember her name,either) as another apprentice. Check your history before posting ignorant statements…
Atlantan
May 23rd, 2011
9:41 am
Lil Jon could have easily won. He had all the smarts and ambition to do so. John and Marlee are great competitors, but one thing Lil Jon had more of than the others was the willingness to be a team player. That was something to me that stood out week after week. He stood by his ideas and convictions, but when the framework was laid he never tried to sabotage the other team players….unlike many do each year.
Cammi317
May 23rd, 2011
9:45 am
I had no idea who John Rich was before this season of Celebrity Apprentice, but he won me over early on. Congratulations! @Atlantan, no one person can speak for the rest. We are individuals in many different shades of brown. However, way back when, someone decided that only Native Americans could be called brown. I prefer “of color”, but in general I use black. Technically my skin is not “black” nor have I ever came across an actual “white” person, but I don’t like the term “African-American” at all so I go with black.
JerseyGirl
May 23rd, 2011
9:47 am
Atlantan:
Apparently, you don’t know your history.
All of the so-called description for the black race were given to us by whites. Since the majority of blacks (their ancestors) originated from Africa, hence the name Africa-American.
Yes, other nationalites also uses hypenated terms: Italian-American, Irish-American, etc.
Just Me
May 23rd, 2011
9:51 am
A BLACK PERSON DID WIN APPRENTICE! Season three maybe? It was Randall, and this was no token, he was the most intelligent, cool, calm, collected and pleasant person on that season. Everyone respected him and he killed the challenges and other competitors. He continued to work with Trump for a number of years after that season.
Marie
May 23rd, 2011
10:00 am
There is nothing more unsettling to me then when some white liberal like mitzymy portends to “speak truth to power” by thinking they know what offends black. I have been black all my life and I have no problem with whites using the word “blacks” to describe our are. Up until the late 1980s and 1990s the preferred term to be used to call blacks was Black Americans and not African Americans.
As far as Trump being prejuidiced against blacks because of this show is just plain nonsense. First of all on every Apprentice series whites will outnumber blacks and other minorities so it stands to reason that the odds are greater that a white person will win. Secondly, where are the complaints that he has never hired an Asian, Hispanic, Arabic or other minorities for the Apprentice even though there have been representatives from these ethnicities on the Apprentice series? And why don’t shows like Project Runway get hit with charges of racial bias since most of their winners have been white. Is it because Heidi Klum is a pretty white girl married to an African so no one will ever accuse of her racial bias? However, Donald Trump is automatically like most wealthy white CEOS automatically painted with a broad brush of being prejudiced, selfish, and out of touch.
The only black to win the Apprentice, Randall Pickard was not only educated but he was intelligent, focused, articulate and he WON all his projects. He had the respect of everyone on both teams because he was just a good guy. He made it very difficult for Trump not to hire him. He’s probably old school like me in which we were taught by our parents and teachers that if you want to get ahead in like as a black woman or man that you become excellent in every way that a potential employer will have no reason not to hire you. But this constant whining about race is getting past tired.
I don’t know w
Atlantan
May 23rd, 2011
10:22 am
Hi Jersey Girl …Glad you were not a teacher of mine. History had nothing to do with my post. Origin did. Nowhere in my post did I say who assigned the words that describe “African-Americans” ….only the origin of the words and at that particular point in time theses words were acceptable. Those words have fallen 1 by 1 into a vile pit and because of ?. Also, I do not know 1 person of a different race other than African-Americans that use an hyphenated name to describe them self. Please tell me why you are so enamored with “your” African ancestors anyway.
Meh
May 23rd, 2011
10:25 am
Lil Jon took himself out of it by not fighting for it last week when the 4 were whittled down to 2. It was a shame because he really shouldn’t have discounted himself.
John Rich deserved the win.
Dionne really showed her backside through this journey. She was wise to stay home; NeNe should have followed suit.
A~
May 23rd, 2011
10:37 am
Can we get back to topic? I was rooting for both of them because it is the charities they were playing for that really mattered. They both did well this season. Every reality show brings in eccentric people to cause drama…I can’t think of one that doesn’t. The only thing that bugged me about John Rich was when he came out after Marlee and didn’t even bother to shake anyone’s hand that had helped him…
TG
May 23rd, 2011
10:50 am
I thoroughly enjoyed this season. And I am a new fan of John Rich (I think I might have a little crush, lol. He’s just so confident and respectful and competent, a great example of how to be in life!). I was not impressed with Marlee throughout the season, but I think she did a great job “speaking” at her final event and “singing” the song with Rich on the finale. I absolutely loved seeing them, along with the deaf kids, perform that song! It was just beautfiul to me.
Re trashbox NeNe, I agree with someone else, she had no business being there. She quit. I don’t understand the appeal of her to people like Trump and LaToya Jackson (whose alliance with her makes no sense and makes you lose respect for LaToya, makes her seem even faker if that’s possible.) Star did not come across as a humble or particularly caring person per se, but she was treated unfairly by Trump when she was fired and at the finale when she was not allowed to answer his questions because the trashbox kept yelling over her. Also, the Cassidy guy has issues. His response to Hatch being in prison was weird and I’m sure others in the audience were cringing like I was, seeing a grown man act like a little kid like that. Ugh
Anywho, I liked this season.
carlaroqs
May 23rd, 2011
10:54 am
sorry a(wavy line)–nope, not yet. atlantan are you for real???? you truly must not get out much: Japanese Americans, Irish Americans, Asian Americans, Philopeno Americans, etc etc. mitzymy- anything positively offered is fine for you to say. marie- are you ah-nold’s employee? dagggggggggg. sorry rodney. back to subject.
carlaroqs
May 23rd, 2011
10:54 am
Enter your comments here
Mer
May 23rd, 2011
10:56 am
I find it very interesting that every blog about the Apprentice ends up in a debate about race!? Apparently some have not grown as human beings on this issue at all. Shows like this, even as edited and manufactured they may be, show that one thing is certain: bad behavior extends across color lines (Meatloaf going off on Busey, Busey being crazy, Hatch belittling Cassidy not just NenNe, Star and the very disapointing Dionne Warwick) as well as heroics and the ability to be successful by all races. People need to be judged by their actions. Period.
kobeone
May 23rd, 2011
11:11 am
I am not one for blogging but felt the need to address this….@ No clue and i believe this says a lot. If you were properly educated and not ignorant, you would know that not all african countries are poor and would be surprised to see the development there as well as their striving economy. People purchase homes, cars etc with cash no credit, and I am not talking about little homes more like mansions and luxury cars. The development as far as infrustructure, housing is amazing. And this is all done without creditcards, loans etc which has crippled this country lately. They work hard and are progressing, a good example is Ghana, I was amazed when I first went there. So before you go bashing african coutries and labelling them as ” poor” please please get some knowledge, educate yourself and stop watch fox, and your local news and get enlightened.
carlaroqs
May 23rd, 2011
11:13 am
mer, unfortunately just about EVERY blog on this site ends up mentioning race. sometimes you have to let it go and sometimes you have to bite the bullet and enter the war. anyway– i am elated that john rich won. i never thought marlee deserved to do so. to me, in my opinion, written in my comment box–she constantly stated she did not want to be known as a deaf person. yet……in every possible instance, she played upon the fact that she was. okay, she won the most money in one night–but that particular challenge lent itself towards big bucks. john rich helped hold his team together, bonded with those who were supportive and was not sneaky. loved his working with lil jon and loved how lil jon worked with him, showed they were both good people. congrats john rich!
Atlantan
May 23rd, 2011
11:28 am
carlaroqs…you and Jersey Girl either have a small circle of acquaintances or must scan and react…because both of you respond to something that was not written….at least not by ME. What I said is that “I” DO NOT know 1 person that states there nationality in a hyphenated manner. Of course I realize there are many hyphenated terms out there…just not used in MY world which involves national and international travel doing business.
Paidy
May 23rd, 2011
11:30 am
I’m was most disappointed with Star she is a cut throat lawyer who used her education to talk down to people .She really thinks she better than everyone else Nene is not a pretender she is who she is period. I like her she may not have acted the way some wanted her too but she is real. I am a woman let me tell you some women are the devil to work with I could not have worked with Star .Glad John won makes me proud to be a Tennessean.
jarvis
May 23rd, 2011
11:33 am
So he gets to be Trump’s campaign manager?
PattyC
May 23rd, 2011
11:38 am
After reading a few posts, few had to do with the charities, has anyone looked into their favorite’s charity to donate time or money? I really don’t care what anyone thinks or says, it’s your actions that count. I live in Decatur, GA and Lil’Jon’s charity, United Methodist Children’s Home is located there and I have applied to become a volunteer. If Lil’ Jon had not been on the show, I would not have known about the charity and able to volunteer right in my home town. Everyone who comments on the “he said, she said” aspect of this version of Celebrity Apprentice, should make a point of donating to a charity in their own town. The message get lost through the jungle of endless comments and barbs, lets get real and get active in our communities.
carlaroqs
May 23rd, 2011
11:57 am
atlantan, i hope your international skills are better than your spelling and verbal skills. ‘…which involves national and international travel doing business….’ (not written correctly) and your first there should have been spelled their. Also, apparently your circles are not that large because and yep, here it comes,i personally “have friends of several colors and races” and therefore i do actually know individuals who do regard themselves as ‘Something American’. furthermore one’s world can be international without international travel- more power to you though, one day i will be there with you- i met an Ethiopian yesterday, several Caribbeans this past weekend and spoke with a few Asian Americans on Saturday. i wish you well, just understand your world is not everyone else’s and there are many of us- White and Black, European and African American- who can back up that which we state because it is a part of our personal experiences. now… we can escalate this or let it go. i do not have a problem with letting it go, i would much rather bash chump!
Sassi
May 23rd, 2011
12:19 pm
Trump is an uneducated, pompus fool, who referred to Black people as “THE BLACKS”. We should be offended by that as that is how many racist use the term to say how they are not racist. These are “KEY” words to surely let me know as a Black person just how racist Trump really is!!!!!!
DS
May 23rd, 2011
1:11 pm
Star Jones showed her true colors, no pun intended, when she couldn’t win the argument against NeeNee she puled out the race card. How pathetic and said.
N. Applegate
May 23rd, 2011
1:17 pm
Totally insane and unworthy of anyone’s attention. Cannot stand to see or hear Donald “The Ego” Trump. What a miserable bunch of people these characters were, with a few exceptions who might have actually been in it for their charity. The last two seemed to be okay and deserved to win if only because they endured the others for so long. It was like watching a train wreck so I only watched it for a few minutes at the end of each episode. I didn’t catch the final, but I have to admit I was curious to know who won.
Atlantan
May 23rd, 2011
1:22 pm
carlarogs,,,thanks for letting me off the hook. I was not looking for a fight and no we do not have to escalate things. My skills seem to be owning and building a company that mfgs a fine American product …. not blogs. Using a magnifying glass on people has not worked out for me professionally or personally so I tend to play well with other people. I was only yearning for feedback and you provided such…. Maybe I have missed a large slice of the population, but I honestly do not remember 1 person of any foreign country, that now lives here, that uses an hyphenated term to describe their nationality. I do have 3 older children that were born in Kazakhstan. Maybe they will be the first to do so …. cheers
carlaroqs
May 23rd, 2011
1:26 pm
cheers alantan– no worries
carlaroqs
May 23rd, 2011
1:27 pm
oops, see? atlantan
lee
May 23rd, 2011
1:45 pm
THE CAN PERIOD WOW what a can!!! That was one in a million… Ill bet the house ..when both cans go into the country the zebra print with be unreal and outsell Marlees… Marlee basically flew under the radar screen for the first 4 weeks …she did a great job ..actually amazing job when she got that million… The reality was that John Rich was the best player and clearly the best leader throughout the months… Marlee was great…And her assistants interpretation of her sign language clearly helps her and to smooth her management skills…..but someone has to lose… this time it really was a shame especially cause marlee really was great as well
meyouand she
May 23rd, 2011
1:48 pm
Nene Leakes should have won the money, after all she did more s— talking than anyone on the show. She has taken DOMESTIC VIOLENCE to an all time high. She should be held liable for how she represent this charity and I bet she will stop lying and sit her big, ugly manly self down. She makes my skin crawl when ever I see her. She abuses this charity like she does everything and everybody. LOUD-MOUTH HOOD RAT!
barry
May 23rd, 2011
1:48 pm
congratulations to the def zebra!!!
GG
May 23rd, 2011
2:00 pm
@Mitzymy
I wish more white CEO’s thought like you, many corporate organizations do not recognize the value in diversity. You could not be farther from the truth. He seems to be intimidated by educated blacks, and will use people like NeNe to help boost his ratings. What made me not like Donald is when there was an opportunity for him to grant a winner to an educated african american, he either fired them, or in one case asked the runner up if he would not mind sharing the winning title wtf?
Alright
May 23rd, 2011
2:24 pm
@Mitzymy. Well said! So sad that people look for a reason to say such ignorance things in response, hence proving your point!
Loophole
May 23rd, 2011
2:37 pm
“So, if our president’s father was African and his mother American, wouldn’t he qualify as African-American?”
Obama can only technically be an African American if he was born in Kenya. If he was born in Hawaii, he is just a Black American. Sorry folks, you can’t have it both ways.
Follow The Money
May 23rd, 2011
2:37 pm
NBC also owns Bravo… the network of the Real Housewives series. So don’t be surprised if future casts of Celebrity Apprentice feature one of the more publicized housewives from New York, New Jersey or other cities involved with that franchise.
I’m just happy that Trump never asked Lil Jon for his birth certificate (but he may have asked Jose Canseco).
Gettin' Wiggy With It...
May 23rd, 2011
3:19 pm
#1. Trump said “THE” blacks. It’s not that he referred to black people as black. By putting the word “the” in front, he is implying that all blacks are one in the same; one brain, one thought, one description. He knows that whites come in varieties, with their own identities, so it’s obvious that he thinks all blacks are on one page.
#2. Yes, by definition, Obama is an African-American. He is a first generation on his father’s side. Charlize Theron, if she is now a US citizen, is also African-American. But, thanks to Jesse Jackson (who came up with the foolish notion of referring to blacks as African-Americans), it’s as if blacks just got off the ships. It might have made sense back in the 1800s, but in today’s times, most black Americans are closer to white ancestry than African.
#3. Congratulations to John Rich! Would love you to be MY cowboy! LOL!
mollymcdermott
May 23rd, 2011
3:32 pm
Here I go again…my last comment got left off.
Marlee: You were tremendous as a contestant in all
respects…you remained always cool under pressure,
always a total professional and you were the best
of the group. Very sorry you did not get to be
2011 Celebrity Apprentice.
Molly McDermott
mollymcdermott
May 23rd, 2011
3:33 pm
I agreed with Star Jones…Star we love you, too!
Star was correct in that Nene did go after just
the African-American women on her team.
Why? Because Nene is not nearly as famour or
deserves to be as Dionne Warwick or Star Jones.
Come on, Nene, get over it. You are just an
Atlanta Housewife and hardly in the league
with Dionne and Star. Star…right on
with that comment. Nene’s insecurity
really was unmasked by you.
Best wishes, Star
Molly McDermott
BlkDonna
May 23rd, 2011
3:34 pm
“#2. Yes, by definition, Obama is an African-American. He is a first generation on his father’s side. Charlize Theron, if she is now a US citizen, is also African-American. But, thanks to Jesse Jackson (who came up with the foolish notion of referring to blacks as African-Americans), it’s as if blacks just got off the ships. It might have made sense back in the 1800s, but in today’s times, most black Americans are closer to white ancestry than African.”
If Obama was born in Kenya, only then is an African American. You MUST be born in that country and then become an American citizen to be considered with this distinction. Just because Obama’s father was born in Africa does NOT make Obama an African American, it does NOT work that way!
White liberals like Mitzymy are hypocrits. Anyone that claims they can identify with a race other than their own is a hypocrit and has a hidden agenda. Mitzymy is a wolf in sheep’s clothing that knows nothing about our life!
Pat Williams
May 23rd, 2011
4:07 pm
I just want to say how proud I was of Little John on Celebrity Apprentice. He was a total surprise for me. He was so good that he and John Rich should have been the last two standing. Marlee was good, yes, and she did raise a lot of money, but I would have loved to see what kind of finale Little John would have put together.
As far as Trump being prejudiced against Blacks, I say yes he is. He purposely pitted NeNe against Star Jones, and he egged it on each week, and they fell for it hook, line and sinker. I hope Nene crawls back down into whatever sewer she came from. She is a disgrace. I thought Star was classy, and she knew how to handle Nene. Go head girl. I would hire Star as my lawyer anyday. Dionne Warwick was totally out of her mind. I was so glad when she was booted off. She was totally useless and seemed like she had dementia. She was mean and nasty. I also thought the playboy bunny was totally useless. I have changed my opinion about Latoya, too. She had guts, which surprised me. What a big surprise when she came back after having been fired. Did you see Star’s eyes, and Nene’s eyes when Latoya came back? That was a priceless moment on the show. I thought I would bust my gut when Nene told Latoya she looked like casper the ghost though. That was mean of her to say, but I still laugh every time I think of it.
Again, Little John I thought you were absolutely brilliant on the show. You must be one brilliant business man.
Jenn
May 23rd, 2011
4:24 pm
@Angie – I read on ew.com that Trump really had something different planned for the finale, but since they were already overtime, the producers off camera motioned for him to go ahead and just announce the winner. I don’t remember Trump in past seasons saying “you’re fired,” to the 2nd place finisher, he always just announces the winner. So the mystery remains about what he was actually planning to do…
Trumping Colonel Sanders...
May 23rd, 2011
4:28 pm
If a prejudiced person tosses up bait, no one can be forced to play the stereotype.
It’s not Trump’s fault that Nene acted a fool. The only thing missing was a bucket of chicken.
shaun
May 23rd, 2011
5:15 pm
how do these blogs always end up about race?
stupidfunny
May 23rd, 2011
5:24 pm
this is about the show not about stupid race issues. might as well call “blacks/african-americans” brown, and “whites/english americans” peach colored or bleached hahahaha i never really watch the show just saw it cause my roommate watchs it,i missed the end so i google the winner, john did good i though he was going to lose mainly because he had no one to greet the big wigs and he had a timing issue, marlee did not.st jude deserves it good job
EmmieLou
May 23rd, 2011
6:07 pm
John Rich – categorically WAS NOT the winner – Trump, as usual went with him because he said “I am going to do something different” – then named Rich – remember the order of events. Marlee was the WINNER! she had better presentation and did not miss a step – John was absolutely sickening. Trump said he was not going to allow the last minute money – he did and looked like a weasel. He is very prejudice – Remember when Rancic was selected – he used the race card then as he does in every show – Trump selected him. Never fails – so, Trump is and always will be – BIASED! Remember also, when Rich was perfoming and Dep was a no-show – THE DONALD said, “this is not good.” Well, i guess – screw up, move up! Lil’ Jon was fabulous and should have been the celebrity to go against Marlee. Lil Jon WAS the reason most of the men’s events were won! Yes he is a rapper – but that in no way should have been perceived as ignorance on any level to have Trump constantly repeat, “you’re pretty smart.”
GET THE DYE OUT OF YOUR HAIR TRUMP – THE DYE IS KILLING YOUR BRAIN, OR, IT ALREADY HAS!
EmmieLou
May 23rd, 2011
6:09 pm
OH, MARLEE – YOU ARE A WINNER IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD!
EmmieLou
May 23rd, 2011
6:45 pm
NeNe was not biased – she went after ALL of the femailes – go back and review your tapes – she is/was a hater of all of the women ! Had she stayed – the men would have been the new targets and since she is hating men these days – they would have been eaten alive….
Heather
May 23rd, 2011
6:56 pm
John Rich seems like an ass kisser. He is one of those guys that is a goody goody…I hate that. He got on my nerves all season.
Rapture anyone !
May 23rd, 2011
8:27 pm
The person who predicted Marlee would win Celebrity Apprentice must have been
the same person who predicted Rapture 2011.
Mrs. A
May 23rd, 2011
9:31 pm
Let’s not forget…. If it wasn’t for Marlee being generous, John Rich would not have raised over $600,000. She could have just said no, if I win, he loses. There were no losers (except for Hatch) but HER team raised more than HIS. But under traditional Apprentice rules, his money wasn’t winning money.
Offended
May 24th, 2011
12:46 am
“The person who predicted Marlee would win Celebrity Apprentice must have been
the same person who predicted Rapture 2011.”
by Rapture anyone !
May 23rd, 2011
8:27 pm
I’m sincerely offended by this comment! I’m deaf and I and at large in the Deaf community certainly didn’t come up with the rapture thing! It was that hearing person (just like you!)- a radio host Harold Camping who proudly proclaimed this prediction… fell flat on his face!! As for the show, yes I rooted for Marlee to win… I have to add that the players on the men team are very good, equally good. In fact, I was hoping to see Gary Busey to the final just for the last laugh for being who he is! The women… except for Marlee, the most level headed player, chaotic! This season is thoroughly entertaining at most!
Offended
May 24th, 2011
12:50 am
In fact, not a lot of Deaf people want Marlee to win!
AJ
May 24th, 2011
3:58 am
It’s entertainment folks — I have no problem with people having opinions which are not shared by me but I have to admit the Race-card is played TOO MUCH!
Alicia
May 24th, 2011
4:06 am
Marlee should have won!!!!!!!!!! John is so self centered, and he thinks to highly of himself while Marlee is so graceful. I’m so mad :l
carlaroqs
May 24th, 2011
8:08 am
offended- sorry, but it was just a joke. a lot of people just did not like marlee and to me-john rich worked harder than she did throughout the entire season. marlee complained and witched and etc, while john rich just did the darn thing no matter what was before him. and some people, even Christians are STILL laughing at the whole predicted “rapture”– please do not take it personally- (how can ANY of us take things personally online? everyone goes after everyone–it is the nature of the beast). i thought it was a funny statement, sorry.
Rapture anyone !
May 24th, 2011
12:01 pm
Well, I am sorry you are offended. I am offended by high taxes. I am offended by Princess Beatrice hat. I am offended that you are offended by my offensive comments.
D
May 24th, 2011
12:16 pm
John, loved you but as a Midwestern woman I was always offended by your hat. Gentlemen remove their hats indoors and in the presence of women.
SinginChoc
May 24th, 2011
5:55 pm
I was most happy to hear that John Rich reigned! I have the utmost respect for Marlee Matlin, she was phenomenal. I never enjoyed watching the Apprentice as I did this season. Hopefully, Trump will be able to top it, it will be difficult to do so. His daughter, Ivanka, is so elegant and graceful. She carried herself so well. As for Nene, I hope she sticks to Atlanta Housewives, I enjoyed her there, but for this show, I was glad to see her go; entirely too much drama. I liked Star, she knew how to bring it, people needed to use wisdom to play with her is all. Latoya has my respect also because she came back, didn’t go down without a fight, that’s a real woman! Lil John, love him, his fire, energy, and ambition was spectacular! As for Dionne, I loved her voice, but kudos to Trump for getting rid of her, sorry, she was too critical. Great show!
SinginChoc
May 24th, 2011
6:11 pm
Emmie Lou, I agree with you about Nene. Most definitely she’s got anger issues and anyone would have been a target, sorry Nene. She needs counseling. BUT, John Rich brought his “A” game from the very beginning. Marlee was wonderful, but just not as aggressive as John. Even if he didn’t get donations at the end, he still deserved to win. He may seem arrogant, but really it’s confidence, there’s a difference. As for the rapture Offended and Carlaroqs, see Acts 1:7. Jesus is coming, but NO ONE, not even Camping know when. God is the only one who knows. Just be ready for His return by living according to the bible and the rapture will not take you off guard.
amiam
May 24th, 2011
10:00 pm
I have watched Celebrity Apprentice from the beginning. I have always been more interested in how the given tasks were developed and their end results, the personalities have been interesting BUT I never saw black or white, just personalities. I thought Mr. Trump’s goal was a mix of strong and weak personalities that would demonstrate drama more so in this last Apprentice than any other. Yes, ratings are important, but few of this group had enough upstairs to actually do the work of each task And of course, the divas showed their ability to be divas…how disappointing to their fans. Then, there was the obvious the first night, lil Jon, John Rich, Marlee and Hope. They all showed diplomacy and patience at the Trump table. Hope, as time when on was quiet which indicated she was shy, unsure of herself and probably felt intimated by the others…that is probably what sank her. Meatloaf – definitely could have been up there with his creative ability and organizational skills but his high-low emotions lost him his place.
David Cassidy did not surprise me all. Of course what is put out in media is not always who that person is AND if that is not the truth about him. I saw his show 10 years ago in Florida. He was singing and women in front were at the stage with pen and paper in hand for an autograph, he was signing as he was singing. I have seen this at many performances and while the performer does sign autographs, the performer slowly backs away from the very front of the stage edge, not Mr. Cassidy. He interupted his song, with mike in hand and said, “I’m trying to work here-get away so I can do my job”! The entire audience of screaming females (age around 40) went silent. Hearing this silence, Mr. Cassidy again interrupted his singing and said he would sign autographs after. I was shocked and disappointed he would behave this way. A fan base he has had since he was 20??? ok so there was only 500 females in the audience. The applause had subsided….the show was over…everyone walked out. Instead of walking out and commenting how he still had a wonderful voice, stage presences and that certain something, how we enjoyed the show, the only thing woman were talking about is not only what he said but the annoyance in his tone. We were all disappointed that night and NOW add the Celebrity Apprentice to his resume.
John Rich, Marlee and LilJon outstanding human beings in so many outstanding ways!
dee
May 27th, 2011
5:44 pm
I love apprentice but NOT celebrity apprentice….I’m a business woman who loves to watch the person who are creative and hard working….John deserved to win. Because of the “celebrity” of it all, we had to watch people like NeNe make fools of themselves. If a parent spoke the way NeNe did to his/her child, the parent would be arrested for verbal abuse!!! When are we going to have an Apprentice again that is about a job interview??
gloria
May 28th, 2011
12:16 am
John Rich rocks! Been a Big & Rich fan from day one, so I knew he would win. You are the man JR!!! God bless you and St. Jude’s .
dudeswife
May 28th, 2011
7:05 pm
John Rich absolutely deserved it although he did have a lot of help and my hat goes off to them as well. My favorite charity WTG John. Everybody please continue to donate to St Jude’s, I do on a regular basis and feel blessed and good for doing so. I will say this and don’t usually speak ill of people but Star Jones is a really self centered person, to me it was all about her from where I was watching. dudeswife
NBerger
May 28th, 2011
10:02 pm
NeNe is and will always be getto/ I hate too think that she could ever speak for any race of females/
getto just getto she is Ugh. I would not invite her to a Block Party let alone some place with class/ NleNe was not voted off sooner because, she had everyone in check even that white man
superfly
May 31st, 2011
1:29 pm
Atlantan you are a foolish foolish man. Black people were slaves and discrimnated against and held down and back for so many years why because someone chose to treat peole like animals instead of humans. Black people for so many years didn’t have the right to say what the would be called because “YOUR” ancestors the white folks beat stole and raped their identity from them. Black folks were called what “YOUR” people named them black folk are no more black than you are white. Check the crayola box o foolish one. No one “black” or “white” should be afraid of the crap that you spout behind your computer screen, because you like “Your” cowardice ancestors hide behind your white sheets and computer screen spouting your foolishness. Grow up an dget a life!
GB
June 6th, 2011
2:20 pm
All of you arguing about racism are crazy. Trump is not racist, he is sexist, get it right. He has yet to have an “ugly” or fat woman as a contestant, yet he has busey and conseco…..
Trump referred to the African-Americans as “the black” because he is not. BTW, what would the African-American population like to be called? I am white, but I don’t refer to myself as “Italian” or “white”. I refer to myself as a smart, successful woman.
I am sick of the race card. People are so sensitive! GET OVER IT!!!!!!
GB
June 6th, 2011
2:23 pm
superfly…Do you know how many white woman are raped and beaten everyday?? How many are sold into Human Trafficking which is also modern slavery?
Jeff
June 10th, 2011
1:13 am
It should not be called Celebrity Apprentice but HAS BEEN or Who Apprentice.