My Review of Celebrity Apprentice as a Former Contestant

My intention really was to write a blog about "what you don't see" on reality TV with regards to the editing. That was until I watched the Celebrity Apprentice tonight which was incredibly tragic.

I was on The Apprentice which was a much more intense version, given that we were slaves willing to sell our souls to the devil, sign any contract and do anything at any time. insiders know that Mark Burnett gives out 50 page contracts to contestants, and if you even so much as dispute a comma in the contract, you are out. He doesn't care, and there are several hundred thousand people willing to jump in, take your spot and exploit themselves as I once did.

Naively, when I first applied it was for The Apprentice: Season 2 with Donald Trump, I ended up being on the Martha Stewart Version later but people are always so surprised at how intense the screening process is. At the risk of Burnett suing me (which he is never afraid to do) you basically send in a tape (which I did on a bet) or go to an open call (which is where more people are chosen). Then the process weeds down to a few hundred people around the country that meet with the casting crew -- so you can be taped talking about whatever makes you tick.

I was so intent the first time. I had my hair and makeup done, the perfect outfit and I was there to sell how great a businessperson and do-er I was. Low and behold, I was asked to the top 50, to go to hotel, be sequestered for a week, be locked in my room all day and night (except for brief psychological IQ, and emotional testing and meals). During the meals and walks through hallways, you couldn't even look at anyone else. Essentially, the real game and the mind games begin here.

In typical Bethenny fashion, my being a dog on a bone and telling Mark just how dedicated I was didn't work. I was the first alternate but missed the top 18 by 1. I was devastated and not until years later did I have to go through the same process to get on Martha's show, the
more appropriate fit. The difference was that this time I was at my wits end and just threw caution to the wind having my "I truly don't give a crap what you think" attitude. This reality television format (like most) is TV is built on outlandish and dramatic characters vs. actual credibility and business acumen. I was so naive that I actually thought this process was about wanting the job at the end of the competition.

This brings me to the current Celebrity Apprentice which is in theory a great idea. It just is funny to me that they can leave for appearances; they have access to their normal lives and can call friends when in a jam. The laymen's apprentice is for the person looking to be a sheep and abused with no phones, papers, credit cards, cars or any freedom.

Truth be told: I loved it and what I loved most is no different than what I loved about scavenger hunts. Ready set go and let's see how quick and creative we can be. I loved knowing exactly what the tangible goal is and going for it. I digress... on the Celebrity Apprentice -- poor Dennis Rodman. His boardroom scene with Trump and both teams were tragic. I don't think the show had been as great this season until this episode. For good reasons, it hasn't been overly dramatic because the talent are great people. Jesse James has such understated intelligence and morality. Hershel Walker takes his job seriously. He is a disciplined athlete, but Dennis, who obviously has a drinking problem, has taken a different route. He always has been but is really now a complete accident waiting to happen.

Brian McKnight, Hershel, Clint Black and Jesse James are so impressive as are Joan and Brande Roderick. I love a hot blond being as smart as some of those moguls. The show has gotten better, and I can't yet predict winners. Brande would be so great, but she isn't as sharp as Melissa Rivers or Annie Duke. Khloe won't last long. She may be gone next week. My top 4 have to be Joan, Melissa, Annie Duke and Brian or Jesse James.

I really can't wait, and truth be told, I'm jealous. That is one game I can play. I don't sleep, I'm beyond competitive, I love a task and I love to be in charge and organized.

Great idea. Hopefully, Dennis will make a comeback and be sober. I can't help but comprehend and visualize Madonna and Carmen Electra being attracted to that at any point. to that. They must be missing a major screw if they matched up with him for even more than a moment.

I love that the show will turn celebrities into housekeepers, valets concierges and service people. Maybe now they'll be very respectful when they're on the road.

Comments

[cloudminder]

well, there is some real in reality television

who'd of thunk?!

when I was watching the Rodman intervention episode I could not help but think

Kelly Killoren Bensimon marries Dennis Rodman

match made in ....

anyway, B- your show and Celeb apprentice have some scenes where it is quite obviously real

I cannot imagine anyone subjecting their children to public ridicule due to some of the things that are exposed -- sometimes winning, the PR etc just are not worth it if someone is left without any personal dignity

The thing about Rodman is that he was an incredibly talented athlete--

he could deal with Bill Lambier when Michael Jordan was soaring above the clouds--

we need Michaels and we need Dennis' --

but we need them healthy and practiciing their craft , not falling apart -- so I hope Dennis gets help--

calling Dr. Drew Pinsky

can't wait for your reunion show for Real Housewives this season-- seriously gonna have a pitcher of skinny girl margaritas and popcorn

[bunnylogic]

I love Jesse James (not only scrummy, but calm, intelligent, generous). My opinion of Brian McKnight fell when he said he'd just lay low so he wouldn't get kicked out. Clint Black is a bit slimy, but has got his jobs done so far. And whenever I see Herschel I think he's out of the 50s with how sharply he dresses and his southern accent.

From the ladies, I love the lovely Joan Rivers - but Melissa is more than a little bit annoying. I'm crazy about how smart and savvy Brande's proved herself to be. I wish TBoz would lighten up and Chloe seems less interested in the tasks as the weeks progress.

For the winner it would be a dead heat between Jesse James, Joan Rivers and (hopefully) Brande Rodrick.

[aznurse]

I remember when Rodman was sober for a little while and was on a late night talk show with is son.
He was so happy and hopeful. (He said the had a wake up call to stop drinking because he had a motorcyle accident in Las Vegas)
I hope he tried again and gets help.

[americancolonyinhell]

I'm a fan of the show, too. Although I wouldn't call it tragic, I do think Dennis' behavior on the show damaged his reputation some. Why take what should be fun and turn it into psychodrama? Why allow yourself to be exposed on national TV? I think at bottom Rodman is just very insecure. His behavior, however, was pretty inexcusable: picking fights, using profanity, flaking.

I'm not a fan of any of the remaining male contestants. James has some fans here, but I find him a sullen presence on the show. Walker strikes me as rube. Black wearing his cowboy hat at the concierge's desk--sheesh! And McKnight's belief that he's God's gift to women; Please! None of these guys has any charisma at all. Personally, I wish Green were still on the show.

If I may, Ms. Frankel, you ought to take a remedial English class. Your writing is very poor.

[IndyReader]

As far as I'm concerned Dennis Rodman has free will to act a fool and the rest of us, or Jesse James specifically, has free will to call him on it. It's not like Rodman has been a team player until just this week, he's been acting like this from the first day. He's an embarrassment to everyone, men, basketball players, blacks, celebrities, everyone. The man needs significant therapy.

[Charity]

i actually thought they WOULD have an intervention with rodman. it was more like a "pointing out" to him of his "problem." what is interesting to me is rodman gave permission to have that board scene broadcasted. i'm sure he could have asked for it to be removed if he had wanted.

so perhaps there is some hope that dennis will get some real help with his drinking problem, though i suspect he won't. it's too much of who he is at this point in time - and like the two guys rodman took to dinner said "it's great" being a superstar where you don't ask for anything, it all just comes to you. so there's not much incentive for dennis to quit his flamboyant and drinking-enabled lifestyle.

the rest: i love jesse james, whose reputation has increased 10-fold in my eyes, and one can understand how sandra fell for this level headed albeit very cool guy. and besides, i was a big "monster garage" fan.

brian mcknight - the man is a walking CEO! i forget he is a singer each time i see him on "apprentice." however, i don't think he is the best player, per se. i think brande is, though joan and melissa certainly know how to get things done, as we all knew they did (and do).

i don't care who wins; it's all in the watching, right, burnett? and thanks bethenny - i enjoyed reading your insight on being a contestant.

[PatA]

This is hard for me to say but I felt really uncomfortable when Trump let the boardroom episode turn into an intervention for Mr. Rodman. Not for a minute do I think that Rodman doesn't have a drinking problem. But national television just wasn't the place to stage that. We know it was staged...
Unless a person signs up for a show where they can expect being dissected concerning any habit that is hurtful to them.......it shouldn't happen. Rodman went to the same college I did and I've always said that if
he had been there under the coach that was alive when I went......he wouldn't be the mess he is now. Mr. Sullivan would have helped him get his head on straight and then would have kicked his butt if he
didn't stay straight.

[SouthJerseySteve]

I look forward to watching this show every week -- I enjoy several reality shows, Amazing Race is still THE BEST, Survivor is enjoyable but getting too predictable (love the locales), and Mr. Trump struck gold by turning his show into a Celebrity version (the "real" apprentices have gone on to do what?). I love the part of the show when the winning project managers hand out their checks to their favorite charity, you cannot fake the joy the recipients show in their gratitude.

[copelli21]

That last Rodman episode was bru-tal.

Jesse James is freakin' awesome. He's so laid back, cool and the man has common sense.
Amongst all these divas and showmen, he has without a doubt impressed me the most with his humor, compassion and intelligence.

I hope he wins it all, but even if he doesn't.....i think he's probably earned the respect of many.

He actually brings some dignity to what is essentially a train wreck.