Realitywanted.net » Someone Explain What’s Happening Here! The Apprentice: Episode 5

Someone Explain What’s Happening Here! The Apprentice: Episode 5

Posted on February 13th, 2007 by Lin
Author's web site: http://

By: Lin Sbordone

Note to Readers: Apprentice: LA recaps provided on this site will contain a recap encapsulated in an op-ed piece. Be sure to voice your opinions by posting a comment!

The Apprentice: LA has been, at best, confusing this season. Part of the strong draw to this program is that in many people’s minds, it is not a “regular” reality show. The participants all have strong backgrounds filled with notorious achievement. Instead of just the usual draw of reality show viewers, this brings in business and wanna-be business professionals, amongst various Trump lovers, who research has shown will view this show because it of the overwhelming perception its not just a regular relatively “mindless” reality show. It is, after all, a job interview process, and one that we have seen in past seasons can be quite interesting of its own substantial accord.

So what’s with the format changes this season? The gimmick of the tents, as much as I see other critics points about how this plays upon the real Tent City, the name of homeless abodes throughout the Los Angeles region, is still acceptable in my eyes because the business premise behind it remains solid: Who can endure strife without being dazed and set off kilter? As for keeping the same project manager and letting him/her sit-in on the boardroom discussions, unlike other critics, I think this adds an interesting and substantive addition to the process and only adds to team dynamics, making for even more interesting interplay.

On last night’s show, Arrow and Kinetic went head-to-head in a honey selling battle for Sue Bee Honey, only there was an interesting addition: They had to harvest the honey themselves. Again, it was a project that emphasized sales. The personalities on these teams and their general demeanors continue to be as different as night and day. Arrow has fun throughout any task while still working diligently, and they certainly seem to enjoy hanging out together, even in the tents. Kinetic seems to be filled with less extroverted people, politely put, that would bore watchers into a trance-like state if shown for the entire show. While Aaron was not shown leading with the same charisma he had on other projects, Aimee’s team found her to be a disaster of a project manner, with some members of her team actually expecting to lose. The only thing Kinetic finally did which deserves noting was using Angela, the Olympic Champion, as a sales strategy. When everything was said and done, Arrow Corporation returned to its “losing” streak, resulting in Kinetic moving back to the mansion and receiving the award of playing ball with some notorious LA Lakers. Surya’s personality was shown to be so vastly different from that of his other teammates that he did seem to be a hindrance and failed to demonstrate self-motivation on the task he was assigned. Yet, in a strategic move for which he deserves credit, he used a contact from Kinetic to relay to Aimee that he expected an ambush, and she went in the boardroom with the intent of not letting this happen. She was very loud and vocal, almost overly domineering, when she sat in on the boardroom. Ultimately, Trump believed the team was using Surya as a scape-goat and thus fired Aaron for not being more active and demonstrating more fervor and direction in his management. It was a mistake and should play out in an interesting manner, as this will likely lead to a greater division in the team, meaning a harder time for these vibrant personalities to get back to the mansion. Meanwhile, the overly methodical bores on Kinetic continue to enjoy luxury. Also worth of note is Sean’s return for the second episode as Trump’s sidekick in the boardroom. His presence adds a great deal to the feel of the show. In addition, we saw a few shots and heard a bit more about the blossoming romance between Nicole and Tim. But can someone, anyone, please explain the purpose of Andy, the executive administrative assistant, complete with the tackiest eye shadow seen since the 80’s last night?

So, where does this really leave viewers? Making the candidates actually harvest the honey themselves was a bit Fear Factor/Survivor like. Mark Burnett’s influence is clearly demonstrated with this new type of aspect to challenges, yet it adds nothing to a show comprised of business executives to watch them being stung by bees. While romances do blossom in these show type settings, too much viewing time is being given to this aspect. Is this what we really want to see, or should we go back to the old format that allowed for much more understanding of the candidates abilities, struggles, and ultimate fight for the job opportunity of a lifetime? There are half of the candidates at least from whom we virtually never see or hear, and thus cannot draw conclusions upon their abilities even now five episodes in. I’m all for the latter. I strongly miss the “good ole days” of The Apprentice. Will a substantial amount of viewers agree, thus prompting Trump to reconsider the new direction in which this show is steering, or will high ratings continue and thus get us more of these types of aspects in the future. Only future episodes and viewer response will reveal the answer.

How do you feel about the new aspects of the show’s format? Which team do you like better and why? Do you also have strong opinions about this season? If so, sound off by sharing your comments with other show lovers and providing feedback. If enough respond with pertinent contributions, these comments will be forwarded to NBC and the production company for future consideration. So sound off folks! It’s your opinions that really hold the key to productive influence.

Oh, and be sure to check back tomorrow, where we are anticipating our first-ever audio interview. Actually hear what Aaron has to say about his Apprentice: LA adventures word-for-word. We are excited to be able to bring you interviews in this format that will even be available through iTunes.

And of course, be sure to check back frequently as www.orwellproject.com makes pivotal, intense changes to our coverage, adding not only more complete reality show coverage, but also general television and film news, rumours, and critiques as the season continues to progress. To see the new version of the site now containing additional articles until it is “rolled over”, please visit www.realitywanted.net

Lin Sbordone owned her own technical writing firm in Florida for five years before becoming a freelance political print journalist using a pseudonym. Ms. Sbordone now makes her home near the beautiful city of Toronto, Ontario, where she continues freelance writing and also works as an entertainment publicist. She can be reached for and strongly encourages comments directly at llsbordone-writeaway@yahoo.ca.

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