Realitywanted.net » Frankly Speaking: Derek Arteta May Have Lost The Apprentice: LA But Sports His Winning Spirit For Us To Enjoy

Frankly Speaking: Derek Arteta May Have Lost The Apprentice: LA But Sports His Winning Spirit For Us To Enjoy

Posted on March 8th, 2007 by Lin
Author's web site: http://

Interview With Lin Sbordone

1. Straight out of the gate, I have to ask: What was with calling yourself white trash?

Trump and I had built sort of a joking relationship. So I thought it was fine to do that. On the El Pollo task, he actually said, ” Don’t eat too many Pollo bowls.” Trump and I also had joked regarding my sexuality on more than one occasion, one being at the Playboy Mansion. So at the time in the boardroom, I felt comfortable with him and made the statement. I wanted also to give some levity to the boardroom. Apparently it hit a nerve with him.

2. How do you feel new format of the show?

I’m such a reality show fan that I like the sensationalism. I really like the quirkiness and craziness and enjoyed the tent element. I looked forward to using it as a tool and as an advantage. The cast is also different. Not only are they highly qualified like in previous seasons, they’re fun. Examples of this are people such as Nicole and Tim that have a lot of fun even though they are tremendously hard workers. James is not only highly successful, but he makes a great deal of time for his family as well.

3. In previous interviews, there have been mentions of some unaired alliances. Can you give us more information on that?

Sure. I’m a huge reality show fan. I have applied for TAR and also was a semi-finalist in Big Brother one season, but Big Brother likes their gay men to be really “flaming”. (Laughter and agreement.) I went into this playing it like Survivor. I had an alliance from the very start. If we all were to say one person was at fault when we went into the boardroom, then what is Trump to do except to fire that person? Except karma came back to bite me in the ass I suppose. (Laughter on both sides.) The producers even noticed I was playing it as a game and manipulating the game. The editing tries to put you as one character, so I was kind of the evil genius. . They did show a bit of the alliances with Surya when he asked us for help in the boardroom, and they also showed a bit of me listening over the hedges. The facts have not been quite accurate in interviews with previous candidates regarding the alliances on Kinetic. Actually Angela and I started it, then Angela brought in Surya and I brought in Muna. I would’ve liked Kristine to be in but we saw eye to eye anyhow.

4. Being as successful as you are already, what led you to apply for the show?

I actually got recruited for it through a friend that works on the show. I couldn’t believe it was real, thinking they must of already found lawyers through the three months of open casting that had already taken place. So they put me into the finals and told me it was “sink or swim.” Luckily I swam. Originally there were rumors that this season would be lawyers versus non-lawyers. I’m glad that didn’t occur because who would have rooted for the lawyers? (Laughter)

5. What do you have to say to readers regarding your personal definition of success, being that so many people view the candidates as role models?

I know I’m successful in my life if I’m smiling throughout the day at work and at home. I don’t understand people who live to work. You make all this money but you never spend it and have wife and kids who you don’t get to see. When you come home from work is my true gauge of success. Are you making a difference in this world? Are you raising your children and taking time with your wife? I work to live, not live to work.

6. Did being on The Apprentice change your life in any way, such as job opportunities or furthering recognition?

It really hasn’t furthered my success, and that’s not a reason I went on in the first place. I also haven’t been approached to endorse any products or anything like that. It seems they [businesses] no longer seek Apprentices for endorsements and such since the first few seasons. I have a website that I created myself; It’s not professionally done like the rest of the casts’. You could refer to it as my white-trash site. (Laughter) It’s more for fans and not about promotion. It’s at www.derekarteta.com. [Writer’s note: This is hilarious and definitely worth checking out!]

7. What are some other events that transpired that viewers haven’t gotten to see this season?

Alliances would be number one. We also aren’t seeing the split on Marisa, Aimee and Jenn. Factually, we’re not seeing a lot of key things. The editing and what actually happened are two different things. What was not seen is that we had to shoot a commercial in the mall. I wrote, edited and directed the 15-second commercial. We shot families in the mall, asking if they could name their own price on a vacation, what would it be? For Aimee to claim no knowledge of a large Latino population is ridiculous. This would mean that everyone screwed up. The bottom line is that most of them [the Latino population in California] speak English. None of the mall signs were in Spanish nor were the store signs. Only about 10 people couldn’t speak English. I think Aimee has bought into the editing of the show, not actually how it went down. During the El Pollo Loco task, Marisa and I did do bulk sales, making about 30% of the grand total. She’s great in sales. A little crazy, but a great salesperson!

8. Can you shed more light into the signage debacle that we saw frustrated you last night?

Since Angela was in charge of marketing, Jenn put her on making an extra sign. I wasn’t aware of this at the time they took the clip. Sure I was upset at the moment, but Angela and I are really good friends, both while the show aired and still to this day. 10 minutes later we were fine after the frustration shown, especially once I knew it was at Jenn’s request.

9. What was the highlight of your experience on the show?

It was definitely when Aimee pulled me into the boardroom. I tapped Jenn on the shoulder and gave her a look that she understood to mean we were taking Aimee down. Aimee saw the interchange and gave me that look of the devil she has. That’s what you go on the show for was having that moment. Though we hadn’t gotten along before, in that moment we [Jenn and I] totally bonded. We are still friends to this day.

10. Who would you like to see win the show?

I would love to see Kristine win. She has what it takes. She’s a great businesswoman and attorney. She gets also gets that The Apprentice is both an interview process and a reality show. She’d be great as the winner.

Lin Sbordone owned her own technical writing company in Florida for five years before becoming a freelance political journalist under a pseudonym. She currently makes her home near Toronto, Ontario, where she works as both a freelance entertainment correspondent and entertainment publicist. If you enjoy this interview, be sure to bookmark it. In addition, please take a moment to share your opinions with other readers via our new Word Press technology!

the apprentice