Hard Wired: Apprentice
By Teri Sue
February 4, 2005
The Donald Gets It Wrong
This is getting a bit much; I mean folks quitting on the Reality TV shows. That tells me they are there for their 15 minutes of fame and weren't serious about the show. All this does is take up a slot which someone else could have had. If the rate keeps up with quitters, the executive producers may want to insert a fine laid on the contestants for arbitrarily quitting. I can understand under emergency situations.
Let's take The Apprentice, Bachelor/Bachelorette/Fear Factor for examples. These have been around long enough now that anyone applying knows what they are in for. I find myself getting agitated when someone whimps out. Now, this has nothing to do with my main thrust here...as to why I believe the Donald was wrong. Actually, more surprising was Carolyn's agreement with what happened last night. Time to dissect it.
We have a contestant who walks out last week...then, comes back. Now, this week, the participant quits. If she was really really sick, that would be one thing. Next, we have a contestant who is exempt due to him being the winning project leader from the week before. Fine and dandy. Except for one thing. This guy is being a butt since he knows he is safe. Not good business sense. This whole thing is suppose to be a job interview. What boss would want a real jack arse (yes, I meant to spell it like that) working for him/her. Not moi for sure.
The "rules" are that an exempt participant cannot be fired. Right? I mean that is what we were told in the boardroom chit chat between Donald, Carolyn and George. Well..wrong! We've seen an exempt participant get fired because he chose to null the exemption. Hey, if a lowly "wanna be" apprentice can change the rules by virtue of his choice, why can't the top dog..the boss.. do as such? This is what I meant that I was surprised that Carolyn, usually the logical one, didn't point this out to the Donald. Trump could have easily used that as an out. The rules were already changed when Trump fired an exempt player. Is Donald saying that his wannabes can set the rule changes and he, the big daddy, cannot? Seems like a contradiction to me. And, a major one at that. I mean we are talking "Rules of Engagement" here.
So, what does this leave for the viewer understanding? That 'The Apprentice' becomes another in a string of RTVs which goes for the drama versus the pure joy of reality. In reality, no boss would have kept on a dumb arse like this joker who is exempt and uses that as an excuse to sabotage the project. It's no wonder that viewer numbers are declining.
It's not just 'The Apprentice'... it's others. I watched a rerun of 'Fear Factor' the other day in which the participants had to get in a tank and be covered with worms. Wow. Big deal. Worms. One of em quit. Geez. I am noticing that the more recent 'Fear Factor' stunts are more fearsome and less whining is coming out of the mouths from the contestants. Which is a good thing.
There's going to be wimps, cry babies, those out for their TV time exposure only, etc. but, these should be at the bare minimum or the Casting Crew of these various RTVs need to redefine their parameters in selection.
Still, I remain firm that so far, 'The Apprentice' rule thingy of this week and the Fabrice deal on the 'Bachelorette' have disappointed me fairly well. At least we have 'The Amazing Race'...which granted has it's share of cry babies, hollering, etc. but, seems to rise above the crowd thus far..in the realm of RTV. Just my opinion.
I had to get the excuse "of the set in concrete rule excuse" used in this week's Apprentice off my chest. Thanks for reading!
See ya next time!
Teri Sue maintains a Yahoo Group called Hardwired Comments. You can visit by Clicking Here.
Teri Sue is a screenwriter and author who loves to write with a passion because it is a passion. Anything is food for fodder. That's the rules of engagement in writing. Reader comments/thoughts are always welcomed/appreciated. Agree/Disagree. Either/Or is great.
She can be reached at terisuecomments@yahoo.com
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