After weeks of tasks, bickering between Piers and Omarosa, "You're fired!" and money raised for charity, Donald Trump finally said the words "You're hired!" (figuratively) to one of the two final contestants: America's Got Talent judge Piers Morgan and country singer Trace Adkins. Since I know some of you haven't watched the finale yet, I'll name who was crowned winner of the first edition of NBC's The Celebrity Apprentice after the jump. I can confirm though that it's a man!It wasn't an easy choice. In one corner, you had the player who followed the show's motto: "It's nothing personal. It's just business." In the other corner, you had the quiet cowboy who played a clean game but who didn't do as well fundraising-wise. I have to agree with Piers, this is a business competition and he won it hands down if we follow that line of thought. But his lack of bedside manners, as Ivanka put it in the live finale, rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. As for Trace, he gave his all during the series and worked well with everyone.
In a poll we opened a few days ago, over 60% of the voters thought that Trace should have won. Even if at that time I wasn't 100% sure who I wanted to win, I've been rooting for Piers from the start. Yes, he is abrasive and should learn that sometimes it's best to stay silent. But he is the person who played the game the best.
Trump, remembering that his reality show is about business, crowned Piers Morgan as the first celebrity apprentice. Since the winner didn't get a job at the end, The Donald didn't say the words "You're hired." Some people may question Trump's ethics because he picked a player who played a rather ugly game. But then again, other people would have complained if Trump had "hired" Trace, saying that the singer didn't raise as much money and that Piers not only brought in the most money, but also many celebrities and won the most challenges. Do you agree with Trump's decision? Let your voice be heard by commenting below.
A lot of people, me included, were doubtful about a celebrity version of the show. But now that I've seen the entire season, I must admit that I was entertained. If it weren't for contestants like Piers Morgan, Stephen Baldwin, and Trace Adkins, the series wouldn't have been as fun to watch. It was definitely my guilty pleasure during strike time. The celebrity edition of the reality show will return sometime next year with a second crop of celebrities.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
3-28-2008 @ 12:15AM
Meg said...
I really enjoyed the Celebrity version of the apprentice and even though I am a huge Trace Adkins fan, I would have been very disappointed if Piers had not been chosen to win. He is magnificent and is a business genius. Contrary to comments, I don't feel he ever played unethically, only tough and to win. I also enjoy Donald with his two children. They're great. Will look forward to next season.
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3-28-2008 @ 3:33PM
swf v said...
I completely agree with you. I am also a huge fan of TA. Gotta give props where there due. Piers is a tough act to follow. Piers showed class in all areas of his part in the show. I think he was right on the money when it comes to the overview of all the other contestants. stevie b should have been allowed to go quietly to never return. I think the woman of color should never have been allowed on the show. What does she do? What rock is she now residing under? After her display on last nights finale I conquer with Piers with his discription.
Love the show... congrats to TA and Piers....
Bye Bye SB & A?
3-28-2008 @ 12:46AM
rob said...
Piers crossed the line when he told the wait staff to get the celebrities drunk and to withhold food so there wouldn't be anything in their stomachs to absorb the alcohol. He was seemingly serious when he said this, and members of the wait staff nodded that they would comply. Is it me or is this egregiously irresponsible bordering on dangerous? I thought Trump would pick up on this. In the real world, this would lead to million dollar lawsuits far exceeding what Piers had raised. I'm not saying it's right or wrong, but if bartenders (or their restaurants) have been sued for simply allowing people to become drunk, imagine what would happen if bartenders tried to get people as drunk as possible?
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3-28-2008 @ 1:36AM
MPC said...
I have worked Charity Auctions for years with some of the best Auctioneers. They will tell you the same thing. Get alcohol in them and then start the auction. When the auction is 85% done bring out the food. (It is kind of like when they stop serving alcohol during the forth quarter of a football game.)
You want the bidders happy, but not stumbling over. In the real world, where that wait staff works, they, the wait staff knows exactly how much alcohol to give to people to get them to that point. If multi millionaires drove in Manhattan to charity events that were being broadcast on TV, and got drunk, someone would find them a ride home.
In the real world where that wait staff works, they, the wait staff knows exactly how much alcohol to give to people to get them to that point.
5-22-2008 @ 4:58AM
broonloon said...
Hahaha. That is most politically correct thing I have ever read! Where are you from?? I need to know so I never go there.
3-28-2008 @ 1:45AM
MPC said...
Trace Adkins is a nice guy. But if I needed a project manager for my charity to make money, I would call Piers. The winner made the most money. Trump made the right call. Piers Morgan was the correct choice.
And finally, If Stephen Baldwin is the current example of a Celebrity Christian; I would rather not be a Christian just a follower of Christ. There are other “Celebrities” that are much better suited for that job. Stephen Baldwin is not that man. Trump can be impressed by the turn around in Stephen Baldwin life, but his action on the show just showed him to be two faced and not an example for people to follow.
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3-28-2008 @ 1:47AM
mike m said...
I have been a fan of Piers for awhile. He came out the clear winner. There was no second, or even third, or even fourth...Piers won this "Game" when he trounced Omarosa. It was over. He brought in the money, and generally speaking, it's obvious he's a good guy, with his eye on the ball...period. Of course Trace didn't stand a chance...at all...no one did...Maaaybe Gene Simmons could have brought in that kinda dough, or more, and maybe that would have been the only person to really compete with Piers, but from the minute Gene fell in love with "It's a Kodak Word...We just live in it" kick, it was over, Game - Set - Match.
Congrats to the Brit, I applaud him, his humour, and his sensibilities. Cheers.
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3-28-2008 @ 2:16AM
Ron said...
Hey, Trace may be a nice guy, BUT, I know that in business it is best to leave your heart at home. And Piers understood and played the game. Noit only was I impressed by his performance, I give him the utmost respect in restraining himself from slapping the hell out of Omarosa! The way she went after him with those gutter like sleazy remarks during that one task, I think I would have punched her out myself...so much for playing the game, eh? :)
Ron
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3-29-2008 @ 7:10PM
Pier's Fan said...
Hi! Ron,
I completely agree with you. Pier's was the best man for the job and I am so happy that he put Omarosa in her place. She really showed us one more (or maybe two more times counting Surreal Life) that she has absolutely no class.
She had no right to insult Pier's and his family. I also applaud Pier's for showing restraint and not punching Omarosa. I really wanted to punch her.
I had seen Pier's in America's Got Talent but was not a big fan but after I watched Celebrity Apprentice and saw how he handled Omarosa, I have nothing but the utmost respect for him. When he slaughtered Omarosa during the painting challenge, I couldn't stop beaming with happiness.
I am so happy he won. Nobody deserved it more than him
3-28-2008 @ 2:30AM
Gina said...
Piers was direct, honest, hard-working, funny, self-effacing, gave credit when credit was due, and was an all around bad ass.
I agree that he never behaved unethically, only that he was willing to call people out on their BS and that's why people didn't like him. Hell, take the Stevie B example. No pettiness on Piers' part--he hired him, apologized when he didn't have to etc. etc. Steven on the other hand was completely two-faced throughout the whole show. Plus, there's no way Piers would have raised the money he did if he was really the jerk the show made him out to be.
As for Trace, he would have been in better standing with me if not for his extremely dense/awkward reaction to Piers' kiss. For me that was the jumping off point of the Trace band wagon.
All I gotta say is that the right man won.
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3-28-2008 @ 2:51AM
BigTed said...
While it's true that Piers is abrasive, Trace's "great guy" schtick really started to grate on me in this episode. For one thing, he tried to take credit for both charities -- first by saying how important it would be for his charity to get the money, and then going through as his credentials as a supporter of the military.
Not only that, his endless jokes about what he thought were ridiculous requests on the part of the Backstreet Boys came off as small-minded. Rock musicians have far more complex demands in their riders as a matter of course. Wheatgrass juice has been available at Jamba Juice and other chains for ages, even if it does taste terrible. And plenty of male musicians wear black nail polish these days -- his comments about that almost came off as gay-bashing.
Piers absolutely deserved to win this competition. And while I'm sure Trace would make a better company spokesman (as opposed to a company executive), I get the feeling he's not as great -- and Piers isn't as rotten -- as the show made it seem.
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3-28-2008 @ 8:24PM
Jessica said...
I think getting the backstreet boys to perform was a bad choice. They're not that great nor are they that impressive. They're washed up. Of course, I've never been a fan of them anyways.
So what if Trace was borderline "gay bashing" about the black nail polish? What kind of man wears nail polish? Regardless of their occupation, it is a lbit gay for a man to wear nail polish. It doesn't do much for a manly appearance.
And if they need their wheat grass juice so badly, then they need to act like responsible adults and plan ahead and pack some on their own. They're not helpless, nor are they anybody special.
3-28-2008 @ 1:52PM
ORKMommy said...
I thought Trace was absolutely hilarious when he was talking about the "BSB". When he went on the rant about how he performed and could barely stand up and then went and had 18 inches of his colon cut out after his show...I almost peed my pants!
Trace is one of the hottest men in the world (in my opinion, of course) because he's such a MAN! MEN don't wear nail polish, MEN don't whine when they hurt their wittle knee, MEN don't drink wheat grass. The "BSB" obviously aren't MEN!
3-28-2008 @ 3:42AM
Brent McKee said...
Gene Simmons vs. Piers Morgan in the finale is the greatest "what-if" of the series. I think it would have been a lot closer. Much as I liked Trace as a person he was totally out of his depth as Piers organised things like a military operation, right down to staging the booze. I suspect Piers could have done this challenge all by himself and still won.
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3-28-2008 @ 11:55AM
mike m said...
in the words of Stephen Baldwin...."Amen, Brotha'"
3-28-2008 @ 8:29AM
Tams said...
I watched this season. It was obvious Morgan would win using any means available to him. Trace was too honorable to be up against the 'sniveling brit'.
I couldn't stand to watch morgan win so I didn't bother to watch the finale. A little bit of him goes a long way.
I think this would be a good place for Trump to stick a fork in The Apprentice series.I believe interest in The Apprentice is done.
morgan is lucky Trace is such a gentleman.
Any other guy would have dropped Morgan into the east river for repeatedly referring to him as 'boy'. Where I come from morgan would have called my Dad or brother boy just ONE time. He would have never dared to do it again!
Trace is the winner no matter what Trump said.
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3-28-2008 @ 10:24AM
donna said...
I have watched every apprentice and will watch the next one But I am so upset that Trace did not win.
I hope that some of the money raised will go to his charity as it is so personal to him.
in the real world money is power and how you get it is not what counts i get that but in the better world you would be rewarded for how you played the game and integrity would still matter. Dont change Trace your wonderful and can be very proud of your game. Piers you may be able to raise a lot of money but you have little class.
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3-28-2008 @ 10:54AM
Donna said...
Trace should have won. And in the real world, people like Trace make much better supervisors than bully bosses like Piers. But then again, Donald Trump is in his own world. (Remind me never to apply for a job there.)
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3-28-2008 @ 11:59AM
Ginger said...
I was extremely disappointed that Donald did not Pick Trace- Our country needs so desperately the kind integrity that choice would have offered. All that has been said now is money-no matter how you get it more important than people or integrity. Sorry Donald you were wrong.
I have watched every episode from your very 1st show- you are not wrong very often - but -This time---Especially because of a charity situation - which was such a great idea- The way the money was gained in the end should have outweighed the amount. Piers had already gained enough money for his Chairty anyway- Trace needed your $250k for his charity for the SHOW to really be a winner- Now I'm not sure I even want to watch next season- Sorry Donald. Used to Love ya --Ginger
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3-28-2008 @ 11:01AM
Donna Napier said...
Ginger, I'm with you. I was thoroughly disappointed with Trump's decision to "reward" Piers. ANYONE can raise an enormous amount of money when they have heavy hitters just a phone call away! Come on...can you imagine the auction without the guy who bought TWO items at $100,000 (by the way I thought it was arrogant of him to "jump ahead" and bang out the $100,000each time), or good ol' fellow brit Simon coughing up another $100,000...another ego stroke on national tv at the expense of Trace. I am thankful this was not an outcome where Piers was actually HIRED! I wouldn't want someone like Piers to represent the image of my company! The thing is...Piers could raise money easily, and he proved it ( I would have liked to see him handle the Back Street Boys!!) It was obvious that Trace needed the opportunity to make the viewers aware of his charity...which he truly did. Not once did he compromise his integrity nor stoop to verbal childish quarrelling. Trace has his priorities totally in order and is an awesome human being! From the very beginning, it was obvious that Trump would choose Piers, so much in his own image. That's a shame. Piers won "because he could". This was another "good guy finishes last" story, which the world just reeks of and it disgusted me.