'Celebrity Apprentice' recap: Marlee Matlin's million-dollar — er, $986,000 — night

I'm glad I'm not friends with any of the cast members on "Celebrity Apprentice."

I would have been broke by week two. No matter how lucrative you may think this Show Tracker blogger gig might be, it certainly doesn't pay enough to satisfy the continuous calls coming out from celebrities vying for Trump's approval as they compete for charity. First, $40,000 pizzas. And now, some sucker paid $470,000 for a bedazzled guitar, only for the team (and charity) he was supporting to lose. 

I have to say, I don't like this kind of episode. I prefer watching the now-fired Dionne Warwick struggling to operate a credit-card machine, or former teen idol David Cassidy sweating in a pizza kitchen. Or, in what seems to be a constant image of the season, Star Jones hunched over a laptop, fretting about the printed materials — the woman cares about her fliers! 

Then comes the telethon. Sure, they raise huge sums of money — this week, the contestants stunningly pulled in more than $1.5 million — which will be passed along to deserving charities. But it becomes an I-have-so-many-rich-friends-a-thon. The means lead to a good end, but it's just kind of disturbing to know that Meat Loaf blowing up at Gary Busey, or John Rich demanding his people bring in money like a callous sales manager somehow contributes to the greater good. 

But that's not what the game's about. It's a game. It's meant to be won. 

The ever-classy Richard Hatch reminded us of that after Jose Canseco departed the show, because, he said, his ill father had taken a turn for the worse. Hatch wondered aloud if Canseco actually left because he couldn't bring enough funds to appease the hard-driving Rich. 

On Sunday, Donald Trump assigned his contestants to make art and decorate hats to raise money for the project manager's charities. Rich, whose charity was St. Jude's Children's Hospital, led the men; Matlin, supporting the Starkey Hearing Foundation, led the women.

Both project managers pushed hard to bring in big bucks, and they brought it in. Rich, who has proved to be one of the most clever of the season, called up his Nashville connections and brought in some impressive donations — with a seemingly constant flow of $50,000 check after $50,000 check. At the end of the night, the men managed to bring in more than a whopping $600,000. And they were clearly confident as they entered the board room. They proffered a pact from Trump that whichever team won would get the other team's earnings too.

But, believe it or not, they didn't bring in enough to trump the women. The women were just $14,000 shy of hitting the million-dollar mark (a gap that Trump closed for them). An impressive sum that La Toya Jackson contributed to by offering a rare T-shirt of her brother's, Michael Jackson, which raised $99,000. (Yet if John Rich's guitar could get nearly half a million dollars, I would think a rare piece of Michael Jackson memorabilia could get more.)

Trump was in an awfully generous mood last night. He made another deal: Considering the unforeseen departure of Jose Canseco, would the women be willing the let the men skip the ax tonight?

Another sign that competition tops charity, the ever-shrewd Matlin made the call that the men should still have to face the chopping block. After the "hell" of the three firings in three weeks, she said, it's only fair that the men have to deal with a loss of their own. 

Trump's generosity continued — he asked the women to stay and help him make a decision (it was a first, he said, but it's not every day a team yanks in nearly a million bucks). Then the players' competitiveness continued too: The women said that Richard Hatch should go. He had brought in, by far, the least of the night. Rich, his project manager, had little sympathy for him too. It doesn't matter that he's a mere reality television star from what is a light year ago in reality TV years, or that he spent more than three years in prison for tax evasion. 

But the men thought the one to go should be Busey, an apparent wild man with a gnat's attention span and who offers mostly platitudes or an acronym for any occasion. (After Meat Loaf apologized after his blow up in the art studio, Busey said that Loaf "excelled to a level of dancing on a rainbow with no fear and no doubt." Beautifully said, whatever it means.) They said he didn't have the focus and lacked the drive that would be essential as the team gets winnowed down. 

Matlin offered a stirring defense of Busey. She said he was smarter than everyone knew, and was mysterious and waiting in the wings to pounce. But a cynic like myself could also see something much more calculated at play. The one who stayed was the wild card who can't be kept in check. The one shown the door was a man who's unscrupulous and knows what it takes to outwit, outlast, outplay.

Richard Hatch ought to know better than anyone what "The Apprentice" is, no matter how much money is raised for good charities. This isn't the Jerry Lewis telethon. This is "Survivor."

***

What do you think? Who had the best art? Would you pay $5,000 for Gary Busey's painting of a buffalo — or for a bottle finger-painted by Lil' Jon? Should it have been Busey going home instead of Richard Hatch, or was it wrong for the women to allow anyone to get the ax? Speak up!

— Rick Rojas

Photo: John Rich and Marlee Matlin sit down with Donald Trump in the boardroom on "Celebrity Apprentice." Credit: Douglas Gorenstein/NBC 

Comments

[ROBERT DUNN]

BUSEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN KICKED OFF ,,,BUT HE IS TRUMPS PET, HE IS GOOD TV OTHER WORDS HE IS A CLOWN AND IS LIVE ENTERTAINMENT RICHARD HATCH WAS TARGETED FOR BEING IN JAIL AND NOT HAVING MONEY ..WHAT A BUNCH OF CRAP...TRUMP IS NOTHING BUT A ARRAGANT LOSER ..LETS HOPE HE DONT RUN FOR PRESIDENT.. WE ALL KNOW THAT WOULD BE THE END OF LIFE AS WE KNOW IT..BUSEY IS GONE NEXT WEEK IF THE BOYS LOSE

[Marion]

This was the women's chance to even the playing field.
Now both teams are down 3 members.
This is a competition.
No time for setimentalities!!!

[Patricia]

I refuse to watch this show because Donald Trump is a birther. I think the show should be boycotted by Democrats (and by sensible Republicans) on that basis.

[Abby Gomes]

This is the first year that I have watched Celebrity Apprentice. I am watching to see Gary Busey as he is engaged to a friend of mine. I can't believe how mean these people are, from Dionne Warwick to Star Jones. When they say money can't buy class they must be talking about John Rich & Meat Loaf. These people are vile and they say the most hurtful things. They already made all the money for their charity why not ease up . What is with the focus
PLEEZE. That Nene or whatever her name is should focus on the english language and not be so jealous of LaToya Jackson. If anyone lacked focus it was Jose Canseco what a waste. I am really disappointed with this show if that's what you can call it.

[Ashley]

La Toya's shirt only brought in $99,000 because that was the limit for credit card transactions by phone. The $470,000 John Rich donation was made by check in person.

I think the ladies made the right call saying a guy should be fired. And they protected Gary because they know they can beat him. They wanted Hatch gone because he is smarter.

[OC Gal]

I'm glad the gals stuck to the rules of the game and recommended the firing and I'm tickled pink Matlin manuevered Busby's stay.

Star fret? She was happy she had endless amounts of caviar while slumped over the laptop.

[entertained]

I was so proud of Marlee for choosing business over niceness! They need an edge to get back on track and eliminating one of the men was a good choice. Having it turn out to be Richard was even better because he is, after all, a snake in the grass. I truly believe that the women worked well together because Dionne was gone. Marlee, being fair, gave LaToya a chance to prove herself and happily, she did. LaToya seems to be a very genuine, kind person and I am happy to see her in this light. I hope NeNe deosn't stir up trouble and what is with the Playboy model? She is so blase', I can't even remember her name!

[An American Abroad]

Blessed is the child whose parent spends time throwing a baseball just for the pure joy of being together- the greatest wealth in the world- being present and attentive. Heartfelt condolences to Jose Canseco and family.

Plenty of other chivalry in the show- Mark McGrath for one and Mr. Rich's clarity of thought and communication finesse is astounding, also Donald Trump Jr.'s generous knee-jerk reaction to bolster the flagging morale of Team A.S.A.P.

But......Gary Busey just may be an intuitive mystic emissary and if the film projection was sped up to a higher vibration, could be a halo visible. Those 'Buseyisms' are kind and inspired and should be published in a lovely little handbook or on a day-to-day calendar or website. All the art was absolutely worthy, Meatloaf's was my personal favorite- go figure and yes loved the 'Buffalo in the Grass' should be on cardstock for Gary's charity and dear Mr. Rojas, kicking dirt on the good vibes of the show like a Yankees manager just won't work ;) this is the best of reality tv, really.

No denying wonderful Michael Jackson's spirit involved somehow, beyond bittersweet- tolerance, generosity and prayers for that brave little sick child at the gallery, wish him and his parents the very best- health and happiness.

[lynn]

Gary is being used for ratings. He has a brain injury and is not all there-he is not brilliant,please. He must be doing something that is edited-Meatloaf was mad before the paint for some reason. NeNe has Starr's #, her comments are so funny. Love Rich, Lil John.
If Marlee thinks Busey is so great she should have offered to take him for her team. Time to mix up teams.

[Jae]

Technically speaking, was that Michael Jackson t-shirt art created by one of the contestants?

I agree with the blogger -- enough of who has the richest friends and more of who has the biggest... er, ego.

[Michael Donovan]

Gary Busey suffered brain damage in his motorcycle spill, I wonder what Meatcow's excuse is? If anyone needed to be kicked off an sent directly to a mental facility it is that bloated old rocker hack from the 70's. The funniest part of his rant when he demanded the Gary Busey look him in the eyes, Busey stared at him like a mountain lion does it's prey before it leaps. Lucky for Meatpie, that he didn't get any closer, yelling and screaming doesn't make you tough, and Gary is in about ten times better shape than that old clown. BTW Robert Dunn, is English a foreign language to you, who types in all caps? Still got training wheels on? I like when a guy who can't form a sentence calls Donald Trump a loser.

[P-man]

Patricia: You refuse to watch the show, yet you run to the recap where everyone comes to discuss the show . . . to tell them NOT to watch the show?

Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but why don't you start an anti-apprentice blog and state your opinion there.

Having said that, I agree with Rick about not liking this type of challenge. John Rich was definitely a better organized project manager - he was a good leader and provided excellent project management skills. He was on top of his game.

But ultimately, he still didn't have the horses to raise enough money to win. That has nothing to do with being a good project manager . . . that has to do with who you know and how much money they will spend for you.

[CreoleKween]

NeNe is just sad! Why does she all of a sudden have issues with Star? She is a bully in every sense of the word. When she feels someone has an edge over her, is getting more attention or praise than she, she resorts to name calling and nit picking. Any viewer of RHOA can attest to that. Her presence as greeter at the front of the gallery was off putting to me. Whenever she puts on her "socialite" hat it comes across as trying too hard. Also the grammar needs lots and lots and lots of work. Gary's sayings are hilarious to me. I enjoy him on the show because he's genuine. I believe he believes everything he says and that's what matters. Also he's managed to raise money for his charity and win as project manager. Please playmate whose name I don't know step up or go home. As annoying as NeNe is at least she works.

[anonymous]

michael jackson's shirt went for 99k because that was the maximum they could charge on a credit card. that is what they said on the show. im sure it could have gone for more.

[Tired of Trump]

After the incredibly disgusting performances Donald Trump has put on this past week on various talk shows, I think I've about had it with "Apprentice". Actually, this show pits a bunch of C(or lower)-level celebrities against each other and the nastier the "pit bull" drama, the better Trump likes it & promotes it...and if this sounds anything like the Tea Party manueuvers, it's no coincidence. This show, and the challenges within, bear no reasonable relevance to real, professional business team-manship. Business can be equally nasty, but the players are way more intelligent and subtle than the "Trumpers" are encouraged to be. Cogitate, folks, on how the concept of this game relates to the possibility of Trump as your Leader...

No thanks...no more of The Donald for me. The man has no class whatsoever and needs to go way, way away.

[Harry De Lelis]

If Donald Trump thinks he is a smart business then his TV show is a hoax. Donald, you are stupid, ugly as hell, arragant, and a phoney. Richard Hatch should have stayed. Gary should have gone home. Its a shame that your duaghter and son defended your rediculous action because they both agreed that Gary should have been gone. You could even see the surpirse on their face. Donald, you either have a fixed and phony show like yourself or you need to learn from us younger and street smart folks.
Harry, from Germany.

[sandy]

I think everyone did good and i think that Marlee Matlin did a good thing to let John Rich keep the money he made and give it to his charity . Because she knows it is all for charity and not the players themselves. But i think Gary Busey should have went home when he tried to set himself up as a spokes person for the tanning lotion and try to get himself a job for the tanning lotions and he did say it makes him feel sexual putting the lotion on and the Company they were doing the project for didn't like it but didn't say any thing because it was embarrising that a Star like Busey would say something like that. Latoya didn't know what she was doing and she really didn't talk to the other ladies about anything and when Starr Jones said the budget was 3500.00 and Latoya said she wanted everything she wanted she was going to get it. Now Nene she should just keep her mouth shut because she doean't like anybody but herself. Now the model she offered to be in the box but Latoya shot her down fast and said she wanted to hire someone to do it . Well i said what i wanted to say and I LOVE THE SHOW!!!!!