Doh. isabella19 beat me to it

WORD. This is a reality TV show, but that doesn't mean everything is real. The evidence about the apartment task is undeniable. It was clearly a set up. I suspect many other tasks were also manipulated for dramatic effect. I don't think the actors were "scripted" but that does not mean they were not following a "script" per se; the casting process pretty much set things in motion. Also, it was interesting about the contestants not being allowed to watch TV, read the newspaper, listen to music or surf the web. Other contestants have mentioned the presence of large quantites of alcohol. They were pretty much deprived of outside stimulus and the environment was set up to provoke confrontation.

You have to realize that when watching reality TV programming plenty of editing and scripting goes into making them, which, in my opinion, probably is one of the reasons why they are as successful as they are. The misconception of reality TV though is just that...reality. If you think reality shows are 100% reality then you've been fooled. Sure, people are responsible for what they say and do in front of the camera...that's a given...but there truly is more to it than that.

The argument isn't about what they have said and done on tape that we do get to see on TV, but it is more about what they may have said and done on tape that leads up to and/or follows it that we don't necessarily get to see. This is obviously due to editing. With the magic of Hollywood, reality programming can be deceiving. The truth is, to an extent, even reality shows are "scripted".

Ever notice that there are writers listed in the credits of these shows? Why? Structure. The writer's job there is pretty much to take segments of conversations and incidents that occur on tape between cast members, and with that raw footage, try and come up with an appealing storyline to give the show direction. Elements of conversations and incidents are taken out of its original context and re-worked together through editing in order to create interesting situations that hook us into the show. Why do they need to do that? To fit the show into the formula of your typical classic Hollywood plot; where the plot says good guy (hero) with street smarts and high school diploma trumps the city slickers, evil African-American villianess who plays race card, sexy blond vixen who seduces hapless and clueless salesman, bitch with great legs and long hair, slick smooth Harvard MBA buppie. The producers of this show fulfill their storyline by typecasting members of the show, and in essence, mold them into characters. And through the character's dialogue and interactions with one another, we are evoked to either, love them, hate them, or have feelings about them that fall somewhere in between.

There's no denying that reality shows are as popular and interesting as they have become because of how the creators of these shows play up the drama. Not only can context manipulation intensify the drama of a show but, accompanying such scenes with dramatic music magnifies it even more so. Realistically, reality shows are not really real. Mark Burnett, in my opinion, is an absolute genius. I've studied his work for a while now, and he is really groundbreaking.

Sadly, I am convinced that people like Omarosa exists solely in the reality TV matrix. This has become her entire world, and that concerns me. Like the women on the new reality TV show, The Swan, there is something just not right about her psychological state, and watching someone who is mentally unhealthy is no longer amusing to me anymore.

Interesting that Omarosa would claim she lost the Clairol commercial because she didn't get the "moan" down right, when Clairol said the commercial was one of the "streaking party" series for its hair color line. No moaning in the shower in those commercials.

I totally agree, Choco. I think, however, that the unreality that Oma lives in began long before going on the Apprentice and the show simply expanded upon that and put it on a much 'yooger' stage. She cannot (or will not, although I lean toward thinking she is unable to due to a mental illness and I say that in all seriousness) admit to anything about her or her actions that is less than perfect and does not take any responsibility for anything - it's all someone else's fault. I think she has narcissistic personality disorder as several real-life psychologists on this board have opined.

While watching her on Larry King, I decided that was the last time I could watch her (I've skipped her appearances on other shows lately, but watched last night because the rest of the cast was on). There was a flickering moment when I could see a 'crack' in her eyes -- a real fear when she could sense herself being exposed as the liar she is and losing control of things -- but very quickly she plastered that too-tight pageant smile back on her face and gave that very nervous laugh/cackle that she uses to hide her discomfort. It's as if she thinks if she smiles enough and speaks as eloquently as possible, no one will notice all the crap she spews and the chaos she causes.

I think Oma will, at some point, have a meltdown and it will not be pretty. She needs professional help, but people with NPD tend to never see themselves as having problems, just other people (although it's so interesting that everywhere she goes, she creates chaos and disorder but she can't see that - to admit that would mean facing her problems and imperfections and that would likely bring on a complete meltdown since it would mean losing control).

I just got this email from Clairol:

I thought I would include full text on this, since it's on an industry net sheet that's emailed to subscribers.



It doesn't say where the original column ran.

As for the reference to Richard Hatch, Hatch signed a $500K deal with St Martin's Press to do a tell-all about Survivor 1 just after he won it. But had neglected to read the fine print--which is I'm sure on every Mark Burnett contestant's contract--that prohibits him from talking about the show for 3 years. Hatch had to shitcan the deal and give back the money. He then wrote a much smaller book about the secrets of surviving successfully in the business world. It sold around 3 copies.

I should have remembered this when Asso started babbling on about her 'book deal'. She could do a book on, say, Lies I Have Told. Or 10 Secrets of Unsuccessful Pageant Contestants. But she won't be able to write about The Apprentice. However, given her behavior on LK, I think she might test the limits of that contract shortly. And if she does. MB and SEG will descend on her like a falling wall!

BWAH!!! And if MB did hit her with a lawsuit for breaking her Apprentice contract, we'd probably see her go into a complete meltdown. And boy, I bet when she does break down, it is gonna be reallly fugly - that girl will fight a breakdown tooth and nail (and likely sue MB for causing her 'so much emotional stress').

Kwame, from the LKL transcript:

Really? I can't imagine there have been many others.

Actually, I think I dimly recall that there were investment banker candidates on The Bachelorette and some other reality shows. No word on whether they were working for Goldman Sachs. I realize that "investment banker" can mean any number of things, too, so who knows if those candidates can compare to Kwame's situation.



So that's what the problem was! She moaned when she should have streaked!

Actually, Assy streaking would drive me insane in seconds. Thanks for sparing my sanity, Clairol!

Agreed. Kwame has said or implied in other interviews that Ian McKee, the guy who "won" the Bachelorette also left GS for that show...but I think I read that Mckee left GS a year due to burnout before going on that show and took a year off to travel.

Ian McKee was laid off from Goldman the year prior to going on The Bachelorette.

Thanks, LLalltheway, for clarifying...even if he was laid off, he didn't leave to go on a reality show!

(was he laid off in a company-wide layoff? just curious!)

Aww! That's great. He might not even need an MBA; he could do Wharton undergrad. Good for Trump, and I know Troy will be a success.

Omarosa said "should have took?" Lord, help me.

I don't watch Larry King Live, but it sounds like he had the cast of that "Mean Girls" movie on, instead of 30something women.

We really didn't hear much from Nick last night on LKL, but I did get this weekly letter from him about his new clothing line, up-coming media appearances, and new audio CD:



No update on his running for office, though....

Is Nick Democrat or Republican?

None that made any sense, that is.

Ooooh, quick! Someone e-mail Nick a picture of a horse's ass!

Ugh. There was way too much Omarossa on LKL. I recoiled every time she (and her ugly pink and black lace top and "That Girl" hairdo) came into view. I don't fault the group for calling her out on her lies (special kudos to Amy), but I don't think Kwame is obligated to engage in the conversation. Much of what Omarossa says is designed to get a reaction out of people. Her worst fear is probably to be ignored. Just because she says something doesn't mean everyone has to respond to it. If Kwame refuses to play, more power to him. Shut up, me, for talking about Omarossa.

Troy was a cutie as usual. I'm a little confused about him not being able to afford college. I thought Troy was pretty successful, and it was more of a time and family obligations issue. Regardless, I have a hunch the next thing on Troy's plate is The Aprrentice 2, not school. If he wants to go to a big name out of state school he probably couldn't even start until Fall 2005, given the standard application deadlines.

There was finally one bit of tangible information about the Chicago Tower -- The old building will be torn down within six months and Bill will focus mainly on working with city (does that mean smoothing feathers?) and pre-selling units.

Kwame just looked tired of the whole thing. He seems ready to move on. He even looked somewhat disengaged when Troy was talking about him.

Bill's starting to remind me of Matt Lauer for some reason. And apparently Jen Schefft is a "really really amazing woman." Who knew?

There's a shot in the finale, where he's sitting drinking Trump Ice and the resemblance is scary.

Maybe I missed something, but I think the "can't afford it" bit was from when he finished high school - and they had no money and he had to go straight to working. I don't think that's an issue now, just that he has a wife to support and I get the feeling he still helps support his mom and little sister.

You are so right, IMO, that the very thing Omarosa probably fears most is being completely ignored - that would so invalidate her; she only feels alive when she's creating chaos since that gives her a sense of power and control and keeps her vulnerable and empty feelings at bay.

Unfortunately, she has the ability to so provoke people that I think it's hard to hold back...especially having to put up with that beeyotch for the past week or so since the finale. I'm sure Amy was ready to throttle her after doing the VH-1 Diva thing with her, along with the Extra reporting bit and putting up with Oma's constant put-downs, etc. - thus, her snapping at Oma during the interview.

My take is Troy can't afford to take the hit, stop the cash flow and go to school...the whole package. If Trump wants to pay for the education and all it will encompass (living expenses for Troy and his wife), that clears a wide path and allows Troy to feel comfortable financially for his other family (Mama and sister).

Trump has just cut Troy's expenses in half and offered a college education, Troy has that puppy beat.

Kwame, I understand the rise above, but I would like to see some spine. There is just a little too much of "Listen to what I say, not what I do" where issues are concerened. He talks the talk, off field, but won't walk the walk walk when it counts.

Not sure. But he did say that he was going to take over Arnold Schwartzenegger's job as Governor of California, so I'm guessing he's a Republican. Does anyone know anything more about his new clothing line? Is it businesswear?

So is Trump basically paying for all the living expenses for both Troy and his wife while he's in school? I think he's also supporting his mother and sister too, right? Can he afford to take off 4 years and just study? Not just financially but also timewise. I guess if he gets into Harvard, he'll be leaving Boise too. I definitely think we'll be seeing more of him in Apprentice 2. Just a feeling....

As for Kwame, I think more than anyone else on that show, Kwame has had to put up the most with Omarosa. He gets asked about her 24/7 because of what happened in the finale and also because he's the only other African American contestant. He's probably sick to death of her. If Kwame's made his peace with Omarosa and moved on with his life, then more power to him. He strikes me as the type of person who would take it up with her privately, and not live on national TV.

In other interviews like on Conan, he said he thought Omarosa was not able to distinguish between "reality" and "reality TV" and that she lives in this "reality TV matrix". Conan joked that Omaorsa is insane, and Kwame pretty much agreed. He apparently thinks she's nuts and doesn't want to deal with her shit anymore. And if that means he doesn't want to argue with her, then that's fine with me. Obviously, he wants nothing to do with her. period.

WORD upthread about Omarosa having a narcissist personality disorder. The more I see of her, the more creeped out I am. I know she's had a rough life and comes from a broken family, but it's very apparent that she needs professional help. I don;t find her behavior in the least bit amusing. Dr. Phil might be better for her than Larry King. And I mean that in all seriousness.

Not necessarily. John Kerry wants to take over Dubya's job and he's not a Republican! All kidding aside, this doesn't indicate that Nick's a Republican.

choco, I think Oma would need far more help than Dr. Phil could give her although I'd love to see him take her on and catch her in all her lies! Boy, that would be some kind of smackdown, LOL.

Word on this, choco. LKL did it for me -- I've reached my saturation point with that creature. It's so obvious there's something wrong with her that I now think the media's continued pursuit of her could be described as abusing a mentally handicapped person. Isn't that covered under the American's with Disabilities Act??

Seriously, this isn't entertaining and is becoming a freak show that's just too disturbing to watch.

Word, oldbabe and choco, about O's obvious mental issues. I've reached the point where I avoid anything that features her. Alas, I don't see her going away until the media has its next big thing. She does make for copy, be it good or bad, and she does elicit strong reactions which means $$ to the media outlets that exploit her mental illness. (That argument might also be made in re: Michael Jackson to an extent but for that Jackson is truly talented and not just bonkers.)

Actually, I'm only interested in Troy and Kwame any more. I'm not interested in any Bill book or Nick tape or a clothing line by any of these folks unless Kwame puts his name on a line of ties or something. Or as mentioned before, undies. But they're the only two I really care about as real people. Also they're the only ones I'd have to my house for Sunday dinner with my mama at the table.

As for O? Her bit on Passions is quite short and will pass in an instant and be forgotten. Her time in the media's about done. Thank God.

Well, maybe O won't get much more publicity what with Michael Jackson's indictment now taking center stage on the entertainment TV shows...that and the finale episodes of "Friends" - big hoopla over that.

I did just see on "Access Hollywood" a snippet from last night's Larry King where Oma and Amy got into it over the FHM layout - boy, Amy looked like she wanted to explode onto Oma (can't blame her). Then they showed Amy talking (looked like it was outside the VH-1 Divas thing, she was wearing that pale blue dress she wore on that show) about Oma - she said "Omarosa has about six fans - and they're all in prison".

Amy, you're a smart gal and did well initially with the media stuff (handling Katrina's catty comments very well, etc.) - but SHUT UP NOW. You're just playing right into Oma's hands which she loves.

Wait a minute.

On LKL, DT said Amy was "magnificent"? That he was "extremely upset" that his people "didn't get the real Amy"? He knows her "much better than they do"? And they were "completely wrong"?

His trusted advisors? All of them were wrong? ALL FOUR?

Folks, I think we've just met the future Mrs. Donald Trump. Or at least his next girlfriend.

No matter how often I proofread, I always miss something.

First Dramarosa, now Nick. I could at least see a connection for Dramarosa, with her pageant background (and can't you just imagine her business suits with the hundred ferret tails dangling off the sleeves and hemline?). Bill? yeah, I could see a "dress for success" theme. But Nick? why on earth would I want to dress like a copier salesman? What's his angle going to be? "Dress like a loser"?

Actually, I think Jay Leno made a similar joke about Dramarosa's alleged clothing line: "For when you want to look good in the interview, but not get the job."

I also have to say that it would totally rock if Kwame were to come out with a line of ties! Or boxer shorts! But that would totally tie into his image from the show.


Word, Tracy! I've been thinking the same thing, too; especially after Trump made a comment (in some interview...Oprah? don't remember) that Amy's a beautiful person both inside and outside (eww...he saw her inside?). Well, he did offer her a position, and I'm sure it's under him.

I agree with the people who are getting very uncomfortable about the way the media is prodding Omarosa. Maybe someday she will overcome her personality disorder -- some people do. She's a human being, too. It'll be tough enough for her to get over what's happened already when and if she comes to her senses (so to speak). Why make it any more difficult? I think she's pretty much neutralized at this point, so why beat a dead horse?

Neutralized? As long as she keeps on talking out of her ass, the media is going to continue to drag her in the limelight. In this case, the dead horse won't Shut.The. Hell.Up.

Oh no. Assorama is going to be the 2nd guest on Jimmy Kimmel tonight.
She just won't go away.

She just did. SHE LEFT. Kimmel just said it's the first time a guest has ever left the studio after filming started. He said it was probably because of the lie detector on stage - that she was afraid the audience would find out (in his words) that she's a "lying, terrible..."

Earlier in the show, Kimmel announced that O would be a guest, and the audience booed, bigtime. He then said, "Wow - I don't think we've ever had a guest booed before."

Beat me to it!

That is just too funny. Besides saying they've never had a guest leave before, Kimmel said "we call them runners" - he's being really funny about it and keeps referring to it throughout the show (which is live). Camryn Manheim then came out and said Omarosa almost knocked her over on her way out, but she didn't want to say anymore because she was afraid of her.

Jimmy is handling it well. I'm glad she left and I hope they don't re-book. I was irritated to hear she was going to be guesting.

I wish corporate and media America would get that she's not the character we love to hate, she's the character we just plain hate. Stop giving her a forum or attention, please!

ETA: Jimmy brought up one of his producers, Jason, to ask what exactly happened when Omarosa left. He said she was booked last night, got here today and started freaking out when she found out about the lie detector bit. Jason told her she wasn't going to be hooked up to the lie detector, that it was for Uncle Frank to see if he lied yesterday when Quentin Tarantino was there.

Jason told Jimmy her mother and publicist were yelling at him, and they were in the door and out the door. Omarosa told Jason she would not come on as long as they were doing the lie detector bit, and demanded he bump that bit. Jason told her it was just a comedy bit and they couldn't bump it. Omarosa stayed for one segment of the show and then just left. I think it's just too funny.

They're doing the lie detector bit now and still making Omarosa references like asking Uncle Frank "Did you forgot to pick up Jessica Simpson at the airport, oh, no, that's for Omarosa."

After hearing about the Clairol commercial outcome, I'm tempted to write the Jimmy Kimmel show and ask them not to re-book her. Ever. I'm also tempted to write the Apprentice 2 show and ask them not to bring her back. Ever.

BTW, as a non-cable subscriber, thanks to all the folks who post details of the Apprentices' cable appearances. Are there any non-cable TV appearances coming up for Troy, Amy, Bill, Kwame, or Sam? I think Bill was supposed to be on Ellen DeGeneres today but is re-booked for sometime next week.

THAT was hilarious. At first I wasn't sure if it was a joke, but they have continued to talk about it, with the backstage guy (producer?) who talked to Omaladeimaginaira and the various steps they went through, that she heard about the lie detector and tried to bolt, he told her it was just a comedy bit that had nothing to do with her, how she and her mother and her publicist all yelled at him, how he convinced her the lie detector was an unrelated bit, how she decided to stay but then saw the first segment and DID bolt at the sight of the lie detector being out there... They were speculating that she left because she saw Jimmy or because the audience booed her. But it was TOO funny.

Oh, that Omarosa! A lie detector makes her lose control!

Wow, I also just saw that bit on Jimmy Kimmel, that was so funny!! I am glad that the audience booed, but I am curious to know what Jimmy would have asked her, because he doesnt seem like the kind of host who bows and scrapes.
Omarosa bolts because of a lie detector....very telling!

To fill the segment left open when Omarosa bolted the show, they had a producer named Jeff come onstage to explain what happened. He had to deal her (and her Mom and her publicist) after they went batty from watching the 1st segment with the setup with Uncle Frank and the lie detector guy from 'Who wants to Marry my Dad ?".

And then the crowd booed Omarosa AGAIN and some people from the audience yelled that she sucked.

LOL. We all posted at the same time about the producer describing in more detail Omarosa freaking out and leaving !

I don't think Jimmy really knew much about her. He didn't watch The Apprentice the way he watched some of the other reality shows. And he made some comment tonight about how the audience just told him that Omarosa really sucks, as if that was new information to him. So, I don't know if he would have been tough on her, as someone upthread suggested. I don't care anyway - she's gone and I hope she doesn't come back.

I'll say it again, I hope corporate and media America get it straight - the American public doesn't "love to hate Omarosa"... America just plain HATES her. (And I really appreciate those of you who bothered to write in to Clairol to complain. I think I might indeed write in to The Apprentice 2 / CBS to complain about the implication on the show's finale that Omarosa would appear again - unless that's already a non-possibility?)

I'm surprised to read upthread about Nick coming out with a clothing line - never thought he was fashion-forward and $500 for a logo sounds low/cheap. I could more easily see Kwame coming out with a line of sophisticated young men's clothing or Troy with hats or what-not.

BWAH!

If his clothing line is successful (use your imaginations, people), he'll make a hell of a lot of money off that logo. Yet, he expects people to jump at the chance to "win" a lousy $500. How about offering $500 plus a percentage of every item you sell or something a little more "motivational", you cheap bastard.

I still have a sick crush on the guy, but I've got to call 'em like I see 'em.

Where has Katrina been? She finished 5th ahead of Omarosa and Heidi, yet she has not been in the media.

Good question. Where is Katty? That Larry King show was supposed to be with the Final 8 Apprentices. Everyone else was there except for Katrina.

hereiam (and any others), if you want to make your voice known to keep Oma from getting any other offers, write to Linda Kaplan Thaler at this address:

kaplanthalergroup@kaplanthaler.com

This is the ad agency that is pitching Oma to their clients (Herbal Essences being one of them and fortunately our protests ended that opportunity, hee!), so I've asked everyone - seriously - to send an email to this woman who owns and heads the agency. Omarosa is not someone who needs to be 'rewarded' with fame and fortune, IMO!

Sometimes I just love being on the West Coast - you guys alert me 3 hours in advance to something really great I can look forward to! Woo hoo!

So tell me, cuz I can't wait another 40 minutes for Jimmy Kimmel - did Omarosa ever actually appear on your screens? (oops, almost typed screams)....

Apparently, Katrina's been banished by Amy.

No, Omarosa never appeared.

You guys made the gossip columns...

From The Scoop:

There were a couple items in today's NY Post. First:


YAY!

And:
Well, you can't win 'em all.

I can't believe I'm about to say this about Omarosa, but in this particular instance, I kind of feel for her. She's probably gotten a lot of flak about lie-detectors, likely more than we know about, and might have been afraid she was being sandbagged. And it's a comedy show, not a place where she could stonewall the interviewer like she did that other guy. Fleeing might have been an overreaction, but I could see why she'd be so suspicious.

To paraphrase Sex and the City, when did a clothing line become the thing to do? Nick isn't planning on selling clothes, he's planning on selling his name, and the clothes would be an afterthought. These aren't cutting-edge people, all their clothes will look alike! But I would support a line of Kwame ties--the guy's got good taste, I'll give him that.

Katrina as a football correspondent? I could see that. She has that Dallas Cowgirl vibe about her.

A final tidbit...on the Today show this morning, someone on the Plaza had a sign with pictures of the Donald on it, with some advice: "Tell your stylist, 'You're Fired!'"

I'm starting to wonder if Amy wasn't somehow involved in the Presidential Election Florida vote-counting fiasco. Katrina's from Miami . . . she may have some inside info.

Oh puh-leez, Katrina. You yourself said you never wanted to see her again. Well, you got your wish. So what's the problem?

Hee. Didn't see the Jimmy Kimmel bit, thanks for sharing, everyone! So, even after being told it wasn't for her, she couldn't be on the same stage as the lie detector machine? Is that something like a vampire and a cross?

You guys actually did make me laugh out loud when you recounted the part where the actual lie detector test was administered and whoever asked whoever if they left Jessica at the airport...