I heard that Omagrossa worked (works?) as a property manager for a large real estate developer in D.C. (with offices in NY), hence the use of the label "politcal consultant" -- apparently Trump didn't want to give free publicity to his business rival.

Hmmm...Mark Cuban, nice to know he such a level headed, calm, collected guy. Don't you just hate it when egos get involved?

Today's NY Post, a brief mention also about his proposed show, The Benefactor:

http://www.nypost.com/gossip/pagesix_u.htm

ETA: When I first heard about his offer to Kwame, I was sure it had to do with The Benefactor, although everyone has been careful not to mention it in reference with Kwame.

Kwame, be afraid, be very afraid. As Troy would say, if you are going to stay at the party, "dance with the one that brung you..."

ETA: Mark Cuban will be profiled on tonight's 60 Minutes.

I read Mark Cuban's open letter about Trump, and, to my surprise, I just didn't get his point. Nothing he cited as evidence of Trump's affronts seemed substantial, not even the "100 pictures" in Trump's office. Sure, Trump has a yooge ego, but everyone and their dog knows this; it's not a defect of character unless it's wielded to hurt others.

True, I don't think much of Trump's romantic behavior, but what does this mean? I wouldn't date him. Fine with him, I'm sure; he wouldn't date me, either, so we're cool. But these all-out, unsubstantiated assumptions about the evils of his character? Based on the flimsiest of exchanges? I dunno...

Sam interviews Nick on the radio - Amusing

Thanks for posting that, lena968!

I think they made an interesting point about Ereka. I don't find Omarosa annoying so much as Evil -- but Ereka has always irritated the hell out of me. I liked when Nick refered to Ereka as "whats-her-face" (when he and Bill were at the restaurant -- this was shown on the clip show and I think his exact words were "get rid of whats-her-face").

I know a lot of people find Nick creepy, but I think he's really funny and ironic. Like when he said he wanted to take Amy out for a soda. He could barely keep from cracking up.

The soda shoppe comments were genius.

Getting Schooled by the Donald. NY Times. Read it fast because it's from yesterday's edition and they'll stick it in pay only archives right quick.

A mere mention in passing. Detroit Free Press. Nary a quote. Ahhhhhh.

ON THE NEWSSTAND. NY Post.

OMAROSA DU JOUR. NY Post. She'd best watch out. Looks like competition to me. Of course, she'll eat him right up, won't she?

Reality check. NY Newsday. Nothing new, but there's a snarky feel to it.

Lie detector sets off Omarosa's flee detector. Plus: More book deals for other would-be 'Apprentices'. Jeannette Walls column at MSNBC. WARNING! Big scary headshot of Omarosa. I highly recommend zooming out on the photo until it's very very tiny. Nothing new really. Much smaller, somewhat dorky pic of Bill too.

Goldman Sachs Trial Shows Up Firm Full of Softies. Bloomberg.com. Dishy article about the big trial in London involving a thieving secretary at GS. If you like trial stories, look this one up. It's been a doozy! At any rate, Kwame gets a paragraph at the end and it's not so much snarky toward him as at GS.

'The Apprentice' returns home to Chicago, big job. Chicago Sun-Times.

Being open to change can boost career seekers' goals. thejournalnews.com. Interesting article that compares working/studying in China to TA. Seriously.

Ereka, Heidi, and Kwame attended the launch party for Jessica Simpson's new line of cosmetics. Pictures here. (The Apprentices start showing up on page 3.)

Well, Boyfriend Bill was just on Ellen...for about 2 minutes. Seriously, they squeezed him in between Isabella Rossellini and Debbie Reynolds. She mentioned the talk about having a new show to follow him around while he works on this building; he said nothing's been finalized and it woud really be up to MB and to the viewing public (letter-writing campaign, anyone?). She asked if he'd always been good at business, and he told a cute story that I hadn't heard before. When he was a wee lad (OK, I don't remember how old), he spent the weekend at his grandmother's house and she taught him to make pancakes. She invited some of her friends over, and he made pancakes for all of them. After breakfast, they all left $5 bills next to their plates. So, the next weekend, he begged to stay at Grandma's again. He was doing pretty well, until one day when his mother was cleaning his room and discovered this stack of money. Being quite concerned about her small child with a huge wad of money, she confronted him and he had to confess that he was running a short-order kitchen at Grandma's house. They blathered a little bit about Ellen filing a lawsuit against Trump because when he was on her show, she did a comedy bit showing him a bunch of products to cash in on the "You're Fired" phase (a box with DT's picture and the phrase, to give to employees for packing up their stuff; a sandwich grill that burns the phrase into the bread; a breakfast cereal called "You're Fired-O's"). She says this was before he put in for the trademark, so he obviously stole the idea from her.

That was it; like I said, about 2 minutes (OK, 4 maybe).

re: Jessica Simpson cosmetics launch. There's a nice picture of Ereka and Kwame together on page 2, also. Can't quite figure out WTF Ereka was thinking with that shirt, but she's worn worse. And Heidi's got some weird pose with something that looks like a can of tennis balls? WTF? Kwame looked as fine as always, but I have to say in the close-up on page 5, his jacket looks like he got splashed by someone's drink. But I wonder why her BFF Assorama wasn't there???

Is there even evidence of her being a political consultant? I don't think real consultants are shuffled from one job to another in the White House. Has she said who she consulted? Besides implying Bill Clinton, of course. What amazes me is that someone married her. What must her husband's life be like?

LADreamr She is not a "consultant" in the true sense of the word---exaggeration or "fib" on her part??? It has been published in many places that her functional job title was Scheduling Assistant. I have no idea how "political consultant" emanates from that function, but heh... I am a lowly nobody posting on message boards ;-) Everything I've read about her political career lends me to believe she was a glorified (in her own mind) admin. Whether it was Burnett or Assy herself who finessed her job title in such a way to elevate her public standing, who knows. Perhaps if she was identified as a "Political Administrative Assistant" she would garner more sympathy??? NAH... she has been consistent showing the public her true colors.

Omagrossa (TM somebody a zillion posts ago who is smarter than me) is featured in the May issue of Upscale magazine. Very bland piece. The gist of it is same old same old. I swear she uses a script. Anyhow, the piece emphasizes her aim to be a serious journalist and pretty much says that the only reason she went on the show was as a journalist. I just hope some real strong black women write to the magazine and object to this fluff piece.

Nick gets advice on stocks. FoxNews.com. You need to scroll down a bit.

You know the best part about Bill's appearance on Elllen? He didn't mention any of the competitors or any sniping that's going on--not once. It might have been the first time he truly had the spotlight all to himself. Good for him, and good for Ellen for not bowing to tabloid standards for the "inside scoop."

Breaking News:
Troy McClain May Host New NBC Reality Series

Idaho's NewsChannel 7 reports that Troy may become the host of an NBC show featuring the funniest audition tapes from all the reality shows on NBC.

Tycoons Donald Trump & Mark Cuban in Reality TV Turf War

According to EXTRA, both Billionaire moguls are squaring off in a heated war of words. Cuban is about to launch his own get-rich ABC reality show, called "The Benefactor," where the billionaire gives a million dollars to a wanna-be mogul. Trump (who's accused Cuban's show of being "a copycat") says, "I hope he does better with his TV show than his team (NBA Dallas Mavericks) did in the playoffs...He’ll never be able to top ‘The Apprentice.’" (The link above also has the video).

Aussies Brace for Trump's 'Apprentice

Aussies beat Brits to air our "The Apprentice." It will debut on May 4th at 9:30 PM (following CSI!) on Nine - the #1 network by far in Oz. This will then be followed by their own local version with an Aussie mogul in the Trump role.

ArticleSeeker addendum:
Meanwhile, Brit network's BBC2 & C4 have been engaged in a fierce bidding war for rights to Burnett's "The Apprentice" (which will also be followed by a locally produced UK version).

"The Apprentice" now has worldwide launch

FremantleMedia - the firm that produces local versions of Idol for countries around the world - beat out other bidders & reached an agreement with Mark Burnett to create new local versions of "The Apprentice" format worldwide. (But each country must show our Donald Trump series first.)

For my fellow Houstonians, there's a new Glass with Class commercial that's a spoof of the Boardroom. But instead of the Hair, we get the Hat.

From the Chicago Tribune Online . . . free registration may be required. The articles also contain links to photos of Bill as a child, links to articles about the tower, and that funny "Trump Hair on Other People" thingie.

Far From a Done Deal



In reality, Rancic will have a lot to learn



Bill Rancic arrives home amid rumors

'APPRENTICE' STAR EYES CABLE NEWS. NY Post's take on Kwame possibly working for MSNBC and/or CNBC. Excellent pic I haven't seen before of Kwame looking all casual in a striped shirt.

Kwame mentioned at Jessica Simpson's cosmetics line launch party. NY Times - free registration. He's officially a boldfaced name. Woohoo! No Omarosa. Can you imagine?

Hired again? Washington Times. Compiled from staff and wire reports. Scroll down through a couple of items to get to TA relevant one. Scariest quote: I'm calling BS on that bit. Ain't no way Trump would allow O anywhere near that project. It's too much a feather in his cap to risk it. Seriously, no way. His ego's too tied into this building. Unless they hire her just to humiliate her and fire her again. Or they arrange for a really reeeeally big piece of ceement to fall on her haidbone...

Nathan but the truth... NY Daily News. Apparently someone found a way to rhyme Omarosa in a song Nathan Lane performed at the big Katie Couric soiree the other night on the QMII. TD was there, of course. If you've been watching the showbiz shows you may have seen footage of him, egad, singing.

Texas Realtor trumps 'The Donald'. Inman News. Even TD's handwriting looks rushed.

TV series 'The Apprentice' semi-interesting, though Trump is no proven business success. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Commentary/analytical column about TA and TD. Nearly 2 weeks after the end of the show.

I would watch this. Largely because I enjoy watching people embarass themselves. It makes me more secure about my place in the world.

As much as I disdainfully paint all reality show cast members with the same "weasel-y famewhore" brush, I honestly wouldn't mind seeing either Troy or Kwame do something in front of the cameras. Tuition paid or not, I never figured Troy could afford to devote six years to school at this point in his life. I think he and Kwame would both be quite good (albeit in vastly different ways) in front of the camera.

During her interview with Bill, Ellen seemed to be under the impression that the Chicago project was built already and that Bill would be managing it. When Bill told her it hadn't even started yet, she looked startled and told him in that case, he shouldn't even consider doing the possible "follow the apprentice" show: "I tried to build a porch once..."

Heh. Everyone has a construction story.

Noooooo! I'd love to see Troy get his share of the pie, but this just sounds too much like "America's Funniest Home Videos." It could easily get corny and unfunny real fast. Troy's charm was in being his unscripted self - if he had writers writing "funny bits of homespun wisdom" for him, it would be atrocious. It would be like "I'm Troy McClain, and I'm a graduate of the William Shatner Acting School."

anyone catch Omagrossa on the Wayne Brady show this morning?

I just wanted to thank everyone on this board for all the TA links they've provided during the running of the show. It made it easy for all the rest of us to keep track of any media mentions. Special thanks must go out to the wonderful goobaletta. Fabulous job! Will we be seeing you (and your work on the links) during TAR?

I've just watched it and here are some quotes:

"We are limited by contract not to talk about things that are not shown"

(Oh, gee, like the use of the "N" word? Also, see later quote)

"I was basically running the entire concert"

(To the audience) "Does anyone know what Troy and Heidi did?"

"Perception drives reality"

(Wow, that's worthy of Plato)

"I'm so done trying to convince folks" that it was all editing and she didn't lie. Then of course she went on to talk about editing and deliberate misdirection.

She also went on to say that she did NOT want to go back on the show to work for Kwame because she was so into getting her nails done at the "resort" the bootees went to, and "How can you be enthusiastic?" working for someone who just got you fired? (Ask Troy, bitch). Then she went on to say that she had to because of her "forty-two page contract". Hey, I thought they weren't supposed to talk about things that haven't been shown on TV?

OH MY GOD The bitch just claimed that that stupid feather hat was auctioned off for EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS for "Operation Smile". Yes, that was a direct quote. I find it very hard to believe.

Wayne had a woman in the audience arguing with Osama, so he didn't have to do the dirty work. The best part was when the woman said, "Hand held radio, girl. What does that mean to you? Keep it in your hands. He tried to call you 27 times." Omagrossa kept to the story that it was all editing. The woman in the audience finally said, "Truce." Personally I think she gave up way too easily.

She dragged out the stupid "I'm planning on hosting a talk show so I'm going to talk to you after the show to get some pointers" to Wayne. His best advice to her? He got up and literally ran off the set. It was funny on a couple of levels. She kept trying to reach over and touch his arm or hand. Wayne didn't exactly cringe away from her, but he wasn't extending his hand to allow her to tough him, either. He's good at covering, but my impresssion was he didn't care for her very much. His sidekick absolutely did NOT like Assorama.

What an insult to Bo Duke that he had to follow that liar.

LOL, that kind of goes against Trump's announcement at the concert that they had raised thousands of dollars for "Operation Smile." As much as DT likes to brag, I highly doubt he would have let that one slip by.

It's kind of fitting that she would ask for talk show advice from a man with a soon-to-be cancelled show. Dumbass.

While we're on the topic of Assy, I just finished reading "How to Get Rich" (don't act like you didn't want to) and Trump does a commentary on each of the Apprenti. For Assy, he says that she's a tenacious woman and that if she was a political consultant during the Gore campaign, he would have won. WTF?

Yes, thanks so much to those of you who find us these great articles.

Kwame is so very photogenic!! I hope he does get some type of job in the media. I think he portrays such a great image of a business person, a strong black man, a person who worked hard for success, a child who made his parents (and grandparents) proud, a representative of a good education, a well-spoken and modest person who values good team players...you name it, he represents well!

Great pic of Kwame! He's always been my favorite apprentice! Some of my friends have seen him speak on campus, and that dude rocks! Honestly, that TV show did not do him justice. He's really smart and super funny. Very cool guy. You can tell he had a strategy all along about how to get the maximum business benefit out of this show.

Here's more info on his CNBC correspondent job. It looks like they want him to be a financial correpsondent, which would be right up his alley.

This article has more info on Kwame possibly working with billionaire Charlotte Bobcats owner and BET network founder, Bob Johnson.

This is the best interview with Kwame. I like how cynical he was about the entire reality TV show process, and the deal he made upfront with Mark Burnett. Originally, this show was supposed to be all MBAs vs Street Smart people, but the women were so crazy that the dynamics shitfted to the gender aspect. Anyways, Kwame knew Mark Burnett wanted to capitalize on his Harvard MBA creds, so he let him, in exchange for the 13 week Kwame marketing opportunity. Smart guy!



While other apprentices are wasting their 15 minutes of fame, touring the tabloid talkshows and cat-fighting with Omarosa, Kwame is out doing business and making deals:



His best friend is a grad of the Wharton School of Business and he's the one who first suggested Kwame do The Apprentice because they wanted to raise more capital for their production company. Oh, and it looks like Kwame and Troy are also gonna do business too. I don't think Troy was quite the "hick" as he pretended to be on TV. He was sticking ot his "script" too. Both these guys are pretty shrewd.

More than the others, I think Kwame knew appearing on a reality TV show was a business opportunity and he made the most of it. He followed his "script" and played his cards right and now it's paying off big time in terms of future benefits.

Kind of makes you wonder about the honesty of the rest of the book.

Bubbacat, thanks for your kind words. I doubt I'll even watch TAR *duck* since I've got lots of IRL work to do over the next several months. TA is the only reality show I've watched in its entirety and while the idea of TAR appeals to me, I think I've had enough reality TV for a while. Until October anyhow.

I feel so bad for Wayne Brady. I bet he felt he had to hose off with antiseptics after Omagrossa touched him. That show must have been taped before she lost her hair color contract because WB would've asked her about that more than likely. Was it even mentioned?

FuzzyLogic, I'm thinking Trump wrote nice things about O for the book before she'd gone on her slander campaign against Ereka and before she was shown to have lied so blatantly during the show. Also, she's nutty enough to try and sue him if he'd said anything negative about her, even if it was the truth.

Blondie, that NY Post photo of Kwame is yummy, huh?

ON CNN TV
See Kwame, Bill and The Donald himself on "Larry King Live," Wednesday, 9 p.m. ET

'Apprentice' Kwame on being No. 2

I was just reviewing the transcript from LKL's Apprentice show and getting irritated by Assy all over again. Like when she said she'd never do photos like the ones Amy et all did for FHM because she has a career in politics and plans to run. Did she conveniently forget about her TV Guide cover shoot?

God I despise that woman.

"I'm fairly decent looking..." Oh, sweetie! Gorgeous AND modest. That's like saying the Trumpartment is a little glitzy!

Kwame...you go, darlin'...get all the $$$ & success you so richly deserve!

Goobaletta, like a triple decker hot fudge sundae!

Anyone catch Jay Leno's monologue?

"The most popular boys name is Aidan. The most popular girls name is Madison. The least popular names are Osama and Omarosa."

Fine company you're keeping Omarosa!

I just checked Operation Smile's website, and in an after the fact press release (April 16), they stated that the event was expected to raise $70,000 TOTAL, inculding Trump's $25,000 donation. So much for an 8 million dollar hat. They mentioned the great exposure, 28 million viewers, blah blah blah, but nothing about the undivine miss o, just their smile ambassador Jessica Simpson. I can't believe I keep getting outraged. I'm starting to feel like a sucker.

Well, now, what did we expect? Given Assy's ability for self-aggrandizing and VERY creative "truthfulness", they probably had to PAY someone $8.00 to take the hat that was on her "dreadful diva" head! I have no doubt Nick & Jessica threw it in the trash bin after Assy sashayed out of their suite.

Well, maybe the Assorama Hat O' Feathers didn't garner any dough for Operation Smile, but you can still get a Kwame-signed basketball to benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation. Do you think Bill would approve?

Where to start?

Assy bragged that she wasn't just playing around with the feather hat in Jessica's suite...Since the hat sold for 8 million dollars!

First off seems like a total lie. The charity reaped in 70 000 total.

Second that would make it the most expensive hat in the world.

Third is she implying that by parading around in the hat she increased it's value by 8 million?

At the auction's time, nobody knew who the hell Assy was anyway?

WTF WTFuckingF

Forget the basketball! Bid on Kwame! Business Wire. Apparently they're having a charity bachelor/bachelorette auction for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Spring Fling. Kwame's one of the bachelors.

What is she??.... 4 yrs old??
She sounds like a little kid trying to make up the biggest number they can imagine.
".... it sold for 80 kajillionbillion dollars!!".

Guess this explains her sorry math and losing the money on the flea mkt episode.

Every time I read this, I hear Dr. Evil's voice saying, "One milllllyeeeon dollars!"

Many pieces of art (a subject in which Assorama claims expertise) don't even sell for $8 million, much less skanky 'ho hats that even Big Bird would be ashamed to wear.

ETA that eighty million is a LOT more than eight million. Just sayin', in case you thought that a BA in English meant I couldn't add.

Is she supposedly talking about the auction for the concert (was there an auction for the concert) or the auction for the charity after the show ended?

Doubtful, either way.

It wasn't mentioned, goobaletta, but Wayne Brady isn't really the type to bring up something like that, I don't think. His body language, however, was all about hosing off later.

Also, her words were very clear. That feathered HAT sold for $8 million for the charity. Nothing about the total amount raised, just the stupid hat.

I just saw snippets about The Apprentice on Extra and Access Hollywood [/loser]. I'm so desperate for any news I feel like a sugar junkie licking the leftover smears out of a pudding cup. Anyhoo...

Bill was at Giorgio Armani on Rodeo Drive being suited up (and thinking it was pretty cool), including a tux for the upcoming White House Correspondent's Dinner (which coincidentally Andrew Firestone attended last year). He is not taking Jen with him and described their relationship as casual (blah blah blah war stories cakes). There will be a piece about his Armani visit in the next issue of US.

Why I don't know, but Amy was filmed at Disneyland's newest attraction The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. They showed her sitting there screaming. *shrug*

Kwame and Ereka were at Jessica Simpson's launch party for her edible beauty product line. He looked fine wearing a safari-ish jacket, and he was shown sampling "hand mousse" (?). It was video montage only, but they voice overed about him being in talks with MSNBC and CNBC.

Totally off topic. Bad STDCEM13, BAD!

HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!! Ex-key-ooooze me while I catch my breath.

Delusional doesn't begin to describe this doofus.

Eight million...perhaps she neglected to mention is was eight million lira which is what, maybe $7 bucks US?

Trompe L'Oeil said:



LOL!!!

Actually, Lira probably isn't worth anything anymore, especially since it was converted with everything else to Euros a few years ago over there.

goobaletta - please don't pass on TAR. Many of us - me included - think it's the best of all the reality/unscripted shows. Plus it's your chance to read more of Miss Alli's wonderfully snarky recaps. If you want to wait until October to jump back in, at least tape or TIVO it so you can see it later.

Well, Ohmyheadhurts has made Newsweek's Conventional Wisdom for this week. One can only hope that they're right.

Aw, chicagofan, you don't make it easy, do you? We'll see how the writing goes. That's really the deciding factor. LOVE the Newsweek bit you posted, btw. I'm with you. I also hope they're right about the Assy one.

Attention Virginians and others in that vicinity! Kwame's going to be at the 77th Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester. Winchester Star. If you've never been in that area, I recommend it. It's beautiful. He'll be there Friday and Saturday. Go! Meet Kwame!

What It Iz: The Ups. Africana.com. Explanation of why Kwame chose Omagrossa and more insight. Good stuff.

Guess Who's Coming to the Dinner? Washington Post - The Reliable Source column. Second item. Mentions Bill. Heh. He gets to meet the Olsen twins. Heh.

Nick makes Page Six. NY Post. Oooh, he was "making out with" a girl!

Oh pooh! NorthShoreJane beat me to it. Oh well. I just wish I could be a fly on the wall when Katty and Amy find out they didn't make the list. Hee!

Caught a few minutes ot the "Today Show" this morning with the editor (?) of People Magazine reviewing their upcoming "50 Most Beautiful People" issue. Kwame Jackson is one of them! Matt Lauer said although Kwame was the runner-up he sure seems to be doing more than okay for himself. Issue hits newstands this Friday.

Yay, Kwame! Hopefully he'll get an impressive picture. He's making the best out of being a runner-up.

You know, I think Kwame is starting to get on my nerves. He pretty much coasted through the entire show doing nothing, then he gets second place for a reason I still have not figured out and now he is getting tons of attention for that. I mean what about Bill? He is more beautiful that Kwame and HE WON!

Don't double post.