Yay, I can get behind a Stefani win.

That was surreal.

Judging by both Frank and Nicole's demeanor, they knew they weren't going to be in the final two.

James has a beautiful family.

Congrats Stefani.

I wanted James to win.

What was Donald Trump talking about in his final speech to James about something James said that was bad? Did I miss something?

That didn't go down like I expected, but it was a good finish overall. (And thank Tivo I didn't have to watch all the filler.)

I think Stefani won based on her performance tonight. She totally dominated the discussion tonight and left Trump little choice in who he should select.

Yaaaaaaay, Stephani!! I'm so glad she won! Good choice, Trumpy!

I'm glad Stefani wasn't screwed by the permanent PM and not getting an individual final thing - maybe they saw that would be a big issue since she never GOT the chance to be PM.

Does anyone know what he was referring to about James' 'dialoge'??

Yawn.

Where the hell was the final task? Wouldn't that tell us a lot about their leadership styles?

I didn't even know Stephanie's name until this episode.

"Stefani, you flew under the radar. James, you rocked, except in some dialogue that you know what I mean, so James, you're fired."

Um. What? I think Stefani was the right candidate, but it seems James was punished for something we should have known about, or maybe we weren't, and Trump used that completely random "reason" for firing him? What?

Lackluster finale to a lackluster season. I hope this is the final season, because it was really bad.

What a rip off....why weren't we given a James vs. Stefani final project show-down? And I am a little confused about what The Donald meant in his final words to James? Oh well.....

Correct decision -- Stefani is the clear pick to be a public spokesman for anything -- otherwise, big yawn. The thrill is gone.

What was the "stuff in the discussions" (or something along those lines) that caused DT to balk at hiring James?

Glad Stefani won. But, what was up with the reason James got fired... "(paraphrase) you said some things that bothered me greatly, you know what they are... you're fired!" WTF? This should have come out more when James was questioned. Grrr!

ETA: I'm guessing Trumpy's concerns relate to James having the rep of pooh-poohing ideas for tasks once they were too far along to be changed - to help himself prepare for the boardroom.

That was totally bizarre. "Certain expressions that James made" is the reason he wasn't hired. Huh?

I suppose Stefanie will be useful fighting against those EOC complaints or EPA actions.

It was great seeing George again. It doesn't quite seem right that Stefani could be the winner without ever having been project manager. Ivanka looked the best that I have seen her look this season. I am glad that we didn't spend any time dwelling on the losers this year, and the 2 minutes spent talking to Surya were a waste of time.

I wanted Stephani to win -- which has at least something to do with the apparent anointedness of James -- so I'm happy. But like Ace of Spades et al., I wonder what it was that James said that concerned Trump. Especially as it is . . . Trump.

I find it interesting that Nicole was fired for pursuing an inter-office romance, while Tim was fired for disloyalty. I just wish that the same rationale had been applied.

I don't have a serious beef with the decision. I think James would've been a good choice too, but Stefani was just as reasonable. Two things that struck me as weird in this episode. First, Donny Jr.'s statement that Nicole/Frank's commercial offended "half the demographic." The air freshener company has half their focus on marketing to bums? Granted, I agree that it was obviously offensive, but who are the other half of people who find it not offensive? Is this a "There are two kinds of people: Those who like bums and those who laugh at how smelly they are" sort of sentiment?

Second, I didn't like Heidi and Kristine's "I vote for Stefani because she doesn't have a penis" contribution. Couldn't they have complimented Stefani for some tangible skill, aside from being a woman? I imagine Stefani would rather have been told she was the winner because she was the best than be told she won because it's "The Year of the Woman." I just find it strange that competent, intelligent, mature adult women are caught up in espousing Girl Power as a motto for corporate hiring strategies. Yeesh, you could at least say something like "Mr. Trump, you need more diverse viewpoints and less aging white men in your organization."

My prediction kept switching back and forth:

- went in expecting a double hire
- leaned towards a Stefani win when she suggested Trump hire her and she could hire James
- swayed back to James when he got the more emotional bio video
- swayed back to Stefani when Heidi (and Kristine) supported her
- swayed back to a double-hire when there seemed to be equal critique
- was caught totally off guard when he suddenly hired Stefani with hardly any build up
- was sitting there waiting for Stefani to get a chance to hire James

Man, for such a mediocre season, I REALLY enjoyed this final boardroom. No drama, no antics... it was almost professional!

Stefani totally mopped everyone up tonight with her answers. The most polished, prepared and articulate apprentice in a finale IMO. She has this quiet confidence and class about her that really shone through. To me, James always seemed too giddy and rough around the edges.

Anywhoo... Nicole and Frank didn't stand a chance and they knew it. And that bald dude sitting in Nicole's family area looked like he was about to cut a bitch.

Yeah what the hell was Trump talking about? I was confused also.

Though I did think Stefani was the better choice. I was thinking maybe both would of been hired even.

Even though Frank and Nicole should of been fired previously I didn't think their commerical was much worse if not better then Stefani and James. So that reasoning was kind of lame.

Yay Stefani! I liked her much better than James. I spent most of the episode in the kitchen getting my lunch and dinner ready for tomorrow and was only half watching. It doesn't sound like I missed much. I'm glad for Stefani, but I can't help feeling like she can do better than working for Trump. Stefani: enjoy the caribbean, network like hell and leverage the brand recognition of having Trump on your resume. Then, when you finish your year-and-whatever of servitude, call up somebody powerful and trade up.

It figures. The contestent that finally won never once acted as a project leader. Actually, I liked Surya's sugestion as to who should win. It made about as much sense as the ultimate winner.

James had a few moments this year that left one thinking--yep, he's out as soon as he's in charge and then loses--there were moments earlier in the season that left one wondering how long he'd make it--Stephanie bailed him out at least once--in the hollywood tours when he couldn't deal..this was even before he was in charge. Go Steph!

I think that James was fired because I don't think he would have been 100% loyal to the Trump Organization. The last comment that Trump stated about him, something to the effect of "James you are great blah blah except in some dialogue that you know what I mean, so James, you're fired" alludes to the fact that James plans on maintaining his status as CEO of his Zoodango or at least implied it. In that video that was shown of James and his family, he explicitly stated that he left his 6 figure salary because he wanted to become an entrepreneur and wasn't satisfied being just an employee. Trump wants a leader, but not a true leader, he wants someone who will be loyal.

In that final comment to James, was Trump referring to that one boardroom before James became PM where Surya argued that James likes to cover his ass in the middle of the task by pointing out the teams flaws?

Seeing their private lives...James looked like a really likeable guy and his kids were adorable! Stefanie looked like..dare I say...a total bitch zipping around in her power suit in her fancy convertible..spouting off her lawyer jargon. James, you're better off being creative in your own business and getting to see your kids before they go to bed.

I was rooting for her but I didn't think she'd pull it out. Gotta give it to her because she was trying her best to sell herself. It kind of looked like James, Frank and Nicole didn't really care what happened. I wish Stefani had pointed out that stupid PM rule made it difficult for her to be a leader.

While I think Ivanka and Don Jr. do a pretty good job this season, it was great to see George. I hope he comes back if there is a next season. His feedback was spot on and his presence seems to give the show some sort of credibility.

Six times, and Trump still has no clue how to host a live show. Loved him saying that his Atlanta complex was "scheduled to be sold out." Isn't everything 'scheduled' to be sold out??

When the Final Four came out, my first thought was that Trump should hire the person wearing the most makeup. But then he ended up firing James, so...

Seriously, whoever was in charge of styling these people did a terrible job. Nicole gets rid of the raccoon eyes, only to get ridiculous eyelashes; James is slathered in pancake; Frankie's in a shiny suit almost as horrid as Don Jr.'s; and Stefani gets a big 'do that makes her look worse than she ever did living in Tent City.

I thought Stefani did a really good job answering every question that came at her; and it was nice that she and James never turned on each other. While I think Trump did pick the best person, once he did, all I felt was bad for Stefani that now she's stuck with him. But at least she'll be in the Caribbean.

Most eye-rolling moment IMO - Heidi and Kristine's endorsement of Stefani. Were they trying to get her fired?

Was it raining at the Hollywood Bowl once it got dark? Every time the cameras showed a long shot, it looked like the spotlights were picking up a downpour.

I agree with Trump's choice of Stefani. I think Trump was referring to the times prior to James being PM when he second guessed things at the last hour of other PMs and in doing so did the CYA thing.

Still have high hopes for Frank. I'd trust that man with any job handed to him.

As for Stefani - good luck and have fun.

Stephani isn't married nor does she have kids, does she? The job at Trump requires lots of work and lots of time away from the family. Even if Mrs. Sun and the girls moved with James to Atlanta, there's a chance that he might not get to see them very much.

A boring ending to a largely boring season.

The only thing I wonder is who that guy was who the camera cut to at one point who was standing up and angrily bellowing something from the audience.

I really hope this show doesn't come back. It's just so done.

Very much agree ... I would have preferred something from Heidi along the lines that would have started, "Mr. Trump, although I identify with Stefani as a woman, you should hire her based upon her skills and abilities . . . ." (And among those skills is the ability to stand up and give effective, winning presentations.)

It's been mentioned on his thread, but maybe Trump was talking about the time James pulled the "CYA" card. I guess it's possible, I wished Trump would have just came out and said it.

After seeing James' family, I figured he would win, so I was somewhat surprised. Not too upset, though. Stefani was calm, competent, and avoided most of the drama throughout the entire "job process", and was overall solid, while James had his moments of failure, with his greatness. And now we know why she never was attacked in the BR. She would have slaughtered her opposition, with ease.

Bye, Nicole and Frank. Shut up, Heidi and Kristine. Surya? What was that for? Does Sanjaya really need more pimping? I swear, if someone at the Survivor reunion brings up that name, then the kid truly will be unstoppable.

Congradulatons, Stefani. Look on the bright side, James. There's always a chance Ivanka will convince her dad to hire you for something else, probably something involving websites.

So Stefani's new job will pay $250,000? There is exactly 0 chance that if she's a competent lawyer in a major city with more than 7 or 8 years experience that she's not taking a paycut to work for Trump. Bah well.

Totally shocked by Stephani's win. Not that I don't think she is good, but I did not expect her to win...oh, well Girl Power. You go girl.

As far as this season goes, it was pretty lame, but I must say highlights for me were definitely those scenes and the cuteness that is Nicole and Tim. They are in love and that is really sweet.

Wow! Trump actually made the right choice for the first time since, oh, season 3 or so. He had me worried there at the end. I really thought he was going to go with James there for a second. I have a feeling no one at Trump, Inc. would have thanked him for hiring someone who yells so much. Sheesh.

What dirt does Trump have on George that he was able to force him to make that cameo? At first I thought that whole sequence was weird, but on reflection I’ve decided it was cool—he ambles in, gives his words of wisdom, and then gets the heck out of there. Awesome. As usual Grandpa George was the best thing about the whole program.

Re: the condos in Atlanta--“scheduled to be sold out in record time”—what the heck does that mean? Isn’t that just a fancy way to say “we really hope they are going to sell fast”?

In conclusion? Holy smokes, Ivanka is beautiful. She looked amazing tonight

I liked James, but he was a bit messy for the job. Stefani was the better choice.

Add me to the list of those bewildered by Trump's "certain expressions and you know what they are" reasoning behind not hiring James. Huh? Trump making employment decisions based on the verbal faux pas of others? The apocalypse begins now.

Don't get me wrong, I'm just fine with a Stephani win. Probably the best hire of the 4 and she nailed the "under the radar" question at the buzzer. I was just expecting some sembalence of logic. You think I'd have learned better by now.

The Apprentice live finale kept its tradition of being the year's most awkward hour of television. And what was with the Trump family pose around Trumpy's chair at the end while the contestants/test bunnies frolicked? I thought we were going to segue into the start of "Family Feud."

Stick a fork in the Donald, he's done. I won't shed a moment's thought if this is the demise of the franchise.

Oh, and Don Jr. really should never say anything about, "In the real world..." I somehow doubt he'd be anything in the "real world" except a guy with an unfortunate hairstyle. Ivanka seems to be able to make points without sounding delusional about the fact that she was born into the Trump organization.

I was hoping Stefani would point out that rule about the winning PM staying PM until losing, and the fact that because she was a major part of her team winning that kept James as the PM.

Stefani was the best remaining candidate, and I'm sure Trump's been thinking "it has to be a woman" to follow Randal and Sean's wins previously. (Plus, out of 7 seasons, it would look bad for 6 of his choices to be male.) And, since Trump seems to find Stefani attractive, perhaps she will fare better than the previous (highly talented and completely unappreciated) female winner, Kendra.

No matter how short it is, Trump always manages to include a little bit of character assassination in the finale. This time, unfortunately, it was James. Leaving James' (supposed) bad comments up to the public's imagination, though? Definitely not cool (but...so Trumpish).

I can't believe they eliminated two of the most interesting tasks--managing a big event and being interviewed by Trump VIPs. If it wasn't for the entertaining recaps, the season would have been impossibly boring. (Thanks, Jacob~)

I agree; however, she must not be doing that great if she had time to appear on The Apprentice. Hopefully, she uses this opportunity as you recommended by networking.

Anyone else think that Stefani almost lost it when the show went to commercial just as Ivanka was asking Stefani a question? Stef started to answer and the Donald went to commercial. When they came back, Donald asked Stef if she wanted to "finish" her answer and Stef replied, "I'd like to start my answer."

Suprised Donald didn't tear her a new one right then and there.

I doubt it. Plenty of candidates have done the same thing. That would be a lousy reason for singling out James.

It sounds like something transpired off-camera, and whatever it was, it hasn't reached the media. Trump's comment was really odd.

But it sounds as if Stefanie will be a suitable corporate shill for the Trump Organization, given her line of legal practice. What the hell, I guess someone's got to do it, but I'm disappointed.

Word, xingcat. Hey Don Jr., in the Real World, daddy doesn't raise you in a mansion and hire you to be a big part of his company and work on his reality tv show.

As much as I like both of them, Trump definitely made the right decision. Somehow I get the feeling though that he based much of it on public opinion- how Stefani (to my knowledge) was the popular one in the polls and how everyone loves her, etc. He's not going to hire someone that doesn't appeal to the public.

Now pertaining to skillwise, the producers did a very poor job portraying the capabilities of the two of them as individuals. They should have at least had a final showdown so we would really see who is the better apprentice because up to this point, we've never seen either of them perform alone- Frank and Nicole were right in saying that J/S were dependent on each other.

Additionally, all their answers seemed very rehearsed especially the part where 'coincidentally' Steph and Nicole picked the Caribbean and the boys picked Atlanta to work in. However, half way through the final two interview, I knew that he was going to pick Stefani since he directed almost all of his questions at her and she definitely took the opportunity to show off her speaking abilities. She's amazing though :)

Stefani was the only one who could answer in complete coherent sentences.

She also has great character, she never took the opportunity to let the team lose a task and hope for James to get fired.

Why James lost:

1. Stefani's kick-ass and kiss-ass bio video (she really sold herself - as a person who understands construction and is a strong woman)

2. Heidi's endorsement and Angela's half-endorsement of Stefani (two people Trump admires)

3. that vague statement of Donald's (about him saying certain things)

I wonder if Trump had mentioned his disappointment in James during one of the commercial breaks, because, man, you could tell he was deflated at some point onwards when the show resumed. Poor James.

George? We miss you.

Surya? I like the new hair.

And Nicole's brother? Shut up.

I was happy Stefani won, but would not have been upset if James or both had been hired. I was happy the show was short and to the point and glad we did not have to hear too much from Nicole. I just wish Trump had called Nicole and Tim on the showmance many episodes ago and for all the reasons he said instead of the nonsensical teasing for no reason. Just as Kendra was about the most creative leader of all, Stefani is the best, least flustered speaker of all. Who would not want her to represent them in either a real or decorative way?

He was indicated as "Nicole's Family" at the start of the show.

Really disappointed that there wasn't a double hiring tonight. That seemed the most logical answer .. but of course, no logic exists in TrumpWorld.

Very fitting that the self-proclaimed king of the known universe would be announced with fireworks. I'm surprised they didn't have a parade with floats (... and Jenthura!) and a marching band.

I liked Trump's kind of noncommittal sign-off .. "We'll see you soon." Yea, we'll see you on Access Hollywood the next time you need to pimp your next media opportunity. I can't imagine we'll be seeing you again on a seventh season of this program.

Stefani did great tonight, but IMO James did a good job also, when he was talking about his work as a CEO. Stefani's video seemed to hint that she'd win, and I'm glad she won.

I did like that comment. But I would have also loved it, if James or Stefani responded with "If you let Frank or Nicole be dependent, you'll probably go bankrupt again." Because I shudder at the thought of Frank or Nicole actually having real power, and doing things, without the help of someone sane or competent.

I still love Stefani, for pulling the "Hire me, and I'll hire him" answer, after his "Are you saying I should hire James? Huh? Huh? Huh?!!" act. In a way, she burned The Donald, and he fucking ate it up, instead of getting mad. That's true talent, right there.

I forgot to mention that I did love George's appearance. Oh, George. How I miss your wisdom and competence. You could actually reign Trump in, time to time, while his kids are just letting him go crazy.

What got James in trouble with Trump was edited out of the material that was broadcast. Here's what he said: "Mr. Trump, I don't care what people say, I like the way that beaver looks on your head--and no, I'm not talking about your wife Melanoma."