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Tuesday, November 30, 2004 · posted at 4:12 AM

I am woman, hear me roar

This week, Andy was fired from the Apprentice 2.

Some people argue that reality tv is completely staged and not representative of real life. Another common gripe is that it's just a cheap way for networks to profit from putting people in humiliating situations, that it manipulates human emotions and reactions. To them I say...

That's exactly right and exactly why I love it!

There's just something about watching people fail or be humiliated under the guise of "they brought it upon themselves." Horrible guilty pleasure, I know, but until I'm part of a Nielsen family, I will assume no responsibility for what shows are cancelled or renewed.

Which is not to say that reality tv doesn't come with consequences. Depending on the show, you could feel disgust (Fear Factor), tear-filled happiness (Extreme Makeover: Home Edition), nervousness (Amazing Race), or eye-rolling ridiculousness (Real World: San Diego).

In the case of this week's Apprentice, the price I paid was elevated blood pressure, TV Guide-chucking rage, when Andy was dismissed from the Apprentice.

This rage was only equaled in Episode 2 when The Donald ousted one of the strongest competitors, Bradford, for "being impulsive" and waiving his immunity. In my opinion, Bradford did nothing wrong when he stood behind the integrity of his work. You don't ever expect to be punished for quality work, nor should you be. Some say that Bradford was too cocky in asserting the great job he did, but his claim had legs to stand on. The Donald claims to have the best everything and addresses himself with a pretentious nickname as "The Donald"!!!

But I digress... In Thursday's episode, Andy, the 23 year old National Debate champion who never quit fills his suit correctly, was brought into the board room flanked by Jenn the Ivy-educated lawyer and Sandy the bridal salon owner/wedding event planner to argue their cases after a team loss. And argue is what the two girls did in the bickering and bringing up irrelevant information way.

Each girl is attacking the other and trying to sell her point by literally finger pointing (or shaking) and raising her voice above the other. There is some truth to the necessity of making yourself heard, but more important should be what you say, not how loud you say it.

Andy stays quiet, in the eye of the storm essentially, while the two women attacked each other. Perhaps he could have played peacekeeper, but when you're in a situation where it's every (wo)man for themselves, it's not a horrible idea to let your opponents kill each other. Self-preservation, I think.

I think the back and forth bickering was so loud and overlapping that Trump didn't even realize that Andy wasn't part of the equation in the argument. Instead, he was manipulated by the battle of volume and fired Andy for not winning because apparently "winning" means you had the loudest voice, regardless of the message you're carrying.

There is something to be said about the fiery passion both women exhibited. Clearly they did not want to give up. But at the same time, I think that kind of conviction also comes in a knee-jerk reation when you're attacked, or feel as though you're attacked.

If everyone had just spoken and argued in a civilized manner (meaning minus butting in, interrupting and petty details), I have no doubt that Andy would have been the victor in that round. In the real world, those hysterical shenanigans would never fly...

Huh? wait? Oh shoot... tv does't imitate life? Excuse me while I go flip my world right-side up again.



	Tuesday, November 30, 2004 · posted at 4:12 AM I am woman, hear me roar This week, Andy was fired from the Apprentice 2. Some people argue that reality tv is completely staged and not representative of real life. Another common gripe is that it's just a cheap way for networks to profit from putting people in humiliating situations, that it manipulates human emotions and reactions. To them I say... That's exactly right and exactly why I love it! There's just something about watching people fail or be humiliated under the guise of "they brought it upon themselves." Horrible guilty pleasure, I know, but until I'm part of a Nielsen family, I will assume no responsibility for what shows are cancelled or renewed. Which is not to say that reality tv doesn't come with consequences. Depending on the show, you could feel disgust (Fear Factor), tear-filled happiness (Extreme Makeover: Home Edition), nervousness (Amazing Race), or eye-rolling ridiculousness (Real World: San Diego). In the case of this week's Apprentice, the price I paid was elevated blood pressure, TV Guide-chucking rage, when Andy was dismissed from the Apprentice. This rage was only equaled in Episode 2 when The Donald ousted one of the strongest competitors, Bradford, for "being impulsive" and waiving his immunity. In my opinion, Bradford did nothing wrong when he stood behind the integrity of his work. You don't ever expect to be punished for quality work, nor should you be. Some say that Bradford was too cocky in asserting the great job he did, but his claim had legs to stand on. The Donald claims to have the best everything and addresses himself with a pretentious nickname as "The Donald"!!! But I digress... In Thursday's episode, Andy, the 23 year old National Debate champion who never quit fills his suit correctly, was brought into the board room flanked by Jenn the Ivy-educated lawyer and Sandy the bridal salon owner/wedding event planner to argue their cases after a team loss. And argue is what the two girls did in the bickering and bringing up irrelevant information way. Each girl is attacking the other and trying to sell her point by literally finger pointing (or shaking) and raising her voice above the other. There is some truth to the necessity of making yourself heard, but more important should be what you say, not how loud you say it. Andy stays quiet, in the eye of the storm essentially, while the two women attacked each other. Perhaps he could have played peacekeeper, but when you're in a situation where it's every (wo)man for themselves, it's not a horrible idea to let your opponents kill each other. Self-preservation, I think. I think the back and forth bickering was so loud and overlapping that Trump didn't even realize that Andy wasn't part of the equation in the argument. Instead, he was manipulated by the battle of volume and fired Andy for not winning because apparently "winning" means you had the loudest voice, regardless of the message you're carrying. There is something to be said about the fiery passion both women exhibited. Clearly they did not want to give up. But at the same time, I think that kind of conviction also comes in a knee-jerk reation when you're attacked, or feel as though you're attacked. If everyone had just spoken and argued in a civilized manner (meaning minus butting in, interrupting and petty details), I have no doubt that Andy would have been the victor in that round. In the real world, those hysterical shenanigans would never fly... Huh? wait? Oh shoot... tv does't imitate life? Excuse me while I go flip my world right-side up again.	Recent Posts LORELAI: Do they not understand we are unapologeti... The perfect cup. Everything in life is a strugg... You think it's like this but it's really like this... Iris Chang (1968-2004) I just read that Iris Chan... Channel your chi away from me. People will go t... I'm only a half block out of the store when I see ... Trapped in the Skinner Box. There was a point in ... Can you hear me now? It's a big decision. It's t... From a strictly economic perspective, the market f... Anyanka: You trusting fool! How do you know the o... Morning news babie goose ryan bluemouse daves son dawntaught desiree diorama emily escadawg galveric high entropy invisible cube jepgato kyellow lilly mhuang mogbert nudream starfish + coffee verbivore Archives March 2004 April 2004 May 2004 June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 January 2007 March 2007 April 2007 November 2008

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