Quick Take: Celebrity Apprentice, "Hero Worship"
I'm going to brazenly break down this season into tiers based on who I am rooting for straight out of the gate.
Review: Celebrity Apprentice, "Hero Worship"
(S1201) This new edition of Celebrity Apprentice is oddly personal to me due to the casting. I'm a longtime listener and evangelist/fan of both Howard Stern and Adam Carolla, and this season's cast includes a constellation of celebrities that are tied to one or both of these radio/podcasting legends.
Therefore, I'm going to brazenly break down this season into tiers based on who I am rooting for straight out of the gate:
Top Tier: Ace Men & Friends of the Show
Adam Carolla
When the Ace Man himself deemed to take part in this season's proceedings (after frequently poking fun of The Don Trump over the years, no less), my interest instantly perked up in this season. And he didn't disappoint in the season premiere – in fact, I think he made more of his limited camera time than anyone I can remember in Apprentice history (and I've watched 'em all, including the solo season Martha Stewart edition) both in terms of one-liners (he referred to his charity, Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters, as "white kids without iPads") and strategic gamesmanship (he arguably positioned Paul Teutul, Sr. to take on the mens' team PM slot for the first challenge with a deft and sly touch).
George Takei
This legendary Star Trek vet, now well past 70, is simply an icon at this point in his career. A deliriously funny and ingenious addition to The Howard Stern Show mix in regular "announcer" appearances, he manages to be a picture of integrity, wit, and ironic hipster cool all at once. And the poise with which he withstood Teutel's lame assertions in the boardroom during the episode was beautiful to behold.
Penn Jillette
Penn is a multi-talented man without doubt. But I like and appreciate him most from his Carolla show appearances over the last several years. He's a funny, blunt, honest, and deeply interesting dude. Then take all of that and watch him become a carnival barker for the week's initial task – spitting fire(!) and juggling and screaming to get people off the street to purchase "celebrity sandwiches" for charity – and you say: this is one impressive and larger-than-life chap.
Lisa Lampanelli
You're probably getting the vibe that I appreciate funny and honest, and Lisa Lamps is both in spades. I've noticed she's softened her shtick if ever but slightly over the years – including frequent appearances on both Stern and Carolla – but I think it's actually helped her to pull back the venom a smidge. She's one of the most talented comediennes working today and a very sharp woman to boot.
Middle Tier: Or, I'd Be Generally Pleased If They Won
Dee Snyder
Apart from being one of Howard Stern's first "celebrity friends" back in the day, he's a guy I listened to as front man of Twisted Sister way back in the day of the early '80s and made me think, "You know, maybe we don't have to take it and maybe it's okay to say I wanna rock." My take is that he's a genuinely talented and good dude, and I'd be thrilled if he took the Apprentice title for his charity.
Arsenio Hall
It's fascinating to think about the fact that this guy was one of the most famous celebrities in show business some 20 to 25 years ago. And even though he's been off the mainstream radar for some years, he maintains his longtime goofy and positive charms. AKA he's likeable, and I dig. Plus: he played a major role in Coming to America, so come on.
Tia Carrere
She has a place in my heart due to her role as Mike Myers' sweetheart in the Wayne's World movies. And she has a genuine quality about her that sets her well apart from many of the members of Team Forte.
Clay Aiken
I don't watch American Idol, so Clay makes this tier based on his appearance on The Adam Carolla Show and his attitude and enthusiasm displayed behind the register during the celebrity sandwich challenge.
Lou Ferrigno
This dude's claim-to-fame dates back decades now (his relatively recent appearance on Entourage aside), but he seems like a genuinely good and earnest guy.
Patricia Velasquez
Her passion for her charity is genuine and touching. It speaks to the oddball nature of the Celebrity Apprentice's concept itself that one "whale" contribution to Paul Tuetel, Sr. made her loss as PM a wide one. That said, I think she'll stick around for a while and be a player down the line.
I'm Thinking, Eh? Whatever
Aubrey O'Day
I'm likely one of the few TV critics in the game that has watched every minute of the Making the Band franchise, and therefore I'm qualified to say that Aubrey evolved from an ambitious and sweet natured singer with a fabulous voice to some strange (if typical) breed of fame-suckling addict. The addict still has its hold, I fear.
Cheryl Tiegs
She seemed pleasant, if perhaps zoned out on some goodly dose or some such prescription. She's gone now after a single Celebrity Apprentice outing. I'm thinking: eh? Whatever.
Teresa Giudice
Everyone keeps expecting her to flip over a table at some point. That's all we really know about her at this point.
Dayana Mendoza, Michael Andretti, Debbie Gibson
I don't really know enough to have a strong opinion one way or the other.
Actively Rooting Against
This list is typically long for any competition-reality season I happen to be following. This one may well grow over time, but for now, it includes:
Paul Teutul, Sr.
He was the winning Project Manager this week, and yet I just don't like his gruffness, his pompous blue collar self-importance, his personality. I want to see him taken down a peg or three. And therein lies the enduring draw of competition-based reality television.
Victoria Gotti
She may well have the ability to earn her way out of this category over time, but for now she's pretty off-putting and annoying.
So....you know Cheryl Tiegs was already booted off??? And more offensively you left out my favorite Celebrity.
!!! DEBBIE GIBSON !!!
Hi todd -- did mention that Tiegs was booted. And have added Gibson in above into the "eh whatever" category, thanks !
I missed the Tiegs part. And Debs is an "eh whatever"??? No way!!! Debs to win it all!!
She must earn her way out of the category ;-)