The Apprentice: The Restaraunt

[Philliesfan980]

As a guy, I'm totally embarassed to be a male.

[bbor]

Could they find a challenge where sex is'nt an issue?

[Philliesfan980]

Anyone who works / have worked in the restaraunt business knows that what night those sales were on makes a HUGE difference. I think its more luck than anything else. The girls did deserve to win this one though. They had a better strategy (sell high margin alchol)

[bryce]

the guys have just had terrible strategies throughout the whole show. and, as bbor alluded to, they also have to overcome the 'sex sells' advantage that the women have. (sidenote - a much more fair competition would have been two teams comprised of both men and women rather than men vs women.)

take the lemonade stand - just set up shop in a tourist area and you're good to go - statue of liberty for example - tourists on vacation with kids - that's all you need - even penny pinchers and/or families w/o much money loosen the pursestrings on vacation, esp in the big apple, esp with kids. i know i come from a humble family financially, but when we were on vacation, when it came to money, the rule was, 'who cares, we're on vacation, if you want a steak, we're getting steaks.' certainly they could have sold a glass of friggin lemonade to dozens of people standing in line for hours at a time waiting to see the statue of liberty...

and the negotiating one was a debacle. scour the internet or pick up a phone and make call after call, or go to website after website (although ebay would have been a good place to start, i'd think) until you find a decent deal, and then try to reneg even lower. they had this 'all eggs in one basket' philosophy. the women did, too, but they have t&a, so they don't need any other scheme.

now this restaraunt deal. when i first saw the promo last week, i knew the men would have it tough b/c there's so much margin in alcohol and women are much better at selling alcohol than men, for obvious reasons. but the dudes didn't even give themselves a chance in this one. screw the coupon garbage. who the hell goes to a beating place like planet hollywood to redeem $5, esp NY $5, which is, what, like 10 cents anywhere else (tongue in cheek...)

bottom line, the women aren't showing me anything talentwise, but the dudes aren't helping themselves at all, so it's just coming down to base instinct - ie, sex sells. until the dudes pull their heads out of their asses, the women will continue to get by on very mediocre plans.

(Although i'm beginning to think this whole thing is staged.. ie, the basic premise of the show would appeal to men largely, so to gather the women audience, have the women win three times in a row. now that women are watching also, have DT step in and and say, 'no more sex selling.' prediction: the men make a strong comeback and win the next couple in a row when actual business strategies are used by both sides, which hasn't happened yet on either side...)

[Ramzavail]

(sidenote - a much more fair competition would have been two teams comprised of both men and women rather than men vs women.)


Thats next week.

[Fidatelo]

This is the best show ever!

[Raiders Army]

Overall, great episode. My take on certain events:

Nick on being Sam's avenger: Were they roommates? I could've sworn Troy and Sam were roommates, but I could've been wrong.

Donald Trump on the sex talk with the women: #1, obviously Trump can't outright condone using sex to sell something <wink><wink>. #2, I think he wants someone from the female team to show they can do it without the "female charm." Obviously someday the president of his company will have to deal with a woman, and unless the other woman is a lesbian...

Nick on having morals: I think that when it comes down to it, there is only one winner out of sixteen...however, there are other people watching this show, so obviously someone like Nick is going to stand out, and he'll be able to be successful with someone else. On the other hand, I think that Nick is totally kidding himself if he doesn't think that lying, cheating, and backstabbing doesn't go on on your way to the top.

By the way, Philliesfan, I'd be totally embarrassed to be a Philly fan and not know how to spell restaurant. :)

[bryce]

Thats next week.

are they breaking up the teams? did they imply that on the preview for next week? i missed the upcoming preview this time around...

[Barkeep49]

They didn't imply that they were breaking up the teams, they said so...

I actually thought Bill came off looking the best this episode (despite the bad bit of him during the board game) because he was almost as strong as Nick on the moral issue while doing what looked to be a knockout job of running the resteraunt.

[Philliesfan980]

Sorry for the misspelling of Restaurant, its one of those words you know? At least I didn't spell it Resteraunt, which is how alot of people mis-spell it.


As for the show next week, I hope this is a one time thing. The combination of the two teams takes most of the fun away for me. Half the fun of it is sitting there with the wife and her taking the girls side and me trying to defend the men. I think its this way in most households out there too.

[FrogMan]

Anyone who works / have worked in the restaraunt business knows that what night those sales were on makes a HUGE difference. I think its more luck than anything else. The girls did deserve to win this one though. They had a better strategy (sell high margin alchol)
At first, I also thought that whoever got the "good" night had the advantage, but their results were compared to those of a year ago, so the night of the week became sort of a non issue...

What hit me with the ladies is that they did very little "managing" of the restaurant, but a whole lot of selling (selling themselves and the booze). One of the girl talked about how Heidi was a master at selling shooter and that if she owned a bar, she'd want her to come sell shooters 7 nights a week. Geez, the girl wants to become a manager, not a shooter girl!!!

Great show overall though...

FM

[SunDancer]

I love this show. My question is, did the lack of personal on the men's side hurt limit what they can do though? Is it def. for sure they are breaking up the teams then? How are they doing it? The men should of pull an outrageous stunt that could of brought in customers. The women seemed to get alittle trouble not just with the sex and Trump, but the selling of alcohol with the management of the restaurant.

[SunDancer]

Wanted to bump this in an update. Is anyone still following? What are your thoughts? I personally wouldn't hire 3/4 of the people on the show. Is it just me, or is this also a self-advertisement for Trump himself also? What does everyone think of his lifestyle? Wish I had that kind of money, though his tastes are alittle differnet then mine.

[Logan]

Troy is the only one who has really shown me something at this point. Amy has a shot as well.

[timmae]

Troy is the only one who has really shown me something at this point. Amy has a shot as well.

Still following.... I would agree that most of the players are not worthy of the Donald. Troy and Amy are good picks to win and I think that the one who's mom has cancer (can't remember her name) has made a push as of late. It was hilarious that the last booted contestant did heself in by not bringing in Katrina. Who didn't see that one coming?! Bill may have a shot as well... he showed some spunk in the last episode. Decent show overall..

[bryce]

yea, still watching as well. i'm going with bill to win it. i don't think any of it is very realistic, but it's entertaining, esp to those of us in the business world (i find myself shouting in frustration at the tv at some of their antics...)

[SunDancer]

I can't wait til they fire that one girl, Oromisso (?). She's is just rude and just a "shove-it-in-your face" kind of person. She does not have people skills at all. I kinda get sick of hearing bout her "White House" exeperience. What exactly did she do in that role? Isn't getting a job their requiring big connections? Anyone hear that Cuban is starting his role series as well.

[bryce]

omurosa, yea, she needs to go, she's the worst of the lot, any of them, past or present.

cuban's show starts this summer, supposedly, and i think the premise is that he gives away a million dollars to whomever he feels deserves it most, so it's up to the candidates to be creative in ways to win it. it's take off on some show from the 60s, but i forget the details behind that.

[John Galt]

omurosa, yea, she needs to go, she's the worst of the lot, any of them, past or present.

I don't see how you can say she is worse than Sam or Nick. She is bad, but they are just horrible.

[Desnudo]

omurosa, yea, she needs to go, she's the worst of the lot, any of them, past or present.

cuban's show starts this summer, supposedly, and i think the premise is that he gives away a million dollars to whomever he feels deserves it most, so it's up to the candidates to be creative in ways to win it. it's take off on some show from the 60s, but i forget the details behind that.

I think that show will be funnier and more laid back than the Trump one although I admit that it's a fun show to watch. I watched the Charity Auction episode. I thought it was intriguing, but unfortunately I didn't really want anyone to win. Possible exception is that dude from Idaho. When they were in the board room at the end, all I wanted to see was one of those ladies tell Trump to shove it instead of being so kiss ass. He probably did to which is why the nice girl got the axe.

[SunDancer]

I think that show will be funnier and more laid back than the Trump one although I admit that it's a fun show to watch. I watched the Charity Auction episode. I thought it was intriguing, but unfortunately I didn't really want anyone to win. Possible exception is that dude from Idaho. When they were in the board room at the end, all I wanted to see was one of those ladies tell Trump to shove it instead of being so kiss ass. He probably did to which is why the nice girl got the axe.

Why tell Trump to shove it? They all had good reasons to get fired.

[Ajaxab]

This show is not about business. If I'm in charge of a business, I want someone who will take responsibility for their actions rather than play the blame game. Trump has fired those who have been responsible, those who have not responded to accusation with counter-attacks, those who have chosen the high road. Of course those kinds of people don't make good tv, but people like Onarosa certainly do.

[Desnudo]

Why tell Trump to shove it? They all had good reasons to get fired.

I'm talking about when they're sitting there in the board room and Trump's firing a dozen uncomfortable questions at them a minute and they're changing their answer everytime. Liking or disliking someone has nothing to do with whether you should be fired or not and they should have said so.

[SunDancer]

I'm talking about when they're sitting there in the board room and Trump's firing a dozen uncomfortable questions at them a minute and they're changing their answer everytime. Liking or disliking someone has nothing to do with whether you should be fired or not and they should have said so.

I think it's more of a test of honesty and "sticking up for yourself". As well as loyality. How many toys does he have?

[SunDancer]

I don't see how you can say she is worse than Sam or Nick. She is bad, but they are just horrible.

Nick is alot better then her. Sam was horrible, but atleast he tried.

[Sun Tzu]

Is it bad that I have absolutely no idea what this thread is about?

[Blade6119]

yes, you fucking elitist

[Desnudo]

I think it's more of a test of honesty and "sticking up for yourself". As well as loyality. How many toys does he have?

That's generally the point I was trying to get across. Maybe telling him to stick it would be a bit harsh, but I kept waiting to see someone get some backbone. I think he was too. BTW, what's the deal with painted on eye lashes on some of those chicks? I didn't realize they were running for apprenticeship of a French cathouse. :)

[Sun Tzu]

yes, you fucking elitist

Well...that was uncalled for.

[SunDancer]

That's generally the point I was trying to get across. Maybe telling him to stick it would be a bit harsh, but I kept waiting to see someone get some backbone. I think he was too. BTW, what's the deal with painted on eye lashes on some of those chicks? I didn't realize they were running for apprenticeship of a French cathouse. :)

I agree. I'm not sure what's worse, the girl's eye lashes or Donald Trump's hair.

[SunDancer]

Just curious, how much is Trump supposely worth? He's got the "big toys", a private 727, a helicopter, a 52- room manison in gold in his NY Tower, a big manison that is also a club in Palm Beach, a top-level golf course, a wait staff. Didn't realize he was this rich to live such a lavish lifestyle.

[rkmsuf]

This just in...he's loaded...

[bryce]

[QUOTE=SunDancer]Just curious, how much is Trump supposely worth? QUOTE]

from forbes.com:
Donald Trump, United States
Net Worth: $2.5 billion

Who knew getting fired could be so much fun? The Donald's hit reality show, The Apprentice, is already gearing up for a second season. The biggest winner is Trump, the media-loving real estate magnate who has managed to raise his already high profile to celebrity status.

and the linky: http://www.forbes.com/maserati/billionaires2004/bill04land.html

from there, click on the 'people in the news' part and scroll through until you get to dt.

[SunDancer]

This just in...he's loaded...

I know. I wasn't quite sure how rich he was though. Remember he had a big-time debt in the early 1990's.

[rkmsuf]

A lot of people dislike Trump...I like him.

[bryce]

:eek: I know. I wasn't quite sure how rich he was though. Remember he had a big-time debt in the early 1990's.

i think his casino in vegas just declared bankruptcy, too. i think i heard a blip about that recently.

[SunDancer]

:eek:

i think his casino in vegas just declared bankruptcy, too. i think i heard a blip about that recently.

I think his' business "skills" are overrated big time. The only business that's he really hit big on is real estate, and he had the money to start with from the beginning to make such an investment from his rich real estate father.

[SunDancer]

A lot of people dislike Trump...I like him.

Yeah...What makes you like him (not putting it in a a harsh way or disproving of your though, just asking)?

[Desnudo]

I think his' business "skills" are overrated big time. The only business that's he really hit big on is real estate, and he had the money to start with from the beginning to make such an investment from his rich real estate father.

I remember reading a business study on him in college. I think the comparison was between his and Warren Buffet investing styles. Trump is the master of using leverage and debt to finance new acquisitions. Basically equating to using home equity to buy another house. Which can get you into serious trouble during economic downturns. Like it almost did to him a while back.

I'm not a big fan either. I don't see him as a true "business man" in the sense that his primary concern is not generating high return on investment for his business partners or himself. He seems more concerned with making flashy deals. It sounds ridiculous, but he should be worth far more than $2.5 billion given all resources he's had available.

[rkmsuf]

From afar he seems like a no nonsense kind of guy. Pretty straightforward and I sense he's a tiger negotiator. He likes the ladies and finer things and doesn't pretend otherwise. Nothing real concrete just a sense.

I don't know how you can be critical of his business skill. I don't care what arena you do it in but worth billions is worth billions...

[SunDancer]

From afar he seems like a no nonsense kind of guy. Pretty straightforward and I sense he's a tiger negotiator. He likes the ladies and finer things and doesn't pretend otherwise. Nothing real concrete just a sense.

I don't know how you can be critical of his business skill. I don't care what arena you do it in but worth billions is worth billions...

I agree with the first part. When you got that kind of money and lifestyle, it's not hard to attract ladies. I like that he "treats" himself. He's earned his money, he should do what he wants with it. He's seems like he gives some of his bankroll to charity and the community. As for "likiing" the ladies, not sure what you mean by that.

In response to his business skill, outside of his real estate empire, his business "ventures" haven't been really successful. His casions are not turning profits, his old airline Trump Shuttle went belly up. Sure, he made some good decisions in real estate that filled his bank account with big-time money, but it doesn't mean he's a great businessmen. He just got the startup money and got in at the right time. His real estate is built on a buyer's market. It seems like his properities are marked up pretty high.

[Desnudo]

I remember The Motley Fool was running one of their portfolios a while back shorting the Trump Casino stock and making a killing at it. I think the article mentioned that it had some of the worst financials of any publicly held company.

[SunDancer]

I remember The Motley Fool was running one of their portfolios a while back shorting the Trump Casino stock and making a killing at it. I think the article mentioned that it had some of the worst financials of any publicly held company.

Agreed....Plus, the casinos and that don't look all the "luxurious" and nice. He needs to know that gold is not for everyone. Just curious, does anyone even close to him live the lavish lifestyle (in every area, clothes, homes, cars, travel, ect.) that he does?