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Maris
| Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 5:19 pm
found this at the smoking gun: JANUARY 14--There's something about this Donald Trump guy that rubs us the wrong way--and it's not the greed, arrogance, megalomania, or that golden swirl perched on his noggin. The, um, star of NBC's "The Apprentice" is, as he is always quick to note, a New York City billionaire who has more juice than Con Ed. But when it comes to philanthropy, Trump is probably the country's least generous corporate baron. While fellow titans like Bill Gates and David Geffen have used their charitable foundations to make many significant donations, Trump is, by comparison, an absolute cheapskate. The Donald J. Trump Foundation's most recent tax return, filed with the IRS about two months ago, shows that the developer forked over a measly $287,000 in 2002 (down from 2001's $306,000). While those low six figures would be exemplary for an average American, it's a remarkably paltry--not to mention pathetic--sum for someone who's reportedly worth ten figures (in fact, as recently as three years ago, Trump's giving barely topped $160,000). Even the 2001 terrorist attacks couldn't get the attention of the New York native's foundation, which reported no donations to 9/11-related charities. By comparison, Geffen, a Brooklyn native who lives in Malibu, gave $1 million to be split between the American Red Cross and police and fire widows and children's funds. Trump's longtime whipping girl Leona Helmsley, the so-called Queen of Mean, donated $5 million for the benefit of those same 9/11 NYPD and FDNY widows. Trump, though, has made sure to donate small amounts to charities run by fellow celebrities like Russell Simmons, Chris Evert, Michael J. Fox, Derek Jeter, Walt Frazier, and Larry King. The Donald, you're fired! link
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Nathalia
| Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 5:26 pm
Donald Trump said last night on Jay Leno that the 2.5 million salary he was getting for doing the show was all going to charity. I would like to know how much the people at the Smoking Gun give to charity. Giving to charity is not something you are obligated to do because you are wealthy. Put yourselves in their places and I wonder how much each one of us would give. I'm sure you would find a similar scenario where some give more than others and some don't give at all. He worked for his fortune. I think he should be able to do with it what he wants. JMO.
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Maris
| Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 5:38 pm
Well when you make your billions in NY, I think you could give a little back to those in need in your city.
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Bananaclip
| Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 9:38 pm
Donald said the same thing on Howard Stern last night, about the 2.5 million going to charity. Howard asked which charities and Donald said a few, which include one for AIDS research.
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Scorpiomoon
| Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 11:00 pm
No, technically, he's not obligated to donate money. But to anyone who is even remotely spiritually evolved--or simply mature--gratitude is something you don't even give a second thought to. It's a given you back to the world in some way. And considering how DT goes on and on about how he once lost it all and had to work to get it all back, he'd know what's it like to be down and how having resources to turn to can make a difference. I would guess the reason why he is being so charitable with his earnings from the show is because he is getting much more than money from this gig. Not only does he get to make Les Moones--his arch enemy at CBS--sweat, this show increases his popularity and value of his "brand" name. He'll reap much more than 2.5 million from this.
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Lilfair
| Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 6:56 pm
It is up to Trump to decide how much and to which charities he gives donations. Just because he has a charitable foundation does not mean that is the only vehicle he uses to donate funds through. I wouldn’t take that article at face value.
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Dahli
| Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 6:59 pm
I suppose as long as our culture admires and envies others for what they have instead of what they give it will be that way more often than not...
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Hobbs
| Friday, January 16, 2004 - 7:17 am
If anybody has the show taped or tivoed, would you be kind enough to go to the end of the show and read the disclaimers during the credits. I'm interested in the one that says Donald and his associates talk to the producers about who goes. I'd like to know exactly what it says. During Trump's discussion last night he said, "It's up to me." Well it doesn't look like it is, because you know he would of dumped Sam long ago! Sam makes good TV and ratings.
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Tobor7
| Friday, January 16, 2004 - 9:51 pm
So much for casting all "non-actors" like the press release said! HAH! Contestant Kristi Frank, can be seen in "Swimming Naked," an installment of Zalman King's popular erotica series "Red Shoe Diaries." NBC describes Kristi Frank as the 30-year-old owner of two residential properties on the beach in Santa Monica, CA and the co-owner of the trendy eatery Juliano's RAW. Her past as a Lake Tahoe blackjack dealer is discussed, but her acting career is intentionally left OUT! So much for the BS PR they did on us! Can't they find people who are "actor wanna beeees" huh!?
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Ladybug007
| Thursday, January 22, 2004 - 7:43 am
Sam proposed to his girlfriend on the Today show sitting with KAtie Couric this morning.
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Texannie
| Thursday, January 22, 2004 - 8:04 am
He was such a jerk through the interview, but he was actually very sweet when he proposed! Nice rock too!
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Maris
| Thursday, January 22, 2004 - 8:18 am
I saw the Donald on Conan O'Brien last night and Conan asked about the contestant who they discovered had done some soft porn. I am guessing it was Kristi. The Donald said, they found out late about it and had a meeting but decided in the end to keep her.
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Spunky
| Thursday, January 22, 2004 - 11:19 am
Nice to see a board on this show as well. I'm watching but I'm starting to understand why people don't like this Trump very much, I agree there is something about him... a lack of finesse I guess... but here is the article that I read and made me agree with it..(from the Globe and Mail) Take Donald Trump. I wish somebody would, but that's just me. I find him obnoxious and kind of grotesque. He boasts endlessly about his fabulously phallic Trump Towers. He dates a parade of young beauty queens and is so enamoured of beauty pageants that he owns the rights to the Miss Universe Pageant, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA. He has a horrible hairdo that bespeaks middle-age male vanity -- an elaborate coif that's a millionaire's version of a comb-over. Mind you, he is also the hottest thing on American TV right now. The Apprenctice, which airs on NBC and Global (on Wednesdays, but NBC has sometimes aired it on Thursdays, just for the hell of it), is a reality show featuring 16 contestant who vie for a job with Trump. Each week, one of the contestants is sacked. The catchphrase is Trump's booming, "You're fired!" But here's the rub -- The Apprentice is not only hit, it's that precious thing for a network, a hit with people who earn more than $75,000 a year. These people -- and many are men -- don't usually watch reality-TV shows, but they're glued to this one. On the show, job applicants have been divided into two groups -- guys and gals. The guys are average-looking fellas. The gals look like supermodels. In the first two episodes, two guys were fired. Trump was definitely keeping those gals round. Trump came here to meet the TV critics and told us how great he is. "I'm the number-one developer in New York," he declared, as if we should all write that down. He also made it clear that he was really, really, enjoying his new role as a TV star. In fact he was willing to devote more time to it. Interestingly, the male critics either approached Trump with bemused wariness or outright hostility. Among the women, there was no division. They all loathed him. Women critics asked why the women on The Apprentice were all young, leggy, buxom creatures in tight skirts. Trump said they were very capable women, and "driven." As skepticism hardened, Trump eventually smirked, shrugged and said, "Men, as you have heard over the years, are not my thing." Some people get their kicks watching Trump get his own kicks from firing earnest men and keeping himself surrounded with pretty young women who want to work for him. Me, I suspect that a lot of well-paid guys -- managerial types -- watch The Apprentice because it's their fantasy version of the workplace. They'd get to fire their male rivals and have power over a group of attractive women. NBC is delighted by this development. And some people are disgusted by it. Go figure.
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Wilsonatmd
| Thursday, January 22, 2004 - 6:33 pm
Ok...the scheduling issue has reared it's head again.....because the Apprentice got completely destroyed by AI last night, NBC is moving the show YET AGAIN....it's now going to be BACK ON THURSDAYS, at 9PM, starting next week. Wednesdays at 8 will be repeats of the previous episode, for now. (for those who want to know, Scrubs will move to Tuesday, and Will and Grace moves up to 8:30 PM)....and we don't know about any Supersized eps for Feb Sweeps yet, and how that will move things around...and what happens when the show goes up against CSI one-on one, and when CSI has a Survivor leadin....
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Spygirl
| Friday, January 23, 2004 - 10:55 am
LOL - I missed it Wednesday because I didn't get the "memo" that it moved off of Thursdays again! So, let's review... It airs on Thursday for the premiere Second episode to be on Wednesday Moved from Wednesday back to Thursday Second episode aired on Thursday *See, at this point, I think it is staying on Thursday* Third episode apparently airs on Wednesday No one watches Now it is on Thursday again They are about to screw this whole thing up if they aren't careful. And I'm pissed that Scrubs has moved
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Scorpiomoon
| Friday, January 23, 2004 - 11:23 am
This is just getting pathetic.
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Sbw
| Friday, January 23, 2004 - 11:26 am
Just a note... I don't know exactly when but CNBC will be showing repeats of the Apprentice. I was channel surfing last night (Thursday) and it was on at 9:00 Central.
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Shelb724
| Friday, January 23, 2004 - 1:13 pm
what i don't get is that american idol will not be on wednesdays at 8 anymore, just that one night. of course, they could have just kept the apprentice on at 9 on thursdays, since people are basically used to it then. and i love will and grace, but i don't think its good 8:30 material. just my opinion .
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Wilsonatmd
| Friday, January 23, 2004 - 3:15 pm
Shelb, the thinking is, after next week, the AI results shows will be on at 8:30 Wednesdays....so NBC is worried that people will tune out of the 2nd half of the show to see who's been eliminated on AI. They also can't go back to 8:30 Thursdays, because then they're up against the last half of Survivor in the first half of the show (and I think Mark Burnett wouldn't be too happy with his shows going against each other)....so they'll take their chances against CSI.
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Wargod
| Monday, January 26, 2004 - 12:23 am
Have you guys seen the promo ad yet for The Apprentice? I haven't been watching the show, but saw the promo while watching the Golden Globes. It was DT sitting there saying he was tired of NBC changing the night of his show all the time so he bought Thursday, he's always wanted to own a day of the week, lol. I don't know why, but it had me cracking up.
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Spygirl
| Monday, January 26, 2004 - 8:53 am
It is HYSTERICAL! I laughed when I saw it last night. That will be just about the only way for them to recoup the viewers they likely lost along the way. I caught Saturday night on all the episodes I missed due to the chaos. They re-broadcasted #2 and #3 back to back. I slept through part of the ad campaign one because I was sick, but saw most of the drama.
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Caroline
| Monday, January 26, 2004 - 2:27 pm
'Apprentice' reruns on CNBC for those who get it on cable. Last week's episode is on today at 7 and 10 after Dennis Miller's new show... I also read they were airing last week's show on NBC Wednesday before they begin the new Thursday timeslot.
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Spunky
Member
10-18-2002
| Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 12:48 pm
Another article by the same author of the previous article above is saying the show is successful because..." The Apprentice is about sex, power and lust - the elements that make the money world go 'round. That's why it's such an important TV event." The Woman as Goddess... another reference... oh my, why don't I feel this much power?? 
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Essence
Member
01-11-2003
| Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 12:58 pm
When race enters boardroom, 'Apprentice' really heats up By Suzanne C. Ryan, Globe Staff, 1/29/2004 African-American contestants haven't made much of a splash in reality television over the years. But that was before Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth made her debut on NBC's Donald Trump workplace show, "The Apprentice," three weeks ago. Stallworth is one of 16 contestants vying for a job working for Trump. But unlike the other participants, Stallworth's behavior has generated more messages on the NBC website than anyone else's -- more than 14,000 so far. Online, she's been described as a "shrew," "detached from reality," "playing the race card," a "dominating personality," and "intimidating." Her defenders have depicted her as "intelligent," "aggressive," and as someone who "would work better with men." Workplace diversity experts have also taken notice and plan to tune in tonight at 9 (Channel 7) for the next episode. What's so intriguing about the 29-year-old political consultant from Washington, D.C.? To put it mildly, she's outspoken and frosty. She often disagrees with her female teammates. She's a provocative dresser. She's confident and educated. And she's making news because she's dared to suggest that some of her white female teammates can't handle working with a strong black woman. Several of them have cursed and screamed at her on camera since then. Is this just drama manufactured for TV? Or is the strong reaction to Stallworth providing a window into today's workplace and the consequences of not assimilating? Opinions vary. Clearly, no one likes "boorish behavior," said David Thomas, a professor of organizational behavior and human resource management at Harvard Business School and author of "Breaking Through: The Making of Minority Executives in Corporate America." But being "in-your-face" is especially likely to be an unsuccessful strategy for African-American professionals, said Thomas, who has seen the show. "When you're in groups with people who aren't used to working in diverse environments, then outspoken behavior is often amplified in the minds of other group members," he said. "Even if you're right, people are usually waiting for the opportunity to bring about your demise." But in 2004, why must an aggressive woman tone it down? If NBC "could disguise her, maybe with a different skin color and a male voice, would we react the same way?" asked Jane C. Edmonds, director of Workforce Development for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Adverse reaction to Stallworth is a "reflection of the same issue we have in society. We've not yet overcome our race-relations problem," said Edmonds, who describes herself as an "Apprentice" fan. She watches with mixed emotions. "There's a part of me that cheers and applauds -- Go for it honey! She's bold and brash and sometimes belligerent. I want her to have the true freedom to be who she is," Edmonds said. "There's another part of me that's equally strong that would say to her if I knew her, `Can we talk? . . . Honey, you are on a collision course.' When you play that race card, you'll have a hard time being taken seriously, even if you're right." To be sure, only NBC's producers know if viewers are even seeing the real Stallworth. "I think the producers cast these shows looking for certain types who'll become lightning rods," said Patricia A. Turner, a professor of African-American studies at the University of California at Davis. "They need something to sustain viewers' interest. I don't think it's an authentic representation of what happens day to day in most of the offices we work in." Harvard's Thomas said Stallworth may be treating the show as one big audition. "These reality TV shows have probably been more successful than any agent in Hollywood at creating new media personalities who start to show up at all kinds of places, from commercials to the Super Bowl," he said. Who would hire her? "Another TV show that needs a lightning rod," he said, like Simon Cowell of "American Idol." "The Apprentice" is coproduced by Mark Burnett, the same man who created CBS's successful program "Survivor." Some of the villains from that show, such as Richard Hatch, have gone on to be household names. Since its launch Jan. 8, "The Apprentice" has generated huge ratings for NBC. During its first two weeks, the program drew 19.2 million viewers, making it the number three show on the network behind "Friends" and "ER." Last week, viewership dropped to 12.3 million when NBC moved the show to Wednesday night. The network has since pushed the show back to Thursdays. Stallworth is not the only person of color on the show. Tammy Lee is an Asian-American stockbroker from Seattle. Kwame Jackson is an African-American New York resident who was most recently an investment manager on Wall Street. Neither have had any noteworthy conflicts with teammates. Both, however, appear to have quieter personalities. Not Stallworth. Last week, she told teammate Katrina Campins that she didn't sign up for the show to make friends. "I said that from day one. . . . If you would all stop being so freakin' sensitive. . ." Campins responded by telling her to shut up. Michelle Johnson, 33, a Weymouth resident and office manager, said she was initially a big fan of Stallworth's. "Although she was aloof and not a team player, I could respect that. She lost me when she played the race card. I think she was just looking for a fight. I don't think race is a factor at all." Kelly Cook, 32, a Cambridge resident who works as an assistant to a financial analyst, said a woman like Stallworth would be despised in her workplace. "She's very, very abrasive. She's not interested in what others think of her. She can't take any kind of criticism. She's very disruptive." Looking ahead, how will the female team survive? Perhaps Trump -- who plays the role of "master" on "The Apprentice" -- has the best advice. In last week's episode, he described business negotiation as a "very, very delicate art. Sometimes, you have to be tough. Sometimes, you have to be sweet as pie. You never know. It depends on who you're dealing with." But Stallworth has her own ideas. Last week, she walked out of a team meeting when she discovered she was the topic of discussion. "I don't want to be the punching bag of this group," she said. To make it easy for everybody, she said, "Blame me. Blame it all on me." Suzanne Ryan can be reached at sryan@globe.com © Copyright 2004 Globe Newspaper Company. link
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Zules
Member
10-29-2003
| Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 2:07 pm
Hey Essence, great article. The only comment I'd like to make is about this quote: If NBC "could disguise her, maybe with a different skin color and a male voice, would we react the same way?" I thought it was funny because I was just saying in another thread that my boss (who is a white male), who reminds me very much of Omarosa, is a very difficult personality to get along with. They share many of the same poor communication habits. They both interrupt, talk over people, etc. No matter what race or gender you are, these are not wonderful traits, imho. Thanks again for posting this, it's an interesting read.
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