Grid Effect

I know it is quick too judge, typically I am rather judicious when it comes to discerning the character of reality show contestants. Because, after all, it is extremely selective editing and for the most part, Mark Burnett can portray an individual however he damn well pleases. There are exceptions, however, and last night’s Apprentice episode, is certainly one of them. As its sixth season premiere and first set in Los Angeles, inexplicably lowered the bar for mainstream reality television.

I really procrastinated posting about this, mainly because much like Nip Tuck, I never really enjoy watching this show, but for whatever reason, do so habitually. So let me just say that if their isn’t a semblance of respectability displayed in the next couple of episodes, I don’t think I can continue too tune in. The contestants, who are supposedly educated and therefore, enlightened too some extent, are eighteen of the most spoiled, self-entitled reality contestants I have ever seen. And within the reality TV universe, that is saying something.

For the most part, and this is only exemplified this season, The Apprentice has been a campaign for anti-capitalists around the world, as it continuously depicts the uglier side of American business practice. Donald Trump, his viceroy(s) (Now just his daughter apparently) and the contestants unabashedly glorify greed, materialism and narcissism all with a smile that oozes with smug, self-satisfaction. They say things like, “This is really like, third world” when they find out they might have to live in tents for a night or two. They celebrate themselves in front of a camera with, “If I could pull this off, I would be, like, the best Apprentice ever”. How is any of this, in any mode of thinking, even remotely watchable?

Maybe that girl was right. Maybe living in a tent next too a mansion overlooking Los Angeles really is similar too living in an impoverished country? For two days.

I do not want too delve into too many specifics, but the three contestants the episode focused on: Frank, Martin and Heidi; none of them really entertained or impressed. Heidi came across as condescending after the team she was captain of luckily won the challenge by a mere $60, and she was invited too sit in on the boardroom (Yet another desperate twist too revive that ratings glory from season one). Between the two guys on the chopping block, Frank was obnoxiously inarticulate when screaming his case, and Martin was seemingly lazy and overly critical during the challenge, then just overly critical in the boardroom. Ultimately, Martin was fired because Ivanka (Trump’s daughter) didn’t think he would fit in. Translation: The privileged, blond haired white girl didn’t like the effeminate, dour, awkwardly dressed black guy. You know it’s reached a superficial low when Donald Trump operates with more decorum than anyone else in the room.

Give it a couple more weeks, if we don’t see any improvement I can’t keep writing about this.