TONIGHT'S FINAL: “UNDER THE HAMMER”

TITLE: “UNDER THE HAMMER”
TASK: CHARITY AUCTION & CONCERT

As the finalists work down to the wire preparing for the charity auction and concert, one celebrity fears the entertainers will refuse go onstage if their demands can’t be met. The other decides to limit the food for the event, hoping the guests will be more generous with their bids if they are drunk. The moment of truth arrives, and so do the stars. With the auction over and nearly a half million dollars raised for charity, Donald Trump is faced with the final decision – who will be fired, and who will become the Celebrity Apprentice.
The Celebrity Apprentice does not win a position in Trump’s organization, but wins $250,000 dollars for their charity.

Comments

[david post]

i will never watch NBC or be part of anything they are involved in after what I just heard. The donald just anounced that Cantor Fitzgerald will be part of the charity show. Cantor Fitzgerald was the biggest company and lost the most people in the trade centers disaster and vowed to help every last of their staff and their families. this was a blatant lie, My friends brother lost his life that day and left a wife and three kids behind. Cantor Fitzgerald did the absolute minimum they had to do to not be ridiculed. My buddies sister-in-law was left alone and had to battle with cantor fitzgerald for months and eventually gave up because she was given the run around so many times and just plain got to tired to deal with the bull they were handing down. So mister Trump, to you I say good day and good luck.
I will post this on every web site and blog until something is done. please if you read this anyone pass it on.

[david post]

i will never watch NBC or be part of anything they are involved in after what I just heard. The donald just anounced that Cantor Fitzgerald will be part of the charity show. Cantor Fitzgerald was the biggest company and lost the most people in the trade centers disaster and vowed to help every last of their staff and their families. this was a blatant lie, My friends brother lost his life that day and left a wife and three kids behind. Cantor Fitzgerald did the absolute minimum they had to do to not be ridiculed. My buddies sister-in-law was left alone and had to battle with cantor fitzgerald for months and eventually gave up because she was given the run around so many times and just plain got to tired to deal with the bull they were handing down. So mister Trump, to you I say good day and good luck.
I will post this on every web site and blog until something is done. please if you read this anyone pass it on.

[Momde]

If Donald Trump doesn't pick Piers Morgan than he's not the business genius we are led to believe he is. Trace Adkins is a nice guy but not the winner. He's also not reflective of America in the 21st century so that old saw should be retired.
Why is Omarosa there. She is the biggest waste of time and a b***h to boot.

[Momde]

If Donald Trump doesn't pick Piers Morgan than he's not the business genius we are led to believe he is. Trace Adkins is a nice guy but not the winner. He's also not reflective of America in the 21st century so that old saw should be retired.
Why is Omarosa there. She is the biggest waste of time and a b***h to boot.

[Trace Fan]

I think "The Donald" failed the American Public! Trace was a better by far choice in THIS task!

[KR in Chicago]

I am still in shock that Piers Morgan was chosen as the celebrity apprentice. Piers is a pompous a$$. Clearly, Trace Adkins was the better choice--a gentleman, great businessman, and a man of integrity. "The Donald" obviously does not value honesty, integrity and the American way. Luckily, The Office will return next week. Never again will I waste any time watching Donald Trump's TV show--his moronic decisions have offended a lot of fans, including me. You can bet next season, I'll be switching to CBS on Thursday night.

[apprentice fan]

Why Trace really won: If raising money was the main criteria, then Trace wins....eventually. Why? I think what Ivanka and Donald Jr. were surmising about was the tactics of Piers disabling his efforts for the charity in the future. While Piers raised much AT the event, it has turned people off to give in the future. The class act of Trace, not only was able to raise money in the short term, but has set up the groundwork for continued success in the raising of money AFTER the event. I can tell you that I am compelled to donate to the FAAN and will even though the charity that Piers represented would have had my interest. I believe I would not be the only one. I would be interested to see what happens from here on in. This is the first time I ever thought Mr. Trump was completely wrong and somewhat short-sighted which he never seemed to be. While large donations are a huge boost to an organization, it is the continued donations of smaller amounts combined from many that actually make up the bulk of funding for most charities. Events such as the final show event are great for marketing exposure and getting celebs to open up their purse strings but not the rest of ordinary folk. Regardless, Celebrity Apprentice was the best of all the Apprentice shows.

[From The Heart]

Donald had to hold up his image of the rude businessman to pick Piers. I believe he wanted to have Trace to be the winner - that would mean he had to show his soft side and his heart. Piers won the game and Trace won our hearts. Guess what will last longer? You'll be the judge:)

[Paul]

No "shock" here, that Pierce won. If for a moment one can digest the show without the fabricated drama and court-tv lighting/music, you will find what Pierce said about the show not being a popularity contest is true.

Let's put it this way, you think Donald Trump would not be as "vicious" as Pierce if he were put in that same position. If the tactics used by a contestant are not beyond what the "boss" and inspiration for the show does in the real world, how can the contestant be faulted for doing so in a tv show? Throughout the show he re-iterated numerous times it was for charity and though people may not like how he did it, does anyone think it takes away from what the armed forces do?? No. Did he end up raising a lot of funds for injured soldiers?? Yes.

Bottom line: Armed forces "integrity" intact regardless of Pierce's so-called "viciousness" and MOST MONEY RAISED. Simple choice.

[Kathy in MD]

Trace was not only the right choice, but the American choice. I am so tired of every country beating us up, even though we are the first to help when they are down. The "Donald" is now in my opinion as meaningless in reality as the other famous Donald "Duck"! I truly thought that he wouldn't kick his own country while it is down and hurting. I will not be watching any Apprentice Episodes from now on. And as for the people who think Trace and his values are antiquated, you not only know nothing of the silent majority in America -- but you are probably a moron who has bought into the Obama "Rock Star" hype. Wake up America!!!!

[karen]

Donald Trump made a mistake. The majority of the people around him wanted Trace to win yet he made his own choice. It is his show. I wanted to finish watching the show with a good feeling but I'm quite bothered. The majority of the show tonight was touching and now I'm having a difficult time accepting how agitated I feel. There is nothing I can do about any decision with this show, obviously, but I can decide to not watch it again. I am so disappointed. Mr. Trump should have made the decision to hire Trace which would have augmented the momentum this season created. He would have exponentially multiplied his popularity and the good feelings toward his show but he blew it. Thank you for reading my comments.

[Donald Trump's biggest fan]

Way to go Piers!!!! I am relieved that the Donald didn't disappoint and buckle under the naivity of the North American public that make up probably most of his ratings. Let's face it. Anyone who is a real business person knows that 'nice guys finish last' - especially in this kind of a competitive setting. My husband and I buy real estate and manage hundreds of tenants... and although we have never done anything illegal - we wouldn't be where we are without a sense of 'hard-core, at all costs!'. So how can an average person who has a 9 to 5 job even begin to understand what this means? It is understandable how Joe-Public can misuse words like 'dishonest' and 'lacking integrity' for 'ruthless' and 'brilliant' in business. I totally believe the old saying that if you took all the money from the rich and gave it to the poor... the rich would have it all back within a few short years... without stealing it or being mean! Piers won on strategy or creativity every time, although Donald insinuated that it was a case of 'who he knew, not what he knew'. So not true! I don't know, maybe I'm weird, I liked him. He's got a true British sense of humor (which may be the problem right there for us hicks in North America) and his ability to articulate and defend his actions were amazing. Very smart busines person!

[Paul]

I think it's interesting that a comment has been posted on what would have been the "American choice".

1) Is not having the option to choose, what it truly means to be American?

2) It's also interesting that Kathy mentioned that she is "so tired of every country beating us up" Interesting that 99% of all people booing Piers was of one nationality while he was the other.

3) If Piers is not an American choice, he's sure damn close. His charity helps US soldiers for an AMERICAN conflict. Remind me again which country is the US's biggest ALLY in this war, oh yes... the UK!

4)I think what upsets me most about her comment and line of reasoning is she presumes to tell me or other ppl what an AMERICAN choice would be. Later throwing in a disparaging remark about being a "moron" if you like a particular candidate.

CHOICE PEOPLE. That is what makes us AMERICAN (regardless of whether you like a particular choice or not). Ironic how when someone tells me what to think represents my country it smells a lot like the ideas/forces we are trying to overcome in other countries.

[angel]

I think Piers is great! He Can't be such a bad guy if he is out there busting is behind of a charitable cause. Most of us wouldn't have done what he did even if we got paid for it.

[Erica]

Tonight really was a win win situation for both of the finalist. Without a doubt, Piers showed shrewd intelligence in all of his decisions including the choice of his Charity. He played every angle to win.He paid the price to win. Trace won with quiet elegance and integrity, He won the hearts of the people. He brought awareness to a cause that has been sorely overlooked. He also earned them a substantial amount of funds.
Piers may have won the Battle of Who the Celebrity Apprentice is today, but Trace will reap the benefits for all tommorrows.
Sadly, I feel there were two real losers in this situaion. Carol Alts Charity, who was shorted out of the opportunity to be in the finally so that Trump could play out his good versus evil fantasy. And Mr. Trump himself, who showed the world that greed is more important in business than your reputation, honor and integrity.

[Velops]

I'm not surprised by the final decision. Trump never intended for Trace to win. When choosing the final two celebrities, he purposefully pitted Trace against Piers in the final task to manufacture conflict for the show. It is easy to forget that this is still a TV show driven by ratings.

Viewers are agititated because the decision supports the phrase "the ends justify the means".

[Tom Smith]

I am 100% American, and I love Trace. Overall, Piers was the right choice. Thanks Piers for picking a GREAT charity as well!

[Ma. Luisa]

No doubt Trace is a great guy, I personally love his charity since my son has food allergy and as he does I truly hope that research could lead to greater understanding of food allergies and a cure. Piers supports a great charity, since the beginning he played his game smart enough to WIN!

[Ted]

Piers did a great job on this program to win for his charity. Trace should be damb proud of the way he represented himself and how he played the game. Since Piers won so much $$$ for his charity, I think it would be great if everyone who watched and felt entertained would donate even $1.00 to his charity. With 20 million viewers, and over 50% of them rooting for Trace, His charity could be a big winner in this. Think of all the medical research that could be done on that kind of money.

[Manny]

Piers was a right choice. Here is why ? Trace and other contestants were not willing to give all they have got to get money for their charities. To ask for money from friends is not that easy. Piers did that. Instead of being proud of a person who is not an American citizen get so much money for American soldiers, we feel resentment towards him. I think trump made a right decision, and by far the best.

[Manny]

Piers was a right choice. Here is why ? Trace and other contestants were not willing to give all they have got to get money for their charities. To ask for money from friends is not that easy. Piers did that. Instead of being proud of a person who is not an American citizen get so much money for American soldiers, we feel resentment towards him. I think trump made a right decision, and by far the best.

[apprentice fan]

Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN)
The direct link is: http://www.foodallergy.org/traceadkins.html or you can do your own search.

I followed through with my comment and donated today to a wonderful charity. I think many will do the same... anything helps and a little from everyone makes much. Trace represents them well and has put their name on the map- not an easy thing to do with so many to donate to. It would be great if research money were spent here in helping the immediate life threatening cases because it will help the millions more who have allegies that are not as severe but growing in numbers. Asthma and allergies are at an all time high and the daily medication can be brutal to the body system in the long run.
Piers charity is great also but they seem to be doing well with their funding. I liked the health benefits our family had when we were military - best insurance we ever had.

[Tina]

Excuse me Mr. Trump but I think you made a horrible mistake--Trace was by far the better person to select as celebrity apprentice-Perhaps if the 2 finalists were evenly matched you would have seen who the better player was here-Episode after episode Piers did nothing other than call his connections to raise money--While I understand this was the main concept, I don't think it to be fair as the other contestants had no shot at raising more funds. I think the next time you consider having this type of show, you should create all equal and not allow them to use the resources they have, but to raise money the way everyone has to and that is to reach out to America. I have to question-would Piers have raised the greatest amount of money without his rolodex??--I can truly answer that as a no-I would never donate to him with his pushy arrogant attitude-I would donate to Trace in heartbeat-not because of who he is, but what he is and his heartfelt objectives---Really missed the call on this one Mr. Trump--sours me enough to lose all interest in your show.....It is sad if you agree that raising money at all costs is more important than getting the message of what it is all about-

[Trace Fan]

If "THE DONALD" wanted to do the "right" thing the ovious choice was Trace! Piers had already raised a lot of money for his charity! And the so called "RULES" of the final challege ... 3 criteria and Trace DOMINATED in 2 out of 3! The majority of the advisors, family, and contestants wanted Trace and "THE DONALD" pushed it away.

I sure hope that Piers will take the recommdation and get some dental work done before the "america's got talent" show ... that by the way I WILL NOT be watching!

[Rickyd]

I was disappointed that Piers won the Celebrity Apprentice Contest... all of Mr. Trumps "advisor's" suggested that Trace was the better man... honest, caring, in it for the right reasons, vs. Piers... rude, obnoxious, discriminatory, lies and he even duped Simon Cowell on the last show to offering $100,000, when I believe that the other bidder was not going to go over the $75,000. Is this what it now takes to be successful in business? Is it only about the money? What about service, heart and honesty? Yes, Piers made money. But at what cost and in business, how long would he get away with it. Trump's children, his advisor's and the majority of Celebrities said Trace... Donald picks Piers? That was my last Apprentice viewing. It was wrong.

Rickyd