(Grosse Pointe, MI ) TV Newscaster -- I'm a perfectionist and a control freak.
Shawn was fired for 3 simple reasons:
- she guaranteed a win
- even stating a second time on air that if Matchstick didn't win they could fire her.
- she didn't use her "fake it, 'til you make it" attitude when selling a cake she didn't like
- we've all had to sell something we weren't 100% behind. It sucks, but if you've guaranteed a win and that's the only product you have... that's a good time to fake it.
- she was cocky about it all.
- simply saying she retracted a statement doesn't fly in business. Honestly, I'm not sure where it flies.
- Add to that defending your words by telling Martha how television works, not so savvy.
Not a good thing.
(New York City, NY) Natural Foods Chef -- I will never ask anyone to do anything that I have not done or am not willing to do. My drive is unstoppable,and I never give up. Good enough is never good enough. 
(St. Petersburg, Fla.) Magazine Publisher-- Always be professional and never be afraid to ask for what you want. 
(Gilbertsville, PA ) Ad Executive -- I am a wealth of creative conceptual thinking... I have the raw materials, now I need a mentor. 
(Tijuana, Mexico) Cooking Instructor -- I am severely passionate about what I do. 
(Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA) Recent Law Graduate -- 
(Alexandria, VA ) Marketing Co. Owner -- I like to think that I share Martha’s drive, determination and entrepreneurial spirit. 
(Austin, TX) Attorney-- When it comes to my work product, my Martha quality is perfectionism. 
(Closter, NJ ) Fashion Co. Owner -- I am passionate, driven and will stop at nothing to succeed. --- Howie was fired for dropping the ball, not being on the ball and not being on-air filling the ball.
(Los Angeles, CA) Creative Director -- I do have an almost unnatural skill for organisation. -- Carrie was called out on for "Hide and Seek" as Charles called it. If things had gotten dramatic, Trump would have tossed her for a lack of loyalty... but it never really got that dramatic. (It never does). 
(Washington, DC ) Event Planner -- I’m blunt and I listen. I call things as I see them and I always have facts to back those statements up. -- Sarah was fired for a complete lack of leadership and focus on the task at hand. Silent brainstorming? Come on.
(Maplewood, MO) Internet Co. Owner -- My Martha quality is tenacity combined with 110% effort. 
(Los Angeles, CA) Prosecutor -- When I fulfill my purpose, achieve life balance, make my profession my passion, and make this world a better place, that is when I will be at my most successful. -- Jennifer was fired because she didn't, or couldn't, manage 
(Boston, MA) PR Consultant -- I’m driven and entrepreneurial, I’m willing to take risks, and I’ll readily make investments of time and money in things I believe in. -- 4 strikes, Dawn's out!
(Philadelphia, PA ) Interior Designer -- My Martha qualities include creativity, resourcefulness, attention to detail... a knack for turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. 
(New York City, NY) Creative Director -- I am not afraid to make mistakes. I fiercely believe in the projects I undertake. I work harder than anyone else in the room.
Shawn made all of us news/radio broadcasters look bad in my opinion. I am glad Martha brought her back and fired her.
Posted by: PopCultureTim | October 06, 2005 at 09:30 PM
what was up with that hot pink and lime green color combo all the time?
It would be good if she ditched the '80's and the 'tude.
Posted by: jillian | October 07, 2005 at 12:18 AM
Martha Steward cannot even hold a match to Shawn Killinger, I know Shawn personaly and she is a very nice compassionate person, it all was taken in the wrong context.
Posted by: Renate | October 07, 2005 at 03:24 PM
However nice a person Shawn may be, two things you don't do in the business world is guarantee success without delivering on it and bragging to the boss that you are "faking it". Maybe that works in small-market television, but it is not a smart thing to say in what is essentially a job interview.
The fact that Martha was so eager to fire her that she brought her back in when David didn't select her for the boardroom is a testimony to how much Martha disagreed with Shawn's statements.
It ranks right up there with Melissa in A4 saying she can't work with women and Erin in A3 sassing Trump. It's almost like wearing a "fire me" t-shirt into the boardroom.
Maybe she's a nice gal but she can't be too bright unless she really wanted to get canned.
Posted by: Tall_Texan | October 09, 2005 at 03:48 PM
Tall_Texan,
Don't forget the time Bradford waived his exeption from Season 2 or at Season 3 when Trump asked Brian that he should be fired and Brian said yes.
Posted by: Matt-Dog | October 10, 2005 at 12:10 PM
You're correct. Two more examples of stepping in it big time. Thanks for the reminder.
Posted by: Tall_Texan | October 12, 2005 at 11:06 PM
I too know Shawn and think she deserved to be fired. She acts unprofessional in her everyday tasks, not just on Martha's show. FAKING it is how she has made it this far in life. And, in case your wondering, her wardrobe has always been that hideous...
Posted by: In_The_News | October 13, 2005 at 11:44 AM
I have been in the tv business for YEARS and have NEVER heard the phrase "Fake it til you make it". I hope all realize that just because Shawn may not have ethics, that is not what I or most TV personalities are about! She is bad news.
Posted by: TV2 | October 13, 2005 at 11:48 AM