Episode 12 - The Pepsi Challenged
In week 12 of this 15-week job interview, Donald Trump asks his six remaining proteges to design a new soda bottle for Pepsi (PepsiCo)-- and they nearly go flat. Friendships fizzle, loyalties leave a bad aftertaste, and in the end, Trump shakes up the entire brew in an explosive boardroom.
(thanks again to EpX who found this previews before it was on the NBC Media Site.)
Thursday 11-25-2004 9:00PM
Lamborghini and Pepsi "pop" up on a special Thanksgiving episode of NBC's "The Apprentice".
"This may be the first time anyone actually gets fired on Thanksgiving," says Donald Trump.
He then sends the final six candidates to Pepsi headquarters in Westchester, NY and their task is to design a new bottle for Pepsi Edge and a marketing campaign to go along with their design. Trump also evens the teams by having Apex send one team member to Mosaic.
During the task, one team really struggles with creative concepts on their design and the other team tries to come up with a cool gimmick but gets bogged down in the details and execution. A surprise awaits both teams as they prepare to present their ideas to Pepsi executives.
The winning team takes off in Trump's helicopter and gets treated to a lavish reward involving auto giant Lamborghini. Back in the boardroom, non-stop bickering pits one person in the middle of a heated argument and Trump gets fed up with the situation and spits out an abrupt, "You're fired."
"We're fans of 'The Apprentice' just like most of the country and we welcomed the opportunity to work with Mark Burnett and his team," said Dave Burwick, SVP and chief marketing officer of Pepsi-Cola North America. "The contestants work on a task that demonstrates the creativity and resourcefulness that you need to succeed in our business. This show will offer the public an interesting glimpse into how we operate at Pepsi ."
Note: predictions, speculation and possible spoiler commentary below
HIRED
"Mr. Trump wants a young entrepreneur who is feisty and tough and would fit into his organization. I think I'd be a perfect fit."
"I'm the smartest and most talented and most qualified. This is a job interview, and job interviews are about getting the best candidate."
"I'm an intersection of personality, brains and sass." --- Many people say it should have happened sooner, but Ivana got fired for losing too much, and for taking of her skirt for a sale.
"Solutions that really drive companies come from younger people." --- 
"The Trump organization needs someone with balance, which I have." --- In 
"I try to keep very positive and make sure I'm not tearing down the very people I need to get the job done"--- Maria has been at risk for quite some time now. 
"[Trump] has a lot of people working for him with deep pedigrees, and sometimes you need somebody who's going to give you a different angle."
--- Chris saw the writing on the wall - "lose this challenge, get fired." Once the 
"It impressed me very much to see the caliber of my competition. But I'm better." >--- Raj, Raj, Raj. Chris handed you his head, and Trump pointed it out. In 
"This show seemed like it was made for me, like everything I've done prepared me for this moment." --- Elizabeth waffled her way right into the boardroom in
Andy and Wes are very good friends in Apprentice 2 series, just as Kwami and Trow were in Apprentice 1 series.
I have noticed in the Apprentice 2 series, so far, that Andy and Wes are the only two contestants who have remained as true friends.
While Andy and Wes do not trumpet their closeness, mutual admiration, and good friendship as Kwami and Troy did in Apprentice 1 series, Andy and Wes have remained good friends so far.
Ep12's analysis of Episode 12 says that in Episode 12, titled "The Pepsi Challenged", "Friendships fizzle, loyalties leave a bad aftertaste, and in the end, Trump shakes up the entire brew in an explosive boardroom.
Does it mean that the friendship between Andy and Wes is going to fizzle in episode 12?
Let us what really is the case with episode 12.
Posted by: Andy Wes Mix | 07 November 2004 at 08:58
Why does the blurb for Episode 12 say 6 remaining contestants? Do 2 get fired in one of the upcoming episodes??? 11/11 is episode 10 (with 9 remaining contestants going in). Episode 11 should have 8 going in, and episode 12 should have 7 going in. What's going on? Does anyone know???
Posted by: Watcher | 09 November 2004 at 16:32
Andy and Wes are "friends"??? In an earlier episode, Wes thought Andy deserved to go and he said so in the boardroom. He didn't even congratulate him when Andy returned to the suite. Friendship with Wes?? Who needs enemies? I think Troy and Kwame were "closer". They really backed each other. There are no friendships in this Apprentice 2.
Posted by: Jezebel | 10 November 2004 at 05:58
Watcher,
I'm still waiting for this preview to be posted on NBC's Media site to confirm it... though the pre-previews EpX has sent us in the past have been letter perfect.
I haven't seen, though I don't dig for, any spoilers that address why we'd only have 6 candidates going into Episode 12.
Anyone have some insight? (Please add "SPOILER" as the first line of your comment if it is a spoiler.
Posted by: Lex | 10 November 2004 at 11:46
HI WATCHER
I have no insider knowledge. Just trying to pass along info. This is where the info for Ep12 was listed:
http://nbcumv.com/entertainment/release_detail.nbc/entertainment-20041105000000-nbcprimetimeschedu.html
Posted by: Ep12 | 10 November 2004 at 14:13
Ep12 - good find, and thanks for the clarification.
Funny that NBC would have the listing there but not on the Apprentice-specific portion of the site, which is where I've been waiting for it (The Apprentice).
Posted by: Lex | 10 November 2004 at 14:33
Carolyn Kepcher's Management Primer: "Carolyn 101"
According to Kim Reed, an MSNBC contributor, Carolyn Kepcher presents a combination of intelligence and candor: She advises all employees to take ownership of their areas of responsibility and urges companies to give their employees room to grow in order to retain them.
As Kim says further, Carolyn Kepcher is just as she appears on television each week: no-nonsense and pragmatic. Overall, Her advice is concise and relevant.
Read Kim Reed's complete article at:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6180430/
There is some more information available about "Carolyn 101" at http://www.carolynkepcher.com/.
The posting on http://www.carolynkepcher.com/ says the following about the book:
In Carolyn 101, Carolyn Kepcher reveals the secrets of her own success and provides readers with guidance for their professional lives and shows readers how to:
• Ace an interview
• Ask for a raise or promotion
• Maintain a healthy balance between work and home life
• Deal with a difficult boss
• Spot and seize potential business opportunities
• Dress for success, and
• Be a strong team member or team leader
Posted by: Vasudev Brahma | 11 November 2004 at 20:19
I think Sandy will go in this episode.
Posted by: | 19 November 2004 at 02:22
HOW MANY TIMES HAVE THEY COME BEFORE THE FIRING SQUAD IN APPRENTICE 2 SERIES?
Twelve Have Perished! They Have All Gone Home!
Rob – Made one appearance and Donald Trump fired him in Week1!
Bradford - Made one appearance and Donald Trump could not stand him in Week2!
Stacie J. – Made two consecutive appearances and Donald Trump told her to go and open a super subway magic shop in Week3!
Jennifer C. – Made two appearances and Donald Trump gave her marching orders in Week4!
Pamela – Made two appearances and Donald Trump showed her the super skilled doors in Week5!
John – Made one appearance and Donald Trump bid him good bye in Week6!
Stacie R. – Made three appearances and Donald Trump told her that he had seen her enough in Week7!
Elizabeth – Made three appearances and Donald Trump told her not to see him again in Week8!
Raj – Made one appearance and Donald Trump advised him to go and find his date in Week9!
Chris – Made one appearance and Donald Trump reminded him that Chris has a wife waiting for him back home in Week10!
Wes – Made two appearances and Donald Trump told him to go and suffer a cab ride with Maria on his way back home in Week11!
Maria – Made three appearances and Donald Trump told her to go and ruin Wes’ cab ride back home in Week11!
Six Remain Strong! They Are the Top Six Stars of Apprentice 2!
Sandy – Made one appearance and is a late bloomer!
Ivana – Made three appearances and is still kicking and alive!
Kevin – Made three appearances and is still considered one of the strong and superior candidates!
Andy – Made four appearances and is growing in stature fast and furious!
Jennifer M. – Made no appearances so far and is the overwhelming favorite to be one of the two finalists!
Kelly – Made no appearances so far and is one of the super heavyweights of the show!
Posted by: Vasudev Brahmadesham | 19 November 2004 at 05:46
In week 11, Jen proved that she is NO leader, Morpheus. A leader would not take credit for something she did not do. Let's also not be naive. Donald knows exactly what went on.
Ivana came up BIG on this one. Even though RAJ and Chris messed up enough as PM to get the boot, I was surprised he let Ivana stay since she had not contributed anything, was such a negative big-mouth and an awful leader. This peformance will keep her alive BUT Maria and Ivanna and Wes were the weakest candidates left.
Wes sealed his fate when he traded Kelly. He should know that Trump hates when a team's best player is targeted by one of their own simply as part of a power play. It ALWAYS come back to haunt you if you bring a person into the boardroom that doesn't derserve it. Trading away your team's star is no different.
These playes are the most at risk now... Jen M...went from being the top-ranked woman to a fraud. Needs to rehabilitate her image...may be too late for that now.
Andy...may be the most creative guy there and I like him, but the others seem intent on making life miserable for him...Saving grace: Trump likes him and may keep him around until the final three for the sake of making that last round more watchable.
Ivana: really rubs people the wrong way. Can go at any time. Saving grace: came up big week 11
Sandy: did well in the Wedding gown task (of course) BUT of all the candidates left has the weakest resume, and is the most...BLAH...
This means Kelly and Kevein and (in my opinion) Andy should make it to the Final 3....Wildcard? will Trump insist on a woman to make for better TV? Will he want Ivana who insults and fights with everyone? Will he want Jen, the fraud. Will he want a wedding planner? I hope not.
Peter
Posted by: Peter | 19 November 2004 at 08:02
ANY TAKERS FOR THESE PREDICTIONS!
The Candidate, Who Will, Most Likely, Get Fired in Episode 12 is:
Ivana
The Five Candidates, Who Will Most Likely, Appear in Episode 14 - Career Candy - are:
1. Kelly
2. Jennifer M.
3. Sandy
4. Kevin
5. Andy
The Candidate, Who Will, Most Likely, Get Fired in Episode 14 - Career Candy - is:
Andy
The Four Candidates, Who Will Most Likely, Appear in Episode 15 - are:
1. Kelly
2. Jennifer M.
3. Sandy
4. Kevin
The Two Candidates, Who Will Most Likely, Get Fired in Episode 15 are:
1. Sandy
2. Kevin
The Battle Royal in the Final Episode, for the Coveted Apprentice 2 Title, Will be Fought Between the Two Candidates:
1. Jennifer M.
2. Kelly
Do You Agree or Do You Argue Against?
What is Your Response, Folks!
Posted by: NYMMY | 19 November 2004 at 21:12
The six possible pairings for the final episode are:
1. Kelly vs. Kevin
2. Kelly vs. Sandy
3. Kelly vs. Jennifer M.
4. Kevin vs. Sandy
5. Kevin vs. Jennifer M.
6. Sandy vs. Jennifer
The Final 2 Will Be Out of the Following Four:
1. Kelly
2. Kevin
3. Sandy
4. Jennifer
Posted by: Selly Jevin | 19 November 2004 at 22:21
Hey "V" - wondered where you ran off to. good to see you back:
Based on your list - this is great info. I cannot believe that Kelly & Jenn have not experienced a Boardroom. Jenn seems to be the Amy from last year - she seems to always be seen in the positive, even if she wasn't. That is a skill !
Re: Andy "Made four appearances and is growing in stature fast and furious!" Although he is my DarkHorse favorite - Trump shot across his bow last week. "Andy better step up". This was said with Andy not present - so if he doesn't intuitively pick it up - he will be fired. But Ivana will or should go first.
Kelly will be in the finals -- Jenn could be also. Kevin is strong - but his performance infront of the Levi team lost him valuable points.
week #12 coming up.
Stephen
http://apprenticeviews.blogdrive.com
Home of the Live Blog every thurs night.
(Will stephen do a '3' hour live blog on the finale - yea why not!!).
Posted by: Stephen | 22 November 2004 at 15:57
Donald Trump will fire Ivana in episode 12 tonight.
Posted by: | 24 November 2004 at 07:33
Live blog - due to T-Day, there might not be a live blog as I will be (pick up):
1) still at in-laws house (hope not..lol)
2) had to much wine to keep up with the antics of
the final 6 candidates (very likely)
3) snoring from to much turkey (zzzzzzzz)
I will have a recap of the show - as we quickly approach those immortal words: You're Hired!
<
Happy Turkey Day to one and All - from ApprenticeViews!
Stephen
http://apprenticeviews.blogdrive.com
Posted by: | 24 November 2004 at 12:47
Okay, so the game is on... speculation that Ivana is going home, and some speculation/spoilers are starting to come in on who is in the final 2 (which I've tried to move over to the Finale thread).
Happy Thanksgiving.
Posted by: Lex | 24 November 2004 at 13:55
Spoiler info below! You've been warned...
Tomorrow Kelly, Ivana, and Kevin send Jen to the other team. See www.nbc.com/nbc/The_Apprentice_2/ & click on Photos. It looks like Andy is the leader & they come up with a globe as their Pepsi can. Looks like either Kelly or Ivana lead & come up with a funky sculpture thing??
Any votes for which design wins it? I think Pepsi might like the globe one better, it's more suited to the image they want, but I personally think it's BLAH, unimaginative, and way overused. The funky block thing is pretty cool I think. I just don't get what it is, but I think it's cutting-edge & draws attention.
Sandy & Jen look pretty comfortable standing in front of the Pepsi execs & Andy looks pretty comfortable doing his spiel. Kelly & Ivana look a little more awkward doing their presentations. Will Pepsi choose the creative team or the well-poised team?
Posted by: Looking for spoilers | 25 November 2004 at 01:38
So much spoiler info - can't we just have some fun and enjoy the final few episodes until kelly has his chance to finish off Jenn in the finale... ok ok just goofin. I still am holding out for Andy.
Irregardless of all the spoilers out there, Jenn M and Kelly are the strongest - but for different reasons. I do not think Jenn is strong overall - but she is the organizational politician. She knows how to jab at the right time (right Ivana!).
Kelly is disciplines and quiet - playing the Bill Rancic strategy from last year.
Ivana and Sandy are non entities, Kevin showed weakness in front of the Levi team and Andy must have a huge win to make it to the final four. Is tonight his night?
Live Blog possible tonight (if I return from the in-laws in time).
Happy Thanksgiving... where some turkey will be fired!
Stephen
http://apprenticeviews.blogdrive.com
Posted by: stephen | 25 November 2004 at 10:52
Live Blog starts tonight 9PM - where some "Turkey" will be fired.
stephen
http://apprenticeviews.blogdrive.com
Posted by: stephen | 25 November 2004 at 20:32
andy gets the boot
Posted by: abayb2c | 25 November 2004 at 22:22
Well there goes my darkhorse favorite. I don't think Andy should have gone - but Jenn M tee'd him up and Sandy punched him way out of the boardroom. Jenn M revealing their meeting pulled the rug out from under Andy and ignited Sandy.
Jenn M is dangerous. If I was The Donald, she is not someone I'd want on my team. It seems clear to me at this stage that Kelly not only makes the final two (he already earned a spot in the final four with his exemption) - but wins this season.
Sorry to see ya go Andy - but he will do amazingly well post-Apprentice. And it was good to see Raj find meaningful work.
stephen
http://apprenticeviews.blogdrive.com
Posted by: stephen | 25 November 2004 at 22:29
FINALLY Stephen, glad to see you woke up from the Jen-spell
Posted by: Looking for spoilers | 25 November 2004 at 23:19
Predictions: I'm going against the grain here, and predicting Kevin & Sandy in the final two.
Kelly is cool & collected, but you have to admit he doesn't seem like a really outstanding or super-smart guy. Plus, NBC edits everything for shock value, so all the more reason to give Kelly the axe.
The Trump team is already suspicious of Jen. All it takes is 1 person to point out her backstabbing nature & that'll let out the whole can of worms. Of all the players remaining, they all think Jen sucks! She looked completely lost while Sandy & Andy were bouncing off ideas, and then swooped in to take credit for Sandy's idea in the boardroom!
I admit I've been a supporter of Ivana. I just think some people have been way too hard on her, without any concrete reasons. But after seeing next week's teaser, Carolyn & Trump just aren't going to stand for someone stripping in the middle of Fifth Avenue NY. So, I think next week it'll be Ivana or Jen getting the axe.
Posted by: Looking for spoilers | 25 November 2004 at 23:36
I don't think Kevin and Sandy will make it to the final 2, but probably make it to the final 4. In the final episode the candidates are interviewed and from those results 2 people are fired, right? I think Sandy and Kevin won't last because last week's episode when Kevin was giving a speech to the Levis execs he sounded too aggressive and this week Sandy sounded nervous and flustered in front of the Pepsi people and that, I think, could affect them during the interview process. I'd like to see either one of them in the final 2 instead of Jen M. because I have a feeling she'll be sneak her way through the interview in the final episode just like how she sneaked her way all the previous times in the board room.
Do you think if Andy sided with Sandy in the first place he would have made it out of the boardroom alive and Jen would have been fired? Sandy was very strong in this boardroom and with Andy’s skills they could have gotten rid of Jen?
Does anyone agree/disagree?
Posted by: Joe | 26 November 2004 at 01:20
Ivana cracks me up! Thanks to the Donald for keeping her in. I think this season would be so boring if it weren't for her. I love how some people hate her so much you can feel their spit flying from their foaming mouths on to the computer screens. Me? I think she is a riot!
Hate is a Jen M. word. She is one vicious, backstabbing, creditstealing, vixen. Although, I wouldn't be surprised to find out that Jen M. was actually John M. until a very successful sex change operation turned him/her into a fembot. There is something mannish about her at times. Her boobs and nose are fake, just like her shark's smile and her voice is suspiciously deep...
That aside, Jen has no friends left. If she does make it to the final 2, I don't see anyone helping her win. By the way, I loved hearing Donald's voiceover in the beginning calling Jenn a creditstealer. Especially in light of all the Jenn defenders who thinks she's the bomb.
I say Kevin and Kelly in the final 2 and Kelly wins.
Posted by: echo | 26 November 2004 at 01:22