+My Final Celebrity Apprentice Blog
Well, I have spent the last couple of days trying to figure out what I was going to say about the finale. But it turns out that you all have said it so much better than I ever could through the outpouring of comments on this website. Pretty much every thought in my head has been said with amazing passion and eloquence by all of you and I would never try to top that. Thank you! The only thing I can really add to what you have already said is that I wish Trump had polled more of the contestants who had made it very deep in the competition, like Jesse, about who they would pick as the winner.
My biggest regret about the finale is that the show never actually showed my whole space during the charity auction. When Trump delivered the task to us I understood we were doing a high end auction to raise money for charity, in my case Refugees International. To that end, I integrated the charity into my decor so that about 60% of the decor was devoted to that. When my guests walked in the room not only did they have no doubt what charity they were donating too but they also could educate themselves about RI though the videos, pamphlets and posters around the room. This was a high priority for me in producing the event and I won the charity integration part of the challenge with practically no contest. I think they made the choice not to show the whole room because the show tried to paint me as the black hat in the competition. I regret that the wide shot of my space didn’t make the edit because I believe the images of refugees throughout the space would have been a powerful platform for RI and I think that was a huge lost opportunity for them.
With the help of Elaine Martyn and Ken Bacon from RI, I created these 3 by 5 foot double sided poster boards that hung from the ceiling in the room and they never really showed this on TV. I was really proud of those boards and happy to find out last week that Elaine and Ken had rescued them after the auction (the contestants were shooed out). When I went to the Italian Embassy in DC last week for the Refugees International 30th anniversary gala, those boards were hanging from the ceiling as part of the decor of the event! I was stunned and completely taken aback.
I also had the video of Darfuri refugees playing on many of the Kodak frames placed throughout the room. I am hoping that anyone who cares enough to read this blog will watch this video so you can see why I am so passionate about the refugee issue.
I also want to thank everyone who came out and donated over the course of the show. Erik Seidel, Shelly Maxwell, Scott Ian, Andy Bloch, Perry Friedman, Howard Lederer, Chris Ferguson, Ray Bitar, Beth Shak, John Hennigan, Nick Schulman, Erik Brooks, Rafe Furst, Kim Scheinberg, Mori Eskandani, Todd Rubenstein, John Moonves, Cliff Josephy, Mark Kron, Mike Murray, Tracy Scala and the inimitable Phil Hellmuth. (If I left anyone out I really apologize). Just as important as donations are the people who helped me out during the show to put the event together. Tony Luisi, Yshai Simkhai, Sara Csillag and Mark Birnbaum deserve a HUGE thank you for coming to the rescue when disaster struck.
I also want to thank the people who generously donated some incredible auction items for the finale so that my donors would have some cool stuff to buy: Matt Damon, Ray Romano, Brad Garrett, Hulk Hogan, Pamela Anderson, Perez Hilton, Thomas Lennon, Natalie Gulbis, Judith Ripka, Arik Kissling, Mark Birnbaum (again!), Sen. Al D’Amato, Rep. Robert Wexler and Herschel Walker. Auction items were a judging criteria that didn’t get discussed in the finale so these guys never got their due. Thank you!
My Apprentice experience was almost completely a positive one. During the course of the show I, with the help of the poker community, raised over $700K for amazing charities. I made some incredible friends, not just with some of the other contestants (Brande, Herschel, Jesse and Natalie) but also with some of the producers who worked tirelessly putting up with me for weeks on end! I think, most importantly though, my faith in the poker community, my second family, was completely affirmed. This community stepped up in such a huge and selfless and giving way. Poker players deserve the biggest shout out of all.
I’ve already written about how disgusted I was by the finale. It was obvious to anyone who watched that Joan produced next to nothing the entire season. Even in the final task, it was others who stepped up and made everything happen.
I will not watch anything Trump produces again. He made his decision on his personal feelings rather than true results.
It also infuriated me when he fired Ms. Kardasian for her DUI. How dare he humiliate her because she made an error in judgement that she was trying to make amends for, while repeatedly telling Dennis Rodman how proud he was of him.
Hope he’s not surprised when we don’t forgive him for his “error in judgement”
Hi Annie,
While I admire and respect your hard work and accomplishments, the one thing that really bugged me about you, was the constant bragging. Yes, I know that you raised alot of money – that’s great, but you were continually going on & on about all that you did, all that you came up with, all that you can do, etc. All I am saying, is be confident in the great and successful person that you are, but just let your actions speak louder than your words will ever have to speak. That will bring you more respect and admiration. Thank you for bringing the Refugee charity to our attention and for helping to make a difference in their lives. I wish you all the best in your life and all of your endeavors.
First of all, let me say that I was not really a fan of Joan nor Annie. However, with that said, there is no way that Annie should have lost.
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This show is about raising money for charity. In fact, on The Apprentice’s own site, it clearly boasts this. While I don’t feel that should be the only criteria, it should be the main one. If Joan was say $100K behind Annie for the whole show, that would have been one thing, but it wasn’t even close.
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Annie, you made one crucial mistake. In the end, instead of focusing so much on what Joan did or didn’t do, you should have pointed out that the 3-2 margin in the final task wasn’t what it appeared to be and was merely a facade. On the 3 items that you supposedly lost on, it was incumbent upon yourself to point out that even if you did lose, it was by a slight margin while in contrast, Joan got blown out of the water by you on the money issue. Thus, by default of aggregate totals, you actually won the final task. If you used a boxing analogy (since you had two great boxers there), all the rounds were 10-9 rounds with Joan ahead 39-37 not counting the money portion which was clearly at LEAST a 10-6 round (if not more like a 10-3 round based on percentage)… thus you would have won in aggregate by a score of 47-45 or 47-42 respectively.
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You also should have pointed out that last year’s winner was decided on based on what he raised for charity (and you raised more than him), that Jesse was fired because he didn’t raise enough for charity, that Joan essentially “quit” earlier (which Trump supposedly hates), that she had the advantage of having nepotism on her team for much of the show including the finale, that despite knowing countless other rich comedians and rich actors she couldn’t raise money, that Donald wouldn’t want to have a person who carelessly makes racial comments representing him personally nor his brand, etc, etc, etc….
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You attempted to do this, but couldn’t put it all together in one cohesive logical argument to place the onus on Trump to select you and that was your downfall. If you would have said those things and followed them up with one line of, “Mr. Trump, how can you possibly expect any of your viewers to give this show any credibility whatsoever in the future if you don’t select the person who raised more than $3 for every $1 raised by Joan for CHARITY?” Then he would have looked like a complete idiot for not picking you.
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In the end, you were so adamant about ripping Joan (who was indeed inside your head just like Tom suggested) that you forgot to force Trump into folding his hand in your favor.
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In any event, you definitely still should have come out victorious and I’ve lost almost all respect for The Apprentice which I have seen every single episode of since its inception. However, you raised nearly double for charity in the final task than the ENTIRE prize for winning The Apprentice and for that you should be extremely proud.
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Well I’m sure everything has already been said. You deserved to win. I really respect how you maintained your composure. Trump is a FRAUD for his actions. Did he make his decision without watching the video of what actually happened?? And then for Joan to LIE in the boardroom to his face about it and try to make Annie out to be a liar. Trump got played, straight up. He’s a fool.
and he’s a fool for supporting that crappy ACN company. if anyone out there is interested in a real opportunity, check out my site, and be sure to check out the video on the ‘mission’ page. thx
and thank you Annie for all the inspiration. You are truly amazing, but don’t let it go to your head. Be humble and you will be able to have a much greater impact.
Ford, Thanks for the info Response regarding DT.
Yeah, I thought DT. distancing himself for bankruptcy was another form of CYA.
Thanks
suzi
Annie! Congrats! You did really well. I was cheering for you all season. I love poker, and I think you are really down to earth. They showed you as a really tough person, but I think you are really nice too. I think at the end of this celebrity apprentice, we found Mr. Trump’s weakness…he’s scared of Joan. I never that he would be scared of a contestant, but the way the River’s act, I don’t think he wanted to fire by Mama!
Regardless, your kids have to be really proud. I myself am going to be really challenged this month. I’m a medical student and I have to take my boards. I hope I can help people and I hope you continue to participate in helping charities and volunteering.
Although i am not supporting Joan Rivers behavior at times on the show. She did go to far and make it uncomfortable for the viewer at times. I must say i can see how Joan won. You sat with a permanent smile poker face during the boards, but during the challenges you seemed to boss people around and talk down to everyone. Once back in the board room you took credit for everything. It was always about you and everything you did. I feel that you lost because you were not a team player and defiantly not a team leader (a leader gives credit to her teammates not matter what even if it lessons the spotlight on themselves. You played sweet but showed your true colors when Natalie tried to woo some of your poker chums. I think it was a good strategy on Natalie’s part but you did turn mean and viper like. I think if you were not able to threaten back “your” poker people you would have continued spitting nails and Donald would have seen this side you try so hard to hide. I think Natalie’s assessment was correct, if you have done it first it would have been a brilliant strategy, but you did not. Also most of the money raised was poker money (or so it seemed on the show), your fund raising was one dimentional. You are just lucky these days poker players have a lot of disposable cash.I do not know anything about you besides what was seen on the show. You are probably a good person, and i am sure an outstanding mom. But the player side of you is viscous and cunning. Maybe this is what is necessary in the poker world to survive. I felt that a non poker follower perspective was necessary. I am sure you will continue being successful in your career. Thank you.
Annie,
I just wanted to add my frustration with the outcome even though I am a Trump and a Joan (personality) fan. It seemed like throughout the whole show they were “old buddies” and no matter how well you did, you would have no chance. Unfair and biased.
As far as your final task, I believe you won in 4 of 5 catagories. Money raising, Charity visuals, Decor and Celebrity choices. They had a bunch of fakes plus Kathy Griffin (Self pronounced D-List celeb).
Kudos for taking all the heat and critisism in stride. If cameras captured my professional life and how I do business…I would be embarrassed. I too get frustrated with my employees or need tasks done NOW.
GOOD JOB and GOOD LUCK.
dan, says
Annie, You are a sore loser. You lost because you don’t know how to treat people.
Dan, and Joan does? Melissa does? Donald Trump does? What planet do you live on? Their treatment of others is acceptable to you? It’s o.k for Joan she’s old? Quit making excuses. We can all learn from what we saw and decide how we CHOOSE to live and treat others.
I am grateful for this blog. thanks Annie
Watching Trump has been incredibly satisfying all these years because he has consistently spoken the truth. After this finale we are forced to reconcile his probably motives – clearly not rewarding merit. More likely pleasing his media relations and most of all building his and his family’s image/legend. In watching Melissa and Joan – especially the extremely venomous overreaction of Melissa – it is clear that they are onto the same game. They’ve survived in Hollywood for decades. No easy feat, and deserving or not they aren’t going to get kicked out easily. Annie played a remarkable game while the game was raising money and outplaying the others. But the game changed midstream to enhancing your family’s public image and sense of power. It was sickening to watch but in the end, I’m sure even Annie can agree that these two families each played their best hand. Like millions of others I was disgusted to see them (Rivers and Trumps) shamelessly stick knives into such an inspiring person for no ostensible reason besides a small publicity boost.
Also let’s not forget the very admirable charm and grace (and intelligence!)of Brande. Congratulations to you both.
Just got to watch the finale. Truly disappointing! It is clear Trump didn’t make his decision based off of skills and performance but instead the fact that Joan was really good at ………..? Can’t think of anything here! Awesome job Annie!
Interesting piece in today’s Wall Street Journal: “Trump on Trump: Testimony Offers Glimpse of How He Values His Enpire.”
According to the article Donald Trump is suing the author of a book because the author has estimated his net worth at a much lower number that what he would like the public to perceive.
A little confusing to me that this is even an issue. Seems to me the easy answer is if this is really an important issue, engage valuation experts to value your empire and release the information, along with the valuation to the public at least certifying that DT’s net worth is estimate at (fill in the blank) _______ as of (date).
Article can be found at:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124261067783429043.html#mod=testMod
Quite honestly Annie, if you were really to be hired by Trump, you’d probably quit, because nobody with your brains and talent would work for him.
You did an awesome job of raising money!! And it’s obvious you have many REAL friends in your life. That is priceless.
Joan Rivers has made her living off of berating and putting down others. For her to even pretend to have any morals is a joke. She just can’t handle the truth. And I’m pretty sure Melissa never would have become anything without mommy’s connections. If Joan was my mother and she acted that way, I’d be completely embarrassed.
You did a great job! Be proud of yourself.
Here is waht I think and it’s my opinion only.
I read Daniel N, wants to be on CA3. Daniel believes he can put poker playing in a better light, promote the game, etc, etc. Daniel’s motives seem real. On a side note, Daniel, Annie, Doyle, Hellmuth, and many other great players, tend to be great represesntatives of poker. Their hearts are in the right place. I have seen them sign autographs when they should have been focus on their game.
HOWEVER, someone please tell Daniel, that what he says and his actions on CA3 will… more then likely…be edited, etc, to make good ratings. Bottom line is Daniel and poker will be painted in whatever light (be it good or bad) that fits the needs of the show at the time.
The fix was in, guys. There is no doubt in my mind. First of all, Trump is buddy buddy with Joan and has been for years! Secondly, he changed the rules in MID STREAM to accomodate his friend, Joan Rivers. There are so many things he did to shut Annie out, it would take me a whole day to mention them here. To say Donald is a control freak would be the understatement of the year. It’s his show, he can do what he wants except for ONE THING: He cannot claim it’s fair competition because clearly, the competition was rigged this time around.
Annie, you rock! That was BS that you lost – Trump is the idiot in all this.
Annie Duke was the winner of The Celebrity Apprentice. There can be no discussion about that: bright, consistent and highly likekable.
I would hire you, Annie, for whatever task you would set your mind to.
I will not comment on Mrs. and Ms. Rivers, just tell you all that I wrenched in my chair from pain just watching those two.
The fact that Mr. Trump was not able to see this or chose to overlook it, made The Celebrity Apprentice lose all dignity and credibility.
I will never watch this programme again.
Annie,
Congrats! you did very well on the apprentice. With that said I was hoping that you didnt win, because you were very nasty to your other team mates and you took credit for every thing. I’m not a fan of yours or Joan. But Joan at least played the game like a human being and not a cold person who seem heartless and selfish.
Annie, I don’t know that Joan was the best choice but I don’t know that you left Trump much choice but to NOT choose you. Before I get to that, though, if the selection was purely personal and tainted, the winner would have been “beautiful Brandi”, as Trump referred to her in the finale. He virtually had to wipe his chin every time he said her name. Anyway, what did you in was your disingenuousness. You played each and every one of your teammates like a fiddle – I never saw a true interaction with anyone. And by making that statement I’m neither praising nor condemning you – it is what it is. If you had left Poker Annie at home every now and again it would have worked better in your favor.
And to all of you that say you’ll never watch Celebrity Apprentice again…… yes you will.
I will never again watch “The Apprentice,” celebrity or otherwise. I really hope the network rethinks extending Trump’s contract. Why ask someone a question when you’re going to answer it for them, based on your own opinion, and constantly interrupt when they do try to answer? Donald Trump and Joan Rivers are two peas in a pod; rude, egotistical and overrated.
Joan Rivers, a “legendary” comedienne? She’s almost as funny as a root canal. I’ve never been a fan of Joan or her spoiled little princess, and their behavior showed what trash they truly are – loud-mouthed, obnoxious, rude and hypocritical; have I forgotten anything? I’m furious that DT allowed Joan to attack you week after week, never once having the spine to stand up to her, or for you. Clearly money cannot buy a man a set of balls.
Best of luck to you, Annie, in all you do. I’m sure your charity is most grateful, and I hope to see more of you on TV in the future.
As an older viewer of The Celebrity Apprentice, I was really ticked at Trump and Ivanka’s repeated comment that Joan Rivers was a “role model”. My question is for whom? She is a foul-mouthed,rude person–traits that she showed over and over during the season of the show. Annie, you were right when you pointed out that you had never disrespected anyone in the boardroom. You are head and shoulders above Joan Rivers in all aspects. You deserved to win!
Annie, the way Donald Trump and both Rivers women treated you was way out of line. So, I donated $100 to Refugees International to help offset their behavior a bit. If The Celebrity Apprentice was a fair competition, you would 100% be declared the winner.
HOW DID IT FEEL TO BE DEFEATED BY JOAN RIVERS ON APPRENTICE?
Annie, you were the clear winner. At some point Trump decided JR was going to win. You never stood a chance.
I’ve watched The Apprentice from the beginning and I’ve cringed through Trump’s ‘makes no sense’ decisions more than once. This season he had quite a few. That said, when Trump is right he’s brilliantly right. But these days he’s looking more and more the fool.
On season 1 he fired a guy in the boardroom because he was’nt college educated while the other guy was. That was the actual reason Trump gave for firing him. Seems to me if a college education was a prerequisite for being on the show, someone might have mentioned this ahead of time. The guy stood no chance right from the start. Maybe that should have told me how this show was going to be run.
I hope NBC cancels the next season so that I won’t be tempted to inflict this garbage on myself again.
Annie, many have said this, but you do indeed rock. Good luck to you.
Dear Annie,
I don’t even watch TV that much, but I was hooked on you from your appearance on CA. I’m the kind of girl who works hard and kicks ass and have had — in two very important times in my life — the top prize snatched from me, in each case, by some reason other than ability, competence and talent. It sucks. You played well, sister, and you were the queen. All along, your play was tight, your attitude took the higher road and your logic of the thing was sound. I don’t know what happened. I hope you know there are millions of us out there who know who should have won.
Annie,
I just now finally watched the season finale. You most certainly should have won. You appear to be a much nicer person than Joan. Good luck with all.
Hi Annie,
First and Foremost I want to say how much of a great job you did on the apprentice. One thing that truly stands out in my mind however, is the fact that Joan compared you to Hitler. For her to do that – even if it was in the heat of the moment – was beyond cruel. It was downright heartless. How Mr. Trump never even reprimanded her – I don’t care that she is a life-long friend of his – was completely in poor taste upon his part. I just believe that how someone who had family members killed off by Nazi’s and then go and compare another decent human being – that is raising money for charity – to Hitler, is absolutely disgusting on Joan’s part. Anyways Annie, I Just wanted to say that I think that you handled the whole situation with class and dignity.
I’ve already posted here regarding the overt unfairness of Trump’s decision. I backed that opinion up by emailing Trump through his website detailing how he should be ashamed of his transparent favoritism. I also emailed QVC telling them that Joan Rivers is a despicable person and not the kind of person they should have representing any of their product lines. I said that I would not purchase anything through QVC as long as Rivers was affiliated with their station and told Trump that although once a loyal Apprentice fan, I would never watch it again nor would I ever knowinly support any business he was associated with. I know this will most likely not matter one bit to either of these businesses, but it made me feel a little better!
Your final apprentice blog ends my time as a viewer of anything trump. Never thought he would sell out his credility. Guess Annie knows how Roy Jones Jr felt in 1988 olympics when he beat some korean to a pulp and lost because of rigged judging. Olympic boxing became a back page sport and isn’t even featured anymore. Welcome to the “back page” Mr. Trump. Won’t be hard to judge when the show died. Just like Olympic boxing died with it’s cheating.
In reveiwing the comments and re-watching the show. I have concluded that Annie is better off not being tied to all that Trump, and The Rivers
represent.
I also beleive in the next year it will be more evident in ratings numbers and dollars.
People stop arguing about how and why Annie should have won.
NBC decided Joan had to win to promote her new NBC show. Pretty simple! The rest is just drama for ratings.
By the way, never heard of Annie before the show, but now I know, she is hot…………
I was disappointed in the result. It seemed that each epsiode contradicted each other – fired for this reason one week and then fired for that the very next week – basically no real focus on the goal.
Personally I believed that Annie and Jessie would have been the final two and think that it would have been a more interesting show. Of course the show looks scripted and on wikipedea there is a reference that Trump’s sister-in-law is chair of Joan’s charity.
Annie, the apprentice is nothing but a show, it’s not a game, so you shouldn’t worry about all those made up rules, because there is no logic in Trump’s decision, and all he tried to do is to put on a show so that NBC can sell air time.
But you truely shined from the show, and I can associate a lot of your goal/task oriented nature, so just remember a lot of time it’s the journey that matters.
You did great, no doubt about that. Who wants to be Trump’s apprentice anyway.
Wow!!
I’ve just caught up with The Celebrity Apprentice (I live in the UK) and i’m totally gutted for you!!!
You certainly deserved to win and it was a complete farce that Joan won.
I not a fan of poker to be honest but i’m book marking this site as i think your an awesome person.
Well done for your work on the show, the money your raised for your charity and good luck for the future!
Don’t know how many have commented this blog, but if everyone could send a little to her charity Refugees International (“RI”), that would help alot of folks.
As for RI not being an “American Charity” think of it this way — Lot’s of folks were taken in from around the world during WWI when Europe was war-torn.
Nothing more American than helping those in need seeking refuge from evil . . . it is as American as apple pie, and contributing to the fall of Nazi Germany in WWII.
RI is very American.
Well, I know this is Annie Duke’s site.
And I have stated that you are the winner, Annie.
But I would like to add a praise for Jesse James:
1)He dared say to Dennis Rodman that he drank too much. 2)He did not use his wife to get money or to shine. 3)He dared say that Annie Duke was the true winner.
THAT’s a real man, in my opinion.
DT could learn from that.
Annie i think you actually won the final task, how could they honestly say that Joan had more well known and recognized celebrities show up at her auction. Not only did you have 2 of the most dominate and well known boxers of thier generation show up, you also had world class poker players at your auction. Joan had a bunch of celebritie look alikes, and kathy griffin. How exactly did she win that criteria? you should have argued that because you definitly had the more famous and well known celebrities at your event!!
Lone Gustavsen states: “But I would like to add a praise for Jesse James: 1)He dared say to Dennis Rodman that he drank too much. 2)He did not use his wife to get money or to shine. 3)He dared say that Annie Duke was the true winner. THAT’s a real man, in my opinion.”
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Before I begin, let me say that I was a huge Jesse fan and still think he was one of the best business people on the show. If it were me running my own “typical” business, I’d hire Herschel first and Jesse second.
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Now on to your comments:
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1) I don’t know how embarrassing someone on national TV makes someone a “real man.” If Jesse really cared about Dennis, he could have talked to him privately about it. If someone you know has a problem, do you talk to them about it privately or do you go on Jerry Springer and tell the whole country about it? Jesse didn’t make a big deal that Joan is addicted to plastic surgery which can also place one’s life at risk.
Perhaps if Jesse understood the background of Dennis Rodman and his completely messed up life LONG before the NBA ever came into play, he’d realize that alcohol is a rather minor issue in Dennis’ life all things considered. When Jesse’s father has 27 kids to his name like Dennis’ father does, then maybe there would be some sort of a common frame of reference. So the last thing Dennis really needed was to be called out on National TV. After all, I’m sure that no one else Dennis has met has ever told him that he abuses alcohol.
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#2) How exactly does NOT raising money for charity make someone a “real man?” The fact that Annie and Brande were the top two earners for charity with the cast that was assembled was P-A-T-H-E-T-I-C. How can a poker player and a playboy bunny raise SUBSTANTIALLY more money than the many others that had powerful wealthy connections? In fact, only Annie, Brande, Joan and Khloe raised more than $20K for their charities on the show (and Khloe was only at $40K).
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Joan’s Spaceball’s cast alone could have easily raised at least 1/4 of a million for charity between Mel Brooks, Bill Pullman, Daphne Zuniga, Rick Moranis, etc, etc, etc…. Clint Black could have called up Garth Brooks, Trace Adkins, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, etc, etc, etc… Dennis Rodman could have contacted Michael Jordan, Phil Jackson, Kobe Bryant, etc, etc, etc… Brian McKnight has worked with Puffy Combs, Vanessa Williams, Quincy Jones, Mariah Carey, Rascal Flatts, Christina Aguilera, etc, etc, etc…
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So for Jesse to be married to Sandra Bullock (I don’t think I need to list off the HUGE number of people she knows) and to not raise money for charity is the antithesis of being a real man in my book. Even if he didn’t want to piggyback on her, he is CEO of West Coast Choppers which has clients such as Shaquille O’Neal, Metallica, Keanu Reeves, Kid Rock, The Undertaker, etc, etc, etc… Never to mind all of his powerful connections with cable companies, the Discovery Channel, motorcycle manufacturers, etc, etc, etc. so he can cry me a river with his excuses.
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I guess our views are just different on what a real man is. In my book a real man doesn’t need to continue to spread around another man’s dirty laundry publicly (especially since the show’s producers already did a fine job of that themselves) and a real man in a powerful position uses his influence to help out others that are in need.
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Jesse raised a whopping $20K for his charity during all of his time on the show. In short, he didn’t do jack for them. Instead, he just got to show off to America that he has good editing skills and he was able to promote himself during the process. At least Annie, Brande, Herschel and a few others TRIED to raise money to help out charities… even when it wasn’t their own charity that was benefitting.
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too bad joan has no idea what ultimate bet is let alone how scandal ridden it and that annie is the face off it. ammunition for days!
Dearest Annie,
I was a fan of yours long before your casting on the second season of Celebrity Apprentice (CA), but now I am even more so. I must admit, I only just discovered your website today whilst looking for more poker tips when I got happily sidetracked by this blog.
I too watched your season of CA, and I fell in love… WITH YOUR BRAIN! I had already seen your brain in action in explaining poker (on a DVD Netflix rental), but your interview with Piers Morgan on CA was even more telling (to use a poker term) on how you think. You clearly out-strategized everyone (except for maybe Mr. Trump) every step of the way. No contest.
I don’t consider your ‘bad break’ at the final table on CA too tragic a loss though… in the end, what does being a Celebrity Apprentice Winner really mean anyhow? It’s just a dumb title, and a perk-less dumb title at that I might add.
The real winners were all those that got exposure for themselves and their charities. And you my dear did an amazing job with that. Bravo!
Love that brain of yours,
TJ
Annie you were robbed and this is truly a bad beat. I wanted to blog to you after the first show and tell you don’t let them get you down. You were the only real person in a group of superficial, empty suits. You were totally a business professional, and did the job supremely well. Surrounded by Hollywood “Lightweights” and the Rivers skanky biatches, you rose to the top like cream. Great job! It was so obviously fixed, even Piers referred to it as being already done. I lost so much respect for Trump as a business person. He made a choice based not on facts but on hype and popular pressure. Interesting, though, I have a whole new respect for Donald Jr. I have always looked at him as a “Trump Mini-me” but his final assessment of Annie as the winner and as a business decision was spot on and well said. Annie represented those of us that are male or female, professional business owners and part time poker players extremely well. I have high standards (even though I am not in the mafia!) and I couldn’t have asked for any better or more professional representation. Thanks Annie Duke, you are a classy, smart woman and this was a great thing you did!
Deborah Farmer writes: “You were the only real person in a group of superficial, empty suits.”
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LOL… Scott Hamilton was an empty suit? Herschel Walker was an empty suit?
Annie, It was so amazing to watch you perform in the contest so brilliantly and professionally. After watching your performance and actions, i have more respect for poker players ever than before. (not that I had less respect for them before). I have a strong feeling, that throughout the show, you did not receive the camera attention for the tremendous work you have done. DT will always be remembered for his biased decision during the finale, and will pay the price for it. We all love you, and love your charity.
For those questioning the relationship (still!)
This is a cut-and-paste from the Jewssip site. If you google “Mark Burnett Joan Rivers” it’s the first hit. The date makes it very poignant:
Friday, November 14th, 2008
Joan Rivers New TV Show
Joan’s expanding her red carpet interviews; instead of the tedious celebrity q&a over designer dresses, she’s now going to knock on the doors of mega-mansions and ask how the owners have all that money. Is a show about the super-rich during an economic crisis a good idea? Cityfile called it ” the most poorly-timed project in the history of televisions.”
First i wanna say i am one of your supporters from China.(Yeah the show made u very popular among us.) I’ve watched every episode of apprentice and was so damn sure that you would win this. Sadly, it didn’t turn out that way.
But you are my hero. I was utterly surprised that Mr.Trump hired that conniving old woman. ok, i am still a little angry and have not recovered from the shock i received while watching the finale. I gotta say i’ve lost half my respect to Donald and it would be very hard for me to watch his show again.
Love ya!
Support from the UK here!
Joan Rivers behaved disgracefully. Sure Annie was a little bossy on tasks at times, but I think the fact she always performed well gave her license to be forceful with her ideas – they’re usually good ones.
If that had been a genuine competition to look for an apprentice, rather than the celebrity angle, Annie would have won without question.
To be honest I didn’t even watch the final, I just looked online to see who won, because there was no way I could comfortably watch knowing that old hag might get the sympathy vote from Trump.
Anyway, Annie did incredibly well, and acted with intigrety even in the most hostile of circumstances, so congrats are in order.
Well done Annie!x
Annie! You are the true winner. I respect your integrity and professionalism. I respect more you are the mom with four kids.
Mr. Trump was totally wrong in calling Joan a “role model”. You are!
You are sophisticated, mature, confident, composed, hard-working, smart, ….You really deserve to win.
If it is unfair to be robbed and manipulated at the season finale, it is fair to say you have won the support of a lot of people, and I think I speak for really a lot of people.
I think you have a lot to be proud of, despite any negative fallout from the events on CA. I felt for you when you attempted to speak to Joan before the final event, as you were extremely rational and mature about it all. Nonetheless, there are people in this world who do not want to talk about things in an adult way…as it forces them to let go of their anger. I am a fan of Joan Rivers, and I am glad to see anyone win such a large sum for charity; but, I think you were at a disadvantage from the start precisely BECAUSE she is such a celebrity. I hope you’ve learned one thing from this experience: that Trump himself makes very subjective decisions when it comes to these ‘competitions’. If you take away that much, you are ahead I hope the person who bought that Poker Night with you takes notes
. Much luck to you in the future – and to your charity of RI as well!