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.
If you go to Joan River’s Web site, she has a measly 59 comments about her “win” on CA; whereas Annie has more than 1200 comments! THAT’s funny! LOL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ2pGF1jrG0&feature=channel_page
check that out to see an Annie big-time win
oh yeah, listen to phil hellmuth.
Joan only has 59 because no one can post on her page. I believe her comments came from internal sources and she is afraid of opening the board to the public. Instead, the simpletons who follow Joan have to come here and post nastygrams to feel better about themselves.
I for one am having my hubby teach me “Pohka” cause when those shirts go on sale I wanna wear one with pride…HAHAHAH
I’ll never watch CA again. However, I will give to Refugees International. I don’t think the playing field was ever level at all.
You were great! I am an executive for a fortune 200 company and in my opinion this one wasn’t even close. Your intelligence, determination, and balanced approach to executing the tasks was a joy to watch. I can’t imagine hiring someone as emotionally unstable as Joan Rivers.
Annie you rock. You played hard,with dignity and respect and INTEGRITY. You were not playing the disrespectful way that Joan did. You ARE a winner. I will never watch the Donald or the Joan ever. Joan and her daughter are not classy but crude, miserable,paranoiacs. You and Brandy rocked. Classy and respectful. Dump the TRUMP>should be a new slogan. We wish you continued luck with your life, career and charity.
I taped the finale on my DVR and just finished watching it. While I was a fan of Joan Rivers on the show, I have to say that you really handled yourself professionally and eloquently. You got verbally abused every week and you didn’t let it break you down. Between that and the money and awareness that you raised for your charity, you really have a lot to be proud of.
Anyone who agrees Annie Duke deserved to win, check this group out. I spent about an hour outlining every reason why Annie won, why Joan was out of line, and even why Trump and Mark Burnett acted corruptly. I think it’s a great read, and a group with a great goal. Check it out!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=80015373955
Suzy — Re: Bankruptcy
Just played golf with two former fighther pilots, so this is boring stuff — but you asked.
I don’t follow Trump’s businesses, but bankruptcies happen even to good people and businesses, especially in times like these.
I suspect the legal organization, a corporation of some type ( c-Corp, LLc, Sub-chapter S . . .) , not Donald himself, filed for bankruptcy — probably Chapter II, which is esentially protection from creditors to allow time to do a little restructuring and get things back on track –knock on wood, under the direction of a federal judge. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes it can get nasty between creditors et al. I have seen some pretty interesting things — a lot more at stake than what you see on CA — and I have never heard anyone refer to another as Hitler. Just isn’t done.
I heard Mr. Trump resigned from the board of whatever Company file or is filing. That could be he wanted to distance himself, not comfortable with the potential liablities that insurance may or may not cover, or it may have been required. Or he sinply doesn’t have time and energy to nurse a company back with all of his other businesses to run . . . Doesn’t matter, either way. He’s a smart guy. I would never worry about DT.
Of note the ones who always make money in bankruptcies are the attorneys. Great career if you have kids looking at law school and want to practice in the business arena. Bankruptcy law is quite lucrative. Takes a special type.
The big banks, like Jamie Dimon’s JP Morgan Chase have units that do DIP financing (“debtor in possession”) to companies in Chapter 11. Very good business.
Trump himself probably did not file for bankruptcy – just a business that has his name associated with — he may or may not own shares. Again, I do not follow him, except to the extent my wife wanted to watch CA this season and I like my wife, so I watched it with her.
I also explain to her, and she undertands having put up with my career, that what you see on any of the Apprentice shows is not even remotely what business is about. I think those participating think it may be, but it is not. Even the tasks would not be used in a business schools — its just a show.
If you do well on an apprentice — trust me — doesn’t have anything to doing well in the real world. And if you do poorly — not sure there is any correlation either. Donald Trump doesn’t run his businesses like what you see on Apprentice. His children provide a glimpse into the more pragmatic side of reality — the way they really do things. Watch the kids if you continue to watch CA. Watch George. They bare closer to the real world. Trump himself is the head showman and he does a good job putting pon a good show.
Its a game show. Nothing more.
Again I really don’t follow Trump – no need. Warrent Buffet — that is a different story. Really like Buffet. Really interesting man, not flamboyant at all.
Add: annie is the first celebrity that would do well, in my opinion, in mainstream business world.
She is smart. confident. organized. mandages and leads well. Takes charge and does not let others take her charge away. Lover her maturity and focus. She is a closer.
Could see her doing M&A ( mergers & acquistions) quite easily. And loving it.
I was really disappointed because I thought you were a far better organizer and skillful manager than Joan ever was. Obviously it would be inappropriate for a “whore pit viper” poker player to win so they gave it to Joan. At least anyone who watched without prejudice knows that you really won.
I was very disappointed with the final decision. I won’t be watching that show anymore. I think it just proves that when you have what Trump has, you feel you can change the rules on the fly to suite your whims, and I’m sure thats the way it works in the business world. What a joke…
I did enjoy your passion and drive. Nothing sexier than a shrewed business woman who is hot too. Congrats, you did awesome.
You were a star throughout the entire show, and I think no other contestant had to deal with as much criticism as you. Making it to the final 2, delivering to the charity in the way you did, was fantastic. I, along with many others, admire you for not being personal in business matters, because keeping your integrity is definitely more important than 1000 wins.
It’s still surreal that you lost, but honestly, to those of us who admire your spirit, wit, perseverance and business skills, you ARE the Celebrity Apprentice.
All you fans of Annie sound alike…..not really flattering, full of hot air, and factually inept. Watch the show from the beginning and you will see how Ms Annie talked about other players behind their backs. Watch the finale where she berated Tom Green, demeaning him and treating him like a dog when he was actually doing the task with the video correctly. Watch how she manipulated the situation with the designer to her benefit by berating Joan to anyone that would listen. Please! She knows what she did. If Joan would have done those things, I would have supported Annie, but she didn’t. If you watch all the episodes, you will find many instances where Annie acted two-faced, and self-promoting. I’m not saying Joan was perfect. But, when she didn’t agree with something, she let the project manager know her concerns and obliged anyway. Overall, at her age, stamina, and her business experience; Joan was clearly the deserving winner. Good job Mr. Trump!!
Annie should have won. Overall guest experience was a subjective category that was probably added so that Joan could win. Didn’t they all have a good time? How did they determine who won that category? Celebrity integration seemed to be in Annie’s favor. Didn’t she have more celebrities there? All Joan had were look-alikes.
Also, Joan calling Annie two-faced and not to mention everything else, and then at the end, to hug her…I think that is two-faced. It was a fixed competition, Annie. You played the best game and you deserved it. That would have really been cool if you had picked Melissa to be on your team…:OP
Alright, glad the t-shirt thing is catching on. Like I said Annie, copyright that sh*t. There are so many possibilities; White Trash Pokah Playa on the front and either “No Name” or “Whore Pit Viper” on the back.
Oh, and you really should contact the All people since you have gone alot more viral then either of those videos. About that, how come no one realized that you had to do the opposite and go really really big with everything but the bottle?
You should get ESPN to do a commercial with you poking fun and Donald and Joan. Like two chickens wearing Donald and Joan wigs and you are trying to explain to them why jumping in the water isn’t funny.
After watching the show last week I wanted to write the network saying that I was more involved in this show than any in a long time, that I was VERY disappointed in the final, and that I would never watch Apprentice again. I didn’t send the message because I thought it would do no good; the decision as to who would win was made before the task was assigned.
Get ‘em Annie.
I like what other had said, this show should be called “the biggest loser!” Which is the title that Joan really deserves. After the show, I lost my last bit of respect for Trump! I hope he realizes that he got the ratings for this one, but at the expense of future shows and his reputation. Who would buy his book for business advice?! He doesn’t have a clue!
Annie, you are a true winner (smart and can also cook!) and I admire the poker community! You guys are the most generous humanbeings!
Joan, in the other hand, shame on her. Her lack of ability to raise fund really tells you she has no friends. what a surprise!
If this had been a real contest to find the best apprentice it certainely would have turned out differently.
Very impressed with your professional attitude and ability to step outside of your comfort zone and try new things.
Annie you definately went “all in” with your performance on The Celebrity Apprentice. Bravo!
You are indeed the very best !
Look at your writeup above – so dignified and honorable. You are one classy person.
Dear Annie–
I had never heard of you before the Apprentice however I am totally impressed with you. I think Trump was completely misguided during the Finale show. He clearly went after you in a very unprofessional manner. He took up Joan’s style of character assassination. I could not believe the way he trashed poker players and I was pleased that you made it clear that it was a game of skill. He really was disgusting in the way that he scapegoated you. I TIVO’d the show and although I was very disappointed (almost disgusted) that Joan won, I thought I would watch the whole show tonight. When Joan started in with her histrionics, after you mentioned the decorator who quit, I just couldn’t take it anymore. It was clear that somehow Joan got a pass from Trump to behave in anyway she wanted. She (and her daughter) were truly disgusting, completely shameless. Anyway I clicked off the TIVO, deleted the show, and will never watch The Apprentice again. Trump allowed his name and image to be used in selling lots in Mexico and alot of people lost alot of money. so between that issue and this final, I won’t give him any of my attention again. However, you rock. I hope you do not take this loss and their bad behavior too seriously. You have way too much to offer, to let this snag you up! You’re a powerful woman with a heart. Best wishes! Carol Fahy
Questions:
Is Tom Green really that dumb?
Should Melissa have been allowed to be on the last task when it’s her MOTHER in the final 2?
Was Donald HOT for Brandi?
Did Joan & Melissa go to the same plastic surgeon?
gl at the WSOP-Really enjoyed your blog-Please blog some WSOP stuff if you get the chance.
Joan Rivers is a hateful bag and Trump is a sell-out for ratings as he so eloquently said on CNN’s Larry King Live. I don’t blame Trump for making the decisions he made on the show, the guy is a business man and he sure created drama, ratings and value.
But everyone agrees that Joan is emotionally challenged and needs some serious help. Melissa is out of control and, like her mother, have very little intellect and business acumen. Joan has talent for comedy – not for business. Her being successful is a byproduct of her talent as a comedian, nothing else.
Annie Duke deserved to win, she raised the more cash, did an excellent job on the “Chicken of the Sea” challenge and throughout the season. She came out as a strong leader and contestant (a bit egotistical, but you need that to be successful).
Joan Rivers was kept on the show because it created drama, ratings and value. She’s also going to be the host of a new reality show that Trump’s got business interests in.
Annie was the real winner, great girl, great skills and demonstrated that she could take on the biggest challenges and win.
Annie was the clear winner of the last challenge — it was an auction for charity.
How stupid was it to have 5 criteria, the only thing that matters in a charity auction is how much you raise and the awareness to the charity. That’s exactly what Annie did. Joan’s event was cheap and nothing in there promoted her charity, it was all about Kodak.
Too bad Annie can’t sue Joan for the “Hitler” and “mafia” comments probably because Annie signed a release with the show, it would have been priceless to see that hateful bag sued in court for her big dirty ignorant mouth.
Dear Ms. Annie,
I viewed the Celebrity Apprentice from the first to the last episode with my son. I am 38 years old (and considered a MILF, just like yourself), and my son is 18, and, well, he’s 6’1″ and was the quarterback of the high school football team… smart and athletic he is, not to mention up to speed on all sports. He not only thinks, but knows, POKER IS A SPORT.
What is my point?
My point is this: we are young, cool Canadians, and my son kicks ass at the twice weekly poker games that he has at our house. It is our pleasure to open up our dining room table to these kids (by the way, the boys are all in university, and we are NOT Mafia). The best part is that we love listening to the fun that they have winning and losing $5 and $10 bucks here and there. For me as a Mum, I rather like that my 18 year old is spending time at home occasionally playing a card game that encourages great laughter and intelligent competition.
YOU ARE A WINNER TO US MS. ANNIE!
Donald Trump shows what a hipocrit he truly is by choosing Joan Rivers. Where in his career has he chosen a lesser performer. It was obviously a political move of some kind. You kicked butt! I would work on your team anytime. Good luck!
Trump was a cop-out, he knew what happened with the event planer and said nothing, you deserved to win because you cared about your charity from start to finish. The Rivers should have been gone a long time ago, this is the last apprentice I will watch.
“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.”
Wow then you really DO have major ego issues. Get over yourself, you lost…
YOU WAS ROBBED!!!
You should have won!!!!!!!!!
CA is an entertainment show and the only reason that Joan got to the final was that she was abusive to you. The only reason you got to the final was that you were the object of her abuse. In reality neither of you belonged in the final and were only there for entertainment value. The final was only rigged in the respect that they wanted 2 people who were at each others throat and you were not robbed as you did not belong there to begin with. Are all poker players so paranoid? Since when were poker players celebrity’s anyway? Perhaps in their own small world they are, but not in the real world. Get over yourself. You are insignificant.
Joan is a crazy lunatic. Annie was clearly better in every way and should have won.
This is what David Tutera, the event planner who quit, had to say about Joan: “In 23 years of being in business, I have never left anyone, no matter how difficult they are to work with. Her behavior towards any human being was so unacceptable to me. [She's] such a monster I cannot begin to even explain.”
http://news-briefs.ew.com/2009/05/celebrity-appre.html
Mr. Trump made the right decision because the Celebrity Apprentice has to be the person who people want to be.
A Primer in Branding
Sponsors and affilations of Celebrity Apprentice 2009
Below are the companies and products I recall off the top of my head associated with CA 2009. There may be more.
Very good products and services with a very poor branding campaign this year in CA.
Ratings on Sunday I assume were very good, but the outcome offended the intelligence of many in the viewing audience and therefore the public may associate the outcome and how the show was run with the products and services which were promoted via CA 2009.
Off the bat go to KODAK’s website to see how proud they are of their affiliation with CA 2009. It is there, but it takes alot of work to find it. That says it all.
Simple steps to building brand loyalty are
1. Brand Awareness — Companies want public to be aware of their products and services.
2. Brand Indentification — Companies want public to identify their brand with something like a celebrity. The France family and Nascar do a great job, where fans identify with the drivers, their cars, and ultimately the products.
Basically there is a mental link between something held in positive esteem and the product.
That is why most of those represting a brand will have a clause in their contracts prohibiting certain behaviors. Michael Phelps got dropped immediately by some of his sponsors because of his behavior which was not good for the product image. The image the compnaies were hoping the public would identify with were winning, champion, mutliple gold medal winner, hard work. He got dropped because the incredible achievements of Michael Phelps were no longer the image, replaced overnight by the image of a water bong at a frat party.
Companies sponsoring CA this year have chosen Joan Rivers and of course DT and a purposely ambiguous game show for consumers to identify with, linking their image and products to Joan Rivers, DT, and how the show was run.
3. Brand Loyalty — Pick the right brand identification vehicle, and you have consumers who become loyal to that brand vehicle and the product and service itself. Tiger Woods was good for Buick. Lot’s of loyalty to Nike because of Tiger Woods.
There will be brand loyalty from those who like Joan Rivers. How big is that demographic, and what is the cost?
I doubt that particular demographic represents a big enough market for the Kodaks, Chicken of the Seas, Gilletts and LifeLocks and ZAPPOS.com to justify the costs, which include hard-dollar costs as well as the cost of alienating many consumers.
The market will ultimately decide.
To the best of my feable memory, sponsors and affiliations of CA 2009 were:
KODAK
NBC (owned by GE)
Trump companies (casinos, resorts etc)
Right Guard (Gillette)
ZAPPOS.com
Chicken of the Sea tuna
Lifelock (the identity theft service)
There may be more.
Re: Leia & not a fan,
Well…at least you can come to this blog and voice your displeasure. Whereas at Joan’s/ NBC they are erasing comments that show them in a bad light. Hmmm….why is that, pray tell.
Joan is a coward and a quitter…and there was NOTHING redeeming about her win. She is a “has been” and her daughter a “never was”. Who the hell cares that Joan is 75..and had stamina. Was that was the criteria for winning?
All that said…do you feel better by coming into this blog and disrespecting the posters and Annie…etc? Well….I’m glad Annie could accomodate you. I bet you call HSN/QVC just to hear your voice on TV, too. Be careful…I’m sure Joan’s jewelry will leave a lovely green ring around your neck, wrists and fingers. Her jewelry is as CHEAP as she is.
The back of the T-Shirts might read…
” And I have a last name , too”
Hi from England. I’ve just finished watching the finale on youtube and am furious at the decision especially after the Rivers’ despicable behaviour.
Annie, you rock. You set a fantastic example of how to behave with dignity in a nightmare situation and, unlike your detractors, didn’t let any personal feelings divert you from doing the best job possible.
Thanks for playing the game like you did.
You should have won!
Hello Annie
I think that you are super smart, you knew how to play with what you had. You have a real take charge, know it all attitude which seems to be great for poker as well as business. I do hope that you are a little softer in your personal life
sometimes in life we have to share. Now we are going to follow your poker link so we can learn from the master.
Please VOTE !
Did Trump make the right decision?
http://www.nbc.com/the-celebrity-apprentice/
It’s funny, but I’ve actually been thinking about this for a few days. Posting on your website that is. I must admit I had no idea who you were before this show. You are clearly smart, driven and a born winner. I think all you can take from this experience is that a greedy TV producer saw fit to ignore the fact that you clearly won and for the sake of ratings, give the win to Joan. It sucks, I know. Sadly, most people have their own agenda. Even more sadly, some of those people are willing to be less than honourable (I’m Canadian ..it’s ou here). You have shown the world that you are honourable. You won people’s hearts. Good job!
Nelson from Canada
For those posting against Annie:
I’m not here because I am a big suck up fan of Annie’s — though I have admired her poker playing skills for a long time. I PASSIONATELY wanted Trace Adkins to win CA last year and disliked Piers from day one. But I never posted a comment anywhere, and I eagerly watched this season.
I posted here because I felt like I watched all the episodes and got the shaft at the end. If it was going to be faked (and it WAS)I would not have wasted my time. It was an insult to my intelligence to see the likes of Joan and Melissa even on the show, let alone end up winning. (After all, there is a reason I don’t watch Jerry Springer.) I have worked for large corporations and have owned my own business for 13 years. It was a mockery of anything to do with business and a slap in the face of every woman in the work place as it stereo-types us in the image that the only way we can succeed is to cry, visciously attack our peers and resort to hysterics. I wanted the finale to be about the two sharpest business minds pitting their skills against each other. If you want tv melodrama — Joan is your girl, but if that had been the criteria going in Annie probably would have declined to appear.
I’m not here to “support” Annie. Annie is a star and rising fast. I expect very little can stop her now. As for ego — I notice nobody ever gets upset over guys with big egos but everyone attacks women if they display even a little. Besides, as Clint says “I’d fire the editor.” If any of us were filmed for 15 hours and everything was cut except the times we said “I” we might appear to have big egos as well.
I won’t waste my time next season.
Annie,
I admired you from the beginning of the show…Fell in love with you by the end.
Why trump didn’t call Joan and her demon seed out for their lies and unprofessional behavior, we’ll never know.
And Piers, though he may be correct regarding judgement of the last events’ five criteria, still should have reminded everyone that the winner should be based upon consistent teamwork, money raised, and talent throughout the entire season!
You rocked it! And so did all your friends!
You’re too good to be the Apprentice anyway-You OWN THE COMPANY!
Peace, Love, and Admiration,
~TH
I have wanted to send a note of some kind to Annie since the finale of Celebrity Apprentice. First, let me say that before Celebrity Apprentice, I had no idea who Annie was. I quickly became a big fan because of her “smarts” and toughness. I was HORRIFIED by the way Joan Rivers treated her!!! I USED to like Joan Rivers…NO MORE!!!! Also, I USED TO like Donald Trump…NO MORE!!! I have watched EVERY episode of Celebrity Apprentice every season since it began as The Apprentice. Why was Donald Trump allowing such “despicable” treatment of Annie? It became VERY clear that, when there was a Board Room, Trump would just fire whichever celebrity was less famous. Donald Trump and Joan Rivers should be ashamed of themselves. The upside for Annie is that she has gained LEGIONS of new fans. When can I watch Annie play Poker on TV? Good luck to you Annie and You go girl!!!
Plain and simple Annie you were dealt from the bottom of the deck !!! Your a strong personality and did great on the show. My most awesome part that sold me forever??? When you were cooking and said look I’m the perfect woman I can cook all this food and I give great bl*****s too !!! Cracked me up and you made me laugh for days. Stong woman !! Your the best !!!
I think that when you watch the footage shot of Joan and Melissa throughout the show it’s obvious that they are nasty, rude, and thrive on self created chaos for attention! Clearly Joan has issues and her daughter is exactly the same way! You should have won the Celebrity Apprentice and Donald Trump only picked her because he had reasons other than how you each performed! I was pissed to see that someone with such integrity was not recognized by Donald Trump… You are awesome!!
“It’s a FAKE job and you got FAKE fired!” Give it up already!!! You’re starting to sound like Melissa Rivers. At least she voiced her displeasure at getting fired right away and dealt with it. You lost so stop making excuses like blaming the producers, editors, Donald Trump. It kinda comes across as being a sore loser which, you who plays a “sport”, should know is not very becoming.
Annie, you played an incredible game, and I believe that Joans treatment of you was uncalled for, and I was continually impressed by your ability not to breakdown, and to really continue onward, and to play an amazing game. I didn’t really like the edit of Tom Green talking about how Joan was getting to you, because I think it was a backhanded attempt to minimize the strength of character you exhibited through out the series in your rivalry with Joan, as to bring you to a level that you never truly reached in my opinion, and I hope you know that people, (some), did not in anyway lose any portion of respect for the way you played, and what you have done in the show for RI. Great job, and realize that in the end we know what the purpose of the show was, and while you did not win the show, you still won something much larger, and that in the end is what is important.