My interview with The TV Guide Channel
On Monday I went in and did an interview with the TV Guide Channel. Here it is since I am assuming most people didn’t catch it. Funnily enough, that channel happens to be where Joan and Melissa last did their Red Carpet stuff before they got fired. Needless to say, the folks over there are not that fond of them lol.
Annie I was amazed at how well you played the game but being a former poker player who hung it up to go to nursing school I remember nights were I got no sleep … you were so robbed Joan was Evil and I loved Joan Rivers till this and I swore I would not watch this show again had you not won and I am sticking to that his choice was clouded by the fact that they are indeed friends and have known each other since donald had his own hair … I am a brooklyn born man and I ashamed to be from Brooklyn with people who act like Donald did
So glad you lost – you are really scummy – always making references to fellatio… don’t you get embarrassed to be heard speaking so?!? What do or will your children think of you? Yes, Joan got many free shots across the bow – it’s just that you were not fast enough to deflect. If I liked you I would wish you good luck in the future – you will need it. BTW – the false eyelashes don’t help your appearance one bit – kinda like lipstick on a hog. FYI – your envy and dislike of Brandee (due to her appearance was palpable).
annie, you should have won that game!! Bad decision by Trump. You were smarter, kept your cool, played all the right moves and didnt get into the personal attacks.. and may I add looked pretty hot in the process. your a winner in my opinion.
Blaine Trump, Donald’s sister in law, is on the board of Joan’s charity.
I cannot fathom how you did not win. The blatant favoritism was appalling. I used to think Joan Rivers was an interesting person, but now I wouldn’t waste my time listening to her. Over the course of the show, all her insults just kept sticking to her, imo. I thought she and Melissa were just diva-bitches. Had they never watched the show before they went on it? And how Trump let her run wild with her mouth was just offensive. Just hateful. And it was certainly telling that she couldn’t drum up any celebrity friends to appear or spend money – that was really pathetic. Anyway, I’m glad you were able to raise so much money for your charity and wish you luck.
Hey Annie. You have been the most smartest,raised more money than anyone before you. Joan is a phony and liar. If donald trump want’ed to know the truth about the decorator for joan quit , why did’nt he call them, and call joan on her lies. He probaly already knew and did’nt call her on it. My husband and I will not watch the apprentice again, we will watch the poker games. YOU ARE THE WINNER . Good Luck in the future. I am sure your life will be blessed. You are a classy person.
I was VERY disappointed with Trump’s decision. He clearly missed the boat. I have an amazing respect for Annie and all the money she raised! I would love to have her as a friend – she is funny, smart, and talented. I would love to be HER apprentice!
Trump made a terrible business decision!
How can an future celebrity apprentice take him seriously?! He changed the rules about “It’s not only about raising the most money” at the end of the game because he knew Annie would blow Joan out of the water. Isn’t raising the most amount of money for charity the whole point of the game?? And I don’t even want to get into Joan’s faux-celebrities … How could Kodak think Joan won that?!
The final was bizarre and very much a let down. There was absolutely no climax to it. I’ve been a faithful viewer of The Apprentice but they lost me now.
ANNIE, YOU DESERVED THE WIN!!!
Annie -
I could hardly sleep after seeing what happened on CA. Trump is an idiot. I actually had some faith in him until then – after all he picked Pierz last time, despite everyone rooting for Trace. But if Trump had the slightest sense of business ethics and fair play, he would have fired Joan Rivers immediately after her Hitler comment. She should have been long gone before the end, but he needed to keep the ratings up.
Annie: The best thing about the truth is you don’t have to defend it…
Use to like Donald, I know he doesn’t care, but bad decision. You were the best player since the show started.
Will try hard not to watch it next year as a result of the fix.
I didn’t know you before Celebrity apprentice. But you deserved the title. After last night, I thought the show should have been called Friendship Apprentice since it was the friendship between Trump and Joan Rivers that prevailed. I love Joan Rivers, don’t get me wrong, but she didn’t prove to be worthy of the Celebrity Apprentice title. I’m sure people are all saying how you we’re robbed of something you deserved a 100 % and they are right.
How in the world did that loud mouth, leather, joker face win. She didnt do anything. So what if she took 3/5 of requirements. The show is supposed to be based on the entire season, not just one even. Annie clearly won, and got the job done. Joan and her crockadile tears should just go off into the sunset. This was nothing more than a game of strategy, and guess what, Annie played it the best to the end.
It is understood that Celebrity Apprentice is nothing more than an entertainment vehicle. Just the same, Donald Trump lost any semblance of the veracity of this product when he brought Joan Rivers back after she quit. He fired one of the celebrities because they volunteered to come back into the board room, but Joan quits and he gets on his knees and begs her to come back because none of the other remaining celebrities are vile enough to make the finale interesting. If this were anything more than (poorly calculated) entertainment, Brande Roderick or Jesse James would have been in the finals with Ms. Duke. Oh well … Ms. Duke’s stock has soared, and everyone who followed the series knew that she was the sharpest knife in the drawer.
Dear Annie:
As a small potatoes poker player and fan, I was certainly familiar with you before Celebrity Apprentice.
I hope in looking back on everything, you come to the bottom line that you raised more funds and more awareness for your charity than anyone, including the $250K winners prize.
That you conducted yourself with class and honor.
That you didn’t through people under the bus and tried to be either a teammate or a leader without much cooperation.
That you defended the honor of people know.
The true test of a person is the friends who comes to her aid when called upon, not winning or losing.
Yes, you deserved to be heard. Yes, you were treated in ways that are truly despicable.
As a Jewish man who does not use the “N” word,
Hitler or Nazi are even worse. You handled everything with class and cool, and you have gained my respect.
Your admirer,
Micheal Brenner
pickle118b@aol.com
Annie, I have to agree that you were truly robed of the Celebrity Apprentice. You have a lot more class than Joan Rivers has..you played the game the way the game should have been played…you raised a phenomenal amount of money. And yes, it was Joans fault that the planner quit. They say that discrimination comes in many colors and shapes and for this one I would say the only reason Joan won was her age….nothing else…Trump could never put Joan in her place and I am not sure why….I feel that maybe he respected her age to much as that is all he kept talking about…I do not believe that it came down to the out of 5…..Trump has been know to go on his own when it comes to firing….I believe you have many hidden talents and that you are a very strong individule. Keep you chin up and for me….you are the Celebrity Apprentice 2009
Annie,
I could tell all night that Donald Trump had made up his mind to pick Joan. I think it was “politics” not talent that made him do that. I lost all respect for Joan Rivers with the vicious attacks she made. YOU however, stood up for yourself, your friends, and your profession with the dignity of a lady and a true winner! Keep up the great work for your charity. We wish you and your family the best.
I will never watch Celebrity Apprentice again. Donald Trump is an idiot and so is Joan Rivers.
For the sake of brevity my comments are geared towards Joan, but applicable to “mini me” Melissa.
What a joke!! Annie is a rock star, and economic engine, a force like gravity! Joan is a tired, lunatic who pisses and moans all the freaking time! Why did Joan win?? Because she is a friend of Trumps which was OBVIOUS throughout the entire season. The final challenge as 80% subjective!! Whose room felt warmer, decorations better, best use of a Kodak picture frame! Are you serious???? That is all esoteric BS. It’s about moving the needle. Annie trounced Joan. I would take Annie’s friends over Joan’s anyday. But the One big reason why Joan won??? She supports an AIDs related charity! (not judging, just saying) She is a huge friend of the gay community, as is Dennis and Scott Hamilton . . The charity is in NY close to Donald . . . Refugee relief is not sexy, nor is it close to Dondald. The jig was up before it started. Annie Duke is tough, demanding and a true winner!! Way to go Annie!
p.s. Am I correct in guessing that even with the 250k that Donald gave Joan for her charity, combined with the money she raised, that she still did not have as much money as Annie in the final task??
I forgot to mention that Joan Rivers apepars to be a bigot and a hate monger. Nothing redeeming about her performance. Even her sniveling about being “all about charity” did not excuse her.
I think you should have won also!! You knew how to get the job done!!! Joan was not a huge factor throughout the season on many of the tasks, she stayed in the background.
It was unfair the way Trump would not shut her up so you could at least say what you had to say.
Just as ridculous as when he let Dennis Rodman call out Jesse James, and talk about his wife and then told Jesse to shut up when he called Dennis stupid. Very crazy!!!
Well to me you won….Evelyn,
JOAN WAS TRULY NOT AS RUTHLESS AS ANNIE, ANNIE ALWAYS WAS TALKING ABOUT ME ME ME, SHE HAS A HUGE EGO, SO GLAD SHE DIDNT WIN. SHE WAS MEAN MEAN MEAN. THE LOOK ON HER FACE WAS PRICELESS WHEN SHE LOST. LOVE IT, BUT LOVE JOAN MORE.
Like it really matters.
My father taught me to never confuse activity for achievement. Annie you achieved the most by a landslide while some of the others just coasted and complained. They forgot that it is not just about them. Great job.
Cool deal is Annie kicked Joan’s big old ass in fund raising — the main criteria — supposedly the reason we are all here watching.
Joan clearly won the “looks like a seven day old corpse at a discount mortuary award.” Making up these soft categories as you go along to underwrite a mean old dried-up has-been is weak, pathetic, and transparent.
What was also funny was watching the “celebs” who must have burned their bridges, or they never really had any bridges to begin with, not even trying to raise money. Dude? What goes around comes around, Jesse, Melissa. And you are both celebrities because of . . . ? Very weak.
In the real world Joan and Melissa are not relevant. On the other hand, Annie is incredibly viable in the real world and has had a significant tangible impact on her charity.
Very cool, Annie. The numbers don’t lie. Only the Rivers lie.
Thanks for making us aware of Refugees International.
I still defend Donald. I do not blame him for choosing Joan — I wouldn’t want to be in her night-club material either. Give the old bag the win so I can keep her off my back.
Annie, I didn’t know you prior to the show and I’m not into poker, so no bias. I have also liked Joan Rivers. But, it was so clear that you were the winner. Every task you did great and you raised a ton of money. You didn’t sink to her level until the end when you were so frustrated. It was clear that anyone who critized Melissa would feel the wrath of Joan. A bit embarassing for Melissa if she ever really wanted to be taken seriously. The video bore you out. Joan screwed the event planner and you got the shaft. I can only assume that Joan was named the winner because of a friendship between her and Trump or a ratings judgement. Every business person was for you until the end. Even Piers remark at the finally about having to give it to Joan sounded sheepish. Like the decision had been made and he needed to find a reason to back it. You handled yourself really well and those of us with brains knew it was you all along. The best of everything to you in the future!
YOU WERE ROBBED. How dare Trump allow that witch (and her witchette), to treat you the way they did while he watched and never censored or stopped JR. Unbelievable. IMUS was fired from a real job for less. Where are all the outraged women? On another note, you are the most amazing underrated person ever! The money you raised for charity is a testament to your true nature and value. With so many friends willing to do so much for you and charity shows you ARE THE BEST! You must be a great friend to have so many great friends. How could Trump not make you win when the game is to raise money for charity?? No one came close, and the witches-wannabe-celebrities didn’t raise anything for charity …. they rode the coattails of their teammates. Thank you for everything you have done for charity. You are an inspiration and a class act. We can’t watch that show anymore we are so outraged. We actually used to like JR and Trump, but no more. He would have never let anyone talk to his daughter like that. And through it all, you stayed a class act and kept raising more money. YOU GO GIRL!!! THANK YOU!!!!!
Annie, you rocked every single week. If I owned a fortune 500 company, you would definitely be hired as my CEO. You’d played a very smart game, it was all business and Joan & Melissa takes everything way too personal and the personal attacks was uncalled for. I became a fan of yours and lost total respect for Joan Rivers. That B…h lied on tv about the event planner meltdown. Joan Rivers is truly a two face, literally and figuratively.
I thought the Donald was a smart man.
Annie, just want to let you know that we watched the program every Sunday night and you were clearly the best contestant. We were shocked and disappointed last night when we watched and saw Mr. Trump choose a clearly inferior competitor as the Celebrity Apprentice. Apparently, he chose name recognition even though Joan Rivers has proven herself to be an incompetent and obnoxious person. You played the game fairly and above board while she chose to get into the gutter. Just wanted to let you know that we understood that you should have won. We have always been Apprentice fans, but will not waste our time in the future.
Annie Duke Rocks! Played the game as it was intended – Trump has a persoanl relationship with Joan so therefore she won. He’s a moron with no control – he didn’t base his decision on the history of the people but instead on 1 final task. Annie got robbed – I’m a fan of hers forever! Rock on poker players!
You are the winner in my book! I emailed joans charity and let them know that I was donating to your charity in their name d/t her behavior! They should dump her as a spokeswoman! She is nasty! YOU ROCK! Pretty much done with Donald Dump, whoops I mean Trump! He knew you should have won! I think he gave it to her to avoid having to call in the men with straight jackets for joan and her daughter!
Wow.. deleted all the positive posts for Joan Rivers’ winning The Apprentice.
UpRoarious Applause!!!
Annie you kicked butt over classless Rivers. You completely dominated the series. Rivers shouldn’t have even been in the finals, but once there should have been fired for offending the company that was hired to help you. Her being there was only for the ratings game. AFAIC Trump was a real pussy in picking Rivers…. some sort of social pressure I suppose. Nice job Annie.
I thought you played an excellent game. I was disgusted in the way Joan and Melissa acted in every show. I think Donald picked her because he is weak. It must be all about ratings and not what truly goes on, in the game. I cannot believe the way Joan acted and I am sorry you were robbed. You were great, you have the title in my eyes.
I was really disappointed you lost, Annie. You were a better player and I admire your mature attitude toward Joan when she was being so horrible toward you. She’s won the nastiest person in the world award in my mind and I don’t see why Donald didn’t fire her weeks ago. I hope you have a great life and much success.
Dear Ms. Duke, It was evident from the start that the deck was stacked against you. Donald Trump is a personal friend of Joan Rivers and would NEVER fire her! You won the most tasks, raised the most money and was clearly the best player. Ms. Rivers should have been fired weeks ago for being a sore loser, personally attacking you in and out of the boardroom and being mother hen to her petulant daughter. Mr. Trump knew that to achieve the best ratings he would keep her to go against you. You have shown talent, beauty, and class throughout and are the winner on my card. Bravo!
Can’t stand Joan Rivers and she been thrusting her talentless ugly daughter at us for years. It’s amazing to me in the 21st century how threatened some people still are at a strong women. I think you played the game the best. Donald Trump has always come off like an idiot and he proved it last night. Joan and Melissa Rivers came over as professional VICTIMS. Enjoy your family and friends as it is pretty obvious you have plenty.Congratulations on a job well done, if not appreciated
Anne you should have won… you clearly were the winner to all of us. this show has to be rigged. It was clear that Donald trump had a hidden agenda. Ill not be watching the show next year because its a bunch of crap. its fixed… I bit you anything that clint black wanted to pick you he just didn’t want joan screaming at him like she did you.. you didn’t deserve all that at all… You played the game so much better than anyone has ever played it. and you were there every single day. Joan and Melessa are horrible and rude and repulsive… they both showed that they are spoiled rotten brats. pretty is as pretty does no amount of plastic surgery can make those two pretty.
Melissa Rivers would be no where without hanging onto her mother’s coat tails. She is a very poor loser.
Annie i’m so glad you lost the Apprentice! You are bipolar and you are very dishonest with everyone around you! You are a poker player!
I agreed 100% with your comments in the boardroom. How Joan was the only apprentice ever to be allowed to interupt and talk over Trump baffles me. A man that does not admire quiters allows one to come back after smashing her glass on the floor??? How a woman that had a firm refuse to work with his show because of her foul treatment of people?? And mostly how he accepted her personal and inappropriate attacks. I am disgusted, pissed and feel like the viewers were cheated and their intelligence insulted. I won’t be watching another season.
Like the others have said, you were robbed! You played the game better, raised more money, managed teams better and are truly a much nicer person. I was rooting for you since episode one and while I can understand the decision (from a pure entertainment factor) to have you go head to head against Joan rather than Jesse I do think Jesse was the better candidate out of him and Joan.
If nothing else, at least now the general public has seen the Rivers’ real faces (no pun intended haha) instead of the “oh we’re so lovely” persona they both try to project.
Anyway, like so many others I have lost all interest in Donald and will likely not tune in to next season of the [Celebrity] Apprentice.
You go!
That a girl Annie! I remember you from the old days of the World Series at the Horseshoe,and you are still mixing it up well…I hope this experience leads to bigger and better things,because this seemed like a cat fight,not a real show…Good luck and win them all baby…
YOU GO GIRL !! you were so wronged, Joan and Melissa were SO OUT OF LINE. What a class act you are, smart, resourceful, and took on all comers, NOT EVEN CLOSE, you can run my company anytime, hope to sit across from you at a table at the WSOP.
As you pointed out, professionals hold their tongues in public settings. The second Joan and Melissa started in on the name calling, stereotyping, tantrums, victimizations and especially the deeply personal attacks, they should have been dropped by the show. The generalizations about poker players, blondes, and anyone who didn’t think like them were in incredibly poor taste.
If the Celebrity Apprentice is about making money for charities, that should be the criteria. The set up was in from halfway through the season – Donald was effusive in his praise of Joan, week after week. She was allowed to interrupt, demonize, and slander, while you were cut off every time. Joan’s behavior was so patently unacceptable that she (and her daughter) should have been fired early on. Taking advantage of opportunity in business is one thing – verbal assaults and lies should not be condoned.
I started watching The Apprentice because of the business acumen that was passed on to the audience as well as the contestants. I watched Celebrity Apprentice because of the charitable element.
I will NEVER watch a Donald Trump program again, because in allowing Joan and Melissa to behave like stereotyping, judgemental, snobs he really came across as condoning and even endorsing their behavior. Even his constant questioning of Jesse James about his wife – why would anyone say “you must be good in bed to get someone as beautiful as Sandra Bullock” instead of congratulating him on having a successful marriage? Maybe the secret to Jesse and Sandra’s strength (which is better than Donald’s marital history) is that they keep their respective careers separate.
Going back to your statement about professionalism, you are exactly correct – the Rivers’ behavior has no business being in a boardroom, or even in a gutter. Even when told you lost, you were gracious.
The real winner? Put up your Dukes, Annie! You knocked it out of the park week after week, despite the barage of obstacles, obscenities and harrassment dished out by the Rivers twins. You and Brande should start a competing show, because you obviously have it over the Donald. Wonder how much he paid the other celebs to bow at the throne of Joan – as good business people, they couldn’t possibly think her behavior is acceptable.
I am still in shock but I just want you to know that you were the true winner. I have lost all respect for Donald Trump. I never realized how his prejudices reflected in his decisions on Apprentice until this season. As far as Joan…she made a complete fool of herself and showed what a spoiled b..tch she is and why Melissa is the way she is…
You are a class act Annie and the true winner. You should be very proud.
Annie, still saying/writing bad stuff at an interview to boot and then having to post it about the red carpet. Such a classy viper you are!
Annie, you were certainly robbed!!!! America knows it. It should have been Jesse and you in the final two.
Donald’s true colors finally came to light. He is not that tough.
He let a venom spewing has been walk all over him and force him to select her.
To say you were robbed is an understatement!!! I believe that Joan would have been the winner in any case, it seems that the Donald had selected the winner early on. Fortunately, the filming of the series left little doubt who the liars were. I used to like Joan Rivers and didn’t have much feeling about her daughter but now I can say that I truly hate them both!!!! Congrats on the very fine job you did for YOUR charities, you deserve the freatest respect.
Annie, Overall you kicked some serious ass on the fund raising side and in my opinion that is what it was all about, Congrats to you!!! You’re the winner in my book. Joan Rivers is a LOSER. She showed her true character thoughout the show by back stabbing everyone. You on the other hand should hold your head up high and be satisfied that you played an honest and forthright game. You made POKER players proud. Steve Quinn from INDY.
You both should have been fired. Joan was ridiculous, but Annie, you were worse. You need to check your EGO at the door — get over yourself!!!
Annie you were robbed of the Celebrity Apprentice title! Very disappointed on how Trump handled the boardroom. However, hats off to you for maintaining your composure and playing a GREAT game
Anne was a lady and Joan was the worst excuse for a person I have ever seen. Joan was as low as a person can get. But her daughter is as low as her mother. I will never support anything that Joan Rivers is on or uses or is trying to sell. She is sad and seems to have lost her mind.