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The Apprentice season three: Danny

In the new season of The Apprentice, Donald Trump (or more likely Mark Burnett, the show's producer) divides the teams into those with college degrees and those with just a high school education.

I wonder whether, over the course of the season, the audience will learn anything about the lack of value of a college education, or about social class differences in America?

The first episode focuses on Danny, a member of the college educated team who, as founder of Popstick and a composer of rock operas and symphonies, is probably the genius of the team. But slick editing can make a genius look like an idiot.

This blogger bought the idiot line completely, writing, "like last season, there's a clown in this season. Danny. What a complete loser!"

The one thing I learned from this episode is the herd mentality of human nature. It was obvious that the college educated team lost because they didn't have enough people operating the cash registers in their Burger King restaurant, but they all ganged up on Danny because he was different and therefore a convenient target. We have a bunch of adults acting like kindergarten children ganging up on the kid who's different.

I knew The Donald wasn't going to fire Danny during the first episode because (1) it wasn't his fault they lost; and (2) they always keep the colorful characters for a few episodes in order to make the show more interesting and boost ratings. It was an easy call that the boring guy would be fired.

Elsewhere in the blogosphere, adrants and Jack Cheng stick up for Danny, while Dave Friedman explains why (and correctly in my opinion) Danny's clothes will prevent him from going all the way and winning.

posted Monday, January 24, 2005

2 Comments:

By Nyum:

I totally stand by my comments in calling Danny a loser. He was uncontrollable and a disgrace. In the words of Mr Trump in the boardroom "Danny, you're a disaster. You have been a total disaster, really."

Genius or not, he did not show it, regardless of what editing shows. A person with a college degree, coming up with a ball throwing gimic on the street that can potentially be a health hazard, did not think his marketing strategy out. They didn't have a back up plan and he was way too indecisive.

I think you saw him as being different and thought he was targetted by the other team members because of that, but I don't see it like that at all. They all sang with him. They all got along with him. But when you see someone singing with a guitar on the street, failing to perform in the task, then yes, they are going to pick on someone who stood out the most as the failure.

If you fail to perform, regardless of who you are, what sort of founder you are, a stain will be left on your mark.

Yes, Todd deserved to go because of poor leadership, I agree with that. But I don't agree with you guys not saying he's an idiot regardless of his background.

posted at 1/26/2005 8:07 AM

By Andy:

D.C. Reports $318 Million Surplus for 2004 (washingtonpost.com)Now there is no reason to deny us a representative in Congress. As you can see, we can save more money than the Federal Government can!!

http://stampouttax.blogspot.com/

posted at 1/27/2005 4:22 PM