By Collin Kelley
Editor
Last night’s Celebrity Apprentice saw the abrupt firing of Lil’ Jon and Meat Loaf in the first half hour of the show, leaving country singer John Rich and actress Marlee Matlin as the final two. Before the firing, Trump had called in former winners Joan Rivers, Brett Michaels and Piers Morgan to interview the four. Lil Jon screwed himself out of a place in the finale when he was asked who should be the final two and didn’t include himself. The panel was also in agreement that Meat Loaf’s wild mood swings from rage to tears didn’t make him a suitable apprentice.
For their last assignment, John and Marlee were charged with creating new packaging, a commercial and a launch party for 7-Up Retro, which will be made with real sugar and supposedly taste like the un-cola of yore. Of course, John and Marlee needed a team to help them, so Trump called in Richard Hatch, Star Jones, La Toya Jackson, Mark McGrath, Lil Jon and Meat Loaf to help with the tasks. Marlee was torn over picking Star or Meat for her team – since both like to take control – but she chose Meat. Star claimed to have a crush on John Rich, and was thrilled to be on his team.
Marlee picked the 70s theme for her 7-Up Retro roll out, while John was stuck with the 80s. In the war rooms, Meat completely took over the task and said the can should look like a disco ball and the packaging like boom box. He was also spouting gibberish about dressing up like a fairy for the commercial. Meat is definitely a few ingredients short of a full Loaf.
Over in John’s camp, the can and packaging got a leopard print look, while Mark McGrath came up with inspired idea for the commercial, featuring a bunch of 80s icon look-a-likes and the real Dee Snyder transforming into his Twisted Sister persona. Marlee’s camp decided to call Geoffrey Holder, who starred in the iconic 7-Up commercials with his famous basso voice, to reprise his role while giant 7-Up cans fell from the sky and crushed a series of 70s pop cliches.
Meat had a mini-meltdown when Marlee told him they had decided to go with a different idea for the packaging and a blinding rage after he couldn’t operate his cell phone. From the footage shown last night, it looks like John Rich’s commercial will be the clear winner, but maybe not. Editing can be deceiving.
Both teams were still in the middle of the madness when the show ended last night, so tune in for next week’s finale, which sees the return of NeNe Leakes.
