In a special three hour dual episode of Celebrity Apprentice 4, the seven remaining players were tasked with producing a live comedy show to raise money for charity.
After Star Jones complained to Trump that she feared for her safety around NeNe Leakes, the real estate mogul moved the troublemaker to Team Backbone to work with the recently fired and rehired La Toya Jackson, and the powerhouse duo of John Rich and Lil Jon.
Trump shuffled the weepy Meat Loaf to work with Jones and Marlee Matlin.
NeNe, turned tail and took a big hike … right off the show. She was officially fired during the next Boardroom scene. Trump proclaimed: “To you NeNe, you’re fired. You’re a loser and Star Jones kicked your ass … whether you liked it or not.”
The comedy show competition was led by Meat Loaf and La Toya. Jones, Matlin and Meat Loaf raised $102,000, beating Jackson, John and Lil Jon, who only managed to bring in $82,500. Meat Loaf, who sobbed throughout the task, was able to give nearly $190,000 to his pet charity, The Painted Turtle.
In the Boardroom, besides dissing the AWOL Leakes, Trump fired LaToya Jackson for a second time … “a first and last for the show,” according to the Trumpster.
The next task pitted ASAP crew Jones, Matlin and Meat Loaf … with Marlee as project manager, against the Backbone duo of project manager John Rich and his sidekick Lil Jon.
They were instructed to film a 90 second promotional video for OnStar, touting their new aftermarket add-on system that will be sold through consumer electronics giant Best Buy. They were judged on creativity, originality, product integration and brand messaging.
Backbone kicked butt and bested the “too ambitious” attempt by ASAP. Meat Loaf’s portrayal of a doughnut loving cop was a turn off for the Best Buy exec’s who judged the two commercials. The nail in the coffin was Star Jones’ understated brand messaging.
Lil Jon was “a little over the top” in his ad antics but the BB judges liked Backbone’s use of the box, and their clear message that any vehicle could be retrofitted with OnStar … the whole point of the campaign. Ironically, legal eagle Star barely acknowledge the key points in her ad script.
With the $40,000 that John Rich received for winning this task, he has now raised an amazing $686,908 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Will he end up to be the next Celebrity Apprentice winner? It seems a very good bet.
Back in the Boardroom, Trump hung the loss on Star Jones and fired her. We can’t help but wonder if the recent bad blood between Leakes and Jones didn’t sour The Donald on the outspoken lawyer and television personality. He could easily have hung the debacle on Matlin … a clue that he may be positioning her to vie for the top spot.
The final four: Marlee Matlin, Meat Loaf, Lil Jon and John Rich — photo after the jump.
Check out the OnStar ads and Star getting the boot below:
Backbone OnStar Ad
ASAP OnStar Ad
Photos: NBC, Courtesy WENN