Which Celebrity Came Out On Top?

Thursday night on NBC was the live season finale. Donald reported to the live studio audience that over 1 million dollars were raised. A brief recap of all the celebrities commenced. We were down to the final two celebrities, Piers and Trace. The show really pumped this as the largest International battle, or as Donald said Good v Evil and the UK v the US. Each of the two finalists had their own unique personality, as Donald said, “both good” and “both tough.”

A recap was made of the last week’s episode the commencement of the final showdown. The team members and strategies revealed last week were played back for the live audience to watch. Even Piers snippy comments about Stephen were aired.



We watched as the Charity Event played out:

Piers tracked down items you can't find in the any store for the charity auction. He hit really hot items. Stephen even looked impressed for a minute. Piers pulled out all the stops and called all celebrities whether he knew them or not. Piers and Stephen even shook hands and made amends, with humor!

Trace stocked the Backstreet Boys dressing room. Trace did all he could to make sure everything they wanted was in that room. He couldn't find the wheat grass juice. The whole time Trace is reviewing all he goes through, the live studio audience is laughing with enjoyment. Trace and Lenox had to run out and buy "black finger nail polish," because one of the boys forgot to bring it. Trace made it very humorous and fun to watch.

Piers was still all business. He really hit all the items for the auction, now it was Stephen's turn to bring home the celebrities. It was like Stephen kept striking out in finding anyone available to come. Stephen could only find five available celebrities to attend the event. Piers was getting nervous.

Meanwhile, Trace receives a call. He is told his celeb friends have arrived. They even tell the camera they have his back.

Donald tells the live studio audience he wants to see how they act under pressure. We watched:

Marilu was showing Trace how she wants the layout for the event. Everyone was coming at Trace from both teams looking for decisions, information and leadership to pull off this event. Then as the stress mounted, he got a big surprise. His wife and daughters ran in and hugged him. He said the whole world shut down and reminded him why he was doing this. All the teams were great with Trace's family. Trace was near tears. The family scooted off and back to business for the players.

The caterers were setting up, the bars were setting up, the room was being decorated, the auction items were arriving and the beat kept rolling. Piers talked with the bar staff and told them to keep the drinks flowing, in his words "loaded celebrities, equals lots of money!"

At the last minute, the BackStreet Boys sprung on Trace that one of them needed a knee brace! His nickname for them was the BSB. He is off to get the brace, but he still hasn't found the wheatgrass juice. He relives how he did a performance once with Kidney Stones and how he ended up in the hospital to have part of his colon removed right after. Trace just can't understand why this guy can't go on without his wheatgrass juice! Don't get him started on the BSB.

Donald informed the audience he is judging them on: ticket sales, auction sales and overall he just wanted to see how they did.

Piers wished Trace luck before the event started. Limos arrived, drinks were flowing, and Piers worked the room. Trace socialized with his buddies. Very large donations were handed over to Piers, one by one! Piers service personnel arrive. He goes over what he wants them to do tonight. The auction commences. Items were flying high. How did tea with the Dutchess of York do? Wow, someone made a $100,000 bid. The bid came from Cantor Fitzgerald; we all remember they were severely impacted by loss on September 11th. How great are they to show up for this event and really show support! Wait that's not all, Cantor Fitzgerald bid again another $100,000. Piers was raking in the money. Lots of money was brought in. Trace thought that Piers might bring in more money during the auction. He didn't waver with concern. Simon Cowell called in for one of the auctions. Trace wavered a bit when Simon called, with what he called distaste for how that was presented. We won't know who won until it’s over. It was all in good fun.

After the auction, Trace introduced The BackStreet Boys! The performance was off the hook. The audience ate it up. Trace felt the weight of the world lifted during the performance. The teams on the floor united together watching the performance.

Donald entered the board room with both teams waiting. Donald without hesitation immediately put Lenox on the spot, he inquired who is better. Lenox when pushed said he liked Traces style the best. Donald asked Piers why he chose Stephen to be on his team. He said he worked well with him. Trace is given a chance to talk about the BSB. Donald wanted to know why they were so difficult. Trace recapped the situation. The live studio audience loved Trace he constantly made them laugh. Piers said he would have given the group hell if he was in charge. Trace said I could have beat up the whole band by himself but he wanted them on stage that night. Carol was then put on the spot, who was better? She chose Piers. Piers won on auction items, and Trace won on ticket sales. Piers said he gave away his tickets to the servicemen and women. He wanted the people to see the charity where their money was be donated. It was his strategy to make more money at the event itself with those who were there. Pier and Trace squabbled over how certain words were spoken about the people who gave money. Trace was offended. This went back and forth for awhile until Donald broke it up. Donald asked Piers if he wanted to get people drunk. He said tipsy. Stephen said that wouldn't be his strategy. Donald told Piers he sweats a lot. The audience loved that, they were laughing hysterically. No one argues that Piers didn't raise the most money, he did. However, the issue is Pier's approach and handling people.

Piers called Donald out and asked for clarification on what this game was about. Was it to be the nicest guy in the room, or to be the most effective and efficient? Donald let Trace answer this question. He briefly said it was about the charity and never compromising yourself in the actions you take. Piers defended himself in that he is playing business game, not a popularity game. Trace said they worked together to make this event the best event possible for everyone.

In the live boardroom finale, Donald brought out all of the other celebrities who were part of the show to give their opinions about Trace and Piers. Gene Simmons was filming and couldn't be there personally. Omarosa made a HUGE entrance. GAG. She was given the first chance to talk about Piers. She bashed him as usual. Piers just turned and said “what was your name”? One by the one the celebrities sound off about each Piers and Trace. Most of the teammates said they would choose Trace, but some hung tough and stuck by Piers. Live from Tokyo, Japan, Gene Simmons weighed in. He said that Piers out performed, but Trace has a missing quality that America needs. Gene picks Trace!

Video is played during the live boardroom to give time to talk about each charity. Each charity is worthy of winning. Neither charity is better than the other. The most important thing about these videos is America had a chance to learn about both charities, what they do, how important they are and who they benefit.

During the show a special even takes place, Trace performed his number one single, "You're Gonna Miss This." We are then honored to meet five heroes. Trace might be a good ole cowboy and his daughter's condition very real an incredible charity that deserves our help; at the end of the day, Piers charity IS the heart of America, the Fallen Heroes Fund. Does anyone think that Piers planned his strategy from the very beginning by the charity he picked?

When it is all said and done, Donald has the final word. What was it? Piers won!

The Last Two Standing! UK versus USA

10 Celebrities are gone now only 4 remain! They battle it out for their favorite charities. Only one can win.

CNBC and MAD MONEY reporters interview the four of them. The four celebrities need to fight for their right to stay on this show. Two people will be fired within the next hour. This was immediately following the last challenge. We saw it last week, but for them it was still playing out in the same day.

Piers gets cocky about his ability to win this next challenge due to his ability (basically) to talk (or BS). They all defend themselves and their charities, or do they? Who is the strongest? Both reporters agree that Piers will earn the most money. However, Jim Cramer thought Piers needed to be stopped if it was about something other than money. Lenox didn't show them what they wanted to see. Carol and Trace were favorites.

Trace described Jim Cramer as a man that was different than anyone he'd ever met before. Jim was firing rapid questions and you know Trace is a pretty kicked back, calm, relaxed sort of guy. Donald told Piers that both reporters found him harsh. They all got to put their final thoughts why they should be the final two.

Lenox you are too laid back - You're fired!
Carol - You're Fired - Because I want to see Piers and Trace go at each other and fight it out!

Donald says it's Good -vs- Evil / UK - VS - USA.

The only reason poor Carol got fired was because Piers and Trace will make a good show down.

The Next Day: Assignment: Grand Charity Event
Carol, Stephen, Marilu and Lenox are all brought back.

The teams are picked in grade school sport activity manner: Trace takes Lenox, and then Marilu. Piers takes Stephen, and is granted Carol as last person standing.

One charity event will be planned by both teams. One team will handle catering and auction, the other team will handle the decor and entertainment. Negotiation about who handles what? Well, that actually went smoothly. Piers said you are the entertainment guy so you should take that and I'll take the auction, because he is an auction guy. Pretty smooth transactions.

The planning phases with their teammates Trace gets down and hard. He really wants to beat Piers. Trace's team is going after celebrities, they aren't stopping until they get their celebrities lined up and some auction items lined up to boot! Lenox and Marilu went to pick out props for the decor. Trace continued to work on the entertainment. Lenox and Marilu definitely had different styles. Marilu wanted to make sure it was all going to look good and Lenox kept saying DONE, time is of the essence.

The other team Carol and Stephen met with the catering company providing the food and drinks. They got to taste sample everything. Stephen was very hungry. Piers is off and running to make sure he was going to win the auction. He met with Fergie and asked for her help. She agreed to auction herself with a tea. Trace keeps his sense of humor while planning. Marilu pointed out the entertainment - The Back Street Boys - are very picky about what they want. Trace says it usually gets narrowed down about what the band really wants in their room. The boy band's manager was clueless as to who Trace was. OUCH.

Piers gives 20 of his tickets to wounded veterans (his charity) and have them be there.Trace meets with the Backstreet Boys. The boys want wheat grass and he thinks their crazy. Trace says talking with them is time he'll never get back. He's really a hoot! Piers is a little upset that Stephen isn't delivering the celebrities they need. Stephen couldn't find any? Or did he just not care!

TO BE CONTINUED....Tune in next week for the LIVE FINALE.

Was it Oma Go Homa?

We are down to the nitty gritty on Celebrity Apprentice, with only three members on each team. The players are getting tough against the other team, and in some instances against each other. Tonight the project managers were Omarosa and Piers. On team Omarosa you also have Stephen and Trace. On team Piers you have Carol and Lennox.

Tonight the teams were assigned to ART. Each team chose an artist to feature in their gallery. This competition not only do you need to bring in your money contacts, but you need to know a wee bit about the art they are selling, plus set up and run their gallery.

In the planning stages everyone, as usual, were reaching out by phone to their money contacts. When Steven tried to call his people to come down and buy artwork, Omarosa redirected him to study the art. Ok can you say: lost sales - What do you think?

There was one building that housed both gallery showings. Team Omarosa was slightly better positioned in the grand scheme of layouts. What was the plan to get the traffic? Omarosa did an excellent job directing traffic to their art gallery. The minute people entered the building she was pointing them toward her artists showing. It was even tough for Lenox to jump in there, at one point he had to stand right in front of her to make contact with the walk in traffic.

The salesmanship was interesting. The teams even lost their donors to each other. What is a dunderhead anyway? That's what Piers called Stephen Baldwin.

Omarosa's team LOST! Trace said he came into the board room knowing his team took a scalding. I love this guy. What a cool talker. Piers and Omarosa were bickering to the end. Donald Trump says that Team Omarosa took the biggest slaughtering ever. Omarosa says she is only as good as her sales team. Hey wait, wasn't she part of that sales team?

The board room drama continues and Donald sends Team Piers out of the room. Piers was gloating the entire way upstairs to watch the rest of the slaughtering in the board room. Omarosa tried to OUT Piers. Yes, she literally is calling the guy GAY. So Donald allowed Piers to come back and defend himself against her attacks. What did Piers do? He walked right in to the room and kissed Trace on the cheek. It was funny for everyone. Trace, however, is very mortified about that action. Donald did try to assure Trace it was humor and not meant any other way. Will Trace have retribution against Piers? Bottom line Omarosa was the Project Manager.

Omarosa YOU’RE FIRED!!

You have to love the promo for next week. It read Celebrity Apprentice OMAROSA FREE!

To the battlefield

When I think American Gladiators, I think beat me up, down and out while racing me through an obstacle course. At least that's my vague memory of when the show first aired back in the 80's. You can probably guess I'm not watching the return of American Gladiators on NBC. You are absolutely right.

I am, however, curious how my good old buddy Hulk is doing. Since he hosts the current running American Gladiators it seemed only befitting to make some reference to the show.

In a brief search, I couldn't find any recent interviews with Terry Hogan to determine how he is holding up. I am very much a reality TV fan. My reality TV viewing included Hogan Knows Best where cameras followed the Hogan family around all the time. We discovered that daddy Hogan was very overbearing with his daughter, free and loose spirited with his son and loving toward his wife. So what happened?

If you are a fan you know that Brooke is doing what Brooke does, Nick is in a huge legal trouble for his drinking and driving trauma, and Linda when last I noted left the Hulk. So what does Hulk do? Hulk pulls himself up by the boot straps and goes out to become a host of a new TV show, has several projects for voice over work and keeps on ticking.

Give it up for the HULK! He is a mighty mighty man. Good Luck and God Bless the Hogan Family, they need it right now.

PS: You reporter folks might want to air a recent interview with Terry Hogan.. that would be a good thing ... if any of you reporter folks are listening to my humble ramblings...

A New Knight Rider? OY!

There’s a saying that goes: “everything old is new again”, and in that vein there will be a recycled Knight Rider hitting the airwaves tomorrow evening at 9:00 p.m. on NBC.

Personally, I don’t think that Knight Rider was a show that needed to be resurrected but sadly, I wasn’t consulted. If you’re feeling the need for talking car KITT, and a cameo by “the Hoff” then by all means, do tune in.

I’ll be watching Cold Case.

Lost and Found

This Thursday night Lost returns for its fourth season. Will they be rescued? Will any of them be rescued? Will someone die? Lost is doing a great job promoting it's upcoming season. It wants you geared up to watch their show!

One would think why not watch Lost season four, after all it's just now coming back and most other shows are in reruns. Well, this week you have decisions to make.

Yes, Lost is new. Lost will start with a one hour recap of the first three seasons. After it will jump start season four with the long awaited episdoe of a potential rescue

The recap show only goes up against Smallville and Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader, both shows are new this week. Let's face it Smallville jumped the shark years ago, and if you are watching Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader you probably aren't the target audience for Lost anyway. So if you have never seen Lost, tired of the reruns and the other two shows don't do it for you than tune in and get an overview of the show.

After the recap show Lost jump starts its new season and has eight episodes for your viewing pleasure. So if you are a die hard Lost fan, or enjoyed the recap show take a watch of the season premiere and see what happens.

Now if you can't wait to see Lost, enjoy watching Don't Forget the Lyrics, gotten hooked on Celebrity Apprentice, and love SuperNatural than you have a problem. Lost season four airs against all three shows.

• Don't Forget the Lyrics all novice singers who would never go on American Idol have to love watching and singing along with this show.
  
• Celebrity Apprentice has gotten pretty heated as the women's team constantly looses more players and no one likes Omarosa, even if they do think they work well with her.
  
• SuperNatural returns on a bad night. It's a great show, but can it stand up against Lost and Apprentice? Plus, it only has three shows.

What will you be watching?

The 20 Million Dollar Pants

Having given consideration, I see how this case was a must for Ripping from the Headlines.

Unless you lived in a cage you recall the famous lawsuit where a Judge sued a drycleaner over a pair of pants. Now did he sue for 20 million, not sure, but it was some outrageous sum. It had the legal community puzzled. The civilian population knowing they too can sue that local retailer they don’t like over something stupid. Let’s see the, McDonald’s cup of coffee, and the now the Judge who sues the drycleaner over pants, who can I sue?

How could the writers of Law & Order not capitalize over this case? It makes for good TV. All you need to do is throw in a murder, a couple twists and turns and hot damn we have an episode.

Guess what last night’s episode was about?

Sex and the City TWICE OVER

Sex and the City movie is due out on May 30, 2008!

Don't worry if you can't wait that long we have two shows to tide you over.

Lipstick Jungle is a new show based on a best selling book by Sex and the City author Candace Bushnell. It's Tagline: It's a jungle out there. Dress accordingly. This is is categorized as a DRAMEDY (didn't know that category existed). It follows the lives of three high powered friends. Have I said enough yet? No? Well go read more on your own. I've heard enough. Sounds like another Sex and the City to me. I hope it takes off since Brook Shields has one of the starring roles. I love Brook. I want good things for her. Unfortunately, they have competition.

That's right another show launched this season is Cashmere Mafia. This is series about four Manhattan women who bond over their executive success and Ivy League educations. Basically, four friends making it in the city! I actually watched parts of the first show. It wasn't that bad. It's so totally another Sex in the City, I want to cringe.


Sex and the City was a good show. I watch it in reruns. I'm not done watching it in reruns. Reruns is a good place for this show. It's not time for another Sex in the City. Oh well, no one listens to me anyway.


Good luck Brook! I'll try and catch an episode.

Celebrity Apprentice

Trying to revitalize The Apprentice for the New Year?

I used to watch. Actually, I watched the first two seasons. It was great. After the first couple seasons it became redundant, at least for me.

This season Donald has 14 celebrities competing for $250,000.00 to donate to their selected charity.

So who are whose 14? Here is an overview:

• Gene Simmons - Kiss Frontman/ Entrepreneur playing for Pediatric AIDS
• Trace Adkins - Country Music Star playing for Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network
• Marilu Henner - Actress/ Author playing for Physicians Comm Responsible Medicine
• Stephen Baldwin - Actor playing for Carol M. Baldwin Cancer Research Fund
• Carol Alt - Model/ Actress playing for The Tony Alt Memorial Foundation
• Vincent Pastore - Actor playing Lustgarten Foundation
• Nely Galan - Entrepreneur/ Frmr Telemundo Exec playing for Count Me In
• Nadia Comaneci - Olympic Gold Medalist/ Gymnastics playing for Special Olympics
• Jennie Finch - Olympic Gold Medallist/ Softball playing for Breast Cancer Research
• Lennox Lewis - Heavyweight/ Boxing Champion playing for The Muhammed Ali Center
• Tito Ortiz - Ultimate Fighting Champion playing for St. Jude Children's Research
• Piers Morgan - Editor/ Americas Got Talent playing for Fallen Heroes Fund Tiffany
• Fallon - Playboy Playmate/ Frmr Miss Georgia playing for Walter Reed Society

• and drum roll please............ SHE'S BAAACCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKK yes, you know it, your favorite Apprentice vixen, Omarosa. Omarosa is playing for Positive Vibrations Youth Mentoring Program, at Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum in Compton.

These folks should make for some interesting TV viewing. I wasn't going to watch, but now I'm seriously thinking about it.

How many real celebrities can Omarosa piss off?

I say Gene shouldn't be gentle -- he should lick as often as possible.

Watch out ladies it gets hot in the kitchen and the board room!

Clash of the Choirs

So I'm hearing all this buzz about Clash of the Choirs. Turns out (from what I can tell) Patti LaBelle is just directing (or leading) one of the choirs. They are entering the competition with other choirs.

As I'm listening to this blurb from Patti, I'm thinking let's go to NBC and check this out. In search the show, I find the OFFICIAL RULES. Turns out that the choirs still have until December 10 to submit their entry(if they meet all the requirements). Here is a small section of the rules that discusses the submission period:

HOW TO PARTICIPATE: Each individual Choir Group must designate one of its members, directors, or other person serving in a supervisory role as its representative (a "Choir Representative") to submit an entry in the Challenge on behalf of their Choir Group. The Choir Representative must be at least 18 years of age or older and the age of majority in their state of residence. Beginning 3:00PM Eastern Time ("ET") on Monday, December 3, 2007 through 11:59 PM Eastern Time ("ET") on Monday, December 10, 2007 (the "Submission Period"), a Choir Representative may enter their respective Choir Group into the Challenge by 1) logging on to www.nbc.com/clashofthechoirs (the "Website") and clicking on the "CLASH OF THE CHOIRS "HOLIDAY MOMENT" CHALLENGE " banner/link, 2) registering and completing the official registration form in its entirety (including the name, daytime telephone number, address, city, state, zip code, age and email address of the Choir Representatives and the full names of all of the members of the Choir Group), 3) following the posted instructions and these Official Rules (including the Terms of Service (see below)) to create a video recording of your Choir Group’s performance (a "Video Performance") of one of the music choices provided to you on the Website (the "Tools") (see below) in accordance with the posted requirements and these Official Rules, and 4) submitting the Choir Group’s Video Performance by clicking on the "Submit" button.


You can check out the full set of OFFICIAL RULES at NBC.com. Keep in mind the above is only a small section of the full set of official rules. Formortv has no connection to NBC or this competition, and is solely reporting its findings to all those interested.

At NBC.com you will also find videos like Nick Lachey searching for a winning choir. There are other videos for you to browse also. This should be interesting to say the least.

You can tune in for the two hour series premiere Monday, December 17 at 8/ 7 c.

Holiday Specials & Classics:

What's the holiday season without a Snowman, Reindeer, or Grinch? Check your local listings for the following holiday traditional television shows, holiday specials and classics:

ABC Holiday Specials:

A Charlie Brown Christmas
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
Dick Clark's Primetime New Year's Rockin' Eve
Elmo's Christmas Countdown He's a Bully,
Charlie Brown How the Grinch Stole Christmas (animated)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (movie)
I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown
The Polar Express
Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town
The Santa Clause 2
Shrek the Halls
Surviving Christmas
Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade
Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too!

NBC Holiday Shows:

Christmas At Rockefeller Center
Class of the Choirs
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular


CBS Holiday Shows:

Frosty the Snowman
Frosty Returns
Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer



Extended Cable Holiday Classics:
A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Story
A Johnny Bravo Christmas
It's A Wonderful Life
The Little Drummer Boy
Santa Baby


*Some of these shows have already aired. Check your local listings to verify time and date for the show you want to see!

Carson Daly Defies the Strike

I just heard on CNN that Carson Daly is going back on the air. He is the first late night show to defy the strike.

Can Claires blood save the future?

Last week on Heroes Claire's dad was shot. Sometime before that event "the company" drew Clarie's blood. At the end of the episode you saw "the company" feeding blood into her dad.

This week you see Claire's dad, Noah come back to life. Unfortunately, his family has no clue. He is locked in a room at "the company" while the family mourns his death.

If Claire's blood saved her dad; maybe, it can save many more lives.