Where's Kwame Jackson when you need him? Is it my imagination or would Kwame have kicked Kendra and Tana butt? Never mind - I lost my mind there for a second.

Why did they delay the end of the show till next week? Do we NOT know who wins? I know editing can make or break any candidate but why would they have made Tana look so horrible if the but "D" was going to hire her?

I think the directors of the show have lost it. What was a damn good concept has turned into - and I agree with Ryan - a train wreck. You can't NOT look at the carnage.

According to the directors and editors:

Tana = Napoleonic egomaniac
Kendra = immature but capable little girl

Of the two, the "D" has to hire Kendra.

Personally, I'm much less impressed with all the candidates of this season's show than the previous ones. Kwame, Troy - either of those would have been heads and tails above any of this season's participants.

It was disconcerting to me that once again in the corporate world, sacrificing your kids on the alter of success is a red badge of courage. This is not a man / woman thing. Too many people neglect parenting for their own goals. I liked Tana a lot, but since when is working for The Donald a fair trade for giving up your kids?

I agree with everything that has been posted and I would add that this season has really confirmed why Trump's fortunes have gone so far up and down over the last 25 years: he has extremely questionable judgment. (If I were a meaner person, I'd call him an idiot, but I don't want to be like him!)

I hope that twenty-somethings and future MBA types out there aren't watching this show and thinking that this is what business should be like. After three seasons of the show I cannot imagine why anyone would believe that working for Trump is a great gig. There are better ways to make $250K. The show is a train wreck and I think it needs to come to an end.

I think its important to see the Apprentice for what it is... an hour long infomercial for-The Donald. Despite the fact that being on the show does create opportunity for ever the High Maintenance Omarosas of the world, it represents a brilliant illustration of giving Trump more of what he needs... media coverage.
I don't think I would enjoy working for "Donny" especially at $250K, but I do think any savvy and focused professional could use their time on the show as an opportunity to enhance their money making potential.

The last two seasons lost what I thought was a critical and compelling factor in the originally show. You felt Donald was truly looking for someone he could mentor. Images of Miagi's "wax-on, wax-off" pearls of wisdom dance through our minds and there is no doubt that if the Trumpster would be actually giving of his time, one could glean substantial personal and professional insight. I like that side of Donald, who communicated through his actions that he was looking for that special someone that not only executes, but that he could relate to as well. I really get more of an "aloofness" from him now... kind makes you puke. The show has transformed into a profit vehicle for him, not a vehicle of finding someone worthy of his mentorship.

In a lot of ways the show is designed to set the PM's up for failure... its simply more entertaining. If you or I or even "Don's" precious Carolyn or George were to engage in either of this week's tasks, we would have spent at least a couple weeks in preparation and choosing who you want to work with and who we want on our team. A foundational rule of effectiveness is knowing who should be on the team and who you can depend on. The power to choose your team lends credibility to your decisions as a leader.

I don't think this season's Apprentice decision is as cut and dry as the last episode would steer us to believe. Over the course of the last 15 weeks, Tana has been more consistent. She was by far the favorite in the interviewing process and had fewer personality clashes... on the other hand, Kendra stepped up when it really mattered.

Is this run-away train running out of steam... you bet it is. I do think it has enough momentum for a couple more seasons. In the meantime, I hope there comes another reality show that gets under the skin of those who love their careers and strive to make a difference.

Mark Allen Grainger
www.AllAboutTeamwork.com

Tana did NOT win the interviewing competition - that went to Kendra.
Tana has continued to surprise me with how TWO-FACED she is, but Carolyn still thinks she's "nice" - even after witnessing her total two-to-three-faces.
And I've admired Kendra (even though overall the quality of candidates has declined from season to season) since her Pontiac Solstice brochure which she did essentially all by herself.
And yes, I was hoping for the damned show to be wrapped up this week and spare us the two-hour live, bring everybody back, interview all the friends crap with Regis Philbin, that I almost watched last time.
This time, I'll skip the show and hit the highlights of it afterwards on the Net. It's enough to make me WANT to see Martha Stewart's version!

What I don't get about this show is where is it reality? I really can't imagine any person in a boardroom making the money they make going for the immature behavior that is consistently demonstrated wk after wk. (one would think from the way that the 'D" talks that he makes mega $$ every hour) I don't make even close to what he does, but even my time is more valuable than listening to 2 woman cat fight. (see last group) In reality it lasted 3 hours - we just saw 5 - 10 minutes. Can you imagine an executive wasting 3 hours of their time watching this? not me.

Come on. This has been in entertaining 16 weeks, but we have 3 obvious lighweights here (Donald included). Bren was probably the most insightful when he said in the taxi that the best was right under his nose at home. Tana started out nice and pretty sharp, but what happened? The shark came out. Kendra caught a break with the Pontiac brochure. Who even knew who she was before this? If she were in the military she would be shot in that back by her OWN troops. What a jerk. The show is very entertaining, but so contrived. Can anyone believe that Tana or Kendra is qualified to make $250K a year?? But then again, look who is the boss. He's bankrupt in Atlantic City. The show has become a sitcom without a laugh track.

Actually, if you look at yahoo's apprentice site you'll see that Kendra's event went from 12pm-8pm vs Tana's 11am-7pm. Since when 12pm-8pm is considered 'late night bash'? Since it is a tournament, there probably have been a number of rounds in the afternoon. They had an hour to show us everything, so naturally they concentrated on what provides most entertainment -- all mistakes. A quiet competence that Kendra doesn't make for a great TV. Or would you rather see that then any of Tana's mistake?

BTW, if you indeed check out yahoo apprentice website, check out the detailed descriptions of what is involved in both events. Kendra's involved organizing tournament, dealing with sponsors and charities (where the proceedings went), taking care of budget and food, organizing a pre-event VIP party. Tana's pretty much involved similar things -- the event was mostly about getting money for the olympics not about showing that NY can host the olympics. Do you really thing that those who want olympics in NYC would put anything that can influence if NYC is going to host the olympics in the hands of a wannabe apprentice?
As far as Tana's prior performance being more consistent... Hello? Yes, she became a PM earlier in the game, but her first win was largely due to Angie's casting director idea not something brilliant on her part. Most of the other times she and Kendra worked together -- for example it is entirely unclear whose idea it was to market pizza to offices; given Kendra's demonstrated abilities in marketing it was most likely Kendra's. Tana's record is 2-1 whereas Kendra's is 3-0. All of the 'focus' groups that Tana and Kendra had together were also most likely Kendra's ideas - again based on a) her record in coming up with such ideas b) Kendra's trait of giving others credit when it is due - remember how she admitted that she was wrong during Home Depot task; no other apprentice in history has done that c) Tana's demonstrated desire to take credit for other people' ideas.
One of Kendra's PM wins was against Tana, when Tana became entirely sidetracked by 'bedazzler'.
Even before, how come all of you have forgotten how Kendra was fundamental to her team's winning the mini-golf task by obtaining exclusive advertising rights with other businesses in the area? In one of the interviews Carolyn called this 'a stroke of genius'. Yes, Tana was pretty good in e-bay charity task, but Kendra led this task and did it pretty well. Remember how Kendra went with Tana and Craig initially to talk to celebrities and then, after seeing that they are doing fine, went back to oversee the production. She showed that she knew when to oversee and when to delegate. I am not even talking about Pontiac task. Tana lost all of my respect there - not because she didn't stay all night, but because she attempted to steal credit from Kendra. Newsflash: people who are really good don't need to present other people's ideas as their own.
In the final task Kendra knew exactly what to do to inspire her 'scatterbrained' team to do their best, while Tana treated her team as a bunch of idiots.
Those who say contestants from past season were better: would you please give some examples to substantiate this. What did Kwame or Troy did that was better than Kendra's mini-golf marketing idea? Or her Solstice brochure? Or her 3-0 win record? I believe Kendra is much better than either What did Kwame do that puts him above Kendra? Troy had some great ideas, but so did Kendra. I believe Kendra could've held her own against either Bill or Kelly.

I am inspired by people like Warren Buffet or like the late Sam Walton who took care of their shareholders and have left the glam and excess for some other clowns.

I have to say that I found the latest episode inspiring and a wakeup call for bad managers all over the place. To many times in my life I have seen Tana's of the world move through the ranks with their shoddy sales tactics and a aggressive type "A" personality, then being placed in charge of a crew and then working them over like a wrecking ball.

Kendra gave me hope, there is a human being left on this planet outside of the sporting world who has a understanding of true leadership. I think the show is on the mark going into the final episode.

Kendra you Rule!!

Joe from Canada

I don't really get into all the nostalgia about the glory days. What did Kwame ever win? He rode around NYC on a rickshaw and never got a passenger. He signed "Kwame Jackson" autographs to kids at Planet Hollywood. And he picked an art dealer who had women humiliated and in bondage, causing his team to lose in a landslide. Then when he bumbled into second place (even though Amy was a far superior candidate) he lost Jessica Simpson and he let Omorosa stay around to screw up all his plans.

Kendra has been doing a great job all along, but she really started to shine with the Fuse rock auction task. She is a very competent, professional person who treats everyone with respect. I'll take her over a lightweight like Nick or Kwame anyday.

yeah I don't pretend to understand that shallow insights about Kendra. You suggest that Kendra whines and is immature. Based on what Caig and Tana's usurping and blatant under-mining disrespect and contempt of her success? Kendra is not the one that is haughty or insistent on being right, she admits that she makes mistakes w/ Craig's idea. How many people have that much confidence and levity to admit they were wrong? Kendra did not usurp or attempt to take credit for anyone's ideas. Do you realize that Craig criticized Kendra after the job was done? Kendra admits humility and concedes and attempts to clear the air of their misunderstanding, that she respects him and the first opportunity he gets he is taking swings at her again, telling her how to think and saying Kendra needs to focus. Hello - this was the guy that could not communicate his ideas to anyone on his team and he had clashes w/ Net Worth w/ several of his teammates: Angie, Tara etc. Angie said on post interviews that Craig was the hardest to work with, not Kristin - the person she blew up at - she said Craig was difficult. Kendra refused to let Craig to disrespect her and though they fought, she still pervailed.

Remember the prior seasons: Carolyn's comments had a lot to say about how the final two motivated returning firees to want to work for you. So I don't think Kendra's comments were disingenuous when she was crying. She thre Erin to Networth before she was fired and Erin was not speaking to her - to see them hugging and crying afterward, shows that Kendra is a leader. SHe didn't blast her teammates - she assessed which needed more oversight and which did not. It wasn't the first time she did this - she did w/ the Fuse Auction task. She stated on an interview that she was going w/ Tana and Craig and realized they were the perfect Duo and moved on to production. Notice Kendra didn't micromanage them then, yet Craig's big complaint is that she doesn't focus and micro-manages. Bleh she's affective. Unlike Audrey that succumb to harsh opinions that were being formed on prejudice (not that I believe that to be true, but Audrey did) and sabotage herself from winning, Kendra continued to excel. Tana resorts to calling her difficult people to manage as her downfall and not her lack of leadership. There was a reason DT gave Tana a difficult task w/ difficult people - to see if she could put up what she claimed - that she can handle difficult people. Tana was quite clear, "I can't count on these people." Chris said he wanted Tana to win and was working his ass off for her, and for it, she mocks him.

Even under duress in the boardroom, Kendra still maintains her presence of mind and says she respects Craig, but they look at business differently. He made it personal - called her immature and mocked her body movements, he was immature. Tana and her f* this and pedalling the state leaders coffe and a donut w/ contempt for his schedule was appalling and ... immature. Hoping that Kendra's team failed her, knowing that Tana could not lead her team. Tana talks that she's a leader, but she couldn't get her team to come together or respect one another.

Remember when Kelly's team started having personality blow-ups on his final task and struggles for power? He mediated and inspired them to perform well and understand "there is one step missing in the communication here" and not universal blame and to defer to one another. Tana tried restating what Kristin was saying and what Brian was saying and they both ignored one another and Tana throws her hands up in the air.

Seriously - you're basing Kendra's immaturity based on her interactions w/ Tana and Craig? Are you kidding me? It says more about Tana's ineffectiveness as a leader, when she is hoping that Kendra's team failed Kendra. The fact that Tana was overwhelmed and hating her team makes it loud and clear, she is relying on them to bring her to victory and when Kendra was gracious and appreciative of her team, Tana was sad, thinking her team wanted Kendra to win.

There's a reason for that, Kendra led them and built up their trust that she was counting on them, not humiliating them. As abrasive as Kristin is, she tried to steer Tana in that direction "we were hoping it was you and you have a team that love each other." Clearly Kristin wanted to bring Tana to a win, Chris stated that he wanted to bring Tana to a win and yet she ridiculed and mocked them. Kristin wanted Tana to win so badly, that she was going after perfection w/ the way Chris and Brian were hanging banners. Instead of finding out what was going on - Tana leaped on to Kristin's conclusion "they're gonna flop it up." Instead of asking what Chris and Brian's plan was, instead of asking Kristin what is leading her to that conclusion, she fueled the arguments and blame by re-stating them. That blow-up could have been handled.

How is Kendra immature? The worst thing said about her teammates was one needed to managed more than the other. That is leadership. She stated that Danny's creativity overwhelmed people and he took it upon himself to pull sponsor's aside - they wanted her to win and she oversaw that he did not do that again and allowed him to apply his creativity in to a marketing idea where people would bid to get their face in a game. Kendra intervened, but she allowed Danny to keep his assets to work for her. When Kendra had to face, sponsors looking at a basement that smelled "like a foot." She simply handled it and pulled Michael down and tasked him out on how to fix it -she didn't berate or challenge what happened or what he did or call him an idiot - she just focused on solving the problem. Tana focused on moaning about her teammates and side-stepping the problem. Offering the governor a donut and coffee in lieu of the schedule they asked for prior to the event? She blew him off.

The fact that Tana puts all of this off on her teammates and Kendra's win on her teammates, shows point blank, she is not a leader, she thinks it's all about their teammates failure. Realize that Tana had the biggest "networth" players of that season, Kristin is worth bank and Brian and Chris are multi-millionaires, clearly they are not idiots and they clearly wanted her to win. Did Tana lead and effectively manage her team? The first words out of her mouth were "give the team I had..."

Let's look at the other side - you are not going to have any say on who she will do business with -of Mr. Trump's associates. They way that Tana blew off Gov. Pataki and his staff and yet continues to focus on her it was her team's fault is amazing. Kendra is immature based on her history w/ Tana and Craig? Hello - she succeed in spite of them and made it clear she was not swallowing anything that they said (calling Kendra young lady) and blowing off the task at night and taking credit when it was finished. Kendra hit the head of the nail - she's a better candidate - b/c her education is just indicative that she finishes what she starts. Evidence of the task - Kendra finished the Pontiac Solstice. Tana blew off the deadline for "her" sleep. Tana blows off governor Pataki - can you imagine Tana blowing off some of the business leaders that way?
Kendra's the immature candidate here? Based Tana and Craig? Are you kidding me?

As far as Kendra's caliber against Kelly, Troy, Kawme or Bill --- have any of the other Apprentice candidates performed so superiorly that one of the sponsor's tried to steal them right out of DT's hands? Did Bill, Troy or Kwame or Kelly come up w/ a product or any idea that a sponsor said was going to use in their ads? Seriously - how unfocused and immature is Kendra if her ideas are under attempt-hijacking and valued by sponsor's as enough to roll out their main product and later plucked up for a job.

Clearly if Kendra loses badly by some injustice - she's only going to benefit - it won't be b/c she lost - it's b/c Donald Trump cannot pay her enough. Frankly I'd like to see Kendra get the job offer and then tell Donald Trump "You know what? Nah." Then she would be immature. Immature b/c she didn't let Tana and Craig disrespect or take credit for her idea???

not happening.

when i first saw the apprentice, i thought that was what the business world was like and that all exectuives were like trump. however, i found out i was wrong. i think this show shows partly a reality, but also is staged. i mean, how much drama would there be if there were no tv cameras? probably not as much. i understand it is a tv show and there needs to be drama. however, i think that even trump relents to the camera and makes sure shots of him at meetings demanding his way are seen.

for them and tells them what they need to know to make small talk.

I view the Blogosphere as my minions: dozens or hundreds of intelligent people on the lookout

I didn't like Tana's comments about Kendra's marital status. That has nothing to do with the game. In fact, it should help Kendra win because there would be no distractions in Kendra's ability to work for the Donald. Tana's good to look at and that's about it.

I hope Kendra wins. I can't wait for Trump's COO Calamari to flub his lines again.

Keep America free!

Jason from Canada (America Jr.)

Regarding the mentoring-I think the only so far as I can tell that has benefited from it is Bill Rancic, from the first season.

To Mark Allen Grainger -- did you watch the same show? How was Tana 'the favorite in interview process' when 2 interviewers put her first and two put Kendra first? How was Tana more consistent where a) Kendra won 3 time as a PM and Tana won 2 times and lost once (against Kendra)? Kendra came up with mini-golf idea that Carolyn called (in an interview) one of the best ideas a candidate ever came up with; the second one being Bill's idea of using VIP desk in the casino episode of the final season. Tana's first win as a PM was due to Angie's idea of using a casting director and Tara's finding a director.

I am amazed.