Rewind: The Apprentice 6 - LA (Episode 1)

The newest series of Donald Trump's show, The Apprentice, premiered last night. For those that forgot to set their Tivos, never fear, it will be rerun tonight. Especially good for anyone else, like me, who didn't notice the slight change in the show's title (adding the LA to it), so, of course, my Tivo didn't it up. I missed the first half-hour because of that, but still took notes for the remaining hour for our Rewind piece.

As we mentioned awhile back, this season of The Apprentice has many changes from seasons past. The biggest, of course, is the location. It's now in Los Angeles. I miss it being in New York, but I'll get over it.

Other changes include:
- The Project Manager STAYS the Project Manager until they lose a task.
- The winning team stays in a fully-equipped mansion, and the losing team stays in tents in the backyard. No electricity, no stove, nothing. One of the whining contestants, Stefani, a mild Faith Hill look-alike, described it as a "third world country." Obviously she has never been to a third world country. Donald called the new setup - the Haves and the Have Nots.
- The team stays in the mansion until they lose, and likewise for the losers in the tents.
- The winning team's Project Manager gets to be in the boardroom for the deliberations with the losing team.
- No more Robin telling the teams/individuals that they can go into the boardroom. They get direction from Donald barking over the intercom. I miss Robin.
- At the end, the person sent home doesn't go by taxi. They are whisked off by a Lexus car service with driver. Did I mention I missed it being in New York?

The first challenge was for the teams to run a car wash - whoever brought in the most bucks won. Frank and Heidi were project managers and Frank lost by just a smidge.

The winning team enjoyed dinner at Spago's with none other than celebrity chef, Wolfgang Puck. Donald's wife, Melania, also joined them for dinner, although she didn't say a word.

It was touch and go to see who Donald was going to send home and although he told Frank he thought he was "terrific," he definitely had his mind set on sending him home, particularly when Frank said that Martin (the one remaining with him) was "brilliant." Seriously, why would you say that when it's between you and him to go home?

Both Heidi and Ivanka said that Martin should be the one to go home and Ivanka said that Martin would definitely not fit into the organization. And Daddy's Little Girl won, because Martin was sent packing, muttering that "this is unheard of" and "horrible" as the Donald bid him adieu. (You can see a bit of the boardroom footage right here or the entire episode right here).

Next week's challenge has the teams designing swimsuits and putting on a runway show.

And for an unusual sneak peek into a future episode, check out the below clip from YouTube. It was a family on vacation in LA who happened to be on a double decker bus tour, that was part of a challenge.

Until next week.

Photo from NBC.