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Dear Raj, I Miss You
by kmikeym

I missed an episode of The Apprentice, and I may be missing many more. The more I watch the show the less I admire Donald "Gaudy" Trump. He seems to fire people for no real reasons, and his attitude is becoming more and more unbearable. Thankfully I always looked forward to Raj Bhakta. He started the season in red pants and his plethora of bow-ties helped his team to victory. He spends a lot of time flirting with the ladies, but he isn't too macho, even willing to run laps around a tennis court in his underwear.
I could go on and on, except that Trump fired him. Presumably because he knocked down a wall, but I believe the real reason was that Trump was threatened by Raj's style and personality. Trump needs attention, and he boasts and brags and layers on the gold paint to get it. But Raj is a much more interesting character and he is real. He really dresses that way, he really is charming, and he's much more fun and likable too. His personality was larger than Trumps, and we saw Trump act threatened and defensive when Trump mocked his clothing and cane on occasion. Raj could never be Trump's apprentice because Raj is bigger and better than Trump, and Trump can't stand to be the number two man.
Look at who won the Apprentice in Season One. Bill "Boring" Rancic will never threaten Trump, he is the perfect lap dog. But Raj blazes his own trail, and he wouldn't stare up at Trump with puppy dog eyes eager for any scraps that Trump might toss down to him.
Tonight is the real test. Can the Apprentice hold my interest without Raj? They did bring back Crazy Stacie, but I was actually glad to see her go. With each new appearance of "Look At Me! I'm Rich" Trump my enjoyment of the show diminishes, and none of the other characters are even remotely interesting.
Thankfully there is more Raj on his own wonderfully fancy website, rajbhakta.com.

Comments
Hey Mike have you been following Raj's hook ups on reality blurred?? He apparently hooked up with 3 of the girls in the house.
His website is funny. Especially the trappings section in which he talks about the bowtie and cane. Here is something that made me laugh out loud about one of the cane's many uses: "The cane, handled well, can inflict a sound thrashing on a miscreant."
Posted by: Steve Schroeder at November 11, 2004 6:50 PM
I didn't know he hooked up with the ladies!
That part of him kind of bugs me, but I think it's an essential element of his character. He's a horndog, but I don't find him sleazy.
Posted by: Mikey at November 12, 2004 10:34 AM
I do admit that Mr. Bhatka was one hell of a character. I do think Trump was threatened by Raj but not for any business reasons. Raj is a higly intelligent man, but he made some un-exceptional mistakes. The main reason Trump was threatened by him is because Trump wants viewers to watch TA to see Trump. He doesen't want viewers to watch to see Raj. If Raj was a boring Bill Rancic, Ivana would have been wheeling her suitcase down the sidewalk to the fake taxi outside of Trump Tower. But in this case, DT just couldn't take having someone on the show who has more personality than him. So Trump said: "Raj, YOUR FIRED!!"
Posted by: Ken at December 11, 2005 10:15 AM
Well, I think Raj is kinda a loose cannon. He does not know what he want..all he wants seems like fun, fun , fun and that is not what the show was about as a matter a fact attracting attention is not something you would expect from some of raj caliber. He needs a lot of growing up and be a little maturity. He is like still in high school seeking for attention due to his insecurity.
Posted by: Craig at March 9, 2006 6:13 PM
"Perhaps I do need some PR help . . ."
Mike! Offer him your services!
www.urbanhonking.com/raj
Posted by: freddy at November 11, 2004 2:20 PM