Reality??: November 2004 Archives

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.