It started in Internet chat rooms Thursday night and spilled over to morning shows across urban radio stations the next day. The fact that Donald Trump offered to also hire “The Apprentice” runner-up Rebecca Jarvis moments after announcing Randal Pinkett the winner has led to a healthy amount of conspiracy discussion in cyberspace and over the airwaves as being racially motivated.
After hinting throughout the two-hour telecast that he’d have a surprise waiting at the end of Thursday’s two-hour season finale, Trump’s new twist came with a mountain of controversy. While Rebecca, 24, proved herself a worthy teammate-turned-opponent in the show’s final stretch, Randal, 34, had a flawless 3-0 overall record as project manager to Rebecca’s 1-2 performance, and practically suffocated the poor woman with his five degrees and real-world business experience running a million dollar consulting firm in New Jersey. May we also mention he’s a Rhodes Scholar?
If Randal was clearly the more qualified candidate, why was Trump so willing to give the second place winner the same honor? Seconds after looking at Randal and saying, “You’re hired,” Trump literally called him out of his celebration to sit back down at the conference table and comment on Rebecca’s performance. Trump then left it up to Randal to decide whether Rebecca should be hired as well.
“I firmly believe this is ‘The Apprentice,’ not ‘The Apprenti,” Randal replied. “That there is one and only 'Apprentice' and if you're going to hire someone tonight, it should be one.” His words were met with a smattering of boos, as Trump said he "could have been convinced," but opted to agree with Randal and "leave it at that." Unfortunately for Trump, it wasn’t left there.
Bloggers and chat rooms lit up with talk of Trump being racially biased in asking the show’s first black winner to share his "Apprentice" crown when the other winners, who were all white, held the title alone. Some pointed out that the first finale was also between a white and an African-American contender, yet when a white man, Bill Rancic, won, he wasn't asked his opinion about also hiring African-American Kwame – who appeared just as qualified.
Here’s a sampling of what viewers had to say at MSNBC.com:
• WATERING DOWN THE REWARD WAS RACIST
“Randal was man enough to fight for his title of THE Apprentice — not one of the two apprentices. And then there’s the issue that white people -- not having experienced racism will never be able to think of. But let me tell you what ALL black people are thinking today: Why, when finally Donald hires a black man (Kwame was just as classy and just as good -- remember?) would he decide that this is the time to water down the reward and make it a two-fer. Let the black man have his day if he deserves it. I’m a woman, and I’m saying that if Rebecca was better no one could have twisted Donald’s arm to prevent him from hiring her.” -- M
• TRUMP WAS TESTING RANDAL
"Why should the rules and policy of the show be changed at the last minute. It has always been the “Apprentice”, with one person winning the spoils. What is interesting to me is that this is the first African-American to win and coincidentally the first time that Trump was trying to change the rules and hire two apprentices. It would have been the selfless and gentlemanly thing to do for Randal to let Trump hire Rebecca, however doing so would “dilute” his achievement and recognition...and we know this is the only reason they want to be on this show. Trump did not overrule Randal’s opinion, because this was a test to see if Randal was “New York” tough enough. And also Trump knew that Randal, however selfish he may have been, was right. I will continue to watch the show." --Anthony
• RANDAL STOOD UP FOR HIMSELF
“I think Randal was the clear winner. The fact that he wants to run a billion-dollar company is in line with Trump’s plans. I didn’t mind that Randal didn’t want Rebecca to be hired. In business you can’t always be nice. You have to stand up for yourself once in a while in order to survive. It’s not like Randal stepped on Rebecca to win. I believe Randal doesn’t mind if Rebecca gets hired, but just not on the show.” --Rachel
Comments at the blog site Fresh Inc:
• I was too angry after last night’s show I couldn't even go to sleep - I was hoping all night that Mr. Trump was going to hire both - he should have never left it up to Randal - he should have said I can't make up my mind - feel both are very well qualified - "You’re both hired" - Randall was so selfish and Rebecca showed so much class I think Mr. Trump picked the wrong candidate (and I was a Randal fan all along) - I think he was in the end a big phony -if Mr. Trump is smart he will hire her anyway - I don't think he should let her get away - Good Luck with Randal - I think he fooled us all. –Debbie
• I don't blame [Randal] in the least. HE won. Why when someone black wins, should they have to share the glory? I think Donald Trump only offered the job to Rebecca because he really did not want to give it to Randal because he was black. He has NO black employees working for him presently at all. Not even doing entry level positions. He probably felt that if he didn't give it to Randal, it would give Omarosa's claim about race validation. It was not about being selfish, he won and he deserves his recognition in the spotlight by himself. Did the previous winners have to share the title? I think not. –Sheryl
• You see, only people who are not of the "privileged class" of this country would understand that Trump is not as liberal as he purports to be.....and I believe he didn't want Randal to win, and Trump's character would have been very questionable had he NOT allowed Randall to become his apprentice. When Trump questioned each of Randal's teammates, every one of them stated that Randal and Rebecca were not in the same league (which is correct considering Rebecca is still a baby, however likeable she is). And it really was Randal's support that even gave Rebecca the clear win on her last PM task. Randall was right NOT to share that victory! How dare Trump demean his accomplishments - I mean what does a "brother" have to do in this country to "qualify?" Randal has how many degrees? He's a Rhodes Scholar; He's run how many SUCCESSFUL businesses? And at the same time he treated everyone with the utmost respect - never undermining anyone!!! BUT YET HE IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE EVER SO GRATEFUL, HUMBLE, MEEK ONE!!! and say to Trump, “Yes sir - Rebecca is my equal and yes sir, I don't deserve to be ‘The Apprentice’ on my own merit - because after all, even with all my accomplishments - I am still just an inferior person of color?” Well, right on to Randall, I was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO PROUD OF HIM WHEN HE THREW TRUMP WHAT TRUMP DIDN'T EXPECT FROM THE EVER SO HUMBLE RANDALL!!! –Connie
Comment from BET.com’s message board:
• Donald Trump has showed his true character last night on “Apprentice.” Randal was correct in answering the question as he did. There is only 1 apprentice, has been since the show started several years ago. Mr. Trump put Randal out there to be the bad guy, took the pressure off of him. He is a coward for doing that, if he wanted to hire Rebecca he should have. The reason he didn't hire her was because she was not better than Randal. …Trump knew if he hired him he would receive a lot of negative feedback from the black community. Why do we as black people have to share the spotlight ? That was Randal’s night and it should not have been shared with anyone. The "Donald" as we often call him, tried to change the rules up at the end. All 3, Donald, Carolyn & George knew Randal did the best job. They had a lot to say on Rebecca's task. The only thing they could say about Randal's task is, "Why didn't you check the forecast." Randall still made the charity $11,000. What more is there to say? The real winner won and that is Randal. We as abBlack community should use Donald Trump’s favorite words on him: " Donald you're fired.” - Anicio
Meanwhile, ratings for the two-hour “Apprentice 4” finale, broadcast live from the Avery Fisher Hall in New York, beat CBS’ “CSI” rerun and “Without A Trace’ in the coveted adult 18-49 demo. The show gave NBC a 4.9 rating (13 share of the overall audience) compared to CBS’ 4.2/12 share.
"The Apprentice" will return for a fifth season and already has plans to shoot a sixth season in Southern California-but the show’s ratings have steadily declined in recent years. It has averaged about 10.7 million viewers a week, down several million from last season.
