‘Celebrity Apprentice’: No One Cares About Your Feelings In Business

One of my favorite reality game shows,”Celebrity Apprentice,” premiered this past Sunday on NBC. Donald Trump’s highly-popularized TV series is in its seventh installment (The Apprentice 14) and includes an all-star line-up: Actress Vivica A. Fox, news personality Geraldo Rivera, reality star Kate Gosselin, actor Ian Ziering, former NFL star Terrell Owens, comedian Gilbert Gottfried, “Deadliest Catch” star Sig Hansen, “Real Housewives” star Brandi Glanville, actress Keisha Knight Pulliam, and reality star Kenya Moore, Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson, TV personality Leeza Gibbons, actor Lorenzo Lamas, musician Kevin Jonas, Olympic snowboarder Jamie Anderson, retired baseball player Johnny Damon,

On Sunday’s episode, Keshia Knight Pulliam was the first contestant to get the boot. In what seemed like the strangest coincidence, Pulliam’s relationship with former TV dad, Bill Cosby, was put front and center. During her boardroom showdown, she became teary eyed once realizing that she let her team down over one bad strategic move.

From Trump’s perspective, Pulliam was fired because she failed to call Cosby for a charitable donation. Although, Cosby’s alleged sexual trysts wasn’t made public until months after the cast finished filming, it was awkward seeing Pulliam put in that position over someone she has the up most respect for.

Controversy equals ratings…the producers knew what they were doing. 

Pulliam’s excuse of not calling because she hadn’t spoken to Cosby in a long time -may have been legit – but business is business. Whether it is contract negotiations or fundraisers, as team leader/project manager, it is that person’s responsibility to make the hard decisions. Making a hard decision means to make a decision for the betterment of the team (or outcome of the task).  In her case, calling Cosby about a check was going to be her best move.

As an avid viewer of “Celebrity Apprentice,” Pulliam’s heart on her sleeve was her downfall. You can’t have feelings in business. Yes, especially if you are working with Trump, you have to be downright cutthroat. It is sad that Pulliam had to be the first one to do the infamous backseat confessional. However, it’s always business…never personal. Hopefully, the other women (especially Kenya Moore and Vivica Fox) get the memo ASAP and use some shrewd business tactics to make it to the end.

#ActLikeALadyThinkLikeABoss 

In case you missed the premiere episode, view it here on NBC.com. Also, tune in to “Celebrity Apprentice” on Mondays at 8PM EST on NBC!