Breast for SuccessWhat's really behind the sex-sells antics on The Apprentice.

Slate ^ | Feb. 6, 2004 | Dahlia Lithwick

[redgolum]

Donald Trump's reality show, The Apprentice, has lots to tell us about lots of things. Business schools are using it as a teaching tool, and feminist commentators are at war over whether women's sexuality represents power or slavery. The show, styled as "the ultimate job interview," pits eight beautiful young women against eight moderately attractive young men, all competing for a job in the Trump organization at a starting salary of $250,000. (Each contestant has a solid business background.) The big shocker, after five episodes, is meant to be that the women's team shamelessly use their hooters to score business wins. They have hit the streets of Manhattan and peddled warm lemonade, sweetened with kisses and their phone numbers. They have bumped and grinded to bargain for gold. They have donned toddler-sized T-shirts to induce Planet Hollywood patrons to do shots with them. The men's team has lost for four weeks running, with one man "fired" at the end of each show. The men were in fact pummeled so badly that Trump was forced into a corporate "reshuffle" this week—mixing the genders to give the four remaining men a fighting chance.

[redgolum]

Makes a rather interesting comment on some styles of management.

[sarasota]

They're mixing the sexes tonight as they did last week. I'm predicting that tonight's team, led by a woman, will win. They have made the men look like fools (so far), and not just because of their "hooters".

[redgolum]

Haven't had a chance to see the show yet, but my boss has been talking quite a bit about it.

[sarasota]

Check it out and keep your eye on Omarosa. Go to msnbc.com to get bios, summaries and previews. Interesting show with beautiful shots of NYC.

[sarasota]

Should read "go to nbc.com"--and the link to The Apprentice.

[spetznaz]

Attractiveness (and its cruder sibling sexuality) are quite important in any person-person relationship (business being one). It is human nature to give the more attractive more lee way and greater attention. Now, attractiveness is not everything, but mixed with brains it is a lethal combination. Lethal.

As for crass sexuality that can be a no-no in many organizational setups. It is one thing to accentuate oneself with some subtle signs, however the overt (think mini-skirt) type can go against a person.

But being attractive is a huge plus. Huge. Especially mixed with brains and drive.

[SoothingDave]

They have made the men look like fools (so far), and not just because of their "hooters".

Nonsense. They've used their bodies in just about every task. It's demeaning and quite sad. Because, as you hinted, they (well, some of them) do have real talent. But to feel that they need to act like giggling sorority girls to win is seriously wrong. Are they auditioning to run one of Trump's companies or one of his bedrooms?

SD

[Lokibob]

They have kicked butt because every one of the challenges involved selling. And sex sells.

They prattle on about leadership qualities, like a real leader takes charge, a real leader plans. They don't have the faintest idea how to lead. All they have is business school ideas of what a leader does.

I would like to see any one of them (and The Donald, too, for that matter) in a combat situation as a Platoon Sergeant or a Squad Leader.

The ability to display bravery when you yourself are scared sh**less; To make intelligent decisions while countless distractions of the lifetaking kind are all around you; The making of action plans while your body screams to just hide; The ability to see the overall situation while all about you is confusion; Advising the Commander and helping him make correct decisions; are all what leadership is about.

The Donald would be far better off scouring the NCO ranks of the young men and women in Iraq, than looking to business school graduates.

ONE MANS OPINION,

BOB

[NYCVirago]

Nonsense. They've used their bodies in just about every task. It's demeaning and quite sad. Because, as you hinted, they (well, some of them) do have real talent. But to feel that they need to act like giggling sorority girls to win is seriously wrong. Are they auditioning to run one of Trump's companies or one of his bedrooms?

I thought the same thing as you. But do I think this show is reflective of the younger generation of women, as the author of this Slate piece does? Not necessarily -- I think it's more a reflection of the type of people who want to be on reality shows. By definition, somebody who would subject themselves to being constantly filmed is an exhibitionist. So it's not exactly surprising to see that these women, who all want their 15 minutes of fame, are flaunting their wares to get ahead.

[Living Free in NH]

Believe what you want, but it's ALWAYS about the "hooters." Watch how they've been acting in their business dealings each week and it's impossible to think otherwise.

[Melas]

I would like to see any one of them (and The Donald, too, for that matter) in a combat situation as a Platoon Sergeant or a Squad Leader.

Why? Where is the relevance? I'm sure none of them would acquit themselves well of squad leader duty, but squad leaders are about killing people and breaking things. Trump and his people are about making the deal.

The Donald would be far better off scouring the NCO ranks of the young men and women in Iraq, than looking to business school graduates.

I'd agree if he were planning a "real" hostile takeover, but he's not in that business. In Trump's world, business savvy and smooth fast talking are more useful assets than leadership. It's not a coincidence that every challenge involved selling. That's what it's all about.

I have no doubt that the NCO's you mention could out lead the pampered lot on the Apprentice any day of the week. The question is: Could they out sell them? I'm afraid they couldn't.

[Lokibob]

I respectfully disagree.

A good leader recognizes the strengths and weakness' of the team and capitalizes on them.

In each of the challenges so far, the project leaders have demanded that the team do as he/she says. A far better way is to look at each individual and see what they are comfortable with. We saw that Thursday when the personable young man from Idaho was instrumental in getting one of the celebs won over to the teams side. The project mgr just let him go, and it worked.

Selling and combat is very similar. You have to size up your enemy (customer) quickly, find his weaknesses and strengths, and capitalize on them. In both situations, you have few seconds to accomplish this.

The kicker in all this is the game aspect of the show and that does change the dynamics. They must catch The Donalds eye during the play. It will be interesting as the weeks progress.

[William Terrell]

They're mixing the sexes tonight as they did last week. I'm predicting that tonight's team, led by a woman, will win. They have made the men look like fools (so far), and not just because of their "hooters".

Hee. What planet do you live on? Put them all, men and women in head to foot burkahs and then reevaluate.