Here's what has happened during my unplanned sick day (or two) - watching Celebrity Apprentice.
Penn is the absolute star of the show, but it's not for the reasons that we might think. You certainly wouldn't associate the qualities he has in spades with his bio - a 57 year old, 6' 6", long-haired illusionist and comedian who graduated from Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College that tends to keep one nail painted red. His stardom has everything to do with the man behind the act, a man that upstages through diligence, intelligence, thoughtfulness, worldliness and modesty everyone else.
Donald Trump love tension not just questions meant to turn teams against the other team but intra-team conflict. The most popular example goes like this.
Both teams sit side by side, two rows deep; half sitting, half standing. The "project managers" (those who choose to lead that week's challenge on behalf of a corporate sponsor- anything from staging a show at Medieval Times to shamelessly promoting Donald Trump's daughter's jewelry line) sit in the near forward chairs, close to each other and close to Trump across the way. During this part of the show, neither team knows the results of the prior challenge. That uncertainty is a key factor in the tension that Trump exploits. That he alone decides who gets fired adds to the likelihood that a player will answer a ridiculous question meant only for drama.
"Tell me (project manager). If you were me, who would you fire?" Translation: I don't care if you won. Name two people that you want to throw under the bus, deservedly or not, two people that will now have you in mind if they are asked in the future. It might sound like a management question, but it's not. It's a multi-layered, political one - involving beliefs, culture, and future cohesion. Listen to how Penn handles these situations , e.g., when he was Project Manager in Episode 2, and you realize that in this political season, it's too bad we don't have more Penn Jillette's out there - a leader with class, compassion, and grace, not to mention uncanny insight into human behavior.
Donald Trump might aspire for office, but Penn certainly would excel in it. Penn. What do you say?
