A Cheater and an Ineffective PM Get Fired on 'The Apprentice'

Last night's episode of "The Apprentice" began with a surprise firing. Donald Trump discovered that Anand had been sending text messages asking for money during the pedicab task, a clear violation of the rules. Anand denied the allegations, forcing Mr. Trump to read the text message aloud and firing him.

Mr. Trump described Anand's actions as representative of the type of behavior that led to the Wall Street crash. The fact that Anand had lied to Trump's face only made matters worse.

What an embarrassing way for Anand to go. Up until last week, he seemed like someone who could potentially win on "The Apprentice." If Anand had just played it straight, he could have succeeded on his own merit.

To add insult to injury, Anand didn't even get a proper send-off. Fired contestants usually have a taxi waiting for them, but Anand had to walk out of Trump Tower in broad daylight. Wouldn't it have been funny if "The Apprentice" had arranged for a pedicab ride?

Perhaps Anand could give Mahsa a call.

For the next task, teams worked with Stephen Nussdorf of Perfumania to design an in-store ad for Kim Kardashian's new fragrance. Clint stepped up as project manager, working with Steuart. Poppy was PM, charged with the task of keeping Stephanie and Liza under control.

Clint's team designed a '40s Hollywood-style dressing room display. Clint and Steuart handled the "manly" construction tasks while Clint expected Brandy to okay every decision based on her "feminine instincts." Brandy confided to Ivanka that she had felt like the odd man out because Steuart and Clint had bonded over the past few weeks. She also felt that because it was a feminine-oriented task, they would throw her under the bus if they lost.

Poppy's team created a swinging, life-sized photo of Kim Kardashian, giving customers the opportunity to have their pictures taken with the starlet. Liza stayed behind with the designer to work on construction while Poppy and Stephanie went shopping for accessories.

In the end, Nussdorf and Kim Kardashian much preferred Clint's team. Their display was clean, elegant, and understated. Meanwhile, Poppy's display looked like something out of a high school sorority crafts display.

Stephanie blamed Liza for not contributing constructive ideas to the task, while Liza claimed that she had been against the idea of using the boas, sequins, and glitter from the beginning. In the end, the hammer fell on Poppy because she had failed to defend herself.

I was hoping for Stephanie to get fired because she can be extremely overbearing (and she also lied to Trump a few weeks ago). Poppy is more of a straight-shooter, but just not an effective leader.

My money is on Brandy and Clint or Steuart for final two on "The Apprentice." Of those three, I'd like to see Brandy emerge victorious.