Poker Pro Annie Duke Runner-up In Trumps's Celebrity Apprentice
Poker Pro Annie Duke Runner-up In Trumps's Celebrity Apprentice
Published on 12 May 09 10:42 by Dendra
The Celebrity Apprentice finals featured an intense battle between poker pro Annie Duke and comedian Joan Rivers. The rivalry between the two culminated, as the competition reached a whole new level.
The NBC's Celebrity Apprentice came to an end on Sunday night with the finals between comedian Joan Rivers and poker pro Annie Duke (pictured right). These two had built up quite a rivalry since the beginning of the show on March 1 and the finals were nothing short of a total war with both ladies coming to the verge of death wishes for each other.
The final task in the show was to host a VIP party and a silent auction featuring celebrity experiences. Teams were also asked to incorporate a Limited Edition Celebrity Apprentice Kodak digital picture frame and to sell tickets to the Cirque du Soleil show Wintuk.
Six former contestants were returned to help either Duke or Rivers for this task. A coin flip determined that Duke would be the first one to choose a person and she picked Playboy Playmate of the Year Brande Roderick. Rivers then selected Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker, Duke picked NBA legend Dennis Rodman, Rivers took country music star Clint Black, and Duke chose comedian Tom Green.
Rivers' final pick was her daughter Melissa. Rivers' daughter advised her not to select her early on since she previously called Duke a " whore pit viper ", which meant Duke was not likely to pick her.
Duke and Rivers were judged on five criteria in their final task, the amount of money raised, level of Kodak product integration, level of charity integration, the celebrities in attendance and the overall guest experience. Rivers immediately called this as a battle of "g ood versus evil " and Duke made it a goal to raise $500,000.
Duke got close to her goal, raising $465,725 for her charity while Rivers' team fell far behind with only $150,830. Kodak executives also gave the nod to Duke on charity integration using digital picture frames as well as in-party signage, but the other three categories were all won by Rivers, giving her a 3-2 edge over Duke.
Duke was still optimistic and the moment came for the Celebrity Apprentice of Season 2 to be crowned. Trump brought in the winner and runner-up of Celebrity Apprentice Season 1, Piers Morgan and Trace Adkins, and they both said that they would hire Rivers. Rodman and figure skating legend Scott Hamilton agreed on their choice.
West Coast Choppers CEO Jesse James suggested that Trump should hire Duke and Rivers immediately argued she should be the Celebrity Apprentice because she represents " winning and business in the new way that this country is taking on. "
Duke replied to that, " Donald Trump, Jr. commented, " As a business person, I really respect that Annie lives and breathes game theory: No emotion; she just makes decisions. "
When the dust settled and the evil tongues were silenced, Joan Rivers was crowned the Celebrity Apprentice for Season 2 which earned her charity, " God's Love We Deliver ", an additional $250,000 money raised earlier in the season. Duke's charity, " Refugees International ", received over $700,000 from the NBC reality show, while River's charity gained over $500,000. Celebrity Apprentice will return in one year when Season 3 will kick off.
