This week marked a brand new chapter of the rift between World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner Annie Duke and comedian Joan Rivers on Celebrity Apprentice. The two hour show, which airs on NBC at 9:00pm ET on Sunday nights, was highlighted by Rivers comparing Duke to Hitler.

Last week marked the first part of a task that challenged the teams to raise money for charity by auctioning off jewelry from Ivanka Trump’s line. Whichever team made the most profit would win. Duke served as Project Manager of her team, Athena, during the task. The opposition, Kotu, pooled the team’s money together in order to elicit a massive bid for one item. The rift between Duke and Rivers was initiated when the popular female poker player would not blame Playboy Playmate Brande Roderick for the team’s loss last week. Instead, Duke fingered R&B singer Brian McKnight, who was given the boot for being lackadaisical as Project Manager.

Professional golfer Natalie Gulbis called Duke’s Ultimate Bet colleague Phil Hellmuth to fundraise against her. In response, Hellmuth notified Duke of her opposition’s plans. Hellmuth commented, “Natalie called me and she wants to talk to me in a few hours, but you’re my girl.” Duke then stated to NBC cameras, “When I found out that a friend facilitated someone getting in touch with people to try to fundraise against me, you can imagine I was not happy.” Duke called the mystery middleman and lambasted him, stating, “Why the f— would you do what you did? You were f—— played. I suggest you call [Natalie] and tell her never to lie to you again.”

The phone conversation played out in front of Joan Rivers and country music singer Clint Black, prompting the former to retort, “The venom that came out – This is a bad, bad, bad person.” The younger Rivers questioned if Duke was simply upset that her opposition was being creative in calling Hellmuth: “If Annie had thought of [the idea], it would have just been brilliant, but because someone got her, it sent her around the bend.” Hellmuth was a noticeable no-show to the live fashion show and auction.

Showing up to New York City on Duke’s behalf were Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian (who is also an Ultimate Bet personality), Perry Friedman, and Full Tilt Poker pro Andy Bloch. The first item auctioned off was sold to the former MIT Blackjack Team member for $25,000. The second item brought in $52,000 as a result of a bid by Ian. West Coast Choppers CEO Jesse James, who was on Duke’s team, commented about his Project Manager: “Once Annie knew where the money was, she went right after it.” The third item auctioned off by Duke’s team saw Roderick model a piece of jewelry that went to a donor for $50,000. Roderick commented, “Annie was a great auctioneer. She really knows how to take money from people, but that’s what she does for a living.”

Kotu’s strategy of pooling the team’s money together to turn a large profit on one item ultimately backfired. The first piece of jewelry went unsold, while the second went for just $12,000. The elder Rivers then intervened, sharing auctioning duties with Black, which helped generate larger bids. The third item auctioned off by Kotu fetched a bid of $83,500, the largest single amount raised. On the model donning item number four, Rivers joked, “Valerie is bulimic.”

In the boardroom, Duke and the Rivers family teed off on each other. On Kotu’s strategy, Duke commented, “I think it was disrespectful to Ivanka to not make sure that every piece got sold. It’s about being respectful to the charity. It’s about being respectful to the task. It’s about being respectful to Ivanka.” Joan Rivers did not take Duke’s criticism likely, firing back, “You’re a despicable human being. You’re a perfect poker player. You’d spit on the ground and drown your own mother in it… You’re not that smart. Your ego is so beyond where you are.”

After then comparing Duke to Hitler, the Poker News Daily guest columnist explained, “I’m the one who, when I call [poker players] and tell them to get on a plane at 6:00am to come help me, they do.” In the end, Duke’s fundraising efforts led Athena to a significant margin of victory, profiting $153,000 in comparison to Kotu’s $92,000. The win meant that Duke’s charity, Refugees International, received $245,000, the largest paycheck in Celebrity Apprentice history. To date, the show has raised over $700,000 for the contestants’ beneficiaries.

Duke took a side interview with NBC cameras as an opportunity to defend herself against Rivers’ attacks. She explained, “To out of the blue come up with the things Joan said – I’m nutty and I’m Hitler – I think she’s demonstrating the qualities she accused me of. This woman is completely f—— dead to me.” Rivers cried in the boardroom when prodded by show host Donald Trump as to who should be fired, but Gulbis took the fall for her lack of fundraising as well as picking jewelry that was not visible on the runway.

The second task of the Sunday night show asked teams to devise a new frozen food and marketing campaign for Schwan’s Live Smart line. Athena selected James to be its Project Manager, while Kotu saw Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker step up. Duke immediately suggested turkey meatballs and gluten-free pasta as a potential item to sell. Researching products online, she claimed, “The Italian style meatballs are one of their best-sellers and they don’t offer that on the low-fat menu.” Melissa Rivers once again attacked her teammate, telling NBC, “Annie mode is that she’s going to get her way come hell or high water. Her giving up on an idea is impossible.”

Duke and Roderick headed to the kitchen to work on creating several dishes in hopes of James picking one later. In the kitchen, Duke boasted, “I’m the total woman. I can cook, I raise my children, and I give a good —-job.” Walker and Black, meanwhile, devised a soy ginger chicken dish, which the elder Rivers felt was too salty. She suggested adding orange juice to spice up the flavor, creating the final product.

When asked by Trump in the boardroom about James’ leadership, Duke responded, “I think Jesse did well in some cases and not so well in others. I think he was relatively impervious to some suggestions.” Duke felt that she and Roderick were locked out of the marketing side of the task, which fell on the shoulders of James and Melissa Rivers. James finally settled on the turkey meatball concept and, in the end, Schwan’s executives liked Athena’s dish better, sending Kotu to the boardroom once again. This time around, Walker was fired from Celebrity Apprentice for coming up with the idea for the chicken-based dish as well as a dessert that could not be properly packaged.

Next week features more of the spat between the Rivers family and Duke. The preview shows the elder Rivers calling Duke “white trash.” The show airs at 9:00pm ET on NBC. Six contestants remain.

24 Comments

  1. jjones says:

    Joan did not call
    Annie Hitler. Look at the tape again

  2. Sue says:

    I do not enjoy watching anyone argue to the point Joan and Annie have reached.
    However, I must agree with Joan, that Annie has serious issues that are probably accepted in the poker world,( mostly attended by men.)
    She is not a very classy lady to get on national tv and brag about her qualities, one of which is giving a good ‘____ job’….
    That is just plain low class, lack of intelligence or desperate~ Three qualities I think she DOES possess.
    Hope she is ‘fired’ soon, so I can continue watching a good show obviously gone bad~
    Think Donald needs to reevaluate her still being there!

  3. WhiteDane says:

    Annie Duke has no class. She’s a good manipulator, which makes her a good poker player and that’s it. She looks like she can bring in the money because poker players like to throw it around. They are classic examples of “new money”. Does not mean she has more pull or weight in the world than the others, particularly Joan Rivers. Her ego is enormous. Before this show, most people didn’t even know who she was. Listening to her castrate some “friend” (who by all accounts lacked a pair in the first place) was disgusting. Scott Ian (Anthrax) looked like a desperate chump for showing up on her behalf. The headbanger looked like a cheesehead.

    Any celebrity friend Annie has takes a real career risk by associating with her. Annie can act like the beast she is, because she can play for money. Her celebrity friends depend on their reputations to further their careers. I wouldn’t own a free Anthrax album now if one landed on my doorstep for free. And Phil Hellmuth looked like a chump too. How about demanding some respect people? She’s a poker player with a big mouth. There are literally thousands of poker players with big mouths. Big deal.

  4. Kenya says:

    It is clear that Joan Rivers does not like the fact that Annie Duke is a poker player. WOW! She is so judgmental. They showed a clip for next weeks show where Joan Rivers says something like, and I am paraphrasing her of course, For God’s sake she’s a poker player. Then she goes on ranting about she below trailer trash. WOW!! I’m speechless.

  5. ltlpeepee says:

    joan is a ghoul. i like annie. except for the fact that she’s dating a monster. sry but i’m the king around here.

  6. Yune says:

    Seriously, what did Duke do?! Joan Rivers turned her fire on Duke not because how “lack of class” she was, but that she didn’t defend/protect/babysit the daughter Rivers in the previous task. I used to like Joan but I think she acted like a complete nutcase when it came down to her daughter. She’s way too over-protective and expresses her “love” by barking at anyone who got into her daughter’s way. No wonder why the daughter Rivers turned out to be nothing but a chick to her mommy. With regard to people saying Duke has “no class”, from what I saw, Duke was really effective at making correct executive decisions that ultimately lead to the winning of many tasks. Sure she may not look or act like a classy woman, but she is definitely the kind of women who is intelligent and confident and productive enough to be successful in this world without having to tag onto a man, or a mommy, or a face-lift.

  7. United says:

    “Duke was really effective at making correct executive decisions that ultimately lead to the winning of many tasks.” !!! also in JOAN’s task.

    One thing confused, why those persons love Joan so and didn’t donate one cent for our old lady? where are you? All busy in typing words at website?

  8. KenE says:

    PLEASE, everyone contact NBC, TV Guide, QVC, All (anything Joan is affiliated with) and ask that they stop all affiliation with Joan Rivers.

    Her comment about Annie was disguting!

    Her comment tobight “it’s not about the charities” is unforgiveble and clearliy shows her selfish intention for being on the show.

  9. Victoria says:

    I cannot stand Annie Duke. I use to watch her and root for her, but never again. I would NEVER want her as a friend. She is the mother of 4 kids and is bragging about giving great h___!!! No class what…so….evah!!!!!! She makes Joan and Melissa Rivers look good, and it takes something to do that. Joan has been kind to other players, but she can see straight thru AD.

  10. Allen says:

    Joan talked trash in this show all the time and everybody was kissing her ass except Annie and Blondie so they should be trash? Face it Joan, you made yourself a piece of trash since tonight. I wonder why Trump has not fired her still? And nobody has ever been like her daughter in this show as Melissa reacted tonight. The only word she knew to use was F…K! WTF!!!!

  11. erica says:

    Trash?? Joan should apply that word to Her daughter. I never cared for Joan’s act, as I do not care for trash humor. Tonight She showed her act on stage is no act. Daughter is certainly following in Mommy’s footsteps. This show is about charity, while adding entertainment along the way. Melisa never raised one cent. Those are the facts.

  12. Phil says:

    Joan is a sick old woman and her daughter Melissa would be nowhere in life without her mommy. Both are losers.

  13. Richard says:

    Joan Rivers hopefully will fade into the sun set with her talentless daughter. The pair showed how low class the can get. Playing down in the mud , those two may be where all this swine flu started. Like or hate Annie Duke, the Rivers showed how little class they have (that glass is empty).

  14. Sayitisntso says:

    Give me a break. They kept the Playmate and the poker player BECAUSE that is the kind of business Trump is in–Hello, Trump Towers! I don’t know how Brandi sat there and defended herself knowing those two disgusting old men had been looking at her centerfold before the boardroom. Both she and Annie used SEX and gambling to sell, including disgusting remarks and overt sexy prancing around men. If I was Joan and Melissa I would have done the same thing X 10. It was a set up and those two men in the board room… SHAME ON YOU for going for the low road. Annie admitted she was playing everyone RIGHT on camera, and Brandi showed her “cards” in a magazine…no one is going to respect you as business woman now–oh big deal, she can kiss up to her “fans” and get money–that’s so disgusting, I almost puked, and now Annie…it’s whaa whaa whaaa…poor me even though I am a nobody. Whatever. Joan did not call her Hitler. Joan was mad because Annie lied to her and Melissa weeks ago…that was never resolved. I love JOAN RIVERS and I think she’s got MOXIE.

  15. Mojorising says:

    Reality – In the corporate world everyone does anything they can to survive. Bosses sleep with subordinates (typically single or married women)…and guess what – they advance in their careers more so than any other executive. Case in point is that Annie Duke is just being dipicted as some kind of ‘Evil Doer’ – a term; no doubt created by GWB and the Jewish special interest groups that run America. However, the real story here is that Joan Rivers and her daughter probably felt that they were 2 of the biggest media Diva’s to step foot onto “The Apprentice” and have quite simply met their match with Annie Duke. Joan Rivers (in my opinion) is the kind of person who will stop at no cost to have her way or no way at all – that was proven when she QUIT the show. Melissa Rivers – needs to understand that she has to stop drinking “Mother’s Milk” all the time – it’s just ridiculous. I think those who disdain Annie for whatever reason – simply can’t see how brilliant of a player she really is – the game takes more than strategy, luck and good will – it takes the CUT THROAT tactics that we find in the every day “Corporate World” to get ahead – and one last comment – ANNIE DUKE NEVER QUIT; nor did she ever resort to using derogatory language to get her points across. The only people who will support Joan & Melissa Rivers – is probably the Jewish community – and no – I am not an anti semitic person. I simply have a logical point of view against 2 very illogical people. Annie Duke – Kudos to you on a job well done.

  16. Marlene says:

    I did not know the Rivers before this show but I did not miss anything not knowing them.
    What horrible women. Calling all poker players white trash while they are trash. They have no manners at all and I respect Annie Duke for not reducing to there level.

    They cannot even argue alone but need each other to back them up. White trash? yes the Rivers are people that I would categorize in there.

  17. Jerry says:

    How terrible for Joan Rivers to trivialize the death of 6 million Jews and millions of other Russians, Poles, Gays, Lesbians and others by comparing Annie Duke to Hitler. Not only should Rivers be ashamed of her childish behavior, she should apologize for this despicable behavior.

  18. Kevin says:

    I’m disapointed to see what kind of person Joan Rivers truly is. It’s doubtful that her nastiness and bigoted venom are newly developed behaviors because of the environment on “The Celebrity Apprentice.” It would seem that, in the past, Joan might have been pretty accomplished making her way over, or around, others to establish her career.

    I can’t imagine a more hateful and disgusting comment to make about another person, than to say they are; a Nazi, they behave like Hitler, and later, like Hitler, everyone is following them. Then when given the chance to recant, sarcastically state, well except for the mustache.
    There is not a word in the english language, which can approach a definition of the events, behavior, and evilness of Hitler and the Nazi party. By invoking either of them to describe someone else, is hatefulness of the highest order.

    There are many examples of celebrities, media and public individuals, who have committed lesser transgresions, and suffered public outrage and even job losses. I can’t understand why there has been no significant negative comment about her behavior.

  19. Harry says:

    I personally think that Annie Duke is totally disrespectful to her elders when it comes to Joan rivers..I mean come on everybody knows Joan rivers..And until this show started I personally never knew Annie Duke.Personally I think Annie Duke is a peice of S****.who deserves to lose..I think Donald Trump needs to rethink his strategies and “OUT WITH THE YOUNG AND IN WITH THE OLD DONNY”.

  20. erica says:

    respect is something earned, not simply because of one’s age. I have had to explain this to my seven year old many times, when she and I have witness bad behavior of an senior citizen.

  21. Micah Hates Annie says:

    I agree what Joan said about poker players in general is wrong. She doesn’t know them so she shouldn’t make generalizations like that, but Annie Duke is so unreasonably arrogant and a JERK! I don’t know why Brande didnt punch her in the face the last few assignments when Annie took the entire credit for the wins. “I just beat Clint Black at a music competition. IIIII am soooo good!! Blah Blah Blah!!” I’m so glad Joan won because she saved her team in just about every assignment while Annie pissed everyone off in every assignment.

    I thought her little excited face when she thought Trump was about to say she won was hilarious! Sucks to be you Annie!!! Glad you got what you deserved!

  22. Steve says:

    “The only people who will support Joan & Melissa Rivers – is probably the Jewish community – and no – I am not an anti semitic person. I simply have a logical point of view against 2 very illogical people. Annie Duke – Kudos to you on a job well done.”

    Oh look at me I have a logical RACIST ANTI-SEMITIC POINT OF VIEW.

    You fucking low-life trash. Annie Duke is Jewish. You fucking piece of shit. Burn in hell forever.

  23. Gene says:

    Donald, Joan and Melissa kept interupting Annie. The impression was that Annie kept repeating that Joan was the reason the room decorators quit. She was not repeating the explaination, she was simply trying to get her point stated completly.

    Annie was 100% correct when she stated that Joan would have been terminated in any normal boardroom with her acusations, interupting. and name calling. Annie was clearly the best on that show. It’s business, and if people did not like Annie, too bad. You cannot argue the succesful results. It isn’t a popularity contest.

  24. peggy says:

    what us annnie doing now? still playing poker, look at joan working on her line of jewelry etc at 76 years old going strong she is a true winner

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