The confrontation between Joan Rivers and Annie Duke was taken to a new level on this week’s episode of NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice. Joan’s daughter, Melissa Rivers, took the fall as a result of her team’s loss, leading the elder Rivers to label all poker players “trash” and call Duke a Nazi in a profanity-laced tirade. Note that this article contains language that is not suitable for all audiences.

Previous episodes have been highlighted by Joan Rivers comparing Duke to Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. This week’s task challenged the teams to create a four-page spread in Sports Illustrated (SI) for Right Guard Fast Break. Each ad would prominently feature New York Knicks Power Forward David Lee, a rising star in the NBA. Because of last week’s loss, Kotu was down to just two members. Show host Donald Trump sent West Coast Choppers CEO Jesse James to the team, which ultimately chose country music star Clint Black to be its Project Manager. Playboy Playmate of the Year Brande Roderick became Project Manager of the all-female team Athena, which featured Duke and the younger Rivers, who is a producer by trade.

Melissa Rivers immediately threw out ideas for the spread, but was given the cold shoulder by Duke and Roderick, who had formed a bond during recent installments of the popular reality series. Duke told NBC cameras, “Melissa came up with some cockamamie idea. This isn’t for Redbook. This isn’t for some women’s magazine. This is for SI. Men read SI. If that’s her main idea she’s going to offer up, she’s going to be cut out of the process.” Duke devised the idea of shooting Lee entirely nude with a basketball covering his private parts. The idea was later tweaked to include only the waist up. The shot would be paired with a tagline reminding readers that Right Guard was the only thing Lee needed to wear.

The younger Rivers’ annoyance with Roderick and Duke continued to build throughout the episode. She explained, “The way Annie talks and the rudeness and the sense of entitlement and thinking that she’s so much better than everybody else – That annoys me. Annie is beyond arrogant.” Meanwhile, her opponents, Kotu, met with Right Guard executives, who emphasized the importance of the “power stripe,” an important branding element. For Athena, this component of the product was not discussed on air.

Duke created a four-page spread showing a typical day in Lee’s life. Each shot showed the NBA star being comfortable and, more importantly, being dry. Melissa Rivers commented, “Brande thinks she’s in charge of the task, but it’s clearly Annie. Annie is totally manipulating Brande.” The tension in Athena paralleled the strife in Kotu, where Black chose to run with his own ideas, as has been the case in previous episodes. James created the concept of showing how Lee, a small-town kid from Missouri, entered the high-pressure New York City NBA market. While Black incorporated parts of James’ vision, he still brushed off others, leading the motorcycle enthusiast to become detached throughout the episode. He could regularly be seen staring at his Apple computer.

Athena went to a local club to shoot images for its spread. Melissa Rivers directed the photography, but Duke commented, “I think Melissa knows she’s the odd man out, but frankly I don’t need to conspire against Melissa. I think Melissa is doing a good job of conspiring against herself.” James was equally unhappy, stating in a side interview during the task, “Clint sucks. The ad’s cheesy. The layout’s cheesy. The photos are cheesy. It’s a bummer.”

Duke attempted to make Melissa Rivers feel more at home on the team. However, she later told NBC cameras, “Brande told me that Melissa was having a paranoid fantasy about us conspiring against her, so I tried to make sure I was pulling her in privately. It absolutely made it seem like I wasn’t on Brande’s side. Playing cards is all about game theory, managing your opponents, and trying to figure out very logical strategies to counteract. There are ways to manipulate your competitors.” Duke then checked in with the Kotu, attempting to gauge her adversaries’ moods. Joan Rivers, who was seated next to James at the time, critiqued, “Annie plays people so brilliantly. She’s so despicable. She’s so duplicitous. I can’t wait for her to get her first facelift because she’s going to need two doctors.”

James’ frustrations finally boiled over. In the waning hours of the night, he told Black that he disapproved of the team’s final project. The conversation was highlighted by James telling the country superstar, “You need to pack your shit and go home.” The star of CNBC’s “Mad Money,” Jim Cramer, who served as Trump’s eyes and ears during the episode, then visited Athena. His stay included Duke pointing out various areas of the task that she was responsible for, which included branding and the team’s presentation. Cramer was impressed by Duke’s positioning: “I think that Annie set it up so that if they lose, Annie doesn’t take the bullet. It’s a rather remarkable position to be able to take credit for the good, but certainly not be hit if they don’t win.” Duke gave Athena’s presentation to the Right Guard executives, while Black explained Kotu’s message. In the end, the executives sided with Kotu, sending Duke and Athena to the boardroom.

In the boardroom, Ivanka Trump questioned why Roderick delegated the key elements of the task to Duke. The World Series of Poker bracelet winner told the panel, “I doubt that there’s anyone in this game who wants to win more than I do.” While watching from the team’s suite, Kotu’s Joan Rivers quipped, “You’re damn right. You’ll bury your mother for it.” In the middle of the boardroom, Trump passed a note to Cramer, whispered to him, and then reminded the contestants that raising money for charity would mean a considerable amount in the later stages of Celebrity Apprentice. Duke and Roderick are the number one and two fundraisers on the show to date, respectively, leaving Trump to fire the younger Rivers.

The dismissal ignited a melee among Duke, Roderick, and the Rivers family. Joan Rivers told her team, “You have a Nazi and a follower. I don’t work with scum.” Instead of exiting the building immediately, as is customary, Melissa Rivers instead fled to her mother, telling off Celebrity Apprentice staff in the process. To two producers, she stated, “Fuck you. Fuck you. I’m not doing an interview.” Between the edited profanity, the words “whore” and “pit vipers” were clearly audible. Passing Duke and Roderick in the hallway, Melissa Rivers greeted, “Fuck you both. Goodbye.”

Joan Rivers, who was packing her belongings to leave as well, told Duke and Roderick, respectively, “You are a piece of shit. You are a stupid blonde.” Joan Rivers then fired a shot across the bow of poker players everywhere, stating, “Your people give money with blood on it. I met your people in Las Vegas. None of them have last names. You’re a poker player. A poker player! That’s beyond white trash. Poker players are trash, darling, trash.” Both Rivers entered an elevator and left Trump Towers, with Melissa Rivers shouting, “Lying fucking whores.”

Next Sunday, the final five (or four if Joan Rivers has truly quit the show) return at 9:00pm ET on NBC.

170 Comments

  1. nl says:

    just love it
    gave poker some needed PR

  2. I ahve to laugh says:

    Joan is crazy if she thinks she has any class at all. Funny? She really think s she is funny? If QVC hand not saved her she would be broke. So she sells crap to a bunch of people that cant help but spend and she calls Annie Hitler? Tell you what. Nothing but a bunch of crazy old women who never had a hard days in their lives would allow Rivers to get away with that. Nora your wrong about Annie. Rivers had no problem taking Casino money. At least Annie worked for it. Rivers lets crap fall out of her mouth and thinks its funny. Sounds like some no talent hack that couldnt make a living doing honest work to me.

  3. DeckerDog says:

    Joan and her pathetic offspring are arrogant, lying bigots. Joan managed to ridicule and malign just about every race, religion, gender, and profession known to mankind and not in a comedic fashion either. By awarding the winning position to her, it is clear that “The Donald” supports her in her bigotry.

    She and her daughter have no class, and it is apparent that neither does Trump.

    It is interesting that Blaine Trump has been connected with God’s Love charity.

  4. Amazed says:

    The show was rigged. What a joke. Trump is a joke. He’s in hock up to his neck but he’s too big to fail. He never takes responsibility for his failures. He counter sues his victims.
    Case Closed.
    No one in their right mind would be on that show next year. No one in their right mind would waste their time watching it.
    I feel sorry for the two Rivers. They must have been so abused by the “mean girls” in their school days many, many, many, many years ago. I understand now why they make their living as the vile girls tearing down the beautiful people. They are a pathetic duo.
    So much for the old adage, “with age comes wisdom.” These two old broads just get dumber.

  5. Fish Bait says:

    ANNIE WAS ROBBED! Joan got it coz her old bones did not give out. What a friggin’ joke. This show is DEAD. BORING, BORING so boring they had to promote a cat fight to get people to watch.

    Clearly DT has a beef with Atlantic City or VEGAS and does not care if the Annie’s of the world ever play in his casino. LOL old Joan her jewish princess can stand in them and tell people what hoes they are and how much they give, give, give to the poor starving aids victims! That will toss this dumbo with the combover into the poorhouse faster than he can say “your fired”.

    The only trump kid with a brain is the boy… he acknowledged that Annie had been the winner.

  6. Karen says:

    Annie Duke was the CLEAR winner. Hands down.
    Joan Rivers is a two-bit has been. She was a mediocre comedienne a half-century ago. Now she looks like an insecure, bitter, surgically altered ALIEN. Hounding celebrities with an ‘E’ mic at televised pre-awards shows, and producing cheap “dollar store” jewelry to pimp on HSN does not a stellar resume MAKE. She won for pandering to the gay community, and because she’s related to Trump’s “inner circle”. Please.
    Annie Duke is true class and sincerity. She played the game honorably, and with integrity.
    Trump loses. Viewership for any future Apprentice programs will be miniscule. And Melissa is an ill-mannered, disgusting reflection of her mother.

  7. brian burch says:

    joan rivers is a total hypocrite. in May of 2005 she accepted a Million dollars from the London mafia to sign a smear campaign against me to help them steal the four Billion dollar inheritance that my friend Paul Getty left to me in his Will, she’d never even met me! she says she always behaves honourably?! this money was/is covered in blood — which is what she signed in as well. her act has always been about vulgarity, viciousness, selfishness, hatred, and, greed. plastic & animal skins do not conceal the ugliness that is inside her (& her spawn ~ they give nepotism a bad name!) poor Annie played very well & was a good sport to boot. Trump is a joke of ego who clearly let lies win = we’re not all stupid & blind, we saw how it really was & who deserved to win the tin star in this Barnum & Bailey world…

  8. DeeDee says:

    Please can we get something straight. Joan did not call Annie a Nazi or did she call her Hitler. She also did not say she was “worse than Hitler.” which Annie says she did. After Mr Trump said that “Annie seemed nice. ” Joan said so did Hitler. What Joan was so upset about was that Annie is two faced and a liar. Joan may be nasty but she’s nasty right out loud and doesn’t pretend to be a sweetheart while she is dissing people behind their backs.

  9. To candace hollinger says:

    It’s sad that you can’t handle namecallers yet you have no problem with underhanded, conniving bullies like Annie. BTW, if you dont want to share the air with the rest of us, by all means, please hold your breath and count to 5000…

  10. Real boss says:

    I have to say as a boss, the name calling was uncalled for but the bullying and overtaking of roles Annie continually did to others was over the top. She may have brought in money but she constantly bullied and had to make it about her. She had no teamwork and she begs shamelessly. Those of you who are still going on about the namecalling need to get a grip. Annie also wished for Joan to die which you have to admit is pretty immature and uncalled for. She spent almost the entire last episode dwelling on Joan rather than focusing on her job. That alone would be a reason to call her in the office and tell her to focus or leave. She instigated others, complained, bullied, etc. Those of you supporting her need to face some facts.

  11. To post 2 says:

    No it’s not a team that wins in the end but since they do play in teams during the season, it’s not about backstabbing and conniving others to make yourself look good. TOo bad you and annie dont understand that.

  12. Kat says:

    The show was definitely rigged in Joan’s favour. Trump wouldn’t even admit Joan had lost the designer for everyone. I suppose the designer was conniving and two faced also, to deserve that treatment? Sure Annie and Joan exchanged insults (both face to face and to each other’s backs) but for me the proof of the pudding is Melissa. Anyone who raised their daughter to be like Melissa should be ashamed of themselves. The poor thing is barely out of Grade 6 and she’s a grown woman! I felt so sorry for her, to have been raised so codependent and not allowed to grow up.

  13. Al says:

    Joan is a very bitter Michael Jackson look alike!..and got her butt kicked by Johnny Carson..and is still bitter over it! (I hate to think what mean things she prob. used to say to her husband..if she can talk like that in PUBLIC…what oh what is she capable of behind closed doors…….!! *may that poor man RIP !!)/ ANNIE is an (((EDUCATED))) LADY…compared to Mrs. foul mouth! and QUOTE: WHO IS DUMB enough to use the term DUMB BLOND ON the Apprentice…but a DB!!! lol

  14. Oberon123 says:

    Joan Rivers and her daughter are both white trash. The Elder Rivers is so evil that her husband killed himself. ‘Nuf said.

  15. jack aminoff says:

    I worked with joan Rivers about 48 years ago when she worked for Blumenthal Button and i worked for Aileen Sportswear. Joan was just a voice on the phone and she was always funny with taste and class.

    I have lost all my respect for her. How dare she call Annie a Nazi. That is the greatest insult of all. The whole show was competition for charity. Annie handled it with class. If i don’t see another show, any show with Joan Rivers or Melissa, I am not missing anything. To be a poker player is no shame, especially when people play honestly.

    Annie, you are the best. i would be proud to casll you my friend. Joan and melissa, i am ashamed that you call yourselves Jewish. You both belong in the sewer.

  16. Tim says:

    Let’s be serious. Poker is a pretty low-brow game. That’s not to say it’s not enjoyed by many which is perfectly fine. But white trash… yeah. That’s pretty accurate whether you like it or not. Ever sat at a poker table in a casino? You’ll see!

  17. Synsa says:

    I think Joan is being honest. But the way she overprotected her daughter is way too much. However, I do think that Trumph shouldn’t fired Melissa at the first place. Brande didn’t have what it takes to be a manager. Unluckily, Melissa did interrupted Trumph in that boardroom which caused her to get fired.

    Annie is a great player. She knows exactly what the strategy she should gamble in. Joan is in another hand is a loud, honest person but with great leader ability as well. I dont mind either both of them win.

  18. maurice says:

    i new from the begining joan is going to make it to the finals.joan is smart and very honest!brande is dumb jesse didnt raise a dime.

  19. Boss Ed says:

    I can see why Joan Rivers would protect her little girl, she has protected her all her life, that is what mothers do, in fact because Rivers usually gets her way in everything she expected her little girl to go all the way, nothing wrong with that except in the real world only the rich get everything they want and I am not talking about just any rich person I am talking “Old Money!” Rich.

    I was surprised at the two Rivers words and how they came off, very raw and very hurtful, not what I was use to from Joan on family TV, I still like Joan Rivers, she is one tough broad, her little girl, needs to get a life and grown up and become her own person fast, her mother is not always going to be here to make sure doors open for her, I wish her well but it is up to Joan to see the future and force herself to let her daughter fail, then she can figure out life’s ups and downs and become a adult.

  20. Tanisha Cook says:

    Wow Christine, it’s hard to believe you’re calling someone else stupid. The mob really?? Professional poker players make lots of money playing a strategic game they love so I don’t see how that’s trashy. Joan has always been trashy and by Melissa’s behavior she taught her daughter to be as well. She is a dumb blonde and calls degrading others “comedy”. Please, she is in no position to talndisn on others with a messed up face like she had.

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