The Apprentice Breaks the Law

Or, at least, we think it does - but in the most awesome way ever. While The Apprentice (don't click if you don't want the episode spoiled) has sputtered as Donald Trump has tried to maximize his TV-appeal with Apprentice seasons coming fast and furious and with the Martha version, we feel sorry for anyone who didn't see or TiVo last night's episode because it was off the hook crazy. We suppose Donald felt he needed to shake things up for ratings, but this was totally worth it. First, he goes off to play golf/monitor the Trump golf course in Los Angeles and lets Carolyn be in charge, with crazy, tousled bedhead. Second, Bill Rancic gets annoyed. Third, well, click below if you want to know what happened (you've been warned!):

Since the new co-ed Excel team totally bit it on the task (creating an interactive sales display at a sporting goods store and increasing sales) - they actually made sales decline by 34%! - Donald, Carolyn, and Bill Rancic were livid. And it was clear that there would be a shake-up as Donald decided on who was facing elimination, versus letting PM Josh decide. And Donald chose four of the slacking members: Josh, Jennifer, James and Mark. After some grandstanding and bickering, bam! ALL FOUR OF THEM WERE FIRED! Then, they had to get into the taxi's backseat together. And the cab driver allowed this!

According to the Taxi and Limousine Commission's FAQ:

How many people can fit into a yellow taxicab?

The maximum amount of passengers allowed in a yellow taxicab by law is FIVE people including the driver. An additional passenger must be accepted if such passenger is under the age of seven (7) and is held on the lap of an adult passenger seated in the rear.

While Jennifer and Josh acts like they are 7, they're not, and we can only assume that the cameraman was in the front passenger seat, so that means there were SIX people in the cab. Dunh dunh DUNH. Still, it's the second best taxi ride since Travis Bickle meets Betsy - they were totally silent, but trying not to crack up because it was just so nuts. Bravo, Donald, bravo. You may not be a real billionaire, but you do have showmanship.

Oh, yeah, and some marketing materials by The Apprentice, the show, were illegal.

Taxi image from TVGasm

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in Arts & Entertainment on October 28, 2005 4:45 PM

Comments [rss]

Kevin Walsh

Trump was just as smug in '79 as he is now. Check out his pix here

http://www.villagevoice.com/gallery/0543,50thcovers,69196,30.html&pic=24

davey

it's probably a prob cab, which film / television companies use. i don't know that it makes a difference in terms of legality, although i'd think that it does.

Chris

If you didn't know, they go down the block to a hotel. They don't go anywhere.

janey

wow,i can't believe i this episode! damn it.

janey

wow,i can't believe i this episode! damn it.

carp

The camerman in the front seat was the fifth passenger.

Coarse Mind

The capper should have been that blonde sucking off the other three in the backseat. Cab Confessions indeed.

Michael

Damn, that was exactly what I said to my wife as they all left-they can't have 4 in the back seat...

And no one gave a comment.

I wonder what type of tip the taxi driver got for driving them around the block and taking that risk...

The TLC can easily get the medallion number from the side of the Taxi by watching a re-run...

tien

does this mean they need more filler episodes towards the end of the season with three less people?

Nick D.

Most times I am in a taxi, I am with more than 3 people, two sprawled down in someone's lap. How do you get a large group to bar hop from west to east side?

Kojak

Trump never follows his own rules on that damn show. Every once in a while he goes off on a tangent.

Not saying that’s such a bad thing. He needs to shake things up more often.