[ Man ] New York, my city.
Where the wheels of the global economy never stop turning.
A concrete metropolis of unparalleled strength and purpose...
that drives the business world.
Manhattan is a tough place.
This island is the real jungle.
If you're not careful, it can chew you up and spit you out.
But if you work hard, you can really hit it big. And I mean really big.
My name's Donald Trump, and I'm the largest real estate developer in New York.
I own buildings all over the place,
model agencies, the Miss Universe Pageant,
jetliners, golf courses,
casinos,
and private resorts like Mar-a-Lago,
one of the most spectacular estates anywhere in the world.
But it wasn't always so easy.
About 13 years ago, I was seriously in trouble.
I was billions of dollars in debt.
But I fought back and I won, big league.
I used my brain, I used my negotiating skills, and I worked it all out.
Now my company's bigger than it ever was, it's stronger than it ever was,
and I'm having more fun than I ever had.
[ Man ] Mr. Trump! [ Woman ] Donald!
I've mastered the art of the deal and I've turned the name Trump into the highest-quality brand.
And as the master, I want to pass along my knowledge to somebody else.
I'm Iooking for... the apprentice.
Right now, from all over the country,
16 of America's best and brightest young entrepreneurs...
are arriving in New York for the chance to work as my apprentice...
and get a firsthand look into the world of big business.
Trump Tower, please.
[ Trump ] They come from all walks of life.
Some have their Ph.D. or a Harvard M.B.A....
and have learned their skills in the classroom.
Others are self-made entrepreneurs. They own restaurants,
or they're one of the top real estate professionals in the country.
Some have only a high school diploma,
and a few have left their successful small-town companies...
to come to New York City for the very, first time.
This is the chance to work for me at a huge salary,
and more importantly, learn enough so that maybe they too can become a billionaire someday.
This is going to be the dream job of a Iifetime.
Who will succeed and who will fail?
And who will be... the apprentice?
[ Trump ] The next 13 weeks, these 16 candidates will embark on a unique job interview.
They'll live together in a suite in Trump Tower,
one of the great buildings of the world, right on Fifth Avenue.
They'll be divided into two groups.
Each week, they'll compete against one another in a series of tasks.
The winning team will continue to live in their suite.
The losers will come to my boardroom, where someone is fired and sent home.
It's either the suite or the street.
Hi.
How can I help you?
I'm here to, um, interview with Donald Trump.
Sure. Your name? Jessie Conners
[ Trump ] The candidates have never met one another and come from various backgrounds.
I'm Jessie Conners from New Richmond, Wisconsin.
With only a high school diploma, I own a marketing firm and also sell real estate.
I'm 21 years old.
I'm Kwame Jackson. I'm 29 years old.
I have an M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School...
and have worked as an investment manager for a major Wall Street firm.
My name is Ereka Vetrini, and I'm from New York City.
I learned the ropes in my parents' neighborhood pizzeria...
and I'm now a marketing manager for one of the largest international cosmetics companies.
Hi! I'm Troy McClain from Boise, Idaho.
I sacrificed my higher education to take care of my mother and my disabled little sister.
Now, with only a high school diploma, I'm the president of my own lending company.
My name is Amelia Henry, and I'm from Austin, Texas.
I had stock options worth millions but lost it all in the dot-com bust.
I have my M.B.A. and work in the high-tech industry,.
[ Laughing ] I'm here to check in for The Apprentice. What do I need to do?
Your name? Bowie Hogg.
I'm Bowie Hogg from DaIlas, Texas.
I have a business degree and work in sales for an express delivery service.
My name is Kristi Frank. I'm from Santa Monica, California,
and I own a restaurant and investment properties.
I'm Dr. David GouId, and I'm from New York City.
After I graduated medical school and received my M.D.,
I went on to earn my M.B.A. at New York University.
I now work as a health-care venture capitalist.
I'm here to see Mr. Trump. Omarosa Stallworth.
My name is Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth.
I grew up in the projects. But I am now a Ph. D. candidate and work as a political consultant.
Four years ago, I worked at the White House for the president of the United States.
I'm Nick Warnock, the hardest-working sales man in Los Angeles, California
I'm a full-commission copier salesman.
I don't have a salary,, which is a tough way to work.
If I don't sell, I don't eat.
I'm Katrina Campins. I rank in the top three percent of Realtors nationwide.
And I'm 23 years old.
My name is Sam Solovey. I'm director of business development for an Internet company that I cofounded.
I'm just here for waiting to go in the Trump.
And your name? Heidi.
I'm Heidi Bressler. I'm from Philadelphia.
I'm a senior account executive for one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world.
My name is Bill Rancic. I'm 32 years old, and I'm from Chicago.
I founded the Cigar of the Month Club in a studio apartment...
and turned it into a multimillion-dollar operation.
I'm Jason Curis. I'm 23 years old from Detroit, Michigan.
I built a real estate development firm from the ground up.
Now I rent 39 units to low-income families.
I'm Tammy Lee, and I live in Seattle, Washington.
I was a top stockbroker for a firm on Wall Street.
Hi. Hi.
How can I help you?
I'm here to see Donald Trump.
Okay. And your name? I'm Tammy Lee.
[ Tammy ] Talk about first impressions.
I didn't really feel the need to show any communication whatsoever with people that I don't even know.
They were all just kind of wanting to communicate kind of nonverbally to each other.
The only person I really need to be concerned with liking me, ostracizing me,
is Donald Trump.
[ Troy ] Working for Trump is more than a big deal. It's a huge deal.
Trump has certainly given everybody a shortcut to the American dream.
But I'm gonna earn the American dream just like everybody else.
Okay. Mr. Trump will see you now. You can go in over there.
Welcome to New York. I've always said, New York City is the real jungle.
It's tougher in New York than anyplace in the world.
You're gonna find out what I mean.
Okay, let's get started.
I want to introduce somebody who's been with me for 25 years--
George Ross. He's my executive vice president and senior council.
On this side-- This is Carolyn Kepcher.
She is the chief operating officer of one of my companies.
And Carolyn is a killer.
There are many men buried in her wake.
These two will be my eyes and ears...
and will accompany you during your tasks.
They're gonna help me make a decision...
as to who ultimately is going to be working as the president of one of my companies,
and then we'll see how you do. as to who ultimately is going to be working as the president of one of my companies,
and then we'll see how you do.
This isn't a game. This is a 13-week job interview.
Out of 215,000 job applicants,
you're the 16 people that I chose to go through 13 weeks of hell...
to determine who's gonna work for me at the end.
Now, some of you think that attending a top business school gives you an advantage.
Others think that street smarts and hands-on experience are the best way to get ahead.
Additionally, women have a tougher time in the workplace, or so they say.
Let's find out.
We're gonna be setting up two teams of eight each,
and I've decided it's going to be...
men against women.
Each week, there'll be a business task to accomplish.
Now, I may ask you to work as a street vendor...
or something tougher like working with Madison Avenue to create an ad campaign for corporate jets...
or renovating and leasing run-down apartments.
Maybe even put on a rock concert.
You will select a project manager who will lead your team in that task.
I will hold the project manager...
at least partially responsible for a team's victory or failure.
If your team loses, you will all meet me right here in the boardroom.
You don't want to be in the boardroom.
'Cause the losing team is gonna sit in front of me, and somebody is going home.
All of you should be complimented,
but the fact is, there's only one going to be chosen.
That one person will be president of one of my companies at a huge salary...
for a period of one year.
Now, I want you to go up to the suite, enjoy yourself, and I'll see you tomorrow.
Come on. Get outta here.
[ Sam ] When I saw Trump today, it all came together right there.
I want access to Trump. I want to get to know that guy,
but I don't want it to be in the board room.
Back of a limousine, at a bar with his girlfriend.
I don't care where it is. Not in the boardroom.
[ Chattering, Laughing ]
My mama's gonna be proud when she sees me here.
I love it!
Whoo!
Time to toast!
To the enemies! [ Laughs ]
I don't know why we're being so friendly with the men. Why are we cavorting with the enemies?
I like this men versus women. This could be fun.
[ Bowie ] The girls, they're smarter than what I guess some of the guys are thinking.
But if you pull one over on me, I'm gonna 10 times ya. I'm gonna do you by 10 times.
My mind works like that. I'll be able to pull something off a lot better than they will.
I'm so glad it's girls against boys. I'm so happy.
You have an M. B.A. and an M. D.
Which one did you do first? The M. D.
So you got done with your M. D., and then you said, I don't really want to do this.
I'm gonna get an M. B.A. It's not quite so simple.
In my senior year of medical school, I was Iike, "What can I do with an M. D. besides treat patients?"
And Wall Street was very receptive to someone like myself.
[ Sam ] David has an M. B.A. and an M. D., which is impressive.
But you know what? I can't relate to David.
Then I moved into venture capital. Did deals with biotech companies and medical technology companies.
I'm just thinking of the school. How do you spend so much time in school?
Entrepreneurs shouldn't be spending that much time in the classroom.
They should be... sweating and hungry. And when they hear an idea in the class, they wanna go out and do it.
Oh, my gosh!
Ladies, ladies, ladies, ladies! Follow me.
Ladies, ladies, ladies. Follow me.
Ladies, ladies, ladies.
Come on, ladies. Let's go!
Organization. That's my skill. Organizing and motivating people.
So I just try to bring us all together.
Okay, you guys ready? We're ready.
"Welcome to Trump Tower. I hope your stay is enjoyable.
To start, please enjoy some champagne and caviar."
Cheer to that! Cheers.!
"It is a taste of the life you could lead--"
"But don't get used to it. There's much work to be done.
"Here is your first order of business:
You need to think of a name for your group. From now on, your team will be known as a corporation."
"My office will phone you later with further instructions. Donald J. Trump."
It has to be marketable. He's so big on naming everything.
We have to name our group something strong.
[ Omarosa ] The envelope gave us our first task.
And that task, although it seems really simple, when you've got eight women--
[ Laughs ] it became a three-hour ordeal...
of picking a name for your corporation.
So, um, we got to it.
Our name has to communicate power, unity-- Class.
And shock And no idea is stupid
I think it's good. We can make something real easy like the B. M.A. Corporation.
Or something-- Businessmen Associated.
The B. B.C. Billionaires Boys' Club.
B. F. B. Big F-- [ Beeps ] Balls. [ All Laughing ]
I love that. How about Donald's Darlings?
Nah! [ All Responding ]
- No - Let's keep brainstorming.
We're all versatile. I mean, we're all guys who have different backgrounds.
And we've been thrown together. [ Bowie ] I like versatile as a word.
Put that in there. I mean, Versacorp. I mean--
[ Men ] Versacorp. Versacorp.
Versacorp. What is it? V-E-R--
S-A. S-A Corp. One word.
[ T roy ] Versacorp. By God, can I say we all got together and made a decision here.
Let's put it right here, baby. Right here.
[ Nick ] We did the name for the organization. And they named it Versacorp.
I wasn't a big proponent of that. I didn't think it's flashy. I don't think it represents all of us.
I don't think Trump will particularly love the name.
I mean, Versacorp. It's dumb.
[ Chuckles ] It's corny.
I thought of one other. What?
Protege.
Hey! I love that! You like it?
[ Ereka ] I just offered up a suggestion for our group, and it was accepted.
When I have something to say, I'll make sure it's put out there.
If it's just an idea and I'm not sure myself, and I wanna see if it's receptive,
I don't care if it goes or flies.
If it's something that I believe in, I'm gonna push for it, and then I'm sure it'll come across that way.
[ Phone Ringing ]
Uh-oh. Phone is ringing. You know who that is. That's Donald Trump.
Hello? Hi, this is Rhona in Mr. Trump's office.
He asked me to call you and tell you to meet him tomorrow morning at the New York Stock Exchange.
Leaving here at 5:45 a.m. Ooh, boy!
Did they hang up on you?
[ Ereka ] I've never been to the stock exchange. It's overwhelming. It really is.
And immediately, I'm thinking, "What the hell are we gonna be asked to do in there?"
The telephone rang. And they called to tell that we're going to the New York Stock Exchange.
Oh, what time?
[ Katrina ] The first task is crucial because it will set the precedent for all the other tasks to come.
I think the women will win because the eight women that are in there are very strong individuals.
And I think men-- these men, although they won't admit it,
may feel it's a bit of a disadvantage not to have us on their side.
If it really does involve something in a building on Wall Street,
it would not be inappropriate to wear a tie.
- [ Man ] I need a new suit. - Do you need a jacket to go?
On the floor of the exchange, you really should have a jacket.
But there's no way they're putting us on the floor of the exchange.
[ Nick ] I have no idea what the first task is gonna be. Nor do I care.
It's a brilliant idea. I love the idea.
[ Nick ] We are now really working as a team together. And we're out here to win.
Game's on. Game's been on for me since, uh, I showed up off the plane.
All right, come on over, everybody.
Welcome to the New York Stock Exchange.
This is really and truly the center of the world for big business.
$40 billion is traded each and every, day.
And there's no place like this anywhere in the world.
Now, I guess you have visions of something big, something glamorous.
But that's not gonna be it.
We're bringing you back to basics.
You're gonna go outside, and you're gonna sell lemonade.
We'll start you off with $250 seed money.
And at the end of the day, 7:30,
we're gonna see who made the most money.
The women or the men. It's very, simple.
Now, the ladies look to me like they're more excited.
[ Cheering ]
The men, I-I must tell you, a little bit stiff.
Start getting game plans together.
Who is your project manager?
- Your name? - Troy McClain?
- What is your team name? - Versacorp.
That's a pretty interesting name. Who's your leader?
- Ereka Vetrini. - Okay, Ereka. What's your team name?
Meet Protege Corporation. - Ereka Vetrini. - Okay, Ereka. What's your team name?
Meet Protege Corporation.
- Very good - You like that?
That's very, good. I'll tell ya. They're looking awfully good, fellas.
- I'm a little bit worried about you. - Whoo!
You're gonna be on the killer streets of New York.
Go out there. I'll see you at 7:30. Who's gonna make the most money?
Let's see. [ Cheering ]
One, two, three-- Versacorp!
[ Bell Ringing ]
I've always felt location is important, but the people behind the deal are much more important than location.
I'd much rather have a really smart, talented guy...
doing a deal in a not-so-good location...
than an idiot doing a deal in a great location.
Because you'll make money every time.
The key to success is location, location, location.
You're assigned to finding the location. You need to know where the location's at.
We have $250. Let's use that. Let's maximize that. Let's use our seed money.
[ Troy ] It was so surreal to me. Trump standing up there on that podium.
And he says, "Boys, girls, we're gonna go back to the basics."
And I'm thinking we're going back to Basic Sales 101.
I certainly didn't think I was going back to sixth grade selling lemonade.
Now we're gonna go get our cups and supplies.
That'll give use the skeleton. You guys'll be the veins.
You've got a location? I think Seaport is set.
Seaport is this way. Probably a 10-minute walk.
Lead us to Seaport right now. Let's go to the location, gentlemen.
That's our meeting. We'll have a runner.
[ Chattering ]
[ Ereka ] I was selected as project manager...
because I actually thought up the name Protege.
It was definitely diffiicult being a project manager because... because I actually thought up the name Protege.
It was definitely diffiicult being a project manager because...
people are throwing responsibility in your court when they don't want to take it.
[ Ereka ] Listen. You guys, listen. We gotta get a table.
We don't need a table. That is the old-fashioned way to sell lemonade. From a little table.
It's image, though. Image. It's the image.
I would rather invest my money in my product.
[ Woman ] I am not carrying a table.
Here to back home.
That's why we split into two teams and you let us do what we are-- We'll carry the table.
[ Tammy] We were all sitting in a circle, huddling, yelling at each other.
And I don't think anyone was being effective for the first hour.
I really didn't appreciate being told I was the one in charge, but then being said, this is what we're doing.
I don't want to be in charge. I want us all to have our own thing.
Let's not take it personal. I was not targeting you.
[ Omarosa ] We have absolutely no leadership. Ereka is very, emotional.
When you're doing business, you gotta stay focused on the task and keep your emotion out of it.
She's totally irrational right now.
I -I love that these people are like, tell them what to do, but then they're like, this is what we're doing!
The bottom line is if we're fighting, we're never gonna get this f-- [ Beeps ] done.
[ Kwame ] This is the Seaport where you see all those big ships. That commercial area.
There's gonna be tourists there all days. It's a beautiful day. That should be our main location.
We chose a location. We thought about where to get supplies. And we were trying to get...
up to speed as quickly in terms of selling lemonade.
You and I will grab the cups. You grab the markers.
Right now, we need to get the foundation: cups, lemonade. Look wherever you can look.
[ Troy ] Everybody did fantastic. You know, they were the wind beneath the wings. They did awesome.
Found the lemonade.
We got our feet underneath us, and we ran with it.
Thank you, ma'am.
[ Troy ] Kwame came up with an absolute creative idea.
We're trying to get your help in trying to set up a successful lemonade stand.
Let me ask you for a couple other things. Sure
[ Troy ] He got a vendor to give stuff to us for no charge.
Would you give us free cups if we brought more people in?
Why not? We need free cups. You will do that?
We're gonna be here at 1:30, sellin'.
We got free ice, free cups, a free cart.
This is wonderful! This is fabulous!
Oh, this is a lot of fun.
Attaboy, Nick! Yeah, baby!
And that really helped us in terms of saving a lot of our initial cap-ex...
that we could just kinda bank instead of spending it on supplies.
I just don't know how to do radio. I know how to use it.
Will you show us how?