If Trump’s Apprentice Producer Would Show Outtakes the Election Would Be Won

Yesterday Ursula posted an article here that delved into what sure seems like the media’s determination to (again) normalize Trump and worse, his minions in the runup to the Nov. 2024 election. Treat him like any other candidate, albeit one that’s more “colorful” but mostly it’s going to be a repeat of 2016. Ride him for every rating point and therefore ad revenue dollar they can milk out of Trump. As CBS’ former head Les Moonves famously said back then it might be bad for the country but it was good for CBS. (And the rest of print and electronic media.

The thing is, there’s another Trump “Reality” TV show with (probably) a ton of footage archived that’s just sitting there waiting to be aired. And unlike the typical manufactured reality of so-called reality TV (which is scripted and shaped for dramatic/ratings effect) THIS stuff is pure. If aired unfiltered at least.  There’s probably enough there to air several prime time shows a week, with OUTTAKES of Trump on The Apprentice along with some commentary.

This all came up back in 2016 in the course of the whole Access Hollywood “Grab em by the pussy” “When you’re a star they let you do it” controversy. It was said by many who couldn’t go on the record that was tame compared to what was on hundreds, perhaps thousands of hours of outtakes of Trump on his “reality” show over the years. Racism, misogyny and so on was common and lots of it was recorded!

Just not aired of course.

In an article by Time Magazine this got explored back then.  Too many production people saw and heard the typical everyday goings on from Trump when he was on set. However between Trump who is famous for his NDAs with anyone who works around him and NBC too those people would be ruined if they went on the record with specifics. But there was simply too much talk to ignore:

More than 20 former crew members, editors and contestants from the show have told the Associated Press that Trump was repeatedly demeaning and vulgar to women. Bill Pruitt, who said he helped produce the first two seasons of The Apprentice, stoked speculation about the show’s archive when he tweeted on Oct. 8: “I assure you: When it comes to the #trumptapes there are far worse. #justhebeginning.”

Although supportive of Democrats in general during his life and career Mark Burnett also became a pal of Trumps. Of course Hollywood being what it is since Trump’s “reality” show made Burnett an awful lot of money it’s not surprising he’d be on good terms with even a prick like Donald Trump. In any case MGM bought into the franchise and Burnett became head of THAT so things remained under his control. And golly gee (complete with hand wringing) he said back all those years ago there was nothing he could do. That all that stuff simply couldn’t be released:

“Despite reports to the contrary, Mark Burnett does not have the ability nor the right to release footage or other material from The Apprentice,” MGM and Burnett said in a statement to TIME. “Various contractual and legal requirements also restrict MGM’s ability to release such material. The recent claims that Mark Burnett has threatened anyone with litigation if they were to leak such material are completely and unequivocally false. To be clear, as previously reported in the press, which Mark Burnett has confirmed, he has consistently supported Democratic campaigns.”

Translated I think that means Burnett was saying “I made my pile and don’t want to go blowing some of it defending the lawsuit Trump would file.” I’m sure he feels the same way now. Hell, these days not only would he have to shell out money for lawyers but for some pretty serious security given how Trump is increasingly trying to insult violence against any and all who DARE make the Mango Messiah look bad.

I still say Burnett should, both for his own and other networks’ profits band together and share the wealth. This would be a ratings hit. A “Bigly” one. Bigger than any TV series to date. Most importantly it would bury Trump. He’s fighting to stay out of jail in multiple jurisdictions. As of today his Trump Org is now in the ICU thanks to the judge’s ruling in the NY State Civil Trial and will flatline sooner rather than later. E. Jean Carroll is about to take Trump for a bunch more money. The whole house of cards is sitting there with a tornado coming right at it.

Here’s the thing. People, including MAGA goobers can’t resist looking at a car wreck. This particular actually real reality show would be a monster hit. Ad revenues would go through the roof!  Pundits could write and talk for hours in between episodes… when they aren’t talking about Trump’s latest setback in court.

Yes, the GOP needs a “rescue” candidate to take over. No one currently running has a chance, and I’ll say it again neither does Glenn Youngkin of Virginia. But someone will emerge that the money people can draft, or get behind and keep 2024 from being a GOP bloodbath. Hell, with Trump out of the way the GOP might wind up with a slate of halfway decent candidates down the ballot.

IF those Apprentice outtakes see the light of day. Or our TV screens.