And the Celebrity Apprentice is...

Occasionally a show will catch lightning in a bottle, as all the right ingredients come together to form something fantastic. Maybe it's a current event that alters relevancy, a lucky casting decision or just a good idea and a show elevates its game to a new level.
Season 3 of CELEBRITY APPRENTICE captured a little bit of all those elements this seasons, with some relevant events outside the show (Brett's brain hemorrhage), great contestants (Rod B, Brett Michaels, WWE chick, Curtis and Cyndi Lauper) and creative competitions (designing and marketing a snapple flavor or running a diner).
In the end, it was Brett Michaels who was "hired" by The Donald. Michaels was a creative spark all season, whose leadership style was characterized by a need for a strong #2 in the wake of his erratic style. Ultimately, the win wasn't based on his record as a leader, as Mrs. Rodney Pete (a connection i didn't make until after he appeared on the show) was a much better leader. That rationale behind Brett's win was the sentimental vote, and to a lesser extent the fact that Holly was really unlikeable.
To Holly's credit, though, she was on the show to raise money and she did. WHen it was all said and done, she had raised over half a million dollars for her charity. I doubt her acting career will pick up or she'll get to be on next season, but i have a feeling she doesn't really care about any of that.
The only thing i can be entirely sure of is that Brett Michaels has definitely secured himself another season of ROCK OF LOVE or some other reality show. This guy is fantastic, and his daughter is charming as hell. I would watch him play house with his "borderline-diabetic" daughter. (Sorry, that phrase just makes me laugh.)
What made this season a success for me was the rapport of the character. While there was some tension surrounding Lauper, it was all a far cry from the "Whore Pit Viper" moment of last season. For the most part there was a lot of good spirited camaraderie that was fun to watch. It was fun because most of these characters were likable. Even scumbag Rod Blagojevich was disarmingly charming as the bumbling moron. (Illinois needs a literacy test for candidates.)
The worst part for me is the boardroom scenes. I can't stand Donald Trump's character and I think the celebrities do a poor job articulating their arguments. It's all so random anyway that I don't care what happens in the boardroom, as it basically rests on the whims of show producers who want to ensure a good product.
After heaping all this praise on the show, I want to make it clear that I never intend to watch the crap The Donald puts out. Somehow i get pulled in, and i can't quit him (I'm a regular brokeback mountain cowboy). Haven't decided if i'll watch the next reinvention of the Apprentice, which will be giving people hit hard by the economy a chance to appear on a fourth-rate network.