If the Australian stars of Celebrity Apprentice had done their research and watched the US version, they would have realised that the show is Russian Roulette for their careers.
The show gives us an intimate look at celebrities’ personalities, without the publicists, marketing teams and soft lighting.
For those who come off well, it can revive or make their career — Aussie chef Curtis Stone’s popularity rocketed in the United States because he was such a nice bloke on the show.
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It can show a whole different side to a celebrity you thought you knew — hard rocker Meatloaf cried almost nightly. Or, it can really take the gloss off.
And so it was with the Australian series. Some of the contestants will do well as a result of it.
Julia Morris, the winner, was likable and funny, and showed an admirable ability to contain her frustration with the other contestants. I bet she’ll be hosting a show soon.
Jesinta Campbell gave us new respect for beauty queens by being smart, honest and unafraid of playing a straight bat.
Shane Crawford’s football background stood him in good stead; he was very much a team player, and as a result, his fame will spread from the AFL states to the rest of the country.
But other stars damaged their “brand”. I will never look at Jason Coleman again without gritting my teeth in frustration at his smug sense of superiority.
General esteem for Max Markson was never very high anyway, but will have slipped further, except among those who have patience with relentless attention-seekers.
I will remember Pauline Hanson for her pursed lips and her sulking. And I disagree with Julia Morris’ suggestion that criticism of Deni Hines was racist; Deni came across as a self-absorbed, sometimes-nasty diva.
I haven’t done the numbers, but I’m guessing only the lucky few celebrities survive Celebrity Apprentice with greater respect than they had when they started. But for our sake, I hope they keep lining up for it anyway.
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It’s refreshing to watch them warts and all, and may be a timely antidote to this silly notion that somehow celebrities are better people than the rest of us.
Jordan Baker is The Weekly’s News Editor. Click here to follow her on Twitter and here to follow The Weekly.
Your say: Do you think the way the stars of Celebrity Apprentice behaved on the show will have an impact on their future careers?
Video: Celebrity Apprentice finalists
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