Is it just me, or do you find ...

Question: Is it just me, or do you find all this Donald Trump-Martha Stewart feuding ridiculous? The real problem was the unimaginative scheduling "geniuses" at NBC who thought scheduling two Apprentice shows in the same week was a good idea. (If only they had a well-written, well-acted, funny-as-hell sitcom like Scrubs to launch in the fall.) Typical NBC decision making: Apprentice ratings are slipping, so let's run two versions. Frankly, I can't stand Trump or his Apprentice show and I genuinely liked Martha's version. I think Martha's show appealed to a different set of people, and — had it been marketed appropriately, on its own merits and around all things Martha and not as another Apprentice show in Donald's vein, and certainly not in the same week as Donald's show — it might have had a better chance. Again, I blame NBC and Zucker.
Answer: I'm not convinced Martha's Apprentice would ever have taken off, but airing in tandem with another season of the tired Trump version certainly doomed it. And yes, blame NBC. Also yes, this feud is ridiculous and beneath contempt. It prompted another impassioned letter, this time from Justin:

"I have always known that Donald Trump was an arrogant man. Nevertheless, I was really stunned by the extent of malice he expressed in his response to Newsweek's interview with Martha Stewart on Tuesday. Given the fact that it all happened just one week prior to the fifth-season premiere of The Apprentice, I was wondering whether that was just a desperate PR ploy designed to spark interest in the tired reality franchise, or whether their conflict was genuine. In any event, do you think the series will continue to lose viewers on its new night, or will the move improve its ratings? Also, if the show continues to sink in the ratings, would NBC still be obligated to air the sixth season, set in L.A., come next fall? Thanks, Matt!"

Again, completely agree. Trump is an ogre, and not a very amusing one anymore. This is, I suppose, a brilliant publicity stunt (and nothing more), since it has us talking about him and his worn-out show as it creeps back on the air, thankfully moved off Thursdays. I don't often actively root against a show before it launches, but Trump's behavior this week makes me hope the new Apprentice tanks against 24 and CBS' hit comedies, as it deserves to. I know I'll be looking elsewhere (with 24 on, it's not even a choice). As for Apprentice's future on NBC, I'm sad to say it probably still has one. NBC is still hurting enough across the board that it needs a franchise like this, at least for another season, and The Apprentice also provides such a lucrative platform for product and corporate placements that it probably makes financial sense to keep it in "business," even if the ratings continue to droop (as they should).