I personally believe the casting process for season 2 is corrupt. I contacted MB productions and spoke directly to a casting assosiate who explained to me that there were 3 associates per region (see open casting call cities)to comb through all the video's. Come on..do the math...it is impossible to view over 215,000 applicant videos with such a small staff.

I would be willing to bet that the contestants featured on season 2 are all in some way associated or personal contacts of either the producers or the casting staff!

My advice...Don't stand in line or sleep on the streets for an open casting call interview. SEASON 2 CONTESTANTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN SELECTED! THEIR PLAYING US, FOLKS!

• RE: APPRENTICE 2 CASTING,Mizz Eve, 12:38 PM, 03-18-04
  • RE: APPRENTICE 2 CASTING,APPCAST, 07:49 AM, 03-19-04
• RE: APPRENTICE 2 CASTING,managerr, 01:08 PM, 03-18-04
  • RE: APPRENTICE 2 CASTING,Leadoff, 07:24 PM, 03-18-04
    • RE: APPRENTICE 2 CASTING,mmm_link, 03:24 PM, 03-19-04

LAST EDITED ON 03-18-04 AT 12:38 PM (EST)

Isn't this how ALL reality show producers pick contestants?

I'm not sure where the 215,000 figure comes from, but assuming that it's accurate, it leaves each team just under 18,000 videos to review. That seems like a lot of videos, but they probably review the accompanying paper application first. Most of the applications won't make the cut. This drastically cuts down the number of videos to review. Of the remaining videos, the reviewers will determine within a few seconds whether they're worth watching in their entirety or not.

A few years ago there was an open casting call at the Mall of America for talk show hosts. I watched some of the tryouts and it was painful. You could write off most of the applicants immediately by the their appearance. For example, a lot of the people showed up wearing jeans and t-shirts. As soon as they opened their mouths, you could tell whether they had any self-confidence or a personality that would be attractive to a viewing audience. The first question that they had to answer was why they wanted to host a talk show. Most of the people gave horrible answers like because I'm in recovery and umm, as a recovered, ummm, addict I can, ummm, be like, ummm, the people watching, ummm, me. I swear to god that is the exact answer some poor guy gave. A lot of people said things like my children will be proud of me or everyone tells me that I'm just like ________ (insert Sally, Oprah, Rickie, etc).

I really don't think it's that difficult to weed out the people that stand no chance.

Now that I think about it I agree with all of you. It is hard to believe there were 215,000 applicants. I do however believe that the open casting calls and college seminars are just "show promotion". Let's just hope the cast for season 2 is more exciting with more personality.

I don't think 215,000 videos to go through. They have been having open casting calls everywhere and Trump and a few castmembers have been speaking at colleges to gain applicants.

If say, 2,000 people go to an Apprentice seminar to see the Donald speak, then I'm sure they just count those, even if most of them are not serious applicatns.

But of course the casting call is corrupt. I suggest getting a job at Belly's. Sooner or later you will make it on a reality show that way.

I never believed the 215,000 figure, thinking it to be pure marketing hype. It's pretty absurd to imagine that nearly a quarter-million people tried out for the first "Apprentice" and that these 16 were the best they could come up with!

Does it really matter how many are sent in? I am sure they only preview enough of them to get their 16 contestants. Only those hundred/thousand on the top of the stack are the luckiest ones.