The Apprentice and John Street

Phenomenon: Donald Trump picks “the apprentice” as the reward for business trials that the candidates must pass. The prize is a one-year, $250,000 starting contract of running one of business magnate of Trump's companies. But why reward them on the media coverage?

Lensing Question: John Street argues that sponsors use prize as a means of generating sales. Sponsors and the prize-makers “design” prize to suit their interest.

Grounds of Comparison: Donald Trump’s show does not merely depict picking up a right worker for his company, but the prize is designed in such way for Trump Organization to gain the media coverage, and be known to the general public.

Main Claim: Street’s claim is that prize is “designed” by sponsors and other stakeholders to suit their interests. I will illustrate how this claim is valid from the Apprentice, where prize becomes an economic incentive to the sponsors. Furthermore, my analysis would take dramatization of prize into consideration, which eventually leads to popularity of the sponsor himself. (YOURE FIRED!)

Comparison with hairspray and John Street

Phenomenon: Tracy, despite her ugly features, exhibits great dance moves and eventually is accepted into the show. Directors and sponsors find her amazing and she becomes official member of the Corny Collin’s show.

Lensing Question: John Street argues that sponsors use prize as a means of generating sales. He claims that some may fail to win despite the judge’s decision. This happens when sponsors do not like the winner or the reason for winning.

Grounds of Comparison: How the sponsor reacts from the appearance of Tracy to finding the maket value of Tracy changes overtime. At first when Tracy does not conform to the social norms of beauty, she’s considered as a product without value. But once she becomes popular by demand, the sponsors’ attitude changes and she becomes valuable to the sponsors. 

Main Claim: In my personal view, Street’s claim of sponsors shaping and creating winner for the sake of sales seem valid from Tracy’s appearance on Corny Collin’s show.