Get the scoop on ''The Apprentice 2'' in fall 2004 | 141912__apprentice_l
TRUMP, WITH ADVISERS GEORGE (LEFT) AND CAROLYN
Kevin T. Gilbert/ Blue Pixel

The Donald is impressed with the new whiz kids vying for his approval. ''The second season is better than the first,'' says Mr. Trump. ''It's a very strong group. Very, very, very strong.'' That's three ''very''s!

Season 2 has 18 players completing tasks like market research for a new Crest product and designing a toy for Mattel. (Rewards include zipping off on Trump's jet for dinner with a celebrity.) One thing remains the same: The Donald will not be outwitted. ''The boardroom scenes were brutal,'' he confides. ''For some of these people, 'Apprentice 1' became a religion, to figure me out. But don't forget: While they're figuring, I'm also figuring. They studied last season, but I studied it also. They learned, but I learned also. They may be very smart, but hopefully I'm even smarter.'' He will watch, but we will watch more.


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