Trump hands out the first of many pink slips

By now, everyone should have seen the premiere episode of “The Apprentice 2” (Thursdays, NBC, with encore showings on CNBC and NBC last week), and I’m sure we can all agree that this show has definitely lived up to the hype. At first glance, the players who left the biggest impression on me were the following: Pamela, the nearly 8-foot-tall blonde Carolyn look-alike who is already being compared to Cruella De Vil (she even pokes fun at children); Raj, a rather quirky individual who wears bright-colored bow ties and uses an old-fashioned walking cane (perhaps this season’s Sam); Stacie J., who’s paranoid that everyone on her team is out to get her and might be in a loony bin before this is all over; and lastly, Bradford, a smart guy who gave off the slightest whiff of male chauvinism. (I wonder if the ladies will sniff him out?)

Challenge No. 1 was to design a toy for Mattel, and a panel of kids would decide if their inventions could hold up on the playground.

The kids loved the women’s team’s design, a remote control car that smashed beautifully into walls and came with additional auto parts, while the men’s “Crustacean Nation” was about as popular as a throat culture. The score is now 1-0 in favor of the ladies. Rob earned the distinction of being the first one fired.

Meanwhile, on a station not so far away, “Survivor: Vanuatu – Islands of Fire” premiered Thursday on CBS and airs at the same time as “The Apprentice.” How can we possibly watch both shows? Easy. Record one (hint: “Survivor”). However, be advised that you must stay away from all office chatter on Fridays. And be sure to skip “Access Hollywood,” that Nancy O’Dell can’t keep a secret.