Series Premiere

Season 1, Episode 1, Aired

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In the premiere episode, the 16 finalists are brought into the Dallas mansion and are left to their own devices while they wait to meet Mark Cuban. But unbeknownst to the 16, Cuban has been secretly watching their every move on a monitor. In the first 20 minutes, Cuban cuts Rich for calling the game "stupid." Next, each of the 15 remaining contestants have one on one time with Cuban. He uses these "interviews" to make two more cuts. Laurel is sent packing. Cuban narrows it down to two people, one of which will be cut. William and Grayson play a game of Jenga to decide who will stay and who will go. Grayson heads home after she loses the game. The episode ends with each person giving their first private confessional in front of the camera. 13 hopefuls remain.moreless
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      • Cuban said he is looking for three traits on the first day: 1. No second chance to make a first impression. 2. Deliver on expectations 3. Must be able to handle pressure

      • In the interviews, Cuban was looking for who didn't meet the expectations they had previously set for themselves. He said that William, Grayson and Laurel did not live up to previous expectations.

      • In her audition tape, Laurel took out trash naked.

      • Auditions for "The Benefactor" were held in Atlanta, Boise, Boston, Dallas and Las Vegas in early April 2004.

      • Cuban said that his catchphrase would be, "No balls, no babies." ABC allowed him to use it once per episode.

      • Ratings Sept. 13 Premiere: households: 6.6/11 (#1 in 8 PM hour), #T6; adults 18-49: 3.9, #5. Sept. 14 Re-air: households: 3.0/5, #13; adults 18-49: 1.7, #13 Sept. 16 Re-air: households: 2.5/4, #12; adults 18-49: 1.2, #16

      • Re-aired: Tues. Sept. 14, 2004 at 10pm and Thurs. Sept. 16, 2004 at 9pm on ABC.

      • Cuban looks to succeed in primetime like another fellow billionaire, Donald Trump.

      • Latane was the first to be interviewed.

      • Leading into the premiere, rival billionaires Donald Trump and Mark Cuban had a friendly exchange of comments in the media. Said Trump: "I just want [Cuban] to do better with the show than he's done with [his] Dallas basketball team. I do. I really do." Said Cuban: "All I want to say is I wish Donald nothing but the best for 'The Apprentice 2,' and I hope it does just as well as his casinos do." Both appeared on ESPN Sportscenter's Hot Seat Game. Trump appeared on the Best Damn Sports Show Period and Cuban made an appearance on McEnroe. More Info

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    Season 1 Episodes

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    Ep 6
    Episode 6
    Ep 5
    Episode 5
    Ep 4
    Episode 4
    Ep 3
    Episode 3
    Ep 2
    Episode 2
    Ep 1
    Series Premiere

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