Jim Bozzini calls himself the Michael Corleone of The Apprentice: Martha Stewart.
Just moments after being fired on the lacklustre reality series last week, the villainous Bozzini was hand-picked by finalist Bethenny Frankel to join her team.
“Just when I thought that I was out, they pull me back in,” he says, paraphrasing The Godfather: Part III. “I was exhausted when they called me but … Bethenny’s my girl.”
While fans of the show were likely thrilled to see the 36-year-old ad executive get the axe, they’re probably also elated to see him back.
Hailed as “the Omarosa” of The Apprentice: Martha Stewart, Bozzini has been nothing if not entertaining.
Throughout the series, the self-proclaimed master manipulator has taken great pleasure from getting people fired and pitting one contestant against the another.
But while his schemes did seem to impress Martha Stewart, he says they were also the reason for his termination.
“I never seriously thought they would take me. I was being loud and crazy … they didn’t go in for that stuff at Martha Stewart Living.
“But, I think Martha really likes me. She may not want to hire me, but she likes me.”
With Bozzini out of the running, it is down to the business savvy Dawna Stone, a chief marketing officer, and Frankel, 34, the loopy but creative natural foods chef.
At stake is a year-long job at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and a $250,000 US salary.
“Officially, I want Bethenny to win, but I am very torn. I think it might result in Dawna being hired,” he says.
“Corporations feel much more confident hiring someone who is safe — they don’t want someone who is going to think too far outside the box. Dawna is the safe choice.”
On tonight’s finale, the women are given one last chance to impress Stewart while running two different charity events.
Frankel and her team take on The Big Apple Circus fundraiser, while Stone’s crew tackles The Liz Claiborne Fashion Show and Charity Benefit.
“Both of them have to overcome huge obstacles — I know Dawna has a heck of a time getting her show going on time,” Bozzini says.
“If both of them can pull it off, it will be a miracle.”
The finale of The Apprentice: Martha Stewart airs tonight at 10 p.m. on Global and NBC.
