By Lauren Tuck (Editorial Assistant, POZ)

Following the cliffhanger from last week’s Celebrity Apprentice, Donald Trump started off the penultimate episode answering the question we were all dying to know: Which of the celebrity contestants--Aubrey O’Day, Arsenio Hall and Clay Aiken--would be fired and not make it to the final round?

Thankfully, Trump cut right to the chase, and Aubrey O’Day was cast off. Finally! On her dismissal she said, “I’m somebody that stands in your face and is so bright and shines so big that you’re either intimidated, you’re annoyed, or you’re in love.” I stand firmly in the annoyed category. But my happiness regarding her dismissal was only short lived.

The finalists were summoned to Lincoln Center, the New York City arts center where this season of fierce competition all began. Clay Aiken and Arsenio Hall were tasked with putting together a 30-second advertisement, a fund-raising party and a talent show for their own charity (Arsenio’s for the Magic Johnson AIDS Foundation; Aiken’s for The National Inclusion Project, an organization he founded to promote the inclusion of children with disabilities in activities with their non-disabled peers). But, lest this task seem too daunting to take on alone, Trump calls on ousted B-listers Aubrey O’Day, Debbie Gibson, Lisa Lampanelli, Teresa Giudice, Penn Jillette, Dee Snider, Adam Carolla, and Paul Teutul--but not sixth-place finisher Dayana Mendoza--to assist.

When this hodgepodge group of amateurs takes on party and event planning, only one outcome is certain: lots of drama. Although the viewers won’t get to bask in it until next week’s season finale, I have a feeling Arsenio will win. His advertisement concept is clever. He had his team (Lampanelli, Giudice, Carolla and Teutul) dressed in ’80s garb delivering the message, “These clothes, these styles are gone, but you know what’s still here? AIDS! HIV!” If they manage to get Magic Johnson on video facing the right direction, if the party goes off without a hitch and the comedy/talent show induces roars of laughter, then Arsenio can definitely win this one for the Magic Johnson AIDS Foundation.

Watch the clip below of Magic talking to the side:



Compared with his competitor Clay Aiken, Arsenio seems cooler, calmer, more flush with celebrity friends with deep pockets, and more determined to win Celebrity Apprentice. “I can’t even put into words how important it is to be able to earn things for the Magic Johnson AIDS Foundation and to continue the opportunity to earn even more,” Arsenio said. “You come here to help people, and I’ve done it--and I’m not finished.” Watch next week to see if Hall reigns victorious and wins $250,000.