The Apprentice and The Wall

   I can hardly qualify as a TV critic under the best of circumstances, and probably not at all since I didn't watch the shows with due attention, but I was exposed to both and can relate their overall effect.
   I wasn't actually aware that The Apprentice was airing because I was in the midst of my routine bookkeeping duties as well as embarking on my version of The Odyssey when the phone rang, so I muted the volume on the TV.  But not before I was vaguely unsettled by the appearance of Arnold, meaning I felt a slight wave of nausea;  Has he ordered the cast of wanna-be has-beens to call him Governor and does his hairdo in any way resemble he whose name must not be mentioned?  I thought he fired someone named Connie, but then realized he was referring to Carnie Wilson.  Oh, well, maybe she's moved on to a better place.
     Ending my phone conversation and clearing up my workplace, I paid no  attention to the following show, ironically enough called The Wall, until somewhere near the end.  I know some game shows are rigidly enforced as to contestant eligibility and authenticity, but I can't help but sense that The Wall is about 99% phony.  The pair of contestants that I saw appeared to be straight out of central casting and if their words were not scripted, it would be a huge surprise.  The show is overwrought anyway, with rules galore. The stakes are enormous, putting Jeopardy and Millionaire to shame. And moreover, in light of how cautious most game show contestants are, what player would risk over a million dollars?  This one, evidently, just because he didn't want his buddies in the military to scoff at him for not taking a chance.  But he and his family seemed okay with their leaving with zero dollars, and the host congratulated him on his love for family and thanked him for his military service.  Que, sera.