by Ryan Downey
Donald Trump might want to say "You're Fired!" to Jason Sudeikis after hearing what the "Horrible Bosses" star had to say about the "Apprentice" host's role as a boss in real life. But luckily for the "Saturday Night Live" cast-member, there was nothing but praise for his actual boss.
The topic of real-life bosses came up during the MTV Sneak Peek Week Q&A with Sudeikis, Jason Bateman and director Seth Gordon about "Horrible Bosses," the forthcoming comedy where three friends (Sudekis, Bateman and Charlie Day) conspire to murder their awful employers (Jennifer Aniston, Colin Farrell and Kevin Spacey) in something of a mix of "9 to 5" and "Strangers on a Train."
Real-life real estate mogul and potential politician Donald Trump was the first famous boss introduced into the conversation. "I don't know if he's a good boss," offered Sudekis. "He seems kind of like the Ronald McDonald of bosses. He's more of a figurehead. He probably makes decisions but I bet people are kind of like, 'Ah [makes dismissive motion].'"
"It seems like that old dude that was on the first couple of seasons of 'The Apprentice' is the real boss," he continued. "What was that guy's name? George! I love George [Ross]. I'd follow George anywhere -- except in an elevator. That guy seems pretty fart-y, doesn't he?"
Sudeikis passed the topic of late New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner to Bateman, the bigger baseball fan of the pair.
"I have no allegiance to the Yankees but I do like that he spent on his team," Bateman said. "I am currently living through a lot of pain with my 'Dodger blue' not spending any money on that team."
Steinbrenner is remembered for many things, including his insistence that his players maintain short haircuts and no facial hair (other than a trimmed mustache), which Sudekis appreciated.
"I like that - just telling a bunch of millionaires to knock it off? Like, that's fun."
Famous TV boss Tony Soprano was fond of telling people to "knock it off" in regard to all kinds of things. But only Sudeikis would remember that, as the other two guys have never seen The Sopranos. Upon discovery of this fact, Sudeikis kindly offered to loan Bateman the DVDs.
Both of them seemed fond of another fictional boss, Boss Hog from "The Dukes of Hazard," though they both condemned his questionable signature fashion choice.
"He lives in Hazard County, Kentucky [with] all of this dirt, and he wears a white suit!" Sudekis pointed out. Bateman agreed that the white suits were "not smart."
The pair were both confused by the mention of Disney boss Rich Ross (or perhaps our reporter's enunciation). "Rick Ross is the boss of Disney? I thought he was a rapper," Sudekis said.
Any conversation about famous bosses has to include the guy everyone calls "The Boss," right? Everybody quickly agreed on Bruce Springsteen. "I'd work for him," Bateman said simply.
And finally, as for Sudekis' real-life famous boss, SNL creator Lorne Michaels: "He's a good boss. He genuinely is. I know there are probably other people who have worked for him who may not think that, but I think he's good. He's been real nice to me and the people I work with. He follows talent. Which is a nice thing for a producer, a person who does that [job], to do."