The Apprentice

I wonder if he'll invest £125K in Harpreet. I cannot believe her sister will step down so easily.

I don’t think I’d invest in any of them. I really like Claude Litner. He’s so forensic. I hope every year that the candidates will be less dolly birds and ‘smart’ men but maybe they just make better TV than more serious individuals.

I watched last night's programme for the first time this series and I would not waste £250000 on either. I personally think the one with the sister with 50% in the business may be the winner but there is little choice.

Yet the finalists were such numpties! Why invest in any of them?

^ less like manicured male models or Barbie dolls^
I am sure Lord Sugar can see beyond that. He does live in Chigwell after all!

I hope it's not the last series but I hope too that next time they choose better contestants. Older more experienced ones, fatter, balder and less like manicured male models or Barbie dolls. Basically, people with more genuine gumption and intelligence. Rant over!

Re: last night’s prog.
I thought all of the last 4’s plans for a business are a bit lame. TBH. There are wannabe entrepreneurs on Dragon’s Den with much better ones.
I’m surprised they were picked to be in the programme - what were the ones like who were turned down ? ?

Shandy, I’ve thought that every series but back it comes again and gets worse every time.

So why do I watch it? ???

Who else thinks that this might be the last series?

I agree it was so bad last night everything has already been said. They all got the black stiletto memo I see.
I’d be interested to know what the other business plans were.

Haven’t watched any of this series as I felt it was the same old, same old, but I tuned in for last night’s as I like the interviews. So had no idea about any of the contestants.

Thought how fake and dolled up they all appeared to be, staggering in on their high heels and bodycon dresses (is that the correct term?)

Didn’t stay to see who he finally chose for the final. Didn’t think any of the projects had much going for them. As for that one who cried in the interview, then told the others that she had ‘kept it together’ until she was back in the lift….

Really tough ‘would be’ businesswomen.

Bet Alan Sugar never dissolved in tears back in the day.

Hard to pick the best bit really! Mike buying up all the websites, or perhaps the "sustainable" pyjamas being shipped all the way from China, or the poor girl faced with the child's shirt "I had no idea what I was looking for!" Shooting fish in a barrel!

Gelleh

Claude didn't look himself and was a bit breathless. Has he been ill?

He had a cycling accident and has had numerous operation to save his badly injured leg.

Gelleh

Claude didn't look himself and was a bit breathless. Has he been ill?

I think he has.

Can Lord Sugar fire them all and save the £250,000?
Or is he obliged to pick the best of a poor bunch?

I thought all four women left are dire I expect it’s between Katherine and harpreet the two bossiest can’t stand either of them The men were all totally ineffectual and the women loud bossy and unlikable None of them have a good business idea in my option but what do I know
Those stupid family pyjamas even the dog oh my oh my and the bad tasting nutrient drink, good grief, Sugars toes must curl up as the false eyelashes flash

Claude didn't look himself and was a bit breathless. Has he been ill?

It was uncomfortable viewing, not only the poor business plans and interviews but the false smiles and laughter at Lord Sugar’s ‘jokes’ by the four interviewers, Karen and Tim were cringeworthy.

Just sat through the semi final, supposedly the best four of a very poor bunch. Can only assume that contractual obligations meant that Alan Sugar was obliged to pick two finalists in order to complete the last episode. The standard was appalling.

It is manipulated like all reality programmes contestants are chosen so that they will conflict to provide the drama.

They are apparently paid around £2000 even if they go out on the first round. Sugar is an interesting character but would you really want to work for him?.

Thanks, mrswoo - that sounds very feasible. I never thought of that (the fired contestant swaddled in raincoat and scarf in the taxi on the way back to their normal life being filmed at the beginning of the series/before filming began). I too wonder how much of the programme is manipulated.

Do they get paid just to take part?

Its really cringeworthy Sugar is good, I watch just to see the contestants argue and do each other down, why would anyone credible apply to go on the show.
I guess they are paid well to humiliate themselves, the odds of winning are very low and the rewards questionable if they do win.

Good call, Aveline. That would be interesting.

A small point, I know, but I wish someone would explain to Lord Sugar the difference between ‘regretful’ ‘regrettable’ and ‘with regret’.

Now that's a thought Aveline! It would make good TV to see their faces.
There might be a problem though with the Terms & Conditions of signing up to the competition in the first place?

I wonder if this time he won't choose an apprentice. Couldn't blame him.