The Apprentice

Do you mean Harpreet lavendermine? I think she has a chance, provided she doesn't do too much talking (at high speed) in the interview process!

Yes, that is the young lady I mean.

He's previously dumped people he felt would be a nightmare to work with. Harpreet is so bossy and annoying she'd be an awful boss.
The interviews should be good. They'll all be given an absolute grilling!

Anyone know why the lovely Tim wasn't on the programme last night? I didn't see it from the beginning so perhaps there was a mention?

My favourite episode is next week, The Interviews! And it was good to see from the trail that Claude is taking part in that.

I definitely agree that this group has been the poorest so far, not a personality nor a smidgeon of common sense between the lot of them.

honeyrose I read somewhere that when the fired contestant is filmed getting into a taxi wearing a raincoat and scarf it's because this segment is filmed before the actual series begins. So, as the chances are they will be wearing different clothes from the ones they wore in the boardroom they have to get wrapped up in a scarf etc to disguise their clothes.
Makes you wonder what else has been manipulated!
I actually enjoyed last night's episode - it was so bad it was good. Not only the "dies" on the label but also the bowls that looked like a pair of breasts. Honestly, you couldn't make it up! Although, someone clearly did.
If Alan Sugar has any sense he will pay all 4 finalists off and hope to never see any of them again.

They are hopeless, but at the same time, most of them are very young, and they are set tasks that are very time-limited and draw on a wide range of skills. Not many people would be able to create products of various types, design packaging, do market research and pitch for business and sell to retailers, even if they've been in business for years.

Having said that, the reason the series works so well is the contrast between their own estimation of their abilities and the reality?

Previous contestants have been a mixture of entertaining no hopers and those with good potential. I think the selectors got it very wrong this series. Too many wannabe Barbie dolls and too few serious contenders.

I haven't watched this series but I did make a point of watching this one because baby food seemed to be something that would go horribly wrong. How right I was Hideous in so many ways but they all think they are so brilliant. Roll on the interviews next week!

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

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?

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’.

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.

Do they get paid just to take part?

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.

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?.

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 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.

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

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

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?

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.

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!

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.

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.

Who else thinks that this might be the last series?