The Apprentice

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!

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.

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?

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.

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.

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!

Yes, that is the young lady I mean.

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!

I wonder who will win. I have a feeling it will be the young woman in the red dress last night, I forget her name.

lavendermine

I agree it is "so bad its good". I was sorry to see Aaron go, it seemed like the wrong decision.
They get so excited about what they are supposed to be doing they miss their obvious mistakes.

I think the main reason behind the decision about who goes is the strength of their business ideas. I suspect Lord Sugar picks one or two right at the start and gets rid of the others accordingly. In the early shows a job was on offer and their performance in the tasks was the determinant of the outcome, now it is a different format. I think this may be the last aeries I watch.

I have come to the conclusion that this is now a comedy series. I spotted the DIES error as soon as they showed the pot. Does it take a granny to notice these things? Some of them even tried to defend this gaffe.

Can’t believe how flaky the male contestants have been this year yet some of the women are very strong characters.
I agee, I think Lord Sugar probably knows at the midway point which one he sees the potential of and can work with.
I love to see what the women wear - they certainly suffer in those heels!

Not one contestant with a scrap of a personality. They are incredibly dull, rather dense and the DIES on the baby food ... how on earth did none of them notice this?

I am not in business , however I saw the word DIES immediately! How stupid can they be , another glaringly obvious mistake was not making it clear on the jar what flavour the baby food was . I am also confused as to why these young women are tottering about in ridiculous heels and very tight dresses . How refreshing would it be to see women in stylish but more appropriate clothing - perhaps it is me turning into a grumpy old woman ??!!

I've always accepted that. It's just not nearly as good as it used to be. Maybe they only recruit this type of person ie young, overdressed and underexperienced.
I still remember some of the great characters from previous series. Nothing like them this time ?. Goodness knows what Nick and Margaret would have to say about them.

Time to accept that this is all for entertainment and not a business show. Scripted and directed for maximum shock and amusement . I love it !

And sometimes it is light when they leave early in the morning, yet on other occasions at the same time it is dark?

How none of the contestants spotted the word “DIES” is absolutely beyond me. Are they for real?! Is this programme rehearsed and scripted rather than spontaneous? I do wonder. I think those skintight dresses must be strangling any rational thought. And why does the “you’re” fired person ALWAYS wear a winter scarf when leaving the process. ALWAYS.

Sarnia

I usually catch the last 10 minutes of this as I turn to BBC for the News at 10. I am amazed Lord Sugar wants to work with any of them. Not one of these could organise a booze up in a brewery.

That's because on the drinks' task, they weren't allowed anything boozy in it! Non-alcoholic.

I usually catch the last 10 minutes of this as I turn to BBC for the News at 10. I am amazed Lord Sugar wants to work with any of them. Not one of these could organise a booze up in a brewery.

The thing is, Lord Sugar knows what their business plans are and who he would like to work with. That must have some bearing in his decision making.

I agree it is "so bad its good". I was sorry to see Aaron go, it seemed like the wrong decision.
They get so excited about what they are supposed to be doing they miss their obvious mistakes.

I said to DH I think this series is particularly bad. Usually you can pick a winner quite early. They don’t seem to have a clue and some of the mistakes they’ve made this year!
Also I agree with the dresses are they sent a memo about the style and colours etc. I also don’t believe they get woken at four and can turn out like they do in 30 minutes. I’d still be languishing over my second cuppa.
I was glad when Amy went. She produced my daughter in a show and she was insufferable.

Are they an extra useless group this year? In previous series some front runners have appeared by now but none of the remaining four seem any good. All the girls squeezed into tight dresses and tottering about on high heels.

Thanks, Josieann.

I can't see 'poison your baby with this' catching on as a slogan, somehow?