The Apprentice is back

[scotty]

I watched the first 2 episodes of this year's apprentice on catch up last night and am completely hooked as always. Any other fans out there?

[rowan]

I love the show and have been looking forward to its return. I watch the show and the followup programme on BBC2 afterwards, which is often very funny.

This week's show was a classic. The girl's team made a right pig's ear of choosing and designing their product. In this kind of task, the candidates rarely seem to practise assembling their product before showing it to buyers. They end up struggling to put it together or use it in front of people they are trying to convince to buy it.

And that book holder was rubbish anyway. The idea is fine - I love my Bookseat - but their product was rubbish.

Gillian

[Jane]

I'm a fan of this programme too, I never miss it.

So who has a great business brain and who just deserves a slap (Gok Wan girl, Gok Wan girl!!!!) this time round? ;D

There always seems to be a similar mix of 'characters' (lol!) on the show. Beyond the first series, I've wondered if this has been a deliberate choice on the makers behalf?

I really liked the junior version from earlier this year. I liked Arjun (the winner) and (much) less so, Zoe...!

I've heard there will be another junior series next year.

[sindysfriend]

I love 'The Apprentice'! It's so funny! I laugh out loud at every episode at the antics of the teams. I love it when Lord Alan says 'mmm' and looks right disinterested in their excuses! ;D I agree the Book thing was well bad, it looked as hard to put together as the Sindy tent I had when I was little! As if you're gonna put that thing together at the beach! First bit of wind it'd be over! That cracked me up last week too when they promised that hotel all that bread and only gave them 16 rolls. Priceless! ;D

Luv Natasha

[bandstage]

:)I'm not a fan of this programme at all though i have watched the odd ones and bits of it. I'm not interested in the world of business for entertainment at all. That said the few i have watched agree it can be entertaining to see the mess they make of things. The one i watched properly was from the last series when the teams had to come up with an advertising idea to promote the revival of downtrodden Margate. In my view neither teams had a clue about the English seaside but then that could be my view because they dont have the passion that i do for our ole coastal towns. I also remember one from the last series i did watch when they had to market their own brand of chocolates.

I havent watched any of this series other than snippets when channel flicking. It always seems so full of big headed young folk who think they are the IT of the business world. Pompous folk who look close to tears when they get fired. Why do they put themselves through it. National television, you'd want to crawl away with a paper bag over your head.

I can see why folk enjoy it and find it rivetting so all enjoy. I usually like to know who the winner is.

Carl xx

[scotty]

I think they get a clever mix of characters for the show to create entertainment and drama though it's interesting to note Srallan always picks the quieter types to be his apprentice. I think the gobby conceited ones are there to liven things up. I loved last week's episode and was very glad to see Melissa making such a hash of it all since she's been so vocal about other people's efforts being unprofessional HA! But it has to be said poor old Shibby didn't have a clue did he?

Quote of the series has to be 'everything I touch turns to sold'. from that young gobby kid.

Ones to watch...I like Stella, the financial whizz kid and Chris the ex-marine.

[Jane]

I'm not yet sure who my favourites are on this series.

The quotes to camera at the start of the series are comedy gold...! Shibby's 'money - mummy' one was particulary toe-curling.

Melissa was a royal pain and I'm not surprised she went. What was a (nice) surprise was seeing just how different she was on You've Been Fired, afterwards.

I like the new presenter on YBF, he's really funny.

[scotty]

Yes Jane, she looked very different with the new styling. I was wondering if she found watching the episodes back excruciatingly embarrasating?

[rowan]

I can't imagine the horror of watching it back, some months later, and seeing how you're being broadcast to millions of people. There must be a constant mental refrain of "What was I thinking !"

No doubt in a few years, Melissa will be watching herself as she appeared on the follow up programme, feeling acutely embarassed amd wondering "Why the hell did I pick a top with with those stupid, pointy shoulders."

Gillian

[Jane]

Ah yes, the Melissa dictionary...!

I thought she was a much nicer person than she was before getting fired. Her 'in screen' reactions to clips on YBF were interesting. She was at ease with watching the clips, without appearing to be uncaring or unrepentant.

I'm not a fan of shoulderpads either I think they looked OK on her, though.

I was a bit disappointed by the lack of new words...! ;D

[Jane]

So another series is done and dusted.

Stella was a deserving winner but I didn't like what she did to Chris in the final boardroom (so unnecessary). I'm glad he didn't feel the need to do the same in return.

Really enjoyed You've Been Fired afterwards, too. It is nice to catch up with the contestants but the host and panellists have often had me in stitches through most of these shows.

Apparently next years Apprentice will be a different format? Looking forward to seeing how that works.

[scotty]

I agree Jane. I wanted Stella to win and think she just got a bit desperate in the final minutes of the boardroom when she went for Chris. It was the first time I've seen her lose control. Chris did seem to be a lovely guy though.

Love you've been fired, especially the episode where they got to interview Stuart Baggs. We might end up seeing him as a tv presenter - wouldn't be surprised.

[Jane]

Agreed about Chris seeming to be a lovely guy. At first, I had him down as a bit of a 'Tim Nice But Dim' character. His results in the weeks that followed - plus footage in the recent Apprentice doc - changed my mind. By last night, I thought he would also have made a worthy winner. Easy on the eye, too... His YBF interview was a fun view.

Stuart Baggs was hilarious on YBF. He really entered into the spirit of things. It's interesting to note that on Facebook, he is the runaway favourite as far as fan pages for the candidates go.

[Bronnie]

Hi
I too loved it when Lord Sugar said "Mmm." Never did such a small sound convey so much disdain.

Not happy about Stella winning and her attack on Chris at the end said everything about her. She turned on Liz too and I think Lord Sugar will regret this decision. Chris was honest, straightforward and honourable IMO. I take comfort that runners up like Kate Walsh and Clarie Young often carve out better careers than the winners and hope Chris will too. Interestingly over the past five years only one winner is still in the employ of Srallan and that is the woman from last year. Perhaps being The Apprentice is not all it is cracked up to be. One of my favourite winners was Lee 'It's what I'm talkin' about' McQueen who has just left his job.

As for Stuart- well wasn't he the greatest entertainment ever! The show would have been nothing without him. I don't think this will be the last we will hear of him! He's got so much confidence and a very inflated view of himself, but nonetheless he's very likeable.

Bronnie