Thread: The Apprentice 2012 BBC1 Weds Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.


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Posted by Alex Cockell (# 7487) on :
 
Hi all,

Just a quick headsup... The Apprentice is back on - 12 more Yuppie know-nothings for us to all laugh at...

Starts on Wednesday 21 March, BBC1...
 
Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :
 
Jolly good! Mr D gets fed up of me saying " I could do this..." I don't think I could do The Apprentice job part but I'm convinced I would be better at all the tasks! We enjoy picking out the early rejects from their ridiculous comments (I'm top of the food chain" is one of this year's!)
 
Posted by The Rogue (# 2275) on :
 
We're looking forward to it.
 
Posted by piccolo (# 16989) on :
 
I've already seen one candidate describe himself as, "The reflection of perfection". Bring it!
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
I have put in a whole £1 for the sweepstake at work.

[Smile]
 
Posted by Alex Cockell (# 7487) on :
 
On air now.
 
Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :
 
Well that was great boardroom drama tonight. I didn't see that coming until the very last second. Talk about keep digging when you've made yourself a hole.

Good start to the series.
 
Posted by Enigma (# 16158) on :
 
When are they ever going to learn that less is more!! As we say in Wales, 'Poor dab'. She tried too hard in the boardroom I think.
 
Posted by Spike (# 36) on :
 
I've said this before and I'm sure I will say it again several times during this series, but do these idiots ever watch previous series'? Don't they realise that when His Lordship tells them to shut the hell up, he really means it? She talked herself out of it!!

As to the task, as a Londoner I love watching a group of people who have no idea about the geography of London, let alone the traffic! Any native of London knows that travelling from Greenwich to London Zoo is a half day expedition!

One more thing. Why is it that all apprentices, regardless of race or gender, have piercing blue eyes? It's true. Look out for it at the next boardroom.
 
Posted by ExclamationMark (# 14715) on :
 
If British industry is run by such as these, then God help us. No wonder we're doomed.

You can be nice and successful in business
 
Posted by Spike (# 36) on :
 
That's very true. Another way of looking at it is that if they were truly any good at what they do, they'd be out there doing it. They wouldn't need to appear on a TV programme to do it.
 
Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
Well Biriana knew The Regents Park area, so she should have known that it was a major trip across.

Katie should have gone, and nearly did, but Biriana talked herself out of it. I was oddly impressed by Gabriel, even though she was a rubbish PM, but she stood up for herself, and I think she is better than she showed this week.
 
Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
I've just been looking at who the contestants are and what they had to say about themselves. After last night, I like Gabrielle and Stephen - they seem the most down to earth and likeable, which probably means they wil go out very soon! Mind, the winner last year seemed pleasant, which just goes to prove that nice people do, sometimes, win.
 
Posted by Spike (# 36) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Schroedinger's cat:
Well Biriana knew The Regents Park area, so she should have known that it was a major trip across.
She said she knew the area, but that was a bloody long walk she led for her team mates.
 
Posted by WhyNotSmile (# 14126) on :
 
I thought Bilyana should have stayed for entertainment value, and Katie should have gone.

One thing that seemed quite unfair was that the girls had someone on their team who already knew how to do printing (Gabrielle), so they were able to produce much higher-quality goods than the boys (not that it helped them in the end). I know that both teams have a mix of skills, but that was just one that was highly specialised and quite important for the task. A bit like if they dumped them in Japan, and one team had a fluent Japanese speaker while the others hadn't a clue.

The bit where the girls got told off by the shopkeeper was both hilarious and absolutely awful at the same time! They were so rude!

Can't see a winner yet - I don't think we've even heard everyone speak yet, I guess!
 
Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :
 
The ladies lose again [Disappointed] Asked to design a household gadget they produce a toy. Then suggest to the retailer that they order a million [Killing me] Plus they couldn't work out the figures for the profit margin.

I quite liked the composting gadget the other team produced. It looked good.
 
Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
The ladies are good at some parts of the tasks, but rubbish at the most important ones. The lads are rubbish at pretty much everything, but manage to win.

Azhar is rubbish and was lucky that they won, or he would have been out. Stephen is an arrogant shit, and should go. He thinks he knows everything, but is just a salesman.

Jane and Katie were lucky this week. Katie would have gone if she had been called into the boardroom, and Jane was very close to going.

Jenna I like - she has a mouth on her, but she tries and often succeeds. This week, she blew it badly, and was fortunate, but I think she is better than that.
 
Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :
 
I thought Jeanna should have gone, not only did she muck up the figures, she was the one who vetoed the tap cosy- which might have been a marginally better idea than the one they came up with.
 
Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
But as was said on YBF, the tap pillow wouldn't have sold, because most people put their head at the other end. It would have bombed like a very bombing bomb.
 
Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :
 
The focus group liked it. I thought it was to prop your feet up. Even so I don't think it would have had much impact. The splash-shield thing was OK as a bath toy but didn't really work as a splash-shield.
 
Posted by Nanny Ogg (# 1176) on :
 
The tap pillow would work if you share baths with your partner [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
I saw The Apprentice for the second time in my life this week. 'Lord' Sugar gets on my tits but not as much as the contestants.

The latter have a serious problem. Although many are in busines on their own account and making a success of it, they are AFAICT involved in service industries or trading (buying and selling).

Given the task of designing a product and bringing it to market I'm not surprised they struggled but no-one, not even some of the panel, seemed to get this important point.

They have to design another 'product' next week. Watch out for more train-crash television.
 
Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :
 
Well last night's was fun. Inventing, producing and selling a new condiment made for all kinds of gormless mishaps, like turning up to a selling pitch without a sample of the product. Third time in the Bridge cafe for Katie but she survived. I'm starting to like Duane.
 
Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
Enjoyed it last night. I think Michael was unfortunate to go after last night, because it was his first time, and Ricky in charge of the production was really responsible for the failure.

Michael was unlikely to win, but he deserved another chance. IMO.
 
Posted by joan knox (# 16100) on :
 
Although I suspect Ricky did manage to salvage a dire situation caused by the incompetent passengers Adam and Tom....

Good heavens but Jane is sour-faced besom.

Duane to win?
 
Posted by Nanny Ogg (# 1176) on :
 
I've taken a dislike to Stephen Brady - especially when he went for the name "Belissimo" and didn't know what it meant, whether it was actually Italian (it just sounded it) and got the spelling wrong.

Surely he could have checked everything on the internet before making such a stupid mistake.
 
Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
I am pretty sure that they are not allowed internet access in any of the process. However, the design company should have spotted it or checked it. That was sloppy of them.
 
Posted by Spike (# 36) on :
 
I doubt the design company (or any other third party for that matter) are allowed to interfere in any way. They just do as they are instructed.
 
Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :
 
And while they may not be allowed internet access, surely they could find a dictionary somewhere...or an Italian person...?! I don't think lack of internet is a good enough excuse for not checking. They are idiots, mostly, aren't they?
 
Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :
 
Idiots can be hilarious, especially the ones who take themselves seriously. They make good telly. Remember when they went to Morrocco and had to source various things including a kosher chicken? One team, with a member who claimed to be Jewish, produced a halal chicken - it had been prayed over by a Muslim, so that made it kosher, right?

[ 07. April 2012, 11:42: Message edited by: justlooking ]
 
Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
I would have thought the design company would have asked them what the words were, and spelled them right. But it it probably not much their fault.

Yes they are idiots. They should have taken the responsibility and got it spelled correctly. But that would not have been such good telly as getting people they were selling to telling them.

Actually, I think they are less idiots as just far too arrogant to check things up, when they cannot do it easily and simply on their phone. It is more laziness than stupidity - mostly.
 
Posted by Nicodemia (# 4756) on :
 
I'm really looking forward to next week - 11th April, as the contestants are apparently asked to but and then sell second hand goods........

Very few of them seem to have any idea what Real Life is abortive!

I reckon those Junior Apprentices a few months ago were a far better lot!
 
Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :
 
Yep, I think next weeks could be fun. The trouble is after having seen a few series the tasks start to get a bit repetative. This looks a bit different.

I thought Michael had to go, the others made mistakes (why does everyone have it in for Katie, she seems OK to me), but he really did look out of his depth.

I think there should be a prize for biggest sob story. We had Jane going on about how losing the task was worse than her son missing her, and this week Michael tried the I've come from nothing the hard way ploy.

[ 07. April 2012, 18:20: Message edited by: Gussie ]
 
Posted by The Rogue (# 2275) on :
 
Yes, as soon as he started on that one I thought "he's going". Hasn't he watched any of the previous series to know that Lord Sugar doesn't respond well to that kind of thing? Another one who literally talked himself out of the "job".

I also suspect that the professionals are instructed to limit their advice to the specific topic and not things like spelling mistakes. In a way it would be nice to find out exactly what their instructions are but it might also spoil it.

They don't appear to have access to the internet or the buying tasks would go a lot better. This does make the task less realistic (whenever I am asked about anything at work I whisper to myself "Google is your friend") but it does mean that the candidates need to be quite creative and imaginative. Oh, and it does make "better" telly because they look slightly more like dipsticks than they probably really are.
 
Posted by Nanny Ogg (# 1176) on :
 
Has anyone dug out their old space hoppers and hula hoops for the Groove Train?
 
Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :
 
I haven't watched it yet but I saw a news item - Duane's gone [Waterworks] I'll have to watch it now to find out why. The news item said the best team lost and the best candidate got fired. Apparently Adam was a crap project manager and brought Duane back into the boardroom for tactical reasons. I now hate Adam. Even before I've seen the episode.
 
Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Nanny Ogg:
Has anyone dug out their old space hoppers and hula hoops for the Groove Train?
[Eek!] [Roll Eyes] [Killing me]
 
Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
The wrong team won. I think that they should have deducted the cost of the space hoppers, hula hoops, and skipping ropes from their 12K order, which would have made a difference.

Duane messed up, and, of the 3 in the boardroom, he was the one who should have gone. However, he was not the worst performer in the task.
 
Posted by Aravis (# 13824) on :
 
I have no idea why Ricky brought those two back into the board room. If he'd brought either of the non-entities (can't remember their names, which seems kind of appropriate!) they would have been fired.
I agree that the other team should have had the equipment costs deducted as they obviously had no idea what they were doing. Space Hoppers cost £2?? Since when?
 
Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :
 
Seen it now. It was Ricky that did for Duane, not Adam as I'd read, probably mis-read. Still don't like Adam though. A very high cringe-factor episode.
 
Posted by Spike (# 36) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Aravis:
I have no idea why Ricky brought those two back into the board room. If he'd brought either of the non-entities (can't remember their names, which seems kind of appropriate!) they would have been fired.
That's why he didn't take them into the boardroom. What would have been the point for him? From a tactical point of view, it made more sense to take a gamble and hope one of the good ones got fired, thus reducing the competition.
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Aravis:
<snip>
Space Hoppers cost £2?? Since when?
See the Seventies thread in Heaven. Maybe Spacehoppers were priced at forty shillings, which sounds a helluva lot more than two quid.
 
Posted by WhyNotSmile (# 14126) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Dormouse:
And while they may not be allowed internet access, surely they could find a dictionary somewhere...or an Italian person...?! I don't think lack of internet is a good enough excuse for not checking. They are idiots, mostly, aren't they?
Last series one of them phoned a library to get a definition for something - that was a rare spark of genius! I think it was in the task where they had to find items for the Savoy, and one lot phoned a library to find out what a cloche was.

This week was a travesty. Firstly, they should have deducted the price of the space hoppers etc (but the rules had stated that the result would be based on licence sales, not profit - so maybe the other team missed a chance - why not just offer them a £50 cash back on every sale?!). Secondly, Groove Train was sold for a different market than the one it was pitched for - so basically, Virgin were going to take the basic idea and pay someone else to adapt it to something they could use. That doesn't seem fair.
 
Posted by agingjb (# 16555) on :
 
It's curious that an Italian word spelled wrong was considered appalling, whereas an English word spelled wrong would be just considered standard marketing cuteness.
 
Posted by doubtingthomas (# 14498) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by WhyNotSmile:
Firstly, they should have deducted the price of the space hoppers etc (but the rules had stated that the result would be based on licence sales, not profit...
Secondly, Groove Train was sold for a different market than the one it was pitched for - so basically, Virgin were going to take the basic idea and pay someone else to adapt it to something they could use. That doesn't seem fair.
Groove Train was only going to be adapted for a different market (i.e. changed a bit to allow for kids); most of the takings of the other group were a lump sum for their idea to be picked up and "developed" (i.e. changed completely) - which kind of balances that out.

I agree that equipment cost should have been taken into account, though. Even if the result was based on licence sales, they did their own pricing, and, if the cost of the licence included equipment cost, this would affect the income from each licence.

quote:
Originally posted by Spike:From a tactical point of view, it made more sense to take a gamble and hope one of the good ones got fired, thus reducing the competition.
Helluva gamble!
And he did not seem to have any idea how close he was to losing it...

[ 20. April 2012, 22:53: Message edited by: doubtingthomas ]
 
Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
The right team won.

Stephen is an arrogant shit. Someone should give him a kick. He should have gone home just for being a complete prick.

Jenna did well. You could tell that she thought she had lost, and was probably going. She is irritating when she panics, and her strong accent doesn't help.

I think Lord S should have sacked all three of them. They were all losers.
 
Posted by wilson (# 37) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Schroedinger's cat:
The right team won.
Yes but only by £20. I was all gearing up for a rant about how no matter what the task is supposed to be about it always comes down to money in the end.

Adam should've gone but he's this year's save-the-firing-til-later-because-of-entertainment-value candidate.
 
Posted by Val Kyrie (# 17079) on :
 
Adam is such a gobshite. I want him and Ricky to fight until one of them starts crying. Or until Jade jumps up and distracts them, by admitting that she is a man.
 
Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
Adam is so smarmy - Lord S wanted gourmet, and the meatballs were, sort of, but Adam just kept emphasising how cheap they were.
 
Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :
 
I thought it would have been really unfair if Adam's team had won it, seeing as they didn't stick by the brief. I thought Adam was lucky not to get fired, agreeing to the name 'Utterly Delicious Meatballs' was a bad mistake.
Best bit of the night was Katie addressing a bus load of bored people dressed as a pizza.
'You can guess what food we're selling.'
'Pizza.'
'No, meatballs.'

[ 27. April 2012, 19:46: Message edited by: Gussie ]
 
Posted by Spike (# 36) on :
 
Something occurred to em the other day. All this money they make selling stuff on the streets etc. Where does it all go?
 
Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :
 
I am glad the stew team won, because the meatball team went against L'dSugar's express statement that it was all about "gourmet" food. It would have been a travesty of justice (slight exaggeration!) had the Meatballs won.

Regarding the profits, I always assumed they went into the coffers of whoever is paying for the programme to be made - is that the BBC, L'dSugar, or whoever? They have to "suck up" the losses that are made and provide the initial start up cash, so it's only right they get the profits. Whoever "they" are.
It's like on "Bargain Hunt" when the Bonus Buy that the teams don't choose to sell gets sold anyway and makes a profit. I assume the profit goes into the coffers of the production company who make the show.
 
Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
The Bargain Hunt profits probably go to cancel the inevitable losses. I don't think they actually make a great deal from the process.

The Apprentice profits, I would assume, go to Lord S, as he provides the initial cash. Along with all of the stuff he hires, I doubt there is much actual "profit" in the process either.
 
Posted by Nanny Ogg (# 1176) on :
 
What is it with these people when it comes to choosing who is going back to the boardroom?

Adam should not have chosen Azhar but Stephen to go back as he clearly made as many bad decisions as Katie but Stephen is a slippery character who dodges responsibility, and his shiny 3piece suit is a fashion crime!

I think Lord Sugar saved Adam as the next task is the one he is suited for as he has a market trading business.
 
Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Nanny Ogg:
What is it with these people when it comes to choosing who is going back to the boardroom?
They are as bad at that as most other things.

Adam didn't take Stephen in because a) Stephen keeps saving Adams ass, so they are bestest of friends. Or so Adam thinks. and b) Stephen would have put Adam on the table, and cut out his heart as a personal sacrifice to Lord Sugar if he had. Adam knew that in a boardroom battle, Stephen would be dangerous.

I think he will end up in the boardroom with some of the other boardroom sharks, and talk himself into the taxi. What is more, I think Lord S knows what a shithead he is. As he says, do not underestimate Lord S.
 
Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
The right team lost, because they didn't get it. They were not very good. And I can see why Lord S fired the person he did, but I think there was a case for a double firing this week.
 
Posted by Val Kyrie (# 17079) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Schroedinger's cat:
The right team lost, because they didn't get it. They were not very good. And I can see why Lord S fired the person he did, but I think there was a case for a double firing this week.
Agreed, because the project wasn't really managed at all. I think Azhar is quite an energy suck - but I have been shouting at the TV about Jade for a long time. I wouldn't trust Jade to manage my money.
 
Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Schroedinger's cat:
The right team lost, because they didn't get it. They were not very good. And I can see why Lord S fired the person he did, but I think there was a case for a double firing this week.
Should have been the other bloke.

If what was on the telly was what happened, Adam called every single strategic decision wrong - the football match (12:30 kick-off? Rangers v Hearts? That was insane!), the spend, the menu, the name, the price, everything. When offered two pieces of advice he consistently followed the wrong one, even if his own original opinion was better.

But on the day he called every tactical decision correctly. He realised the pitch was in the wrong place, he realised the price was wrong, he realised the marketing "team" weren't selling bugger all, and made the right choices.

The smarmy git who wasn't called back to the room, as well as being a liar, was crap on the day. Dressing up as a pizza to sell meatballs was a shite. Poncing around in a green-white-orange tricolour was a shite idea. The bus was a shite idea. A shite idea carried out badly - they obviously had no notions of the distances between the places or the time it took to get there or who walked by where. An hour walking round Endinburgh the day before might have fixed that. Or even a few minutes with a map, a guidebook, and Wikipedia.

And worst of all he was demanding - screaming stridently at the top of his voice - that the price be put up to 7.99 when Adam already knew they couldn't sell at 5.99! And acting all hurt when that bollocks advice was not taken.

He only had five faults displayed here - he was ignorant, incompetant, unimaginative, spiteful, and dishonest. So I suppose he might make a good estate agent.


The ideal team would have had the scottish woman whose name I have forgotten as manager up until 6am on the day of the task, and Adam boss from then on. And smarmy-pants locked in a soundproof cupboard where his lying whinges could go unheard.
 
Posted by Spike (# 36) on :
 
Which episode were you watching ken?
 
Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :
 
Well last night I think Jade did what Adam did the week before and didn't bring back an obvious candidate to the boardroom, presumably due to misguided 'friendship'. Last week Adam should have brought back Stephen, this week Jade should have included Laura in her three. Lord Sugar even gave her a hint when he asked Laura how much she'd sold.
 
Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :
 
I thought Azhar was irritating - his constant phone calls asking for the strategy to be 'run through' again could have been his own strategy to make Jade look incompetent, and she didn't need anyone's help with that. I'm amazed she stayed.
 
Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Spike:
Which episode were you watching ken?
The one where they were trying to sell food from vans in Edinburgh.
 
Posted by Spike (# 36) on :
 
So not this week's one then [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
Don;t pick on poor Ken, just because he's a week behind the rest of the world. Some people are slow like that.
 
Posted by Val Kyrie (# 17079) on :
 
Ken... You're fired.
 
Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 
I turn on the telly, I see what comes on. If its boring I use the remote to see something else. If its all boring I put a DVD on. There is no intention or plan involved!

Also most of my TV watching is done between midnight and 3am.
 
Posted by Horatio Harumph (# 10855) on :
 
ooh just seen this thread ...
my second fav tv programme on at the moment (first is the current series of NCIS being shown)

looking forwards to tomorrows nights episode ...

who's turn is it next to go?!
 
Posted by Horatio Harumph (# 10855) on :
 
anyone watching this evening?
 
Posted by Alex Cockell (# 7487) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Horatio Harumph:
anyone watching this evening?
Yup - watching here...
 
Posted by Horatio Harumph (# 10855) on :
 
any thoughts so far?
 
Posted by Horatio Harumph (# 10855) on :
 
although having seen a bit more, i'm not so sure ...
 
Posted by Jenny Ann (# 3131) on :
 
yup - is it just me that is really not keen on Steven?
 
Posted by Horatio Harumph (# 10855) on :
 
nope, i dont like him either.

i dont like jade, her voice annoys me. as did laura's. glad she went and not tom
x
 
Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :
 
I was really hoping Stephen was going to be on the losing team this week, he deserved to go. Adam might be a sexist so and so but he was rather endearing in this task.
 
Posted by Nanny Ogg (# 1176) on :
 
The wrong team lost again this week. I'm hoping Steven will be on next week's losing team - having watched "You're Fired" the audience does not like him either!
 
Posted by wilson (# 37) on :
 
I want to say the wrong team lost but both teams made mistakes and there wasn't much in it financially.

I was very impressed with how well Tom handled himself in the boardroom. He didn't try to play tactics with who he brought in. He acknowledged his own mistakes without talking himself out of the process. He stood up for himself and gave credible reasons for why one of the others should go without it seeming like he was merely trying to deflect blame. And for the most part he avoided the talking-over-each-other snipe-fests that sometimes pass for discussion in the boardroom.

Not really sure why Sugar thought that mentioning he had a successful business meant he was not serious about the process.

I can't say I was gutted that Laura went but I think Jade should have gone. Her slightly better sales on the day are offset by her overall poor record. But her card's marked anyway.
 
Posted by Jenny Ann (# 3131) on :
 
I think Steven's got away with it so far. He's manipulative, two faced and sly. And his eyes are a bit sticky-outy for my liking (tho obviously this isn't a reason to get rid).

I started out really very much disliking Adam, but I agree, he was quite endearing on the task. I think working with all these clever women might have done him some good. I'd like to see Karen be subjected to his sexism, I think he'd learn a lot from that. I don't think he'll last through the CV/Interview episode if he even gets that far.

I'd like tom to win. I too was impressed with his performance in the board room and have, in previous episodes, been impressed with his team-working skills. I think he occasionally falls foul of having a 'can't be arsed' day and we don't hear from him at all, although this will reduce as the number of candidates reduces. I think it's a bit of a shame that next weeks task is a wine one and he was PM this week so probably won't be next week, but that would fit for him well as again, he should know what he's on about. Maybe he'll be good in the background, or being supportive of the PM in that task.

It seems to me that the tasks this time seem to have been more 'fitted' to the backgrounds of the different candidates. Adam could PM a trading/selling task (as a market trader), we've had numerous 'arty' tasks where Gabrielle could flourish (don't like her btw), the wine one coming up...
 
Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :
 
"Love-guru Smudgelet" suspects a bit of a thing developing between Adam and Jade. Anyone else seeing it?

I've never watched The Apprentice before and am only really watching it this time because the boy is so into it, but it's entertaining viewing. What amazes me is how the majority of these young things have even got as far as being contenders at all for an opportunity like this. Very few of them seem to have even a modicum of common sense or awareness of how the world, let alone the business world, works.

What I like about Tom is that he not only appears to know his stuff but he's also willing to accept the blame and acknowledge his mistakes rather than trying to brush them off onto somebody else: in fact, he is the only one I've seen doing so. And he takes the supporting role well without making a big noise about it. If I were looking for a business partner, he's one I'd feel confident to give it his best shot but also to cover my back, I think. I too can't quite see why Lord Sugar thinks he's not in it for serious reasons.
 
Posted by Spike (# 36) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Smudgie:
What amazes me is how the majority of these young things have even got as far as being contenders at all for an opportunity like this. Very few of them seem to have even a modicum of common sense or awareness of how the world, let alone the business world, works.
Like I said at the start of the series, if any of them were as great at what they do as they claim to be, they'd be out there doing it rather than wasting time appearing on a TV show.
 
Posted by kankucho (# 14318) on :
 
Well that's me out of the running in the office sweepstake with the departure of the lovely but ineffectual Laura. It's a real shame the team was carpeted on such a slender sales margin. I thought they had the better strategy over all and deserved a btter result, certainly from the handling of their corporate client.
 
Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
Finally got around to watching this weeks.

Laura is better looking than many of the others. But she was not good enough on the sales this week.

Both teams had some serious mistakes. So it was a toss up who won. I like Gabrielle, so I am glad she won. The losing team were dreadful at talking to the artists, which is a bad mistake. The winning team were dreadful at working with the corporate client, which is also a dreadful mistake.

This week was probably reasonably fair. But I do agree that Steven is a PITA, and should go.
 
Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :
 
I often can't help wondering too if they have ever seen the previous series before. One prime example was, I think, Jade who as PM had to come back into the board room. She also - as in every series and every episode since The Apprentice began - had to choose 2 people to bring back with her.

And she dithered about it and said something like "This is such a surprise"...Like it had been sprung on her suddenly. SURELY as PM who has lost and gone to the Café of Despondency you start thinking about which two you're going to bring back in. D'oh!

ETA I also liked the fact that this week, when they wzere told they were going to Waterloo station, several of them started thinking "Eurostar" & discussing where they might be going. Underneath the arches must have been a big disappointment!

[ 13. May 2012, 07:18: Message edited by: Dormouse ]
 
Posted by Marvin the Martian (# 4360) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Dormouse:
I also liked the fact that this week, when they wzere told they were going to Waterloo station, several of them started thinking "Eurostar" & discussing where they might be going. Underneath the arches must have been a big disappointment!
Shows how stupid they are - Eurostar services have been running from St Pancras for years now!
 
Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
I do like the way they try to work out the nature of the task from the location, and never come close.

And how LordS seems to be picking the locations to confuse them.
 
Posted by Horatio Harumph (# 10855) on :
 
funny reaction from nick, about steven's only contribution so far.

a french name for an english sparkling wine. hmmm.
 
Posted by Horatio Harumph (# 10855) on :
 
damn, her voice annoyed the hell outta me, but i quite liked jenna.

hope stephen loses next week.
 
Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :
 
Looks like next week's will be interesting - make or break for Stephen.

Feel sorry for Jenna but it was a rubbish video.

[ 16. May 2012, 21:06: Message edited by: justlooking ]
 
Posted by Enigma (# 16158) on :
 
This was crazy - no wonder they lost. Why am I watching? I need a therapist.
 
Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
Finally watched this weeks. Both teams made serious mistakes this week. But the right team won, I think.

Jenna shouldn't have gone. I liked her, and I would work for her. Yes her accent is not to everyone's liking, but that is part of her. She is hard working, and will try stuff. And she is likeable.

Steven is a prick. He should have gone, because he failed to help Jenna - or rather stop her making the wrong sort of video, and choosing a French word to push English wine. I so hope his team lose next week, because he will be out if they do.
 
Posted by Gill H (# 68) on :
 
It was actually St Pancras they were summoned to, not Waterloo.

Stephen is such a blame-shifter, I wouldn't trust him with any money of mine! Also, has no-one picked up his resemblance to Eastenders' Dirty Den? It's the "gaaah!" face he pulls.

Slightly annoyed by the inference on You're Fired that Adam knows nothing about art or wine because he's a northerner. I suspect most of the southerners didn't know much either! Reminds me of Susie Blake's snobby newsreader in the Victoria Wood sketches: "We'd like to apologise to people in the north. It must be awful for them."
 
Posted by Spike (# 36) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Gill H:
It was actually St Pancras they were summoned to, not Waterloo.
You're right, but the coversation about Waterloo upthread was from the previous episode which was at Waterloo!
 
Posted by Horatio Harumph (# 10855) on :
 
how many scollops is Ricky going to munch his way through?

hope steven loses and is fired this week.
 
Posted by Horatio Harumph (# 10855) on :
 
oooh a double firing!
 
Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :
 
When someone says "Losing is not an option" they deserve to lose. I'm glad Ricky's still in though - he seemed to know what was needed.
 
Posted by Spike (# 36) on :
 
I loved it in the boardroom when Steven said something like "If I make a mistake, I'll own up to it and come back the following day with a fresh mind and do exactly the same thing again"

I'm really surprised they didn't bring that up on You're Fired.

[ 23. May 2012, 22:51: Message edited by: Spike ]
 
Posted by Enigma (# 16158) on :
 
I don't feel Lord Sugars' decision could have been hard for him this week. In my view the correct choices were made. Looking forward to the next chapter now.
 
Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :
 
It was inevitable Stephen was going to go when they lost - he should have gone last week, which might have left Gabrielle with a chance - I felt she had been battered into submission after the wine task last week, when she did so much better than Stephen, but he didn't see it. Mind you she should have known teeth whitening and fish pedicures were not going to cut it.

As for Tom and Adam they appear to be turning into the sivvers of the year.
 
Posted by Avila (# 15541) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Spike:
I loved it in the boardroom when Steven said something like "If I make a mistake, I'll own up to it and come back the following day with a fresh mind and do exactly the same thing again"

I'm really surprised they didn't bring that up on You're Fired.
I was expecting something on that it was such a gift of a comment.
 
Posted by Tubbs (# 440) on :
 
test
 
Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :
 
Final five tonight. I can't understand why Jade is still there and the final remaining woman at that. At least Gabrielle had some artistic talent.

I think Tom or Ricky for the winner.
 
Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :
 
I take it back about Jade - she did OK. On the losing team but the best of the three.

As to who got fired - obviously it had to be the one who said "No way on this planet will it be me".
 
Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :
 
I think there was a strong case for Nick being shown the dor. I can't actually remember him doing anything distinctive in the whole series. Adam was probably lucky to last as long as he did, he was showing his sexist side again last night, guaranteed not to go down well with Karren.

I think it's time they re-jigged the format more than they did with the partnership thing.
 
Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
I would have fired all three on the losing team. Jade did well this week, but has not performed over the weeks. One of the other two will win, IMO, although the interviews are always fun and sometimes throw up some interesting aspects of the candidates.
 
Posted by Balaam (# 4543) on :
 
As a consumer I'm more likely to buy the sweets than the male grooming products. I'm male and I groom so I'm a prospective customer to both.

It seems that the decision, based on business models, whatever they are, was for the product I'm least likely to buy. I found it strange.
 
Posted by Beenster (# 242) on :
 
Jade will be a riot in the interviews, I'm glad she will be there.

I usually love the interviews but on this occasion I'm not too fussed. I'm sure editing will bring it all to life.
 
Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
If the chocolate firm was the one I think it is, their chocolate bars are around £3 I've seen them on sale in a posh supermarket and the nice little deli at Taurus. (See Wodders in Britain - Forest meet) They ahve a wonderful website full of tempting stuff but which is quite expensive. I don't think they'd have priced their chocolates at £2.99! I wonder i9f they will be introducing Drunken Jellies - pear cider jelly sounds very good. [Biased]
 
Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
So it's Ricky who is the Apprentice! None of the businesses were very exciting, and Jade's was horrid - did she really think Lord Sugar would support a call centre? Ricky's was probably the best of a bad lot, and he came over as having realised what a total prat he had been with some of the comments in his personal statement.
 
Posted by Avila (# 15541) on :
 
Was it my imagination or did the computer screen shot with Jade in the house show the phrase 'Brake even' ?? Break even surely??

And what's with the recipe buy all the ingredients in one go idea?? What about the things I already have at home? Or will it order flour, spices etc new every time which I don't need because I have them already from last time???

Call centre - useless.
Hedge fund of 25mill? - dream on.

Not a challenging choice for Lord Sugar really.

[ 03. June 2012, 23:38: Message edited by: Avila ]
 
Posted by Freelance Monotheist (# 8990) on :
 
It's a shame the business plans were not up to scratch-Jade's was pretty ridiculous, Tom's was way too risky, Nick's had pitfalls (like will it order all the ingredients, even the basic ones the person already has), so Ricky's was the best of a bad lot! Ricky definitely redeemed himself over the course of the series, as in the first episodes, I really disliked him as he reminded me of Stuart Baggs from an earlier series, who was prone to making ludicrous superlative comparisons about himself and was still as deluded as ever at the end of the series.
Stephen & Adam were dreadful this year though-Adam's deal-making with the hotel, asking them to throw in complimentary teas & coffees with the hotel stay was just painful to watch and I was hoping Tom might step in and save the day, but it wasn't to be!
I'd have preferred to see Gabi in the final, as she seemed more creative & a bit warmer than Jade, so may have had a better business plan...
If I understood correctly, Junior Apprentice will be along soon, which I really enjoyed previously!
 
Posted by Beenster (# 242) on :
 
I was really looking forward to sterling entertainment and I was deeply disappointed. There was so little in personality displayed and these people who have such bizarre egos were stiff and buttoned up. Filming and editing was probably stretched to get the best and it didn't fly.

The business plans were sterile, although the wine one had more flair. I wonder if Lord Sugar is aware of the business plans from the start so he knows where it might be going? I remember last year and him being so disappointed by the girl offering the conceirge service as she had been such a good candidate. Perhaps a reversal could be kicked in so that the business plans were sorted out at the beginning and then it was a case of weeding out contestants alongside their business plans - as ditched contestants might have had something really fun.

Anticipating Junior Apprentice tho.
 
Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
I believe that the contestants present something about their business plan, some idea of the area, at the start. But the hope is that they will learn enough in the process to be able to produce a better plan at the end.

Ricky was the best of the 4 definitely. And I quite enjoyed the interviews. But none of the ideas really worked for me.

I have read Lord Ss autobiography, and knew that he would not seriously consider Toms idea, because - as he said - he never gambles with other peoples money. He would consider himself responsible for the whole 25M raised if he went that way, and it was too much of a gamble for him. Yes it might work, but not with Lord S.

I am sure some of the others would have had better business plans. Gabrielle for a start, although there are others. Maybe LordS should get the buisness planes part way through, so he can consider them then. As he made clear, he is not intended to work hard with these people.
 
Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :
 
I wonder how much the candidates really know about Lord Sugar. He mentioned his 'position in society' when he was talking about Tom's plan and how he couldn't take a risk with other people's money. He was a Knight and is now a Lord of the Realm with a sworn oath of loyalty to the Crown. He wouldn't do anything to compromise his moral obligations.
 
Posted by Horatio Harumph (# 10855) on :
 
somehow i managed to miss what Rickys business plan actually is?

i'm glad he won though ...

through the final, I was betting on Ricky or Tom, and then when I realised Tom had actually already made many millions anyway, I figured why does he want Sugars money? Probably so if he lost it all, it wasnt his but someone else's.

So, I'm glad Ricky won.

As for The Apprentice in general, has it run its day?

This year has been the most dull, uninspiring, uninteresting series so far, in terms of candidates and tasks (all the same as year on year) so, is it time to call it a day?
(i'm not saying i wont be watching next years, of course i will, lol) x
 
Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Horatio Harumph:
somehow i managed to miss what Rickys business plan actually is?

Ricky very nearly lost the final before it started with a shocking presentation of his business plan! Lord Sugar's bullshit detector was active and accurate.

His was however the only viable business that deserved Lord S's intervention.

[ 04. June 2012, 18:43: Message edited by: Sioni Sais ]
 
Posted by lowlands_boy (# 12497) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by justlooking:
I wonder how much the candidates really know about Lord Sugar. He mentioned his 'position in society' when he was talking about Tom's plan and how he couldn't take a risk with other people's money. He was a Knight and is now a Lord of the Realm with a sworn oath of loyalty to the Crown. He wouldn't do anything to compromise his moral obligations.
I'm pretty sure the oath of loyalty to the crown doesn't preclude being involved in an investment business. There must be a few "honourable" members with a background in finance in the Lords. All the wine proposal consituted was an investment fund - there's nothing immoral about it really...

Ricky definitely had the best proposal of the four finalists. Maybe it would make a good addition to "You're fired" if we got to see what each of the investment plans were as the candidated got the boot.
 
Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by lowlands_boy:
quote:
Originally posted by justlooking:
[qb] I wonder how much the candidates really know about Lord Sugar. He mentioned his 'position in society' when he was talking about Tom's plan and how he couldn't take a risk with other people's money. He was a Knight and is now a Lord of the Realm with a sworn oath of loyalty to the Crown. He wouldn't do anything to compromise his moral obligations.
I'm pretty sure the oath of loyalty to the crown doesn't preclude being involved in an investment business. There must be a few "honourable" members with a background in finance in the Lords. All the wine proposal consituted was an investment fund - there's nothing immoral about it really...
He explained his "position is society" as meaning he can't afford to be associated with something that fails and that he would feel personally responsible for making good any losses. It's not that there is anything immoral as such in Tom's plan or in any such business ventures. I got the impression that Lord Sugar feels his own position as carrying moral responsibilities which he explained as saying he won't gamble with other people's money. He was knighted for his services to business, not just for making a lot of money, and his peerage was recommended by Gordon Brown, another morally principled man.

One of his reasons for rejecting Jade's plan was that he doesn't want his name associated with disturbing people at home with cold-calling. Cold-calling people at home isn't illegal, or immoral, it's just for most people an irritatng intrusion.

[ 05. June 2012, 07:10: Message edited by: justlooking ]
 
Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
What they clearly haven't done is read his autobiography, or found out much about him at all. It is clear that they don't plan their business proposal in a way that would appeal to Lord S. If they did that, they would do better.
 
Posted by MiceElf (# 4389) on :
 
Was there a hint that this may be the last series in a comment made by Nick to Lord Sugar, when they had a discussion between them choosing Tom or Ricky which was along the lines of " Do you want to go out with a bang or take the safe option?"
 
Posted by wilson (# 37) on :
 
Tom said in the boardroom that he would use Lord Sugar's name/reputation as a way of bringing in the money for the investment fund. It wasn't picked up on at the time (maybe a raised eyebrow) but I wondered about it later when the cryptic "position in society" remarks were made.
 
Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by MiceElf:
Was there a hint that this may be the last series in a comment made by Nick to Lord Sugar, when they had a discussion between them choosing Tom or Ricky which was along the lines of " Do you want to go out with a bang or take the safe option?"
He also described himself as a pensioner and said he didn't want to do a lot of hard work any more. It makes sense. He's 65, he's made his money. He's got a wife and family, and I expect the House of Lords is an interesting hobby.
 
Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
Tom did not actually need the money. What he wanted was Lord Sugars name. It was a brave move - not unlike what some of the hopefuls do in "Dragons Den" where it can work. But Lord S does not mind about spending or even losing some money. He is not one to trade his name lightly.
 
Posted by WhyNotSmile (# 14126) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by MiceElf:
Was there a hint that this may be the last series in a comment made by Nick to Lord Sugar, when they had a discussion between them choosing Tom or Ricky which was along the lines of " Do you want to go out with a bang or take the safe option?"
I think they've already opened applications for the next series, though, haven't they? And I imagine that if Lord Sugar does retire, they'd get someone else to take over.

I agree that this series was pretty dull, and the format needs something of a shake-up. It has seemed ridiculous that in the past 2 series most of the tasks revolve around selling, while it is made clear that Lord Sugar's not looking for a salesperson. It was particularly striking in the previous series, when Tom (lovely, lovely Tom) won the series, having lost all but 1 or 2 tasks.

It would be interesting to see them take on multi-week tasks, perhaps developing a product and campaign over a longer timeframe, and then perhaps firing more than 1 of them at the end. It would also be good to have a few individual tasks, or paired tasks, rather than always being in 2 teams - very often the better team loses, and then someone fairly decent gets fired.
 


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