I'm really looking forward to this, one of the best things on TV. It starts tonight at 9 on BBC1 with You're Fired afterwards as usual. Tonight they have to sell fish.

The candidates (http://www.bbc.co.uk/apprentice/candidates.html)

:clap:

Anyone watch tonight? First of the new series. Really enjoy The Apprentice...though every year it amazes me how these people earn so much money yet have so little common sense!!
Think the right person went tonight...although whoever thought going into a solicitors to sell the fish was a good idea is quite clearly crazy!!

Yes-loved it! Made me laugh-especially Sir Alan Sugar's response to the comment that 'arty' guy said about not liking football.

Sir Alan-"So...what are you trying to tell me...? That there is some cultural divide in the group?" (or words to that effect):hihi:

yes really enjoyed it, definately the right one went.
also enjoy the apprentice your fired with adrian chiles on bbc2 at 10.00.

Well that was value for money. :D

Tonight's theme seemed to be class war. Even I know a lobster's worth more than £5. :loopy:

They're all rampaging egos of course, but Nicholas' obsession with his academic record was surreal, and not in the Dali sense. Everything he said seemed to be guaranteed to miff Sralan.

And doesn't Alex look like Ethan Hawke? And Raef goes to the top of the TV tree for annoying hair. :rant:

I can't wait for them to wash their dirty laundry in public next week.

I forgot that was on. Wonder if it will be repeated ?

Hi Purdy :wave:
I watched it too.Lots of annoying characters, I think we will be in for a treat with this lot!:hihi:

I forgot that was on. Wonder if it will be repeated ?

It's on iPlayer. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/page/item/b009rd16.shtml?src=ip_ra)

Watching them choose team names was enough. :rolleyes:

The Adrian Chiles 'you're fired' thing is the best part though ... a laugh from beginning to end ... although the 'toff' that didn't know the price of lobster was quite endearing on that!

did anybody spot the twinkle in Sir Alan's eye tonight? the one that gives somebody a 'get out of jail free' card for the next few rounds? ;)

It's on iPlayer. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/page/item/b009rd16.shtml?src=ip_ra)

Watching them choose team names was enough. :rolleyes:

Thank you Mod-Man.

They're all rampaging egos of course, but Nicholas' obsession with his academic record was surreal, and not in the Dali sense. Everything he said seemed to be guaranteed to miff Sralan.

Yes...'rampaging egos'...that's what makes it so hilarious. I especially love all the rehersed corporate speak. :)

Nicolas...yes I think he was a bit of a fish (ha ha) out of water. The dali-esque tash-nice touch...but not on a fish market, and I think Sir Alan's comment was telling when he acknowledged his academic achievements, but said something along the lines of how this needs to be applied, as well.

And Raef goes to the top of the TV tree for annoying hair. :rant: Apart from talking like another pompous twit-and trying to crawl out of the fact that he mis-labled the fish. :).

When is it repeated on TV again I couldn't watch tonight. It used to be on again later in the week. I will investigate!

Repeated Saturday at 10.30 BBC 2

did anybody spot the twinkle in Sir Alan's eye tonight? the one that gives somebody a 'get out of jail free' card for the next few rounds? ;)

No...I didn't...explain, I missed it. I love the expressions on his face though, when they're all bickering :)

Was it directed at Alex?

Yes...'rampaging egos'...that's what makes it so hilarious. I especially love all the rehersed corporate speak. :)

Nicolas...yes I think he was a bit of a fish (ha ha) out of water. The dali-esque tash-nice touch...but not on a fish market, and I think Sir Alan's comment was telling when he acknowledged his academic achievements, but said something along the lines of how this needs to be applied, as well.

After hearing his dismal and misguided failure to defend himself in the boardroom, I just hope to goodness I never end up with Nicholas as my barrister! :o

'Outstanding. Does that mean you haven't got it yet?' :hihi:

When is it repeated on TV again I couldn't watch tonight. It used to be on again later in the week. I will investigate!

It's on BBCiplayer, link above ^^^^

God I love this show, why is it all the men sounded like they'd been reading a thesaurus before the meeting? Don't they understand Sugar isn't impressed by oversized words!

It always amazes me how all the contestants think their the best thing since sliced bread but always manage to mess up the easiest of tasks.

Can't wait tho see them all embarass themselves!

Yes...'rampaging egos'...that's what makes it so hilarious. I especially love all the rehersed corporate speak. :) We've been laughing about that too. You'd think with all the work they've put in they'd have twigged that Sir Alan never uses any of that pretentious twoddle, but that would mean they'd have to stop thinking about themselves for a few seconds to acknowledge that :hihi:

And yes, it was Alex he 'twinkled' at ;)

AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:rant::rant::rant::rant:

I've been looking forward to this since the last series.

I've recorded it.

Got home from work.

Sat down, with the heating on, and a beer.

And got 1 hour of 'digital flickering' and NO SIGNAL

:rant::rant::rant::rant:

Not impressed one little bit.

That nasty man makes my skin crawl.....I shan't be watching it.

Years ago I was trying to help a local group....all of which were disabled....some quite severely....to get things for their group.

The group was in Tottenham so I got in contact with Mr Sugar (who was then Chairman of Tottenham FC) and invited him to visit the group....I sent him details of what the group needed....and asked if he would consider donating a computer....nothing fancy just a standard computer. He replied NO!!! That man is the head of the Amstrad empire and he couldn't even donate a computer to a group that was "on his patch"....stingy individual.

In the end some of the disabled people did a skydive to get the funds to get the computer.

I hate that man :rant:

That man is the head of the Amstrad empire and he couldn't even donate a computer to a group that was "on his patch"....stingy individual.

You're lucky then, his computers (and just about all Amstrad products) are cr*p!

Sir Alan: "Says here you've faced many life or death situations..., Where? At the hairdressers?!" :hihi: Cheeky.
Funniest line for me so far!

Still, I've always liked the original Apprentice, the one with Mr Trump.

If Alan Sugar keeps using this system to hire people, he won't be a millionaire for much longer. I've never seen such a set of absolute twits. Every series is the same. Absolute morons.

I would watch it but I have never been able to stomach Alan Sugar

What a bunch!

I'm surprised there's room in the converted warehouse for their collective ego's.

I look forward to seeing how this series unfolds.

Pity there doesn't appear to be one of these (http://www.bbc.co.uk/apprentice/images/resized_images/katie-real-main_358x265.jpg) this time round...:hihi:

Repeated Saturday at 10.30 BBC 2

Ah great thanks.

I heard some clips on the radio - sound like a right bunch!

What a bunch!

I'm surprised there's room in the converted warehouse for their collective ego's.

I look forward to seeing how this series unfolds.

Pity there doesn't appear to be one of these (http://www.bbc.co.uk/apprentice/images/resized_images/katie-real-main_358x265.jpg) this time round...:hihi:

One thing I noticed last night was a lot of lingering shots on one particular woman's reactions, and not because she was pretty, far from it. She also didn't say or do very much to warrant the inclusions. Obviously the programme's edited to highlight the *characters* and I wondered if more shots of her hinted that later in the series she reveals herself to be 'quality viewing'. Early days...

By the end I was shouting at the telly because of that Raef guy. I really hope he goes out soon.

The first task is always interesting as they all don't want to be first to PM a task. I think Alex did an ok job though.

Yep, twinkle spotted! A sort of "i like the cut of this man's jib":)

I wouldn't make a very good apprentice. I wouldn't be able to resist the urge of jumping over the table and beating Alan Sugar to death in front of his old, stern faced cronies. Further, the whole premise of the show is to take people and make fools out of them for our entertainment and to make him look good. Notice how his chair is raised much higher than the two people either side. He has 'little man Syndrome.'

"Apprentice" website with profiles etc.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/apprentice/

Just to post the one that got away:

'I've proved that fish can be sold.'

Thought for the day. :thumbsup:

I wouldn't make a very good apprentice. I wouldn't be able to resist the urge of jumping over the table and beating Alan Sugar to death in front of his old, stern faced cronies. Further, the whole premise of the show is to take people and make fools out of them for our entertainment and to make him look good. Notice how his chair is raised much higher than the two people either side. He has 'little man Syndrome.'

I know...

What is it with these programmes that are simply designed to humiliate the people on the programme, for the delight and delectation of the viewing public? I just don't understand the concept. It's all just horribly embarrassing and uncomfortable - I can't watch these things, there so cheap and tacky :gag:

And don't the contestants have any pride? If I got spoken to like Sugar and Cowell and their clones spoke to people, I wouldn't trust myself not to give them a slap

StarSparkle

Finally got round to watching this last night having avoided this thread for a couple of days!! I can't get over how little common sense some of them have!! Surely walking round to see what prices other people are selling the same goods at is just the common sense thing to do when setting your own prices!? That guy who got fired was such a snob anyway, thank god he's gone!!

I went to uni with Alex, he was a couple of years above me....i dont think i should reveal the nickname we had for him

im loving it ...........

I went to uni with Alex, he was a couple of years above me....i dont think i should reveal the nickname we had for him

Oh go on...please? :D

I watched the first time it came on our screens- it was fun, but I think it is now all about PR for Alan Sugar and more like Big Brother (which I hated). Though if they show good business knowledge and it can perhaps be more educational, then that would be more interesting.

What is it with these programmes that are simply designed to humiliate the people on the programme, for the delight and delectation of the viewing public? I just don't understand the concept.
StarSparkle

I find the appeal with this programme, is not that it is designed to humiliate individuals-but to see the ridicule in ego-centrical behaviour in a work environment. Essentially this programme is a game, but as group dynamics change and competition intensifies...this changes to a sense of desire to spot qualities in individuals, as well as faults....and the hunt for the 'wild-card', 'the under-dog', and the 'dark-horse'.

However, what I generally find is that 'the winner' soon becomes an anti-climax...without the rest of the participants.

Most of us can relate to childish behaviour in the workplace, and we can identify with it. We see it in others...and we see it in ourselves.

I like to learn from people-watching, sometimes.

I think the right one went tonight, like someone said earlier I'd hate to have him representing me.

I thought Alex seemed quite a reasonable chap so he might have a chance, that other person in the boardroom(Raef?) looks like someone who m*********s a lot!

Thought Alex had had it. In a public sector organisation he would have been ejected regardless of ability being up against the other contestants.

Thankfully private sector stalwart Sir Alan makes his decisions on whether they like football or not... altogether more appropriate and conducive when selecting potential management candidates.

I doubt I'll watch the show much now.

The show is being edited to make people look good / bad / arrogant, just for the TV.

Even Alan Sugar says he is edited to make him look like Mr Nasty.

The tasks are given less air time after the recap at the start and all the arguments they show.

I love this show, and Alan Sugar is great.:D

I love it but them im a reality tv freak

Oh go on...please? :D

haha, it was the hyena.i think it was because of his hairdo at the time, which was an ubertrendy affair that looked, well, like a hyena's mane! bless him.

Alex, Ian, Lee and Mark are all quite fit.

Nicholas deserved to be fired. How can you think lobsters cost £5! He also put on his CV that one of his favourite things to do was to have a bath surrounded by candles..... What has that got to do with the price of lobsters you twirp.

I think I'm in love.... (http://www.bbc.co.uk/apprentice/candidate/id/13/type/contestant.html)

Not only is she the best saleswoman in Europe, she can also make the shape of a shamrock with her tongue! What more could you want in a woman?

I think I'm in love.... (http://www.bbc.co.uk/apprentice/candidate/id/13/type/contestant.html)

Not only is she the best saleswoman in Europe, she can also make the shape of a shamrock with her tongue! What more could you want in a woman?

Anyone can do that. She should have just shouted "I'm Irish Me!"

She is very attractive though. I will give her that.

Is it just me or does anyone think the apprentice was better when there wasnt candidates that are already highly successful? Like the guy several years ago who was a london underground ticket office attendent, its people like him that should be on the show. People with potential. Her from hull that won it a couple of years ago already had a successful company, so why would you want to go work for someone?

I still really like the show, but it seems to be going big brother'ish. In other words bring in as many annoying people as possible rather than people who are the average joe

Some of my friends and I write an Apprentice blog (http://theapprentbitch.blogspot.com) if anyone's interested.

I love/hate Raef. I think Alex might be a contender, though. He was a bit useless as a team leader, but he had guts in the boardroom and he is of the meek type that Sralan tends to 'hire'.

Let's hope this guy goes next: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=550069&in_page_id=1773

Serve him right if she sues the A$$ off him! And he looks like he's been hit in the face with a breezeblock...

Oh my god - tonights episode was the funniest yet. I was drinking some wine when they showed the 'homo erotic' scenes on the BBC2 show - it soon was coming out my nose as I was laughing whilst drinking :gag: :D

The evil Project Manager should definitely have gone.

Didnt like Raef last week but liked him tonight, even if he wasnt in a hurry to help with the mound of dirty laundry. The guy that was in Bosnia was good.

The guy getting his stuff cleaned by the girls for 15 quid and 10 quid tip instead of 60 quid must have thought it was Christmas :P

I agree the ex squaddie was very good tonight. There is something evil about the girls team leader. Looks like she'd stab you if it meant her team would have won.

Don't speak whem Im speaking, Im the project manager, daft chuff!!!

There is something evil about the girls team leader.
I think she should have gone...scary woman :help: What was that bizarre comment about breast-feeding all about? :confused: I think there was something evil about the entire girls team this week.

...asking for tips? :o.

I have to say, Raef and his team came into their own this week. :)

I agree that that Jenny, the girls project manager should have gone!! She's quite clearly crazy...why did she call that lass who left a liar?! And you could see from her face when all the girls were in there that she was desperately trying to figure out who she could attack and take the blame away from herself on!

Boys did good though...seemed to actually work well together in the team :O

"How are my pants getting on?"


Catchphrase of the series so far.....

Shazia was totally shafted by Jenny. Jennifer M and Lindi were the two who really lost the task. They lost out on the biggest deal with the hotel and priced their service incorrectly - not to mention the ridiculous 24hour hotline. Shazia should have performed better in the board room - she could have had Jenny by holding her responsible for the pricing and the decision to send Shazia home to start ironing.

The montage of the boys doing there male bonding was hilarious. Can't wait for next week....

I missed it as I was being a social gadabout. Come on iplayer, get your act together! I can't possibly get on with the decorating until I've had my fix. Ggggrrrrr. :rant:

Your Fired

Yay! Watched it now :clap:

£4.99 each item. That sounds familiar. Are the teams going to charge £5 for something ridiculous all through the series? :hihi:

The look on their faces when the hotel boss told them they were charging him £5000, which they hadn't appeared to figure out themselves first. :o

Then going to the opposite extreme and charging £15 to the fishmonger, who was practically willing them to charge more. And then they thought they'd charged too much. Good grief.

My favourite moment had to be when the hardcore macho ex-squaddie was forcefully describing ironing in Bosnia. Of course I know what he meant, but it did sound incongruous.

As for Jenny, she seems downright pathological. People like that are chilling. Ugh.

One thing I noticed last night was a lot of lingering shots on one particular woman's reactions, and not because she was pretty, far from it. She also didn't say or do very much to warrant the inclusions. Obviously the programme's edited to highlight the *characters* and I wondered if more shots of her hinted that later in the series she reveals herself to be 'quality viewing'. Early days...

Yup, that was her. Do I get a sticky bun? I think she'll be around for some time yet. *Shivers*.

There's an extra show tonight at 9 looking back at the worst blunders from past series.

I wonder what'll cost £5 next week? :help:

Update your blog, Rad!

There's something on at 9pm on BBC2 if anyone hasn't noticed it.

Could be good. :)

There's something on at 9pm on BBC2 if anyone hasn't noticed it.

Could be good. :)

You mean if anyone hasn't noticed the post just above yours? :hihi:

You mean if anyone hasn't noticed the post just above yours? :hihi:


Oooops :blush: :hihi:

Well, I am quite normally 'Contained' BUT....if I had to work with that project manager woman, I would have smacked her in the mouth, how dare she talk down to people, pure, self obsessed evil, and as a side note, talking ill of people all the time makes you have an ugly face!!!

Update your blog, Rad!

Steven updated it this evening - it's a collaborative blog, so I only write the entries every four weeks or so!

"How are my pants getting on?"


Catchphrase of the series so far.....

Christ, that was funny! :hihi: I do like some quality sarcasm!

I think I 'get' this show now. It's all about ripping apart the dumb corporate clones and getting a laugh at their expense with their 24 hour Underpant Hotlines and Teamwork and stupid team names like Alpha. Then when you get one who acts 'tough' like Alan Sugar (i.e. Jenny) they just look like a total loon, because he's not actually like that, he's just a Cockerney Barrer Boy who just wants to cut the hotshots down to size ;)

This was good again tonight.More hopeless management and planning skills on display again!New trend, is people lying blatantly in the board room!

This was good again tonight.More hopeless management and planning skills on display again!New trend, is people lying blatantly in the board room!
Loved Jo Brand telling the 'you're fired' guy that lying about something when you're being filmed 'on telly' is not a good idea! :hihi:

I don't actually watch the prog but just the 'you're fired' on BBC2, which is about as much as I can stand without smashing the screen in! :D

So now we know what the L word is.

Letdown, according to his dad.

Liar, according to the evidence.

L'achiever, according to this week's Loser.

He's an angry man. He gave me the creeps.

And I wish they had responded to all the complaining customers in Italian accents (is that how you spell it?)

I think I love Simon. If only he looked like Alex.

Was cheering this week when he got fired, at least the right person got the push. What a weak leader he was - assigns someone else responsible for everything then fails to control or issue orders out for the whole task. I was gobsmacked when he tried to shirk all responsibility in the boardroom! Even on the Your Fired show he still wouldn't admit to being the weakest link in the team.

Yup right person went this week thankfully!! Although that 'head chef' one was really getting on my wick! Did anyone see the Apprentice lookalike special in Heat tother week? Said head chef guy looked like 'The only gay in the village' and now whenever I see him cant get that image out my mind :P

Yup right person went this week thankfully!! Although that 'head chef' one was really getting on my wick! Did anyone see the Apprentice lookalike special in Heat tother week? Said head chef guy looked like 'The only gay in the village' and now whenever I see him cant get that image out my mind :P

Didnt 'Dafed' get on your wick though when he was telling the others what had happened in the boardroom?

"Yeah, I nailed him to the floor" in that Worzel Gummidge accent :hihi:

Hopefully, he'll go next - he strikes me as an arrogant piece of work.

So now we know what the L word is.

Light-bulb, perhaps?. :confused: :hihi:

The head chef...a sly move to arrange a pep-talk I thought. Sir Alan's response; "You did?"

(perhaps, 'that's what chefs do'.)

Did I see a little nod of encouragement from Sir Alan to Simon in the boardroom?

Girls on top this week...

I'd like to reply to this thread but I'm busy making a carbonara at the moment. Does anyone know the best time to add the saute potatoes, or whether a latte is a suitable dessert to follow?

Lots of Italian restaurants serve saute potatoes. At least the ones I eat in, do.

I think squaddie Simon is gorgeous!

...Am I alone in thinking sralan does too. What's the betting he wins the series?

Christ, that was funny! :hihi: I do like some quality sarcasm!

I think I 'get' this show now. It's all about ripping apart the dumb corporate clones and getting a laugh at their expense with their 24 hour Underpant Hotlines and Teamwork and stupid team names like Alpha. Then when you get one who acts 'tough' like Alan Sugar (i.e. Jenny) they just look like a total loon, because he's not actually like that, he's just a Cockerney Barrer Boy who just wants to cut the hotshots down to size ;)

I don't know where Alan Sugar gets the idea that he's really something. He's not even a billionaire....

The only thing he's famous for is AMSTRAD, possibly the crummiest computers of all time. If he'd done it properly, the world would be running its computers on "AMSTRAD Tommy Trinders" and not Microsoft Windows.

Cockney Barrow Boy done good he may be, but George Soros he aint.

I don't know where Alan Sugar gets the idea that he's really something. He's not even a billionaire....

The only thing he's famous for is AMSTRAD, possibly the crummiest computers of all time. If he'd done it properly, the world would be running its computers on "AMSTRAD Tommy Trinders" and not Microsoft Windows.

Cockney Barrow Boy done good he may be, but George Soros he aint.

What he said! ^^^

What he said! ^^^

What he said ^^^^^

What she said ^^^^^^

The guy who got fired was fit, so should've stayed I think. That Blond guy who's a bank manager should go next coz he's like a snake in the grass who's out to stir things up I think. Plus, In the episode where they had to do all that laundry, he didn't pull his weight.

i love it at the end when they stab each other in the back :)

The guy who got fired was fit, so should've stayed I think. That Blond guy who's a bank manager should go next coz he's like a snake in the grass who's out to stir things up I think. Plus, In the episode where they had to do all that laundry, he didn't pull his weight.

After watching him on You're Fired after, I thought he was a soulless unfunny tosspot. Just as well Jo Brand was on this week, as the rest of the show was pants.

Still, while we're talking hotties, Sara gets my vote. ;)

I don't know where Alan Sugar gets the idea that he's really something. He's not even a billionaire....

The only thing he's famous for is AMSTRAD, possibly the crummiest computers of all time. If he'd done it properly, the world would be running its computers on "AMSTRAD Tommy Trinders" and not Microsoft Windows.

Cockney Barrow Boy done good he may be, but George Soros he aint.

A little unfair, I think. How do we know he thinks he's really something?

He definitely has charisma, and has achieved a fair degree of success as a business man, and he supports Great Ormond Street children's hospital.

I think he's alright.

I don't know where Alan Sugar gets the idea that he's really something. He's not even a billionaire....

The only thing he's famous for is AMSTRAD, possibly the crummiest computers of all time. If he'd done it properly, the world would be running its computers on "AMSTRAD Tommy Trinders" and not Microsoft Windows.

Cockney Barrow Boy done good he may be, but George Soros he aint.

That's perhaps how you see him, but that doesn't mean that's what everyone thinks...

I think anyone who amasses a business empire worth £800m is entitled to be proud of their achievements - and indeed should be.

I think anyone who amasses a business empire worth £800m is entitled to be proud of their achievements - and indeed should be.

Anyone else notice that in 4 series he hasn't amassed anymore than £800m. He had that in the 1st series. :confused:

Surely the interest alone would vastly increase that figure.

That's perhaps how you see him, but that doesn't mean that's what everyone thinks...

I think anyone who amasses a business empire worth £800m is entitled to be proud of their achievements - and indeed should be.

His business empire used to be worth many many billions....now that's talent.

[QUOTE=*_ash_*;3372300]Anyone else notice that in 4 series he hasn't amassed anymore than £800m. He had that in the 1st series. :confused:

Ash - that's a genius observation...it's a travesty that you're not one of the candidates. How on earth did you remember that? Have you got any more facts up your sleeve?

Can you imagine pointing that out to Sir Alan in the boardroom - like, hello, you haven't ammassed any more fortune since series 1....

Has anyone ever seen Nick smile? At least Margaret's got a little twinkle in her eye. Does anyone else suspect that there's some sleazy three-way action happening between Sir Alan, Nick and Big Marg?

Can you imagine pointing that out to Sir Alan in the boardroom - like, hello, you haven't ammassed any more fortune since series 1....

Has anyone ever seen Nick smile? At least Margaret's got a little twinkle in her eye. Does anyone else suspect that there's some sleazy three-way action happening between Sir Alan, Nick and Big Marg?

I think Nick might have had botox but got confused and had it round his mouth, and lets his eyebrows do the talking.

Favourite line this week was from the Ice Queen herself: 'At least his singing had some cheese in it.' Go Maggie! :clap:

Nick does have a sense of humour - check it out here. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUnRVUcoONk&feature=related)

And in response to the scathing comments made by Ultimo boss Michelle...have a look here. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-4IXIjr0c0&feature=related)

Miaooow.

I :love: Katie Hopkins! Nobody even comes close this year to her...

Ash - that's a genius observation...it's a travesty that you're not one of the candidates. How on earth did you remember that? Have you got any more facts up your sleeve?
I suspect a touch of sarcasm there .. :suspect:

Although I did notice in this weeks episode (no sure about the past, I shall check next week) .. whenever Sir Alan is in the boardroom and he calls Fraaarncis, she always writing before the phone call, and when she hangs the phone up, she cupped her hands together and the pen is mysteriously gone :confused::hihi:

It happened twice in this episode, it could of course be a coincidence that everytime Alan rings her, she just happens to be finishing up. ;)

I suspect a touch of sarcasm there .. :suspect:

Although I did notice in this weeks episode (no sure about the past, I shall check next week) .. whenever Sir Alan is in the boardroom and he calls Fraaarncis, she always writing before the phone call, and when she hangs the phone up, she cupped her hands together and the pen is mysteriously gone :confused::hihi:

It happened twice in this episode, it could of course be a coincidence that everytime Alan rings her, she just happens to be finishing up. ;)

Francis is a legend!

I can just picture her revving up before each new series with her scripts, practicing her lines.

Week 1: "Sir Alan will see you now."

Week2: "Sir Alan will see you now."

Week3: "Sir Alan will see you now."

Week4: "Sir Alan will see you now."


Etc....

Francis is a legend!

I can just picture her revving up before each new series with her scripts, practicing her lines.

Week 1: "Sir Alan will see you now."

Week2: "Sir Alan will see you now."

Week3: "Sir Alan will see you now."

Week4: "Sir Alan will see you now."


Etc....

:hihi::hihi:

Can you imagine the acting selection process involved? (as she is an actress for anyone that didn't know)

Ok Miss, for this part, no one will see your face.. only your hands, a pen, and you will have one line...

I imagine the failed actresses for this part would have been traumatised that they could get such a simple part. :hihi:

You're FIRED!!, LOL:D

I suspect a touch of sarcasm there .. :suspect:

Although I did notice in this weeks episode (no sure about the past, I shall check next week) .. whenever Sir Alan is in the boardroom and he calls Fraaarncis, she always writing before the phone call, and when she hangs the phone up, she cupped her hands together and the pen is mysteriously gone :confused::hihi:

It happened twice in this episode, it could of course be a coincidence that everytime Alan rings her, she just happens to be finishing up. ;)

I was proper impressed by your observational and memory skills Ash; no sarcasm at all. I wish I could remember things like that. I've often felt there's something not quite right about Francis - it must be the pen mystery. I'm going to be watching her like a hawk now. I suspect she's just nick in a wig anyways.

I've seen on this page (http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/all-fired-up-1327300.html) that his on-screen PA was called Jenny but now of course we have Frances (which is Sir Alan's PA's current real name apparently). So did he ever have a Jenny as a real PA ? Or maybe they had to rename the fake PA so he could remember the name ? :P

Favourite line this week was from the Ice Queen herself: 'At least his singing had some cheese in it.' Go Maggie! :clap:

I thought that line was class. :hihi::hihi: When Michael started singing Frank Sinatra I was writhing around in embarrassment. It was awful. And he also came out with an unfunny lurid innuendo to a female customer..... A waiter would never do that....I first thought he was a bit hapless but quite nice. Now I just think he is an idiot.

I absolutely love watching it but none of the contestants deserve to win or even be on the programme at the moment. Not one person brought up costing the food and marking it up by 200% - The basic rule of catering. I am surprised after looking at the website how many of the contestants in the boys team have catering experience. They all kept their heads down as they knew that it was going to be Kevin or Ian going out as soon as they were made team captain and head chef.

Apparantly this week Sir Alan's firing is one of the biggest mistakes ever! (According to a newspaper).

Yup right person went this week thankfully!! Although that 'head chef' one was really getting on my wick! Did anyone see the Apprentice lookalike special in Heat tother week? Said head chef guy looked like 'The only gay in the village' and now whenever I see him cant get that image out my mind :P

Cat said that when we watched it last night!!!! He does doesn't he!!! That project manager guy was definately the one I'd have sacked!!

Oooooo....who will it be tonight????
I've heard that Margaret throws that ginger witch out of the window in tonight's episode.....

Poor Simon. You had to feel for him a bit, especially after the "You're Fired" follow up on BBC2. Seemed like a genuinely nice bloke.

The amount of backstabbing, lying and cheating was fun though. Claire has a face that could sour milk at 15 paces! Dunno why Alex is supposed to be so hunky and liked by the ladies though. Personality of a wet flannel and he looks like he has been dragged through a hedge backwards. Also, is Lucinda any good AT ANYTHING?

I can't believe the lovely Simon has been booted out! He was the best thing in the show.
Now I'm gonna sulk all week, till next Wednesday.

I'm not going to read what has been said in this thread re this last episode so far, as I'm mid way through it now... but :hihi::hihi: at the girls drooling when the Beckham lookalike just walked in :hihi::hihi:

Finished watching now. :)

The Beckham idea would always win, how they made so little just shows how crap they are.

Blimey Helene got off lightly, just by being in the winning team. What a beeyatch.

If Lucinda couldn't use a computer, why on earth was she on it?! It almost looked like when I try and show my Mum how to use the net.... shouting at her doesn't work (not that I've done that of course, I'm a good boy, me:suspect:):hihi::hihi:

(*it's only a programme ash*)

Claire should have gone IMO. Simon was booted because he lost the plot:confused:, not bloody surprising!!.

I'm flamin' wasted doing the job I do. :mad: This series has the worst contenders so far. Not that £100,000 is particularly a good 'carrot dangling amount' these days, by London standards.

:hihi:

That Helene was a right cow! Was hoping her team would loose just so she could get the boot. That Lucinda seems a bit dippy but I agree with ash, why did they stick her on the computer bit when she clearly said she couldn't use em?!

Liked Simon but didn't think he was going to win so probably better for him to go sooner rather than later....One of the other two deserved to have gone more though, Alex seems like a spineless braindead moron and that lass seems a bit evil!

Simon was well and truly done up like a kipper!

Dont get me wrong, I think the fact that he proved to be so weak when up against it meant there was only ever going to be one man walking, but the way the rest of the team back-stabbed and deprived him of any support finished any chance he had of success.

Loving the show this year though - they are all crap, but they clearly think they are sooooo much better than they actually are:hihi::hihi:

Delusion always makes for good TV:)

Loved Nick perving at that Britney look alike :hihi:

Poor Simon...he was often the only one with any common sense. What a sweetie. Nick and Big Mags were unusually highly vocal in their slagging off of Clare weren't they? And Sir Alan still kept her? Mind you he kept Katie Hopkins (spit) till the end.............

Lucinda is just a Nanna in disguise. Give her a jumble sale to project manage and she'll be fine. I mean no offence to Nannas.

Hubble, bubble, toil and trouble...I don't know which one scares me the most...Helene, Claire, or Jenny.

Poor Simon...in like a lion, out like a lamb.

Hubble, bubble, toil and trouble...I don't know which one scares me the most...Helene, Claire, or Jenny.

Poor Simon...in like a lion, out like a lamb.

Claire might not be so annoying if she just occasionally STFU.

I think they are all a scheming lot this series - Jenny's problem is that she is the least subtle - her expression's in the boardroom are a dead give away :hihi:

I think they are all a scheming lot this series - Jenny's problem is that she is the least subtle - her expression's in the boardroom are a dead give away :hihi:

Yes...

That little exchange of glance with Alex...and how they both tried to join forces to change attack tactics. :evil: Even Claire was suddenly taken aback...

"Alex?" *whimper...eyebrow-wobble* :hihi:

I don't see the entertainment in this program.

I don't see the entertainment in this program.

Lots of stroppy people yelling about how good they are and blaming everyone else when things go wrong? Surely that's the basis of most forms of modern entertainment from PMs Question Time to Sheffield Forum? ;)

I don't see the entertainment in this program.

I dont usually bother with 'Reality' programmes, but I make an exception with this one.

It's a perfect snapshot of human interaction - take Simon form this weeks episode. Last week, he'd been singled out by AS as a possible weak link - the rest the apprentices picked up on this and set about about sticking the knife in on this weeks task. He was doomed as soon as he bacame the project leader.

Plus there is endless entertainment in seeing people who use management speak be taken down a peg or two.

Anyone who says things like 'micro-manage' or 'pro-active' deserves to be made a tit of on national TV :)

I think my money is on Raef to win this year. The rest of them will all drop like flies. I wouldn't employ any of them.

Alex was my favourite until he tried to stitch Claire up last night - I really thought he was going to go rather than Simon. I know the team leader is ultimately responsible but if their team is not behind them then they should be held just as responsible.

I don't see the entertainment in this program.

I never used to be able to get it myself. But then I noticed that it's actually good satire on that whole bogus corporate/workplace culture thing. You have these people who think they are the dog's whatsits because they wear neck scarves and court shoes and can spout all the jargon, but the programme shows them up for the nasty unpleasant pondlife that they are. It's the nice ones who usually do well apart from the odd biatch kept to the end for the entertainment factor.

It feels good when you can yell at old sourpusses like that Helen or Jenny and project all your feelings about the similar nasties you've met in your working life ;)

I never used to be able to get it myself. But then I noticed that it's actually good satire on that whole bogus corporate/workplace culture thing. You have these people who think they are the dog's whatsits because they wear neck scarves and court shoes and can spout all the jargon, but the programme shows them up for the nasty unpleasant pondlife that they are. It's the nice ones who usually do well apart from the odd biatch kept to the end for the entertainment factor.

It feels good when you can yell at old sourpusses like that Helen or Jenny and project all your feelings about the similar nasties you've met in your working life ;)

I don't watch this programme as I don't enjoy seeing people being humiliated in public, it's not entertaining to me -

But having said that, I've just been listening to an interview with this Simon chap who got thrown off the programme last night apparently - and all I can say is "Good riddance!"

Just from the few minutes of interview I heard, he managed to stitch himself 'good and proper', like wot he'd probably say hisself. If I'd been Alan Sugar, he'd have been straight off the programme. All he was doing was whingeing about how everyone else had let him down; he'd done everything right but everyone else had been incompetent; should've, could've, would've all over the place. I wouldn't have him running a whelk stall

The sort of person who'd take all the credit when things went right, but spend all their time finding someone else to blame when things didn't work out quite so well.

StarSparkle

Claire should have gone. :(

Blimey Helene got off lightly, just by being in the winning team. What a beeyatch.

If Lucinda couldn't use a computer, why on earth was she on it?!

I was rather hoping that Helene's team would lose so that Nick and Sir Alan could have got stuck into Helene's stupidity.

Perhaps it was a tactical move by Helene by making Lucinda look really bad and incompetent, but that in itself is a silly tactic because if Lucinda is generally incompetent in business then she will be found out sooner or later in other tasks, particuarly if Lucinda were to ever lead a project.
Helene also seemed to have lied in the board room when she denied that Lucinda had told her she was useless at anything technical.
It also seems a little absurd that Helene didn't get all of the in the back room team sitting in on the equipment/computer training.

If anyone displayed incompetence on this task, it was Helene rather than Justine, at least Justine knew it was a bad idea to be put in charge of the technical aspects of the task, Helene didn't seem to cotton on.
I'd like to see Justine get her own back on Helene when she get's to be project leader, Helene's nothing but a bully, but unlike Ruth Badger, doesn't seem to possess a business brain.:suspect:

Helene seemed kinda useless:rolleyes: I still say that blond banker guy should get voted off.
In my opinion, they should be voted off in this order:
1) Clare
2) That banker guy
and 3) Helene

Helene seemed kinda useless:rolleyes: I still say that blond banker guy should get voted off.
In my opinion, they should be voted off in this order:
1) Clare
2) That banker guy
and 3) Helene

We'll soon find out whether Clare is as good as she makes out when she project manages the next project.
I think Helene has made the biggest mistake so far and would surely have been fired if they had lost the task, luckily for her Simon's team fared worse.

The jury's still out on Clare, but I can see her going quite far, that is unless she makes a pig's ear out of the next task.

:)
I've heard a rumour that Sir Alan goes proper mental in tonight's episode. For a change.
I love Wednesdays

Clare team got a little lucky at the end winning that big order, plainly her team were struggling throughout the task from the non tasting session to the lack of appointments.

Luncinda did quite a good job, but wasn't strong enough to break up the lyndi, Jen, Wraith cliche who thought they were the dogs boll***ks.
They rather rested on their laurels after only 6 leads, 3 of which made their own ice cream.
Any good sales team always knows there are always new sales to be made.
6 leads between 3 people isn't that great, so why did the sales team think they had done so well?
Lucinda is weak in the board room though, and doesn't really argue her case very well.

Lyndi deserve to go, as Sir Alan just said on BBC2's You're Fired, "Lyndi is full of her own self importance", although Jen wasn't far behind, and Helene is still rearing her ugly head.:suspect:

I loved the programme on BBC2 where they had the Star Wars / Darth Vader music on when they had the clips of Clare :) The clip of Raef looking like Noel Coward was great !

The Waitrose boss seemed like a cool chap, as did the Gu pudding bloke. Wish they had been on before. The Bra woman gets too much air time. Mind you she is quite nice :love:

Next week looks insane with the new greetings cards - seems like SAS (sir alan sugar) loses it then

Is it me or do Nick and Margaret do more bitching this series ? Mind you its quite funny :) Maybe this is what happens when you're retired ?!

The Waitrose boss seemed like a cool chap, as did the Gu pudding bloke. Wish they had been on before. The Bra woman gets too much air time. Mind you she is quite nice :love:


Who Carol Thatcher?:huh:

Who Carol Thatcher?:huh:

God no ! I mean Michelle Mone who is the boss of Ultimo amongst others - bio here (http://www.michellemone.com/about-michelle)

God no ! I mean Michelle Mone who is the boss of Ultimo amongst others - bio here (http://www.michellemone.com/about-michelle)

Ahh, got confused as she wasn't on the show tonight, but Carol Thatcher was, I prefer Karen Brady myself who was on a couple of weeks ago.;)

Anyone else notice in the board room, that Helene (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/article970077.ece)(though I haven't got a screen shot) looked a bit like her out of Total Recall (http://www.artandeth.com/Gallery2/ActorsS/34929-19864.gif)?

I loved the programme on BBC2 where they had the Star Wars / Darth Vader music on when they had the clips of Clare :) The clip of Raef looking like Noel Coward was great !

Is it me or do Nick and Margaret do more bitching this series ? Mind you its quite funny :) Maybe this is what happens when you're retired ?!

Yes, I think the background music in this production is hilarious. Nick and Margaret are a bit terrifying, but it's more the expressions they make rather than what they say...it must be difficult to feel confident around someone is frowning over a pair of spectacles, or rolling there eyes in the background. :help::hihi:



Lucinda is weak in the board room though, and doesn't really argue her case very well.

Lyndi deserve to go, as Sir Alan just said on BBC2's You're Fired, "Lyndi is full of her own self importance", although Jen wasn't far behind, and Helene is still rearing her ugly head.:suspect:

Lucinda...yes, I thought she did really well behind the scenes by allowing others in the team to shine and remaining calm, and then she let things get personal in the boardroom, and left herself wide open for attack.

I thought Lyndi was good this week, and I wanted Jen to go as she was the scariest this week.

Anyone else notice in the board room, that Helene (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/article970077.ece)(though I haven't got a screen shot) looked a bit like her out of Total Recall (http://www.artandeth.com/Gallery2/ActorsS/34929-19864.gif)?

I think she'd make a good Gladiator. :)

Carol Thatcher reminds me of Jimmy Saville a bit. I do like her though. Even though she is spawn of the devil.

I love Michelle Mone. :love::love:

I can't believe Lucinda's team lost. The other team seemed to be failing at every turn.

Lyndi and Jen giving exclusivity was absolutely STUPID. They were representing someone elses business so it was not their place. They should have asked for the order to be doubled to guarantee exclusivity.

I thought Lyndi deserved to go. She is only 22! How has someone that young got the management and sales experience to be on that show???

I thought Lyndi was good this week, and I wanted Jen to go as she was the scariest this week.

:)

Although Clare's team did even worse with appointments and tasting sessions, I don't think the sales cliche of Lyndi, Jen and Raef was that good.
The writing was on the wall when they were so chuffed with their achievements, that they found time to break for a sit down lunch.
They were far too content with telling each other how good they were and really didn't put 100% into the task, had they done that then Lucinda's team would probably have won comfortably.

Lyndi didn't do her assigned job of managing the sales team, If she had she would have made sure that they were trying to get appointments right up until the last minute available, making every second count.
The other thing I couldn't work out, was why it took all three of the candidates to present the product to the client, it would have been better if 2 people presented the product whilst the other person perhaps tried to get more apppointments on the phone.
Nope, I think Lyndi deserved to go because ultimately she lost the task for the team.

There seem to be at least 2 pieces of deadwood amongst the guys, Raef and Michael.
For the past 2 tasks, Raef seemed to have made minimal contribution and it seems to me, in both the last 2 weeks, if Raef was absent then it would have made little difference to the team performance.
As for Michael, hmm doesn't seem too bright!
He goes into a pub and asks 2 middle age guys to taste their products, and thinks that was a good relevant taste testing session!:rolleyes:
Has he not realised that 2 doesn't make for a very good sample size.:huh:
The word "target market" seems to have been lost on him too!

Am I alone in thinking that Michael is hot? :love:

Personally, I don't think there's one that stands out head and shoulders above the rest this year...although I enjoy watching anyway. :)

........

I can't believe Lucinda's team lost. The other team seemed to be failing at every turn.

......

Furious at the programme editing ... they led us all the way down the path, cheering that Clare was on her way out ..... just to poke us in the eye with an avacado ice cream!

I'm sure that there must have been a lot more interaction with the ice-cream makers about markets etc. that we didn't see.

Furious at the programme editing ... they led us all the way down the path, cheering that Clare was on her way out ..... just to poke us in the eye with an avacado ice cream!
.

To be fair though they did give us an early clue that all was not as it seems when they showed the Lindi,Jen,Raith lunch scene and commented :

"They put down their phones and swapped them for knives and forks"

To me that was an early signal that their optimism was unfounded.
Several scenes where Lindi,Jen, and Raith were feeling very pleased, and smug with themselves also hinted that they were in for a suprise.

Clare's last order was the clincher, had she not secured that then she would have lost by miles and probably got the bullet.
Even at the end Lindi and Jen thought they had won by a wide margin and Clare's team thought they had lost, so I don't really think it was the program makers this time that had most people backing the wrong horse, it seemed to have panned out they way that they showed it.

Although Clare's team did even worse with appointments and tasting sessions, I don't think the sales cliche of Lyndi, Jen and Raef was that good.
The writing was on the wall when they were so chuffed with their achievements, that they found time to break for a sit down lunch.
They were far too content with telling each other how good they were and really didn't put 100% into the task, had they done that then Lucinda's team would probably have won comfortably.

Lyndi didn't do her assigned job of managing the sales team, If she had she would have made sure that they were trying to get appointments right up until the last minute available, making every second count.
The other thing I couldn't work out, was why it took all three of the candidates to present the product to the client, it would have been better if 2 people presented the product whilst the other person perhaps tried to get more apppointments on the phone.
Nope, I think Lyndi deserved to go because ultimately she lost the task for the team.

There seem to be at least 2 pieces of deadwood amongst the guys, Raef and Michael.
For the past 2 tasks, Raef seemed to have made minimal contribution and it seems to me, in both the last 2 weeks, if Raef was absent then it would have made little difference to the team performance.
As for Michael, hmm doesn't seem too bright!
He goes into a pub and asks 2 middle age guys to taste their products, and thinks that was a good relevant taste testing session!:rolleyes:
Has he not realised that 2 doesn't make for a very good sample size.:huh:
The word "target market" seems to have been lost on him too!

I agree with a lot of what you've said there, apart from the fact you see Raef as making no effort. I think he just knows when to take a step back. And Micheal, although makes some strange decisions...I get the feeling we've not had the chance to see him at his best yet.

I agree with a lot of what you've said there, apart from the fact you see Raef as making no effort. I think he just knows when to take a step back. And Micheal, although makes some strange decisions...I get the feeling we've not had the chance to see him at his best yet.

I'm not too sure about Raef, he came across as just as smug and overly confident in the last task as Lindi and Jen did, and he couldn't seem to see that the sales team could have done a lot better than they did do.

There's stuff on the net about two girls getting the boot at once, in an upcoming episode involving 'dirty tricks' in Morocco.

There's stuff on the net about two girls getting the boot at once, in an upcoming episode involving 'dirty tricks' in Morocco.

Trouble is, if it's true then it won't so much of a shock now!:mad:

I'm not too sure about Raef, he came across as just as smug and overly confident in the last task as Lindi and Jen did, and he couldn't seem to see that the sales team could have done a lot better than they did do.

You might well be right. He has a way with words, and withdraws when there are others around making silly decisions. Either he can't see it, or he allows others to be in the limelight when making mistakes. I suppose we shall see. :)

I think Jen (irish girl) should have been booted last week IMHO as she mentioned all this exclusivity etc etc without consolidating the others. I can see Lyndis point about not jumping in when she mentioned it but then again perhaps she should.

I think Raef will win this year, he knows when to put his mouth in and when not to which imho (again!) is what is required of a manager.

Has anyone found out on the net who actually wins the apprentice this year as it will all be pre-recorded?

I think Jen (irish girl) should have been booted last week IMHO as she mentioned all this exclusivity etc etc without consolidating the others. I can see Lyndis point about not jumping in when she mentioned it but then again perhaps she should.

I think Raef will win this year, he knows when to put his mouth in and when not to which imho (again!) is what is required of a manager.

Has anyone found out on the net who actually wins the apprentice this year as it will all be pre-recorded?

Yep, the exclusivety was bad, but as Lindi was put in charge of sales, she should have piped up, in fact if she was put in charge, then why wasn't she leading the negotiations anyway?
Lindi also made the fatal error or not really leading the sales team but just letting them up to their own devices, not great leadership skills from Lindi, so she deserves to go even more so than Jen.
She also can't critise the exclusivity error when she herself used it to close a deal!:roll:

As for Raef, nahh don't think he'll win, he hasn't shown too much leadership yet and I think as demostrated in last weeks task that is too full of his own self importance, something that Alan Sugar said as one of the reasons he got rid of Lindi.
As for anyone knowing who wins this year, well I certainly hope no one actually posts the name here!
That would spoil the series for me and be rather like someone posting the ending of a film that I had not seen yet.
So if anyone does actually knows who's won this year, for the sake of myself and other avid fans of the show, I implore you not to post it here.;)

Hm.. interesting.
I can't believe that Sara is being creamed behind the scene. :|
Well done to Alan Sugar for standing up to the bullying. Even he recognised that, and he said it out loud. Doesn't the other Apprentice see what they are doing and just keep schtum? Or realise their own action?

It's interesting that one guy blatantly said, "if you can't perform, then you should go". :o Yet, some people made some bad business decision and it cost a lot of money for that mistake do not get the boot? :huh:

Sara was bullied - absolutely, Kevin was playing the Apprentice game - 1 job and its for me and because 2 people mentioned Sara's name then she would be ideal scapegoat.

The ginger girl - cant remember her name, slipped up badly by saying - i wouldnt buy cards because they are not environmentally friendly - big mistake, she should have been sacked on the spot IMHO for saying that.

I think it upset Sir Alan when he heard about Kevin bullying Clinton cards into buying by saying if you dont support us your just like america blah blah, he should have been fired once again on the spot.

They made a total cockup and im my opinion Kevin or the Ginger Girl should have gone!

Yey glad the only gay in the village has gone!! :D And again the girls have resorted to crazy unprovoked bullying for when they feel they need to make someone else a scapegoat!

only gay in the village - very funny :D :D

I don't know if the program makers really wanted to create a "fun" element of the series compared to the US version, but if this is supposed to be the creme de la creme of working professionals in the UK, then we should be ashamed! I was talking to some friends about this, and we alll criiiinged on some of the things that people do.

I don't understand why Sir Alan Sugar would go through another series, when he mentioned that in the last one, he didn't want the winner to "make a fool of him", but surely in choosing these candidates and in participating in such programs will give him bad press any way?

At last Raef has come good, not for anything he did in the task, but just for speaking up for Sara!;)

Micheal's truely got his card marked this time.:rolleyes:

Pedants' Corner (or should that be Pedant's Corner?)

While they held a symposium on where the apostrophe was meant to go, did anyone else notice that the date underneath said February 13th? That's the American way. It should have said 13th February. But it was a dumb date to pick however they wrote it. Just thought I'd mention it, like.

Can I edit The Daily Telegraph now? :)

Regarding spoilers, I think it's very unfair to just post that info on this thread. If anyone does want to read spoilers, go to the Apprentice section of Digital Spy. They have funky spoiler tags and we don't.

But yes, apparently next week's is a humdinger. ;)

Kevin's stupidity in not taking Jenny into the board room led to his sacking, so IMO he deserved it. I think he was really scared of her! I'm not surprised, as once she is on a mission, she's like a steamroller. Sara did try and make suggestions, but wasn't listened to.

Rafe went up in my estimation last night, the way he tried to stop Michael having a go at Sara. We're not privy to what goes on all the time, but even if she is a weak link, she shouldn't be bullied like that.

I'd hate to find out who wins before the end of the series, so I'm adding my pleas to the others - don't post any results here.

I can exclusively reveal that the winner of the Apprentice 2008 is (Highlight to reveal)....

Michelle McManus

I think Sir Alan got it right last night - Kevin showed himself to be incredibly weak, the way he gave in to mob pressure when the 'pack' (led by that harridan Jenny) elected Sara as their scapegoat.

Glad the blond banker went, OH YES!:D
Don't like that Claire and Jen either.:gag:

I am liking Ryaf, didn't really like him in the first week, just thought he was another annoying snob but he's growing on me.
Don't like Michael, Jenny and Claire.
Though the group was a bit hard on Sara when she came back, hey the girl survived and that Sir Alan's decision and it's final so why all the questions.

I don't know why Matt Lucas brought Sara back into to the boardroom as Sir Allan had practically said she was safe by telling her not to worry and he can see when people are ganging up and bullying people. The only chance he had of not being fired was if he brought the ginger annoying one with the big chin back in with him.

Rafe went up in my estimation last night, the way he tried to stop Michael having a go at Sara. We're not privy to what goes on all the time, but even if she is a weak link, she shouldn't be bullied like that.

I'd hate to find out who wins before the end of the series, so I'm adding my pleas to the others - don't post any results here.

Yep as my earlier comment mentions, I too think Raef finally came good, I think in the past he's been too reticent in speaking up or taking sides, notably in the Luncinda vs Helene debacle in the photographic task, Luncinda was clearly being bullied by Helene but Raef didn't step in.

I thought Alex was okay when the series started, but as the series has progressed I actually don't like him at all, he always thinks he's right and somehow intellectually superior to anyone else.
I seriously hope he doesn't get the job, he needs to be taking down a peg or two in my opinion.

Ms. Macbeth, I hope noone does selfishly post the winners name on this thread before the series has concluded, but I trust if it were ever to happen, then you or your friends in the role of moderators would swiftly delete the post.;)

Kevin's stupidity in not taking Jenny into the board room led to his sacking, so IMO he deserved it. I think he was really scared of her! I'm not surprised, as once she is on a mission, she's like a steamroller. Sara did try and make suggestions, but wasn't listened to.

Rafe went up in my estimation last night, the way he tried to stop Michael having a go at Sara. We're not privy to what goes on all the time, but even if she is a weak link, she shouldn't be bullied like that.

I'd hate to find out who wins before the end of the series, so I'm adding my pleas to the others - don't post any results here.



It wasnt michael having the major go, it was that bell end Lee. The one who refers to himself in the first person. He got on his high horse about managing a task, and needing to know what he was managing. Michael did jump in, but would jump on any wagon going, he hasnt got an original thought in his head, and when he let out the footie style cheer at the end of the task ..... priceless.

I wouldn't mind humping the Irish lass but wouldn't employ her.

Finally was able to watch it...good outcome. Unfair on Sara to be brought back into the boardroom...Raef was a bit of a hero though (he becomes more intriguing by the week).

I found Micheal hiarious in the boardroom, and a scary grinning moment from Jenny holding a 'Green is the new black' card during Kevin's pitch. And I'm sure there was a flash of a smirk from Alex in the taxi when Kevin was talking?

I wouldn't mind humping the Irish lass but wouldn't employ her.

I thought so too, but given that she's been described as "icy" I doubt it's worth risking getting frostbite in my...er...extremities.;)

I thought so too, but given that she's been described as "icy" I doubt it's worth risking getting frostbite in my...er...extremities.;)

But she is the self proclaimed "best salesperson in Europe!" if any one can sell you frostbite she can!;)

I'd thaw her out ;)

Glad both Jenifers' went. They should sack Claire next.

Even more hilarious comments in the board room this week...

Sir Alan..."I don't know why you didn't go the whole hog and find a Roman Catholic priest to take the butcher to confession." :hihi:

It gets worse on the Unseen videos - go to

http://www.bbc.co.uk/apprentice/ (http://www.bbc.co.uk/apprentice/)

and then click on Videos and then Unseen Vids. There is one with Claire talking of what she thinks the Kosher process is. Oh deary...

I'll have a Pint of whatever Claire is on in this video (http://www.bbc.co.uk/apprentice/videos/vid/280.html) [warning - rude thoughts at the end of the clip !]

:P

I'm so glad that Jenny Celery has gone! She got on my nerves every week!

Favourite quote of the series so far: When Sirallan says about the 24-hour laundry hotline and ringing up to check how his pants are doing. :hihi:

I wouldn't mind humping the Irish lass but wouldn't employ her.

I think if it all went wrong she would be the type of person to take you to the cleaners in court - even Sir Alan would be living in a box in the underground!!!

It will be good tonight.It is about the wedding industry.Will they understand that you need to be considerate and understanding when you are dealing with such emotional people??

You're fired ! :hihi:

I feel sorry for the people on this week's task. It's so hard to close a sale.

Do you want a cake?
Do you want a cake?
Do you want a cake?
Do you want a cake?

After watching the BBC2 show I'm gonna have nightmares now of Michael mis-selling himself to women and Margaret in a Thong :gag:

Hope Sir Alan sees sense again soon and gets rid of Michael. Maybe he is good at Project Management but he needs to do sales too in person :)

But wasn't Lee good.....! I think he's quite a hunk.

What was all that about with the fancy dress costume??? Couldn't see the point of that at all.:huh:

i think raif should win , other than that mabye lucinda or lee,
i hate claire and micheal is even worse

I had no intention of watching people try on wedding dresses, so didn't watch it this week. Besides, I don't think you can sell things to people who already know what they want. They'll find you if they want to buy something...surely.

Why does Sir Alan say "You're Fired"..fact is, these guys/girls are not even employed yet- you can't fire anyone who is not hired:huh:

They should change it to a simple " You're Out".

But wasn't Lee good.....! I think he's quite a hunk.



I like Alex:love:

Why does Sir Alan say "You're Fired"..fact is, these guys/girls are not even employed yet- you can't fire anyone who is not hired:huh:

They should change it to a simple " You're Out".

It's in his contract to say it, he said he'd rather say "f*** off out'my sight". :hihi:

Shame Sara has gone:(. Michael should have gone this week, he's a babbling idiot.

It's in his contract to say it, he said he'd rather say "f*** off out'my sight". :hihi:

Shame Sara has gone:(. Michael should have gone this week, he's a babbling idiot.

:hihi: I can just imagine Sir Alan wanting to say that- seems the type. But BBC have got him all conservative

You could tell from the start this week as to which team would lose. Was it just me who noticed that Sir Alan lumped all the ones who have impressed so far together, and all the dregs into the sub-group (and Alex belongs there - after the first week he has slunk into the shadows each task so as not to stand out as being good or bad)? He already has an idea who he wants, and is setting up the teams each week to eliminate those he hates.

Fingers crossed Michael gets the chop next week!

I agree, Michael should go next but I think Alex is OK, he seems to always work hard and do well.

I think Alex is OK, he seems to always work hard and do well.

When? Did I miss him working hard? Must have blinked! He has so slunk back into the shadows since the first week that he's in danger of merging with the walls! He is simply playing the "If I stay quiet and don't get involved, then everyone else will look like idiots when the team loses, and I will not be held accountable!" trick.

But wasn't Lee good.....! I think he's quite a hunk.

Nah, i'm not impressed with Lee to be honest his favourite phrase ¨Thats what im talking about¨ grinds on me every time he says it :gag:

Apparently him and Alex get to work together tonight - should be interesting.

I like Claire (what can i say....best of a bad bunch)

Reckon Michael will go tonight if he's in the team that lose (lets hope so anyway!!)

Can't believe that Raef has gone.... thought Claire was going at one point. Next weeks task looks fab.

Must remember its on TUESDAY not Wednesday next week :)

Can't believe that Raef has gone.... thought Claire was going at one point. Next weeks task looks fab.

Must remember its on TUESDAY not Wednesday next week :)

What's happening next Wednesday that's causing them to muck around with the schedule for my fave programme I wonder?

(Checks Radio Times)

England 'v' USA - Match of The Day Special

I think Suralan has an hidden agenda somewhere (don't know where but somewhere). I cannot understand why Michael is still there and hasn't been fired - he has shown time and time again that he is dishonest and a blatant liar, plus he is extremely irritating!!

If that's the type of person Suralan wants to work for him then I'm so pleased I am too old to be an "Apprentice".

It's quite a funny episode really. I think Raef was a really good sport about it all. He does look like Lawrence of Arabia! :hihi:

Really quite sad that Raef went. :(

Really quite sad that Raef went. :(

And a total shock :o.. I would have banked on the Slug to go. God he's so slimmy, he makes me shiver!!

And a total shock :o.. I would have banked on the Slug to go. God he's so slimmy, he makes me shiver!!

Sorry, which one's the slug? Didn't see it because everyone was watching football, only seen snippets.

Sorry, which one's the slug? Didn't see it because everyone was watching football, only seen snippets.

Micheal. I think Alan likes him, because he will be an arse licker.

I did think it was going to be between Clare and Raef, but now I reckon it's between Clare and Lee.

I think Lee, although comes across of being a bit of a dope, is a hard worker, does as he's told, and that could be someone Alan is looking for.

I thought Michael was a dead ringer to go - although at first I was surprised their team lost. Raef just tried to be too sophisticated with the advert. Didn't expect him to be fired though! :o

I really expected the other team in the boardroom and that Alex would go. Although Lucinda whines and can be a complete pain, not including their only woman in the design for something mainly bought by women wasn't the best management strategy. :loopy:

Still think Alex is the favourite to win this year

Micheal. I think Alan likes him, because he will be an arse licker.

I did think it was going to be between Clare and Raef, but now I reckon it's between Clare and Lee.

I think Lee, although comes across of being a bit of a dope, is a hard worker, does as he's told, and that could be someone Alan is looking for.

OK seen it now...:)

Micheal...maybe it's those 'puppy-dog-eyes'...I don't know, it's a mystery what Sir Alan thinks. I suppose it isn't a personality contest. For me, Raef out-shone eveyone else on charisma.

Clare...I think she fairly straight-forward, realistic and practical, so certainly a contender.

Lee...I find him quite unsophistocated when he speaks, yet he looks good, and he does have the ability to surprise you with his ability to pass tasks (Morocco), and come up with great ideas (Atishou), and has a general up-beat personality.

I really expected the other team in the boardroom and that Alex would go. Although Lucinda whines and can be a complete pain, not including their only woman in the design for something mainly bought by women wasn't the best management strategy. :loopy:

I really couldn't guess now who will win, now that Raef is out, but I doubt it would be Lucinda. Good as she can be, other people working around her seem to feel uncomfortable. Either she is irritating, or other team-players feel threatened by her. Difficult to say.

Still think Alex is the favourite to win this year

Maybe he's the dark-horse. :confused:

Still a bit gutted Raef has gone, but think he'll be sucessful in the future anyway. There was something unusually likeable about that impeccable, slightly pretentious poshness. :hihi:

If Michael stays in the next couple weeks he could even make it to the final - eeek!! Terrible thought!

For those that are interested - just read a cool article on what happened to the real Frances and who the actress is that plays Frances in the Boardroom

Article here (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-560698/Revealed-Sir-Alans-mystery-Girl-Friday--29-blonde-VERY-different-real-life-secretary.html)

My she's nice :love: (the actress, not the real Frances :P )

Hey up, not only is The Apprentice on Tonight, but they have Raef on The One Show at 7pm today :)

Alex should win, cause he's fit:love::) Claire should go as she likes the sound of her own voice, and her own voice ain't good:hihi:

Going down now to watch it....

I wish sir alan got rid of Helene this week. And as for Lucinda - absolutely useless !

Next week should be good :)

What?!:hihi: I like Lucinda, Alex and Lee were horrid to her last night!

I think Claire is my favourite. I thought I'd be glad if Sir Alan got rid of Michael last night, but he looked so pathetic in the boardroom that I ended up feeling amazingly sorry for him!

Lucinda for Apprentice.Lucinda for apprentice!!!They were mean to her but she is a bit of a wimp.She will need to toughen up a bit.

Lee to win, Lucinda would get eaten alive in S'ralans world.

"Now that's what I'm talking about!"

"Now that's what I'm talking about!"

:hihi:

I don't dislike Lee, but he does really REALLY annoy me when he says that. Just all the bloody time!

I think Claire is doing well, she's taken on board everything Sir Alan has said to her and has really changed and is really trying plus I think Sir Alan has a soft spot for her. I think she was just really earger when it started and it went to her head, she's realised you don't have to be to aggressive to get on.

Lucinda has a shocking attitude - imagine getting that far in the programme and being so passive and reluctant to have a go without Lee or Alex with her to hold her hand.....................hmmmmm...hang on a minute...maybe she's more cunning than I thought :love:

PS Big up to Grissom for posting that golden link about Frances :)

Although Sir Alan had a go at Lucinda for only selling £65 worth of deals, it was £65 more than Helene. Although I quite like Helene and thought she did try really hard from what I saw last night, she was more up for it than Michael who was just sulky and seemed to have had enough and given up. Taking a car like that to a market, Oh yeah people often rent a car for £365 a day whilst picking up a cauliflower!

Claire looks a strong bet for the winner.

Alex is a little too smug and thinks he smarter than he actually is at times, the next round of interviews should find him out.
Helene also seems to be unlikely to shine in her interviews and Lucinda doesn't seem to be able to put up strong arguments when put under pressure.

To me it looks like a Clare vs Lee final.

I could be wrong but I certainly can't see Luncinda or Helene making it to the final.

Claire looks a strong bet for the winner.

Alex is a little too smug and thinks he smarter than he actually is at times, the next round of interviews should find him out.
Helene also seems to be unlikely shine in her interviews and Lucinda doesn't seem to be able to put up strong arguments when put under pressure.

To me it looks like a Clare vs Lee final.
I could be wrong but I certainly can't see Luncinda or Helene making it to the final.

Absolutely kingmaker.

I would have said that Helene would go next week if she was in the losing team, but after seeing that next week is 'interviews episode', I think Helene will be able to talk her way through it, as will Lucinda. I reckon Alex will go next week.

The interview episode is usually a goodie. I was glad Michael went this week - I didn't think he'd be saved how ever much he crawled to Siralan. ;)

I think Lucinda may just do ok in the interviews - although she's pretty weak in areas where she's had little experience (tech stuff, sales) her team leading skills have been better than some others - at least she was prepared to recognise and try to use people's skills. But in the main I agree, Claire and Lee will probably be in the final.

Absolutely kingmaker.

I would have said that Helene would go next week if she was in the losing team, but after seeing that next week is 'interviews episode', I think Helene will be able to talk her way through it, as will Lucinda. I reckon Alex will go next week.

In the preview of the next episode Helene says something like "it is hard living with those gobs***es" in an interview. YES. IN AN INTERVIEW! She swears in an interview!

Goodbye you miserable idiot!

In the preview of the next episode Helene says something like "it is hard living with those gobs***es" in an interview. YES. IN AN INTERVIEW! She swears in an interview!



In my old job, I conducted job interviews as my role as recruitment officer, and yep there were a small number of very silly candidates that swore during the interviews.
Other silly choices I had to contend with were people turning up in shorts, or where the candidate turned up with worn jeans that exposed their backside, whilst the job didn't require a smart dress code, I certainlly expected the would be candidates to show a certain amount of respect to the interviewer:huh:

Anyone know how many go tonight, my money is on saying goodbye to Lee and Helena!!!!

So poor old Clare only earnt a £27,000 bonus on top of her meagre salary of £85,000 from her last job!

Why is it that these young 20 somethings are so highly paid and yet appear clueless on the show?:huh:

If Clare was really smart she'd stick at her £85 K job for a few years, she'd have a pile of money to invest in a high interest building society account.
She'd even have enough to start her own business without getting a business loan.
No real need to get a job with Mr.Sugar! ;)

Think we all need to go and live in London!:o

What about Lee doing his impersonation - I think he thought he was being really clever! Just looked a complete prat - where are these people's brains :suspect: (no don't answer that :hihi:)!

Was surprised that Sir Alan has put 4 through to the final - wasn't expecting that.

I think Alex should be the apprentice - like he says he is only 24 - at least he can be moulded into the position - the others are too old and have picked up bad habits so will be less pliable!

Did anyone see the bit where Sir Alan Sugar told that one of the interviewiers that he might send Lucinda down to work at his place. He looked mortified at the thought.:hihi: The right one went this week.:)

Did anyone see the bit where Sir Alan Sugar told that one of the interviewiers that he might send Lucinda down to work at his place. He looked mortified at the thought.:hihi: The right one went this week.:)

Yeah go to 37 minutes and 50 seconds into the video on iPlayer (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/page/item/b00byhzd.shtml) and you can see him. Not sure what he mouths to himself at 38:00 :)

I think Alex should be the apprentice - like he says he is only 24 - at least he can be moulded into the position - the others are too old and have picked up bad habits so will be less pliable!

I really hope it's not Alex, he's a snake!
I too had noticed just like Clare Balding, how Alex had dropped Lucinda in it in the board room.
Knowing he did really badly in his interviews he diverted attention away from himself and onto Luncinda.
If he was under my charge, I'd get hold of Alex and give him a dressing down and tell him not to be so full of himself and his own importance after all he is only 24!:suspect:

I think it will be Clare or Alex as the winners ............... fingers crossed for Clare I think Alex is a lazy posuer backstabbing weasle no offence meant to weasles:hihi:

I really wonder if the Michelle Dewbury experience, i.e she got pregenant from fellow apprentice hopeful Sayhed Ahmed quit her job with Sugar has made Sir Alan very wary of female candidates.
Given the choice of a female candidate or male candidate he always seems to favour the male.
I may be wrong but isn't the score so far 3 males 1 female?

Clare seemed to be the more proficient and skilled candidate than Lee but Lee gets the job.
Remember last year?....Kristine was streets ahead of Simon on ability and shrewdness and yet Simon got picked!
Noticably Sugar has dropped the "The person I'm looking for will be drop dead shrewd!"
Well Simon wasn't drop dead shrewed.
How about Lee, lying about his stay at university on CV wasn't exactly very shrewed.
Surely next series Sugar will have to pick a female just to even out the ratio slightly?

I really wonder if the Michelle Dewbury experience, i.e she got pregenant from fellow apprentice hopeful Sayhed Ahmed quit her job with Sugar has made Sir Alan very wary of female candidates.
Given the choice of a female candidate or male candidate he always seems to favour the male.
I may be wrong but isn't the score so far 3 males 1 female?

Clare seemed to be the more proficient and skilled candidate than Lee but Lee gets the job.
Remember last year?....Kristine was streets ahead of Simon on ability and shrewdness and yet Simon got picked!
Noticably Sugar has dropped the "The person I'm looking for will be drop dead shrewd!"
Well Simon wasn't drop dead shrewed.
How about Lee, lying about his stay at university on CV wasn't exactly very shrewed.Surely next series Sugar will have to pick a female just to even out the ratio slightly?
Perhaps that's why he dropped it. :P
I would think he must have a specific position available 'saved' for the winner. Perhaps this position (which we don't normally find out about until a few weeks later) suited Lee better? Just a thought though.

As a boss I would probably pick Lee over Clare, based on the limited/edited viewing that we see.

It's also cleverly done that the last episode isn't like a normal task, where his 'preferred' apprentice might get knocked out in the losing team. In this task, he could fire whoever he chooses.


I also take back what I said earlier in the thread about Helene's attractiveness. She's really grown on me, I thought she looked stunning 'in real life' on the show after. ;)

How long before Sir Alan gets fed up of "That's what I'm talking about"?

How long before Sir Alan gets fed up of "That's what I'm talking about"?

He's managed to restrain himself longer then I have:rant:

How long before Sir Alan gets fed up of "That's what I'm talking about"?

It's better than listening to Helene saying 'You Know' every 5 minutes in that West Yorkshire accent

It's better than listening to Helene saying 'You Know' every 5 minutes in that West Yorkshire accent

Or "But I'm only 24" every five minutes!:hihi:

They should shave his beard off whilst he is too drunk to resist. That would make great TV