The Apprentice

[LucyD]

Ahhh....love this programme. Did anyone see it last night? Ooh, there are a lot of horrible snobs in there this time. I was so pleased that awful Nicholas got fired - him and his "I was so disappointed to get a B in one of my GCSEs when everything else was a straight A" - leave it out!
As for having a pop at football fans (he didn't actually say the words "working class" but we all know that's what he meant), I don't think this was the wisest thing to say to Suralan... ;)

[Purple Poppy]

I usually love it, but when I heard it was back, I looked at the people involved and read their profiles, and thought, no, I'm not sure I can be bothered. Their comments at the bottom of each profile said it all. I see no reason why you can't be a good , strict, sensible boss and be human and sensitive too. After all, without people, you have no business.
So, no, I didn't watch it, for the first time ever!
Pp

PS obviously these people are picked because it will make a good show, so the more contentious they are, the better, but life is too short. I will probably succomb , but for now, I'll watch this thread and guage my interest from that.

[Janet]

I love this programme! I was happy with Nicholas going but I secretly wanted Raef to go as I really disliked him. Still, I can see him making good viewing...!

Did you see 'You're Fired' afterwards? At least Nicholas had the good grace to look suitably embarrassed by some of his comments!

[~V~]

Ahhh....love this programme. Did anyone see it last night? Ooh, there are a lot of horrible snobs in there this time. I was so pleased that awful Nicholas got fired - him and his "I was so disappointed to get a B in one of my GCSEs when everything else was a straight A" - leave it out!
As for having a pop at football fans (he didn't actually say the words "working class" but we all know that's what he meant), I don't think this was the wisest thing to say to Suralan... ;)

Odd how the 'posh boys' appear to have divided opinion this time.

Personally, I felt sorry for them as the geezer-blokes did very much split off and blame them for the shortcomings of the whole team. I thought Alex should have gone as he was a useless PM but he was great in the Boardroom. Nicholas just went to pieces which was a shame as he appeared to have had all his spirit bullied out of him with that diatribe in the market about how it was all his fault.

Raef looks like he's about to be the most mirth-worthy. After all, it's not like he labelled shark as hamster is it? :lol:

[~V~]

Did you see 'You're Fired' afterwards? At least Nicholas had the good grace to look suitably embarrassed by some of his comments!

He came across well didn't he?

[Inver]

I honestly can't see the attraction in this programme!!:roll: I don't watch it.

[burghead lass]

me neither inver I've watched ssome of it but it dows not appeal to me.

[happyanddandy]

I love it1 Missed the aftershow as OH wanted to watch the news.

For once it wasn't the women who were destructive bitch bitching first. I think maybe because of the one who put herself forward to lead - it seemed to work.

[Spooncat]

I loved it! was really looking forward to it - I rarely watch any Tv as there's nothing usually I can find to like but i do love this! It didnt disappoint either - I also watched the programme afterwards and thought Nicholas came across well- who was the one who was nearly crying ? Michael I think? he was rather keen to take the blame i thought!

:mrgreen:

[supergran71]

I didnt watch it, but will watch the repeat next Saturday. Just for interest, Nicholas comes from down this way (South Coast) and is the son of the solicitor I used for various things. I never ever met him though. Shame he got knocked out, as it would have been a focus of interest for us :blush:

[Angel]

I loved it. I thought that it was the right decision to give Nicholas an F this time -that will be his lowest grade ever :lol:. He was far too up himself - at least he had the grace to look embarressed in the aftershow. I'd like to see Raef go next another one who thinks he's so upper class. I liked Sir Alan's question on whether he thought he was the Prince (as opposed to being the pauper!!). Sir Alan really doesn't like snobbish behaviour or those that think they are superior to other people amongst the ranks .

[happyanddandy]

I didnt watch it, but will watch the repeat next Saturday. Just for interest, Nicholas comes from down this way (South Coast) and is the son of the solicitor I used for various things. I never ever met him though. Shame he got knocked out, as it would have been a focus of interest for us :blush:


He came across as quite snobby. Dug his own grave - you wait and see

[Mia]

I love this programme, though I came to it quite late: the previous series was the first one I saw. I think all the hype about it put me off. Anyway...

I would have been happy for Raef or Nicholas to go, they were both arrogant snobs. Raef reminds me of Syed(?) from the last series in his attitudes. I couldn't believe it when the boys went to solicitors offices to sell their leftover fish, instead of restaurants like the girls did! Their bartering was hilarious when they couldn't budge the guy from £50 (it was about as good as I could manage!)

None of the girls really stood out, except of course for the one in the bright cerise outfit!!

[~V~]

Sir Alan really doesn't like snobbish behaviour or those that think they are superior to other people amongst the ranks.

Which is weird as he demonstrates quite a lot of inverted snobbery himself.

[supergran71]

Well I watched the "repeat" of The Apprentice last night. That Nicholas was a bit wet wasnt he and probably the right one to go. I was not impressed with the boys' project manager (cant remember name). The girls did not impress at all, I think there is going to be a lot of in-fighting on both sides.

I think I know who is going to be the winner, but I didnt catch his name last night. He did hit all the right stops for me considering the way things worked out. No I am not going to reveal my selection, we will just wait and see.

[lovesreading06]

What did you lot think of that person that went? I thought jenny should of went.

[supergran71]

I agree LR. Total bad judgement on Alan Sugar's part I think. I dont know about anyone else, but I think the women who go on this show have to work harder to prove themselves than the men. I think AS is a bit of a misogynist (eek is that the right word!!) woman hater. But this lot of women are playing into his hands, my God what a shower they are!!! I am still standing by the young man I have picked out as the winner.

[Esiotrot]

Jenny should have gone - I really dislike her :irked:
The lassie that was fired was used as a scapegoat for Jennys failings IMHO.

[Angel]

Jenny should have gone - I think that AS wanted to fire all 3! The girls were dreadful this week.

[Mia]

:I-Agree:

Yes, all three were bad enough to go, and the girls were appalling. It was hilarious and embarrassing when they quoted £5k for a £200 job, and then £15 for a £60 job! They hadn't a clue.

I agree that Jenny was a horrible bully to Lucinda. But I think I would have lost it with Lucinda by the end, when Jenny told her to empty the machine and just put the washing in a black bag, as they had to be out in two minutes. What did Lucinda do? Slowly take out one item, walk slowly across the floor to a table, and proceed to very slowly fold it. Ye gods!! :roll: But perhaps she was doing it on purpose to wind Jenny up for being such a cow! :mrgreen:

I don't think Shazia would have got the push if she hadn't started to be very bitchy about Jenny. What she was saying might have been true, but Sir Alan can't be doing with female in-fighting, so I think he just thought it was easier to get rid of her.

The boys were pretty well organised this week, and did well. But I was annoyed with Raef and the other two, swanning around buying lattes when the other guys were working so hard in the laundry room and begging them to come back and help 'cos there was so much to do. Raef just said "God, I really hate whiners." I didn't see him doing much hard work!

[Angel]

That business with Raef made me laugh - he did everything possible to delay going back to the laundry. My DH liked the boys style of hiding the irons - that's exactly what he would do (and he admitted it:lol:)

[Spooncat]

Absolutely Jenny should have gone - what a dreadful team "leader" !:irked:

[happyanddandy]

My DH liked the boys style of hiding the irons - that's exactly what he would do (and he admitted it:lol:)


I really hated that they did that. I felt myself get all angry!! It was grossly unfair especially since the boys didn't use them :smile2:

[aromaannie]

I really like Raef - he makes me laugh

[JudyB]

Yes Raef makes me laugh too - he does talk a lot of action rather than doing.

[~V~]

I think he's great. I'm pretty sure he doesn't take himself seriously and he was a great PM this week.

Plus he really makes me laugh. I can't see why people are comparing him to Paul/Syed/Tre as he's nothing like them - his pomposity is in jest surely?

[lovesreading06]

Did you think the right one went tonight?

I think he did. i thought it was so funny when loser wasn't in is vocabulary? but he was a loser as sir alan said.

[happyanddandy]

The 'loser' seemed very uncomfortable during the after show discussions.

I predict Sam to win :mrgreen:

[~V~]

Who's Sam?

I thought Kevin should have gone as Ian was prettier. They both made an equal hash of it though

[lovesreading06]

Something else Ian lied aswell saying there never had a talk when in fact there did. As jo said on the bbc 2 said Don't lie on tv.

[Esiotrot]

Ian deserved to go, truth be told so did Kevin (Dyfed :mrgreen: )- I cant be the only one who thinks he looks like Matt Lucas?

I like Simon - infact at the moment he is my favourite, in my opinion he should not have been brought back into the boardroom.

I didnt rate the girls leader and I think a lot of their kitchen mistakes must have been covered up.

[Janet]

Ian deserved to go, truth be told so did Kevin (Dyfed :mrgreen: )- I cant be the only one who thinks he looks like Matt Lucas?
Apparently he's being called that in the house by the other contestants! He's not very happy about it!

He went to the same school that my son now goes to!

Who's Sam?
There isn't a Sam - that must be an error (http://www.bbc.co.uk/apprentice/candidates.html). :)

[~V~]

There isn't a Sam - that must be an error (http://www.bbc.co.uk/apprentice/candidates.html). :)

I know. That's why I asked :mrgreen:

[happyanddandy]

I meant Simon :mrgreen: - the ex army one

[lovesreading06]

To be honest i don't like any of the girls all they seem to do is blicker.(sp)

[~V~]

I meant Simon :mrgreen: - the ex army one

Yeah, I like him too. He really showed some leadership in that task and yet was said to be negative. I remember him firmly stating that they needed costs before they set prices and also in the tomato buying facade (can you believe that idiot is a Bank Manager?) he also suggested buying a huge sack of tomatoes as that would be in everything.

In the end the 'Head Chef' bought loads of jars of sauces and ready-made pizza bases. Doh!

[supergran71]

The 'loser' seemed very uncomfortable during the after show discussions.

I predict Sam to win :mrgreen:
You obviously mean Simon. I picked him out 2 weeks ago, fancy you and I picking the same one, must be something in our blood. :lol:

I think the whole bunch of girls is rubbish, perhaps the only exception is the one I think is called Karen. who wanted to do the English menu. I agree with her. Pub meals? Definitely should be English I think, sure to be a winner.

[Esiotrot]

I think that was Claire SuperGran, I liked her too - why choose a indian when no one knows how to cook indian food? I did think the girls were very shrewd selling tickets before the event.
Kx

[~V~]

Did none of you notice Nick voting for the Bollywood theme too?

I'm sure that swayed at least a couple of them that may have been undecided.

I quite like Sweary Sara, even if she is a bit squeaky. I think (from the clips of next week) that Lucinda may be shown to be a bit of a victim. Worse than a bully in many ways. Bah!

Looks like they split the genders too. Good. We get to see them a little better when that happens

[Esiotrot]

I am gutted that Simon has gone!
Change from my comments last week - I really dislike Claire!!!! She should have been sacked - what a b1tch. Undermining the team leader seems to be her thing.

Also Lucinda - why is she there?

[Mia]

I couldn't decide whether I wanted Simon, Claire or Lucinda to go - they were all dreadful.

The way Sir Alan was ranting at Claire, I thought he would sack her, so I was surprised when he made her team leader for next week and told her to get out.

I don't know what the point of Lucinda is, she seems to have been useless every week. I would like to see her as the other team leader next time, so she can show if she can actually do anything.

Incidentally, I thought that the David Beckham lookalike was very good and rather nice looking!

[lovesreading06]

There must be something in claire that Sir Alan wanted to see.

Lucinda also seems to be on the winning team.

[Spooncat]

I did think Lucinda's team would win

[lovesreading06]

I did think Lucinda's team would win

Me aswell but i think its was the excluisve deal that made them loose. My mum thought jennifer should of went. To be honest i didn't mind which one went.

[Esiotrot]

I really wanted Claire to go - asides the exclusivity thing Lucinda's team definitely performed better.
IMHO Claire was rubbish and her team were not much better - it was sheer luck of getting that last deal that saved them, they deserved to loose. I think it was Alex who said if you 'fail to prepare and be prepared to fail' and that said it all about Claire's organisational skills.
My favs this week are Alex, Helene and Lee.

[Mia]

I was surprised that Sir Alan didn't get rid of Jenny - it looked like he was going to, then suddenly it was Lindi who went.

I agree with Esiotrot that Lucinda's team definitely did the best, they were much more organised and professional, like when they did a proper taste test. The other team just turned up late, and when they found no-one there, asked two (possibly tipsy) men in the pub to taste their ice cream!

I was definitely surprised that Lucinda was so organised and good at management - I really did think she was useless before this week. However, she did herself no favours in the boardroom when she started tale-telling: "Helene said that Jenny was an evil b**ch!" You could see Sir Alan's eyes glaze over at that point.

[lovesreading06]

An enviroment card. People who in to doing things for the enviroment would send an E-Card.

Did you see Sir Alan Face when Keven said Enviorment cards.

Its no wonder they lost.

[Esiotrot]

Kevin deserved to go - he was rubbish, what a stupid idea! They tried hard to make Sara a scapegoat which was unfair - she did offer a few ideas but was shouted down by Jenny who was hell bent on ensuring her idea was chosen. Kevin was clutching at straws bringing Sara back into the boardroom, Jenny should have been there.
I still like Alex he keeps his mouth shut and doesnt get involved in the bitching but the look on his face says it all - not sure if he is proving his worth though.
2 uncomfortable points -
Jenny and Helene's treatment of Lucinda, she was reduced to a tea girl by the looks of it, she isnt a strong enough character to make it.
Lee shouting at Sara when she returned to the house - uncalled for and has slightly changed my opinion of him.

Favs are still Alex, Helene and Lee.

[Mia]

I thought last night's bullying of Sara was dreadful. They have all obviously decided to make her the scapegoat. As Esiotrot said, everytime she opened her mouth she was shouted down by Jenny. Even after, when she returned to the house, they wouldn't let her speak to defend herself. It was really vicious bullying, especially by that tall guy (Lee?) - he was vile. :mad: I hate to think what sort of treatment she is going to get next week.

Kevin deserved to go, but I think if he hadn't been stupid and had taken Jenny into the boardroom "Sralan" would have fired her instead. But Kevin has been useless before.

Rafe has gone up in my opinion - he was articulate in the pitches and stuck up for Sara at the house.

[lovesreading06]

Micheal i think that his name. I don't think he be there much longer. The way he screamed when he won.

[Esiotrot]

I agree LR06 - didnt think much of him at all, the look on Sir Alans face when he shouted out was priceless. From Michaels comments at the end I take it he was a friend of Kevins.

BTW I am loving the deeper involvement of Margaret and Nick - especially when they contradict a contestant and land them in it!

[~V~]

What I'm confused by is that the team said Sara did very little and yet Ruthless Alex did even less!!!! He even sat (on a number of occassions) and didn't even nod when Kevin was talking (droning) to him

But he gets away with his machiavellian behaviour because he's pwetty. He should have gone on week one and only didn't because Nick's argument was poor

Anyway, glad Kevin went, he made bile rise in my throat the way he slaughtered the english language and droned on as if he was the most important man in the world. How on earth did this charisma-less berk end up as a Bank Manager???????

Just need to get rid of Claire, Jenny, Helene and Alex now.

I think Lee will win. Just something in my waters tells me so. I think Raef would be the most deserving winner (so far) but they rarely win and I doubt SAS would go for him

[lovesreading06]

I just watched you fired. I think Sir alan wanted to fire Jenny.

Jenny, Micheal, Claire. There will have to watch out cos i think one of them will be next to go.

[Mia]

~V~, I totally agree with you about Alex. Perhaps it was the way the programme was edited, but I didn't see him contribute one idea or even speak! All he does is look scornful when someone else makes a mistake, while he doesn't even try to do anything.

And please, could someone tell me where should that apostrophe go?! Not knowing is driving me nuts! I went for after the s, ie singles', but I'm not sure and I'm usually OK with punctuation. It was really funny that they debated it for 3.5 hours!

[happyanddandy]

I missed the last 2 weeks so just getting back into it. I think the right person went. :smile2:

[Janet]

And please, could someone tell me where should that apostrophe go?! Not knowing is driving me nuts! I went for after the s, ie singles', but I'm not sure and I'm usually OK with punctuation. It was really funny that they debated it for 3.5 hours!
There isn't an apostrophe at all. It should have just been 'National Singles Day' because it's a day for all 'singles'. :)

[~V~]

I'm with Janet. It's a day dedicated to singles (plural) and not owned by them.

[supergran71]

There isn't an apostrophe at all. It should have just been 'National Singles Day' because it's a day for all 'singles'. :)
Doesn't that mean there should be an apostrophe after the s? If the day belongs to all singles???????:blush: That is how I was taught anyway.

[Esiotrot]

2 people going tonight!

[Mia]

Doesn't that mean there should be an apostrophe after the s? If the day belongs to all singles???????:blush: That is how I was taught anyway.

Supergran, that was my reasoning. I'm confused... I used to think I was good with apostrophes. How will I cope now? Will I start using greengrocers' apostrophe's every time a word end's in 's? ;)

Two people going tonight? Ooh! But on past showings it'll be the ones who don't deserve to go that Sralan fires.

[lovesreading06]

What did you think about the two that went? Do you think it fair?

Mind you there had a bunch of idolts and in my view i woun't of minded which one went.

[Angel]

That was an eventful Boardroom meeting! The right people went - although I think Sir Alan wanted to fire all of them !!

[supergran71]

I am glad to see the back of both those two. One was a bitch and the other had "something of the night" about her :mrgreen:

[happyanddandy]

Even more exciting at the end was my son eating Maltesers suddenly started choking and I had to whack him v hard on the back to dislodge it :eek2: - so I missed a vital bit :mrgreen:

[aromaannie]

I think all the girls are really poor this year - the only one I half like is Lucinda and I'm not even convinced by her!

[Esiotrot]

Glad they went.
Jenny - was a snake who turned every word said in the boardroom to her advantage and blaming others for her own mistakes.
Jen - hmmm still not sure about her but she did no preparation at all, didn't pay attention to the details and that was her down fall.

To go next ~
Claire has so far tried to undermine every Project manager she has worked for not nice to watch, dont think she will last much longer.
Michael is a arrogant, ignorant, idiot IMO - good Jewish boy? ridiculous!

Being a Scottish lass I didnt appreciate Margaret's comments about Edinburgh University, I have 2 cousins and various friends who have just completed Degrees there. What factual evidence did she have to found her views?

I think Helene is a strong contender but they show very little of her - whats the reason? perhaps we will see more of her now J&J have gone.

Prediction for final 3 is still ~ Lee, Alex and Helene.

[FishAndChips]

Even more exciting at the end was my son eating Maltesers suddenly started choking and I had to whack him v hard on the back to dislodge it :eek2: - so I missed a vital bit :mrgreen:

:lol: Oh dear. Hope he was OK.

Last night's episode was the first of this series I'd seen. The beta team's attempt to get kosher chicken was unbelievable :roll:

I am not surprised he fired two people.

I think the two that went were right to be fired, but I also disliked Claire, the way she kept butting in to the negotiations etc. I'm with Esiotrot, I think she'll go soon. (Although she did seem to be playing a cleverer game in the board room by not saying as much as the others. The others seemed to hang themselves on their own rope by saying too much and blaming everybody else)

[Fay]

I dont know what it is, but none of the contestants really stand out for me this year. I dont particularly like anyone. Hows that for sitting on the fence!!!:lol:

[Mia]

I actually agreed with Sralan's decision this week and think he fired the right people. They were both evil, bullying bitches, and deserved to be fired anyway for trying to bribe the shop assistants to sabotage the other team. :mad: I do want Lee to go soon though, as he is also an evil bully and completely over the top with his swearing, whooping and stupid noises. He should get back to Year 3 where he belongs. <end of rant>

Last night's task was really funny. They paid no attention to detail whatsoever and the "kosher" thing was hilarious. Sralan taking Michael to task over being "a good Jewish boy" was hilarious! :lol:

[Janet]

Jenny - was a snake who turned every word said in the boardroom to her advantage and blaming others for her own mistakes.

</snip>

Being a Scottish lass I didnt appreciate Margaret's comments about Edinburgh University, I have 2 cousins and various friends who have just completed Degrees there. What factual evidence did she have to found her views?
I agree about Jenny. Suralan certainly had the measure of her!

Someone on another forum I frequent was not very happy about Margaret's comments either as she attends Edinburgh. She's studying theology so she knew what a Kosher chicken should be!

I think you're probably right about the final three. I quite like Raef (having hated him in the first show) but he hasn't done a lot recently.

[Sarahrob]

I quite like Raef (having hated him in the first show) but he hasn't done a lot recently.


I watched the repeat this evening and thought this week's was gringe-inducingly awful. Just horrendous. Whay would you have decided to jump straight in without doing any preparation whatsoever? Ludicrous. Both thoroughly deserved to be fired.

I too disliked Raef at first, especially when there was the snobbery issue going on (We're cultured and you are illiterate yobs). He has grown on me though, I must admit.

I'm not sure about the gobby buyer (Claire?). She clearly knows more than she ever lets on in the tasks, and seems to enjoy watching the project managers flounder without stepping in to help - last week's disastrous greeting card pitch, this week not advising them to check the list. As a buyer, you learn very quickly to check your specs thoroughly and continually refer back to them. It is inconceivable to me that she didn't see what was going to happen. I find it really sneaky that she would keep her mouth shut about something like that. To my mind, if you all pull together as a team then you win the task and none of you gets fired.
It's not rocket science...:irked:

[angelofboox]

Raef grew on me as well - I've been watching The Apprentice on iPlayer due to my lack of a television - even though I thoroughly disliked him at first.

I've always wondered when Sir Alan sends off the winning team saying he's thrown a banquet or yacht spa chocolate making session for them, is it really him paying for it? Or is it the BBC? If it is the BBC I'd like them to acknowledge that it is in fact our taxpayers who put on these delightful things for them and not Sir Alan. Does anybody have the answers?

I do wish he'd fire a few more people simultaneously, makes the programme get a wiggle on :D.

[Janet]

I don't know, but I'd say 'Suralan' probably pays for it himself. It would be interesting to find out though.

I watched him being interviewed on Jonathan Ross this morning (on iPlayer). It was good and he came across as a nice bloke. It's a shame Johnny Vegas was on too though as he was being a selfish limelight-hogging idiot who kept interrupting. :irked:

[happyanddandy]

I read a vile report in the Guardian a couple of weeks back about the behaviour of Johnny Vegas in his recent live comedy show. The author was shocked and disgusted as were others in the audience. I don't think I will be watching him ever again.

[Janet]

I think Michael should go tonight. After last weeks "I'm a good Jewish boy" debacle and now him lying about wanting the expensive dresses... He was so horribly pushy with the cakes too.

ETA: Wow - Michael nearly went too - he was very lucky! I'm glad Sara went as Michael didn't.

[supergran71]

I read a vile report in the Guardian a couple of weeks back about the behaviour of Johnny Vegas in his recent live comedy show. The author was shocked and disgusted as were others in the audience. I don't think I will be watching him ever again.
Well do tell!!!!:motz:

[happyanddandy]

It's only for adult ears and it really isn't funny

[Esiotrot]

Sara deserved to go but I think Michael should have got the boot as well, why did Sir Alan let the slimy git off the hook again?
Watching Sara and Michaels attempts to sell those cakes were cringe worth - they were so pushy!

In my opinion the criticism of Helene was a bit unfair -
Michael suggested that they split the supplier visits geographically (remember him saying 'North London is near Central London etc...) rather than by product type.

Helene's product choices ~
The choice of dresses was in fact the better choice as they sold more and had a wider appeal because they were able to sell as bridesmaid/evening wear as well. She thought about the type of people visiting the NEC and the amount they were likely to spend. Did anyone else notice the dresses Helene's team had to sell on the day didn't look as nice as the ones they saw when visiting the supplier?
They lost out on the rhinestone accessories due to the choice of dress designer which meant they were lumbered with those expensive cakes, which you could tell wouldn't sell at the NEC. I might be wrong but there didn't appear to be another choice in the accessories?

Lee did a great job selling the 'Fongs' and his underestimation of the ladies sizes was genius!

My opinions of both Claire and Lucinda are changing slightly - they both did well in this task.


EDIT ~ I saw JR on Friday night - Sir Alan came across really well and I agree Jonny Vegas is an attention seeking idiot with absolutely no manners!

[Mia]

Re this week's firing - I wouldn't have minded any of the three going (or even all of them!). Sara was pretty poor in the task, but I always felt sorry for her because she was bullied. I think I would have slightly preferred Michael to go, as he's a lying, weasly scumbag in my opinion. How pathetic was he last night? "I don't want to beg, Sir Alan, but..." Cue begging! :lol: And Sralan fell for it. :roll:

I hated Raef the first week, but warmed to him when he stood up for Sara when Lee and Alex were being vile to her a couple of weeks ago. However, I think he was lucky last night to be on the winning team, because I can't think of one useful thing he did - all he did was dress up as a giant bear and frighten the kiddies! :mrgreen: I think if he'd been on the losing team he might have gone.

[Esiotrot]

I agree Mia, Raef woudl have been fired if he had been on the losing team.
I watched Your Fired on BBC2 after last nights episode and Lucinda was shown saying 'I have no idea what the F*** Raef does?' :eek2:

[Janet]

Noooooooooooo. :(

[Mia]

Sralan is making some strange decisions. Raef was not brilliant, and I agree that he has been lucky to be on the winning team a lot without really doing anything, but I don't think he should have gone.

However, Michael is useless and a liar. He should have gone last week and he certainly should have gone tonight. Is he blackmailing Sralan or something?!

Incidentally, I don't agree on the advert with the kids on the bench not working because there wasn't a close-up on the product until the end. I can think of three very famous adverts off the top of my head that are the same: the drumming gorilla for Dairy Milk (though I do hate this ad!), the one with the horses in the sea for Guinness, and the new one with Brains dancing for Drench(?) water. The Guinness one has even won awards! So I don't agree with this argument. I thought this ad was much more professional and effective.

[lovesreading06]

For me adverts have got to show the bands to get it to work. I didn't like the name i love my tissues.

[~V~]

Incidentally, I don't agree on the advert with the kids on the bench not working because there wasn't a close-up on the product until the end. I can think of three very famous adverts off the top of my head that are the same: the drumming gorilla for Dairy Milk (though I do hate this ad!), the one with the horses in the sea for Guinness, and the new one with Brains dancing for Drench(?) water. The Guinness one has even won awards! So I don't agree with this argument. I thought this ad was much more professional and effective.

Thing is though, two of those are brands you are already very familiar with.

As to the third; you can't remember the name ;)

However, boo hiss Raef has gone.

All through the show I was thinking 'Yay, Alex the Weasel Boy will go tonight' then when they had won it changed to 'Oh well, at least we finally get rid of super-sleazeball Michael'. in fact, any of them off that team would have been ok but Raef :(

I still think Lee will win

[Esiotrot]

I think both Michael and Raef should have went - WHY is Michael still there?

Mia, I agree to a certain extent about the advert, but the difference between the 3 ads you mention and Raef/Michaels ad is that they are unique, big budget, captivating ads that were made to encourage discussion. All 3 ads are for established big brand names, which to be honest will sell their products regardless, not for a new brand name trying to introduce a new product.
Although the Atishu ad was awful they did get the point across - especially the anti-bacterial element which Raef's team didnt mention at all.

[aromaannie]

Gutted

[Mia]

Thing is though, two of those are brands you are already very familiar with.

As to the third; you can't remember the name ;)

Yes, but that's because I saw it once and hated it so much I've never watched it again!

WHY is Michael still there?

Although the Atishu ad was awful they did get the point across - especially the anti-bacterial element which Raef's team didnt mention at all.

Yes, you're right that they didn't mention the antibacterial element, which they should have done. But I still liked their advert the best!

And I really don't know why Michael is still there. He really annoyed me last night: "All the good things are down to me, and all the bad things are Raef's fault"!! Unbelieveable!

[Sarahrob]

Admittedly I only saw the last ten minutes of last night's episode, but...

Can't believe Michael has lasted ANOTHER week!
Glad to see that Siralan is wising up to Claire - he pulled her last night on why she doesn't intervene when she supposedly sees things going wrong.

Looking forward to the repeat on sunday:)

[angelofboox]

I couldn't believe Raef went either (Sorry I'm late! I watched it on iPlayer yesterday to catch up...) I actually thought Michael would go but he keeps begging and getting away with it. I think Michael, Alex and Helene should all go really.

But my mother read in the newspaper that ()there are 4 people in the final, as opposed to the usual two. Which you can work out seeing as there's only 3 or 4 episodes left and 6 candidates at the moment...

Hmmm.

[Esiotrot]

I am gutted!! The last episode is the day after I go on holiday to Spain.
The same thing happened last year and I was determined to stay away from the newspapers so I could watch it on Sky Plus when I got home. Unfortunatly the day after the final I couldnt help but notice the huge pictures on the front of the paper.
I read in the Daily Mail about a Lady who downloaded an episode of The Apprentice on iplayer while abroad and it cost her almost £5000, so wont be trying that LOL!

[lovesreading06]

Just to remind you all it on tonight at 9.

[Janet]

If Michael doesn't go tonight there is no justice.

What a dickhead. And that's the censored version - you should hear what my hubby called him! ;)

Although, listening to Suralan, I think Helene might be in for it.

ETA - hurrah!

[Mia]

Yay! Finally Michael has gone! About time too. I don't understand why Sralan had a soft spot for him. And to excuse him because he's young - as Helene pointed out, why should that be a reason to keep him in?

Helene had a narrow escape, as she was useless too. I think Sralan should make her a team leader next week so she can show if she's capable of anything decent.

Don't know about Lucinda. I felt sorry for her over the raffle tickets (they were her idea that Alex took the credit for, weren't they?), then she did all that work buying and perforating them and then chose not to sell any! :roll: But she was very annoying - she wanted to be told every little thing. For goodness' sake, use some initiative and just have a go!

I quite like Claire, but I don't like Lee or Alex and I think one of them (probably Lee) will win.

[~V~]

TF he's gone. But I did want to see that smug pretty-boy get shafted. I hate the way Lee treats Lucinda now he has Alex to play with.

I can't believe I'm saying this but Claire is growing on me. Eeep!

[Janet]

I can't believe I'm saying this but Claire is growing on me. Eeep!
She's grown on me too! I think she's actually been listening to Suralan's critique and taking on board what he's been saying. I wouldn't be surprised if she went on to the final... and even won. :)

[Mia]

I quite like Claire now too! In fact, she's probably my favourite. She's good at selling and nicer than Lee (I think - she hasn't been in Lucinda's team for a while so I don't know if she would return to being a bully).

[~V~]

I quite like Claire now too! In fact, she's probably my favourite. She's good at selling and nicer than Lee (I think - she hasn't been in Lucinda's team for a while so I don't know if she would return to being a bully).

At least she didn't discriminate with her bullying. Every team leader was up for getting some off her :lol:

[Sarahrob]

Looking forward to the interviews this week. I'm not sure how well Claire will stand up if I'm honest. Mind you, I'm sure it will be better than Lucinda.
This is always the episode that makes me cringe in horror...:lurker:

[lovesreading06]

It will be great to see how there will all do.

[Laa Laa]

Who will be in the final? I'm hoping that it's Lee and Lucinda but I can also see Claire getting there (boo!)

There's a programme on BBC1 tomorrow night about all the contestants.

[Janet]

I actually quite like Claire now - I think she might get to the final. I think Suralan likes her too.

[Michelle]

We're just watching last night's episode, and I'm getting quite cross! Those guys weren't conducting an interview, they were just being bullies, and trying to rile them up! We didn't hear anything about their strengths, weaknesses,experience etc.

Waiting to see who's in the final..

[JudyB]

I was sorry to see Lucinda go but am pinning my hopes on Claire - I admire her focus and the fact that she is a doer.

[Mia]

The interviewers were quite bullying, but they did manage to cut through the competitors' waffle and make them tell the truth! A prime example (which I found hilarious, as I don't like Lee) was his lying on his CV, where a four-month stint at college became a full two years! :lol: I also enjoyed the interviewer highlighting all his spelling mistakes - all of them would have been picked up if he'd had the brains to use a spellchecker!

In fairness, I didn't like the way the interviewer insisted Lee do his pterodactyl impression, then told him off for doing it. That was nasty and unfair.

I think they were right to get rid of Lucinda, but wasn't Alex a snake? Fancy blurting out to the whole boardroom that Lucinda didn't want the job! He was annoying in his interviews too - he mentioned he was 24 within about 10 seconds of each starting, then moaned later that "they kept bringing up my age"! I think you'll find that it was you Alex who kept bringing that up. :roll:

Helene annoyed me by relying on a sob story. So her parents were alcoholics and she had to leave school and get a job? Big deal - many people have difficult lives. I thought it was irrelevant to the current situation. Apart from that, she didn't really register.

I quite like Claire, who did very well as she has "the gift of the gab". She must be the only person in the country who says "Interviews? Brilliant, I love them!" :eek: She can go and do mine for me next week.

Anyway, I don't think Claire will win as Sralan doesn't like her (or possibly women in general). I think it will be Lee or Alex who will win, probably Alex as he is young(!) so can be trained how Sralan wants.

[LucyD]

I like Claire too - I think she or Alex will win...

[angelofboox]

I like Claire too. I think it was the right decision to let go of Lucinda. Knew four people were going to be in the final... but the team who loses the next task will be fired. So if Alex and Helene lose it will be between Claire and Lee - and if Claire and Lee lose the choice will be between Alex and Helene. Hmmmmm.

[Mia]

I'm a bit annoyed about the teams, because I think Lee is really going to muck up the presentation, and if he does, Claire will get fired because of his uselessness. Claire is really good at presentations.

I wish they were all working individually, so it would probably have been better if they'd left it at having just two people in the final. Then they would win or lose on their own merits, not on how good their partner is. I know you could argue it's been like that all the way through with the teams, but when it's the all-important final I don't think it's fair.

[lovesreading06]

Mia i have to agree with you. Siralan doesn't like claire i think she sounds a bit bossy.

[Sarahrob]

Was it just me or was Lucinda really scary in those interviews - all breathy and simpering. Really freaky.

Liked Claire's interviews, thought the "you're fired" had the funniest guest ever (don't know who he was but he was fab on the subject of Alex being 24 and made some very funny and astute comments on them all). I also thought it was mean asking Lee to do the impression, but what kind of a nonce puts something like that on a CV? This may be a show but the heart of it is a job - would he have done that in a non-televised interview? Think not.

Helene is a bit of an odd one. I'm not sure what she's done in any of the tasks if I'm honest. Other than having a go at Lucinda and Sara she seems to have stayed in the background and not really shone for me. Would be disappointed if Helene won.

For me, the stronger candidates are Lee (if you could knock off a few of the market-trader rough edges) or Claire (if she could show she is capable of change and growth). Really, REALLY hope their team wins!

[Mia]

Was it just me or was Lucinda really scary in those interviews - all breathy and simpering. Really freaky.

Yes, it reminded me of Thatcher when she was trying to do her softly-spoken bit (usually just before she became a shrieking harridan). Very scary. Also, every other word was "absolutely" - all she said was "absolutely" for yes, and "absolutely not" for no. Arrgh! :irked:

[Spooncat]

Have got my wine and chocs ready for this evenings viewing..:lol:

[FishAndChips]

Hehe I can't wait for this :mrgreen:

[Mia]

I will make my prediction now that Alex will win. Not because he's any good, but because he's young enough for Sralan to mould in his likeness. He's only 24, you know! Did you all know that? Because he's never mentioned it! ;)

I would like Claire to win. Go Claire!

[Spooncat]

Alex did best at the interviews in that the others really liked him - oh to be 24 again,,,

[Janet]

I think the best two got through to the final. I'd have liked Claire to win, but I guess Lee is second best out of the four left.

Is Alex only 24?




;)

[JudyB]

Is Alex only 24?
;)

Yeah apparently:lol:

[happyanddandy]

I was so sure Sralan was going to give it to Claire and quite shocked when the other bloke got it. :irked:

Lee should have been let go last week after revealing he had fabricated stuff on his CV. It shows a lack of integrity even if he did have poor schooling.

[FishAndChips]

I was surprised he didn't give it to Claire. I think it came down to personality in the end. He wasn't sure he would get on with her.

I enjoyed the final program. I thought the losing teams advert was really good. I'm glad Helene didn't win though. I thought she was a right pain in the bum!

[happyanddandy]

Helene was bland and more bland - I couldn't even recall her name easily last week. She sneaked through to the final without being noticed

[FishAndChips]

:lol: I had to search previous posts in this thread to remember her name. Her indecisiveness and negativity were what really stuck out for me.

[Mia]

Well, I was wrong when I said that Alex would win, but right that he wouldn't give the job to Claire!

In my opinion, Sralan just doesn't like women. He did exactly the same thing last year - Kristina was excellent and yet he gave the job to the guy (can't remember his name). He has stated in the media that he's not keen on giving jobs to women in case they go off and have children.

I agree with H&D that Lee's lying on his CV should not have gone unpunished. It bodes ill for his integrity, but then again, as long as he makes a lot of money, I don't think Sralan will be that bothered how he makes it.

[Fay]

I really dont know how Helena managed to get so far along in the competition,. But congratulations to Lee, the hard work will probably begin now.

And I just have to say it - That's what I'm talikng about!!

[Michelle]

Oh dear, not a good start..
http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/entertainment/newsid_7484000/7484905.stm
Apprentice Lee McQueen has called in sick on his first day of work for new boss Sir Alan Sugar.

The 30-year-old winner of the BBC's reality show The Apprentice called in sick yesterday, saying he was suffering from a "flu-like virus".

[lovesreading06]

Sir alan also stepping down from one of his business.

[Spooncat]

One of our friends met Lee on holiday in Spain the other week :mrgreen: