Questions I Have About The Apprentice .........

[Ann]

Someone please enlighten me about this programme (which I always watch and enjoy)

1. Do you think Lord Sugar decides beforehand who he wants to be his business partner before they undertake any tasks?

2. Does he read their final business plans beforehand? It didn't sound like he did from tonight's programme.

3. When the candidates stay in the house, is it for the full 12 weeks i.e a task per week or do the tasks follow on in quick succession which must be exhausting?

4. Do you really think when they answer the phone in the morning and are told to meet Lord Sugar in 30 minutes - that is all the time they actually take to get glammed up?

5. Are they allowed out of the house at all or is it like the Big Brother house where no outside contact is allowed?

6. As the filming of the series takes place earlier in the year why is the news of the firings of candidates not leaked at all?

Just wondering folks ................

[zebo]

Don't know sums up my knowledge on most of the questions, but I've always wondered if their business plans are looked at by someone earlier in the process. Every year, their plans seem to be taken apart. Does the winner's business ever get off the ground? They seem to vanish without a trace!

[bibblebub]

here's some of them http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/the-apprentice-winners-where-are-they-now-8617798.html?action=gallery

[Ann]

My favourite candidate in all the series that have been on was Tom Pellerau and his now successful curved nail file. He was a really nice person and a good businessman.

[weecalf]

What the countdown guys claim to fame ?

[Ann]

Another very nice winner was Lee McQueen in 2008 - good manners and pleasant character.

[weecalf]

i,m off to venice with the girls

[Ann]

You are not making much sense again tonight weecalf - are you ok?

[Ann]

Last two candidates on Breakfast news this morning ............

[mikey4444]

I have a friend who is a camera operator on the apprentice, and everything you see is staged. Also the so-called office, with the big table where Sugar does all his pointing and grumbling is a TV studio set. When they are out and about, 100's of hours of VT is edited down to about 20 mins. People who fluff their lines are asked to redo them. Sometimes the participants are asked to repeat the "answering the phone early in the morning" bit several times until they get it right.

I hope I haven't disillusioned you too much !

I used to enjoy this program and what I have learned from my friend hasn't spoiled it very much. But what has spoiled it for me is that it has become very repetitive and predictable...you know pretty well exactly what you are going to see each week, and that is why I haven't watched this series, for the first time for years. You know that in each series there is going to be some chinless product from our public school system making a complete wassock of himself and there is always some sharp-tongued bitch who needs a slapping ! And how many of them see the necessity to put turquoise-blue contact lens in, to make them stand out !

If there is a Young Apprentice this summer then I might be persuaded to return to the sofa but even then I might not. Its the same with all of these "format" shows....they go on for too long and become boring in the end.

[Ann]

Tend to agree Mikey but its still compulsive viewing if only for the laughs at the put-downs and the bickering! I like Lord Sugar - he really speaks his mind!

[LoftyLottie]

I think it is all completely orchestrated to be honest, but I still enjoy watching it and being bitchy about everybody. I cannot stand Louisa who is one of the finalists and her dreadful whiny nasal voice!!

[LoftyLottie]

It used to be much more realistic and less orchestrated. It is only marginally better now than the American version, with Donald Trump, which is dire. At least Alan Sugar is entertaining.

[Ann]

Yes I can't make my mind up about Louisa - she gets on my nerves too, but running 3 businesses which are successful is good ............ I think LS will go for Leah. Can't stand her botoxed lips trout pout though ...........

[aelmpvw]

i think al picked the winner on the strength of their business plan before the series was recorded

[elliemay1]

I wouldn't agree, aelm....

[grumpy01]

Think LS saw Neil as the winner very early on but the fact his business plan was not scrutinised until these interviews makes me wonder how smart he really is.Or,has been lucky in employing the right people?

[elliemay1]

Yes, Neil should have been the winner so is the whole process flawed?

[bibblebub]

the ghastly Luisa can't even spell her own name correctly

[pixie373]

I haven't seen last night's one yet, so had avoided this thread. I thought from the beginning that Neil should win. I take it he went out last night? It is quite compulsive viewing, but i do squirm when the candidates are all interviewed individually and have their Business Plans pulled to bits. I do wonder how they find so many arrogant BS'ers to apply!