The Apprentice

[Butts]

Well they've all got 'digital' or 'online' business plans so they must be automatically be innovative and profitable, right?

Far better on the back of a "fag packet"

 

[Greenback]

The male group lost the plot from the very start when they bought items that were high-end and not suitable for a market stall! I think that given their high-flier lifestyles, they probably thought that the items were pretty cheap, whereas Joe Bloggs isn't going to by a £20 butter dish on a whim whilst walking to the station.

Spot on, I was amazed that they did not realise this right from the off like Luisa.

Jordan's idea to have a three-way partnership with the investment also went down like a lead balloon!

I suppose there's a small chance that Jordan didn't explain thigns very well - but it did sound as though he was proposing a three way partnership. I am pretty sure that is not allowed and if it is correct I expect Jordan will be out this week.

I said last week that Lord Sugar made a bad decision in getting rid of Alex rather than Miles. Needless to say, I stand by that vigorously now

I agree. I much preferred Alex's concept last week. I thought he performed better and was a stronger candidate than Mr Monaco.

Well they've all got 'digital' or 'online' business plans so they must be automatically be innovative and profitable, right?

I don't like any of them!

 

[Butts]

Anyone watch "The Final Five" tonight ?

It was quite interesting to see a little of the background of the candidates.

In my view it should be entitled "The Trainee Manager" as most of the entrants are hardly "blue collar" in background or outlook.

I want Neil to win or even one of the girls if it prevents that d/h Jordan winning !!

 

[90sWereBetter]

I want Neil to win or even one of the girls if it prevents that d/h Jordan winning !!

Same. I want anyone apart from Jordan to win it this year. His business plan, to me, screamed out "ponzi scheme" when I was watching it. How he didn't get fired on Wednesday is a mystery that may never be solved.

 

[Class172]

I too would agree with that anyone but Jordan should win - I'm at a loss how he managed to stay in, though I look forward to seeing the "grilling" as I call it this week. Particularly I want to see who is on the receiving end of Claude's "You are a parasite. This interview is terminated" comment.

 

[ainsworth74]

Particularly I want to see who is on the receiving end of Claude's "You are a parasite. This interview is terminated" comment.

Well to be honest I suspect it might well be Jordan! I can't believe Sugar didn't fire him after that last boardroom, he sounds so dodgy.

 

[Robinson]

Anyone watch "The Final Five" tonight ?

It was quite interesting to see a little of the background of the candidates.

In my view it should be entitled "The Trainee Manager" as most of the entrants are hardly "blue collar" in background or outlook.

I want Neil to win or even one of the girls if it prevents that d/h Jordan winning !!

I will add my support for Neil

 

[90sWereBetter]

I'd love it if someone punched Claude Littner after being interviewed. Must be truly terrifying having an interview with him.

Fingers crossed that Jordan is outed as the parasite!

 

[Class172]

That has to be my favourite statement this series. Also, along with the "having read through the diatribe."

My post on facebook:-

Favourite statement this series:-

Claude: You are a parasite... this interview is terminated! ‪#‎TheApprentice‬

Is racking up the most likes I've ever had on a facebook post!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
My mum also said to me just now that Jordan looks like Toulouse Lautrec - I had no idea what he looked like but just searched and got a shock: an uncanny resemblence.

 

[90sWereBetter]

And Neil has just gone down in flames, probably the biggest shock of the episode so far.

All-women final for the first time in ages.

 

[Robinson]

Nooooooo!!!

 

[TOCDriver]

Why do all the winners become complete and utter disasters on this?

 

[Butts]

And Neil has just gone down in flames, probably the biggest shock of the episode so far.

All-women final for the first time in ages.

Note Karen Bradys comment "I'm so glad your business partner is going to be a woman"

Imagine if Nick had said the opposite if it had been an all male final

 

[HST Power]

[/B]


Note Karen Bradys comment "I'm so glad your business partner is going to be a woman"

Imagine if Nick had said the opposite if it had been an all male final

It's ridiculous - the outpouring would have probably forced him to apologise, the same way William Hague has had to apologise for calling an MP a 'stupid woman.' Now 'stupid' is insulting, but if he'd been called a stupid man.....

 

[WestCoast]

I was almost certain Dr Leah was going to make it to the final. Lord Sugar knows a potentially very lucrative venture when he sees one. She has been a tad on the cold side throughout the show (certainly not my favourite), but she was fairly well liked by the other candidates so its questionable much of her task persona is an act.

It was obvious that Lord Sugar was gutted about Neil, he was the clear second finalist. However, I did suspect something might go wrong for him and it was his inflexibility with a very poor plan that got him swiftly fired.

I think the past few weeks lost the deal for Jordan, he did have a cheek to present an ownership structure like that.

I'm not fond of Luisa at all, particularly the way she looks at people when Lord Sugar or other people deliver tough news. She reminds me of a gossiping schoolgirl. Her idea is seemingly credible and she's got a good background, however I do doubt her commitment to it.

Personally, I think Francesca would have been a better potential partner, yes she's not got the best strategic acumen out there, but neither did the last winner really. I think she would have shown utmost commitment, which I somehow doubt Luisa can offer (wait to be proved wrong though).

 

[Butts]

I was almost certain Dr Leah was going to make it to the final. Lord Sugar knows a potentially very lucrative venture when he sees one. She has been a tad on the cold side throughout the show (certainly not my favourite), but she was fairly well liked by the other candidates so its questionable much of her task persona is an act.

It was obvious that Lord Sugar was gutted about Neil, he was the clear second finalist. However, I did suspect something might go wrong for him and it was his inflexibility with a very poor plan that got him swiftly fired.

I think the past few weeks sealed the deal for Jordan, he did have a cheek to present an ownership structure like that.

Neil should have shown some flexibility on his plan and he would have survived - silly boy :cry:

 

[Phirstman]

Neil would have won easily under the old 'have a job in my company' format. He had walked the process up to this point.

The newer 'Business Plan' format has thrown up some surprises at the end of the last few series - If the best candidate has a poor idea they'll still get the boot. That reflected in tonight's episode.

Leah should win now - most lucrative and best idea of the five.

 

[Butts]

Neil would have won easily under the old 'have a job in my company' format. He had walked the process up to this point.

The newer 'Business Plan' format has thrown up some surprises at the end of the last few series - If the best candidate has a poor idea they'll still get the boot. That reflected in tonight's episode.

Leah should win now - most lucrative and best idea of the five.

And the best looking

 

[87 027]

Looks like Neil has fallen into the same trap as Helen in Series 7 (the one who lost to Tom the inventor) - best candidate, but flawed business plan. Makes you wonder why these aren't weeded out sooner - probably for the sake of interesting viewing along the way!

 

[underbank]

And again, the whole program is ruined at the end by poor and unimaginative business plans. I really was expecting better this time. When they first changed the format, it was clear that it was a last minute change and that the selection process and early stages were based on a job rather than a business investment, so the end result of poor business plans could be excused as the candidates were really dropped in it at the last minute and had to come up with something. Last time, with Ricky and his recruitment agency, it was again not particularly exciting and not the kind of thing that Alan is really looking for but he had no choice given the alternatives. Alan has to end up picking the best of a bad lot again. I really expected that the selection process would have looked at the business plans this time around and put some exciting business proposals into the program. For all 5 to be dead ducks again is poor. When you compare it to the kind of business ideas that are out in the real world, just look at Dragon's Den, I am very disappointed that there's nothing remotely on the same level. I really don't think there'll be another series.

 

[Phirstman]

I really don't think there'll be another series.

A tenth series has already been commissioned.

They could always go back to the old format if they wished.

 

[Butts]

A tenth series has already been commissioned.

They could always go back to the old format if they wished.

Programme on BBC1 tonight at 2235 with Lord Sugar explaining why he fired each of the candidates.

 

[TOCDriver]

I would love to be examined by Leah - will be rooting for her.

 

[Butts]

I would love to be examined by Leah - will be rooting for her.

Well she's won so if you fancy a consultation

Actually I think Lord Sugar is in more need !!!

ps No invite back for Jordan ????

 

[Manchester77]

ps No invite back for Jordan ????

He's a Parasite!!

Glad Leah won she would have been my choice of the two remaining

 

[90sWereBetter]

I wish the final was between Jason and Alex, because that would have been hilarious.

Congrats to Leah, although I wanted Luisa to win...

 

[harry42]

This next hour is going to be a waste of time!

 

[Class172]

Oh dear, I turn on at precisely 9 o'clock to see Dara talking to Luisa - I shall now have to watch the programme in reverse order. :roll:

 

[Butts]

This next hour is going to be a waste of time!

Do they really film two endings so as to keep the winners identity secret until the last minute ?

If so how do they get a spontaneous reaction from the winner/loser ?

Anyone clued up as to the actual process

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Do they really film two endings so as to keep the winners identity secret until the last minute ?

No, they film the final task back in the Autumn, but don't film the boardroom scene until a few days before broadcast. I think Alan Sugar's final decision is not filmed until just before the tapes have to be delivered to the BBC.