The Apprentice

[_guest]

Does anyone out there love this show as much as I do? I highly doubt it. Best thing on telly at the moment, bar nothing.

It is absolute comedy gold, what a total 'Tim Nice But Dim' wally that Paul was. I'm still tickled about the task where he tried to cook sausages using some boy scout gadget that had the heating power of a torch and then tried to sell sausages to a Muslim... in the middle of Ramadan. Haha! I wasn't remotely surprised to hear of his and Katie's Sandhurst backgrounds, what a pair of twits.

Northern Adam reminds me of Gareth Gates for some reason, and big, fat Geri who went out at the start reminded me of Ursula from The Little Mermaid :razz:

Oh yeah and dreadful, dreadful ruddy-faced pony Katie who put husband-stealing on her application form as a good example of lying and manipulation needs to up her dosage. She belongs in the House of Commons and that ain't a compliment. I was surprised at how well she'd managed to dupe Sir Alan, though I did think it was all a little suss that he "detected" her second thoughts about re-locating her family. My other half thinks she's a ringer (a dead ringer... for a Spitting Image dummy, more like!) but I dunno.

As for the final, I've got such an enormous crush on Simon (those puppy dog eyes!) that I would just love to see him win... and I think he's probably good, mouldable Apprentice material. That said, ultimately I think Christina deserves to win and I like the cut of her jib/her backstory. Unlike last year when I championed The Badger and hated the other lass, I would be happy to see either of 'em get the job :thumb:

Who deserves to get the infamous finger point and immortal words "YOU'RE FIRED" next week?

[Calvin]

Yeah, The Aprentice is good stuff. I really like Christina and think she should win, Simon is just some toff who doesnt really have any business sense.

Katie used to get right on my nerves, shes is a bit of a bitch, but Im glad she saw sense last night and conceded her place in the final. Still dont think its been as good as last years series though.

Im willing to bet £50, Sir Alan says your fired to Simon next week. Christina will eat him alive.

Im getting a bit sick of Sir Alan plugging all his companies and mates though. It aint ITV1 !

:thumb:

[_guest]

I'm not betting you anything :p

I wouldn't be so sure though, I was surprised by last year's result. Plus it was on the radio that Simon was seen in a sandwich shop beside the Amstrad HQ several times - and THAT IS PROOF is it not Calvin? ;) Maybe he just likes their egg and cress. Ah I'm just swayed by the puppy dog eyes, he has got THE worst gameface I've ever seen in my life though. Someone makes a vaguely negative comment and he immediately looks like he's been punched in the stomach - not good for business really.

After Sir Alan's soft spot for the "troubled past" last year with Michelle I think he will be more wary of listening to a backstory that tugs on the heartstrings. After all didn't she get knocked up by the wonderful Sayeed (best contestant ever) before the competition had even finished, and therefore not spend any time actually working in her 100k a year job at Amstrad? That's what I read... anyway.

[Calvin]

I'm not betting you anything :p

Chicken :p


I wouldn't be so sure though, I was surprised by last year's result. Plus it was on the radio that Simon was seen in a sandwich shop beside the Amstrad HQ several times - and THAT IS PROOF is it not Calvin? ;) Maybe he just likes their egg and cress. Ah I'm just swayed by the puppy dog eyes, he has got THE worst gameface I've ever seen in my life though. Someone makes a vaguely negative comment and he immediately looks like he's been punched in the stomach - not good for business really.


I thought last years result was obvious. Michelle was clearly the better candidate, that bloody Badger women gets right on my nerves! Well I heard from my sources that Simon had been given a job by Sir Alan thats why he has been seen by Amstrad HQ- Sir Alan needed a new cleaner. :p



After Sir Alan's soft spot for the "troubled past" last year with Michelle I think he will be more wary of listening to a backstory that tugs on the heartstrings. After all didn't she get knocked up by the wonderful Sayeed (best contestant ever) before the competition had even finished, and therefore not spend any time actually working in her 100k a year job at Amstrad? That's what I read... anyway.


Yeah but I cant see anyone staying with Sir Alan that long. The job is only worth £100k, which you could earn by doing a few good magazine interviews. There is more money to be had going it alone, than with Sir Alan, thats what Katie realised last night. Shes not as daft as she looks, she stands to make more money from selling her "Why I decided to quit the Aprentice" story than she would working for Sir Alan.

My money is still on Christina, she can sell and charm. :thumb:

[_guest]

I thought last years result was obvious. Michelle was clearly the better candidate, that bloody Badger women gets right on my nerves!

I loved her, she knew the craic. Proper no-nonsense girl. She's got a Sky One show now so she's done alreet for herself I s'pose.

Well I heard from my sources that Simon had been given a job by Sir Alan thats why he has been seen by Amstrad HQ- Sir Alan needed a new cleaner. :p

Hahaha... oh you're mean.

We shall see next week, anyway! If he's still in the market for a job then I'll give him one :naughty:









(Yes, I'm deeply ashamed)

[katchika]

Simon has a fit body.

I'd like to see Christina win though.

Katie...the blue eyeshadow..the whole thing last night was odd. Surely she knew she would have to move to London, but suddenly backed out? Strange. What sort of person would mention in a job interview that they go after other women's husbands? She blushed so easily.

Glad Tre went..he was so up himself. Blatantly just worked for his Dad but thought he was some sort of business superstar.

[JsT]

Simon has seemed cluless half the time to me. I reckon Tre should have been given a go, shame he was just too argumentative.

[_guest]

Simon has a fit body.

I dunno about that (are we going on the numerous shots of him legging it down the stairs to answer the phone in his keks? :razz:) but he has the cutest face and demeanour ever. Perfect manners, too, bonus points!

I agree he seems a bit clueless sometimes but I just think he needs some direction which is what happens when you're someone's apprentice after all! I felt so bad for him when they were asking about his redundancy, at least he held his hands up and said "bang to rights, I wasn't as good as other employees". Aww, I think I'm his biggest fan :D

I don't think Tre is even half as fantastic as he thinks he is, but he can talk the talk and bullshit like no other. Kudos for that! The stuff about whether he was going to close down his international conglomorate or "shut the bedroom door" was hilarious, if a bit painful. I think him and his sneer can hack the criticism though. His kiddie is adorable, to his credit.

Lohit was a strange inclusion, he definietly flew under the radar but... to be honest... he wasn't anywhere near up to par. He seemed to be there so there was an obvious person in the firing line (so to speak) rather than because he was any serious competition to the other four.

I really warmed to Jadine towards the end, she was a MEGA bitch at the beginning and then totally mellowed and became a productive team member. I felt bad when she was upset about her daughter, I seem to remember someone nearer the beginning who was fired/walked because they missed their children. Total opposite of Katie "I don't want to be seen as a mother" Hopkins.

[Calvin]

I agree he seems a bit clueless sometimes but I just think he needs some direction


Out of the door would be my prefered direction. ;)

I don't think Tre is even half as fantastic as he thinks he is, but he can talk the talk and bullshit like no other.

I agree, Tre isnt as fantastic as he makes out, but he is a good bullshitter. Only problem is he is a bit of a loose cannon (like Sayed last year). He doesnt seem to know when to shut up and keep quiet.

Lohit was a strange inclusion, he definietly flew under the radar but... to be honest... he wasn't anywhere near up to par. He seemed to be there so there was an obvious person in the firing line (so to speak) rather than because he was any serious competition to the other four.

Lohit was alright, nice and friendly, but wouldnt trust him to be aggressive when it was needed.

Total opposite of Katie "I don't want to be seen as a mother" Hopkins.

I dont think Katie really wanted the job, I think she was only doing it fot the publicty and the celebrity. Shes already earning £90k a year, so another £10k with Sir Alan isnt all that.

[go_away]

Actually Briggi, I wanted to ask you how you felt about the way in which Christina and Katie were spoken to regarding motherhood and their suitability as the Apprentice during their interviews. It was quite clear that they had to prove themselves as being 'over and done with' raising their children. Do you think someone of childbearing age (like Gizel) would have stood a chance?

[_guest]

Oi, stop picking on Simon or I'll come round and sort you out :mad: :p

Katie is a funny one, I don't think she wants to be a celebrity per se but I agree she definitely did it as a stepping stone to bigger, better things and for the "prestige" of turning down a place in the final (and potentially, the job). However I thought she looked less prestigious and more like a bit of a tit and as if she couldn't sort out her own affairs re: childcare, relocation etc. She works for the MET office now apparently...

Nice and friendly means jack shit in business, big business anyway. I didn't really understand what experience and credibility he had, either?

[Calvin]

Nice and friendly means jack shit in business, big business anyway. I didn't really understand what experience and credibility he had, either?

He was only 24, I think he was just too young. He was a consultant I believe. I think he should have taken some bitching and back stabbing lessons from Katie, it might have toughtened him up and made him a more credible contender.

[_guest]

Actually Briggi, I wanted to ask you how you felt about the way in which Christina and Katie were spoken to regarding motherhood and their suitability as the Apprentice during their interviews. It was quite clear that they had to prove themselves as being 'over and done with' raising their children. Do you think someone of childbearing age (like Gizel) would have stood a chance?

I can't honestly say. It's difficult with Gizel because I don't think she stood a chance for completely different reasons. Namely because she was about as useful as a chocolate fireguard in the tasks and about as business savvy and experienced as I am :p It crossed my mind as an issue with Naomi more, for some reason, maybe because she had a few years on Gizel (who seemed so, so young to me..?) and definitely someone who employers might target as circling and about to disappear into the "wife and mother" plughole. I could be totally wrong, it was just an offhand thought I had. That said, in the last series the final two were both young women in their 20s and I can't remember it being an issue raised by either the boardroom or the candidates which is a great thing. Just because I can't remember doesn't mean it wasn't so of course, since I'm a big scatterbrain :D

Being a young, potential mother or indeed a mother definitely still affects women's chances in business, which is why such strong women as Christina and Katie are doing good things and I give them their dues. However I resent the fact that Katie felt she had to turn herself into some alpha-female-male-hybrid in order to seem credible, and couldn't represent mother and businesswoman in the way that she obviously was both! That's what has to change, I think. That said, she has had a decade or so of business experience that I haven't, so - sadly - I suspect that's how she's found she has to be to be a success. I don't like that, but I think I can respect it. I give Christina a lot of credit for the way she articulated her situation, and the fact that she embraced motherhood and was seeing the here and now as the time for focusing hugely on her career. Brave in many ways, not least because in the still-hugely-chauvinistic business world she is definitely not on the young, impressionable and easily moulded end of the scale of judgement for women. Good for her, seriously.

I think it's dreadful that the need is still felt to apologise for wanting and having both career and children, but while women still explain away those desires with guilt and hurried explanations of who will take on their kids etc then there's no going forward. I think it looked bad when Katie was backed into a childcare corner because she didn't know her own mind and it did seem like because she was a mother she wasn't going to be capable. Which definitely wasn't the case, of course, she just slipped up (or, as Calvin said, hadn't made the relevant plans because she didn't actually live and breathe wanting to The Apprentice and had ulterior motives).

Oh and while I respect Katie's business drive I can't respect pursuing married men for romps in meadows as delightful as that may sound :razz:

[Aladdin]

Rejoice! Rejoice! The Wicked Witch is dead!

Or gone, at any rate.

Apparently she was savaged in the 'after' programme on BBC2 but sadly I missed it.

Incidentally, I cannot help but wonder if the whole thing with Katie wasn't set up...

[_guest]

Yeah, Michelle Moane (I think that's her name) absolutely ripped her to shreds on the aftershow. It was actually a bit uncomfortable to watch. Oh who am I trying to kid? It was hilarious.

Thinking on it, she obviously didn't want the job, and that was her perfect way of stepping down from the competition being "unbeaten" and getting good publicity for herself.

"As far as I'm concerned I was offered the job and turned it down". No love, you were in the final.

Imagine working with/for her, hell on earth. She's slimy, and her flirting with all that looking up from under her eyelashes made me cringe.

[GoodFella]

I think its awesome!!

Alan Sugar is a miserable cunt but i still think he's quality!! Surprised with the final, i was expecting Trey and that gobby blonde bint who decided to fuck off as she couldnt commit to it. Final should be interesting :D

[Yerascrote]

It's alright. The US one is much better though. :thumb:

[Bri-namite]

Gutted I missed this last night, and it is the best programme on at the minute.

Apparently the Asian/Glaswegian woman who got booted off a couple of weeks ago used to work in the same building as me.

Not really noticed Simon all that much tbh, seems to have crept up on us a bit.

[_guest]

Alan Sugar is a miserable cunt but i still think he's quality!!

Agreed.

Bri if I missed it I would either a) throw a massive tantrum b) cry myself to sleep or c) watch the repeat on Tuesday or d) all of the aforementioned :razz: make sure you do see it on Tues if you can as Katie's weird dropping out is must-see. She's so bizarre.

I've managed to get everyone on the special care ward at the hospital hooked on it, they protested at first but there is no denying the mystical power and strange attraction of Sir Alan and his band of merry losers (and one winner, of course). I won't need to be there next Thursday but I might go in anyway so I can get my Apprentice chat fix. Love it!

Of course, Nick and Margaret are the true stars :thumb:

[katchika]

Of course, Nick and Margaret are the true stars :thumb:

Yeah I love the subtle slight raise of eyebrow, you know exactly what they are thinking!
And Margaret saying she now knew the meaning of street...classic.

I hope next week's is good. Designing a building doesn't sound that great. I would prefer it if they had to organise a big event.

[_guest]

Yeah they did an event on a boat last year, didn't they? That was entertaining. I'm sure this will be good too... though you're right, a building isn't exactly hugely thrilling. Simon's looked a bit crap too from the preview, if he does the one he planned to then Christina will tear him a new arsehole in the boardroom.

That trainers challenge was the funniest one of all of them, all that "street" talk and yeah Mags was holding her own with the young folk :lol:

Lohit - "You sounded blacker then Jadine!"
Simon - "Seriously?"
Lohit - "Yeah you sound blacker then me being street"
Simon - "You mean straight."

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Oh and that classic quote from art critic Tre in the gallery challenge:

"It's just tits and fish innit." Yes Tre, yes it is.

I WISH I could get out more... :razz:

[Calvin]

I thought as much. Katie has sold her story to be the News of the World and emap's womens magazine collection. So far shes raked in £65k which isnt bad for considering she would have to flog Sir Alans shit computers for 7 months to earn that! :D

I think Sir Alan needs to dig deep and increase the starting salary, its too easy to make that kind of money by doing a few good interviews and the occasional This Morning apperance. People are just going to use the contest to raise their profle rather than because they want to work for Sir Alan long term.

Full story (http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,,2097673,00.html)

[leese]

Proof that Katie is a 'consummate professional'.

http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/sunday/tm_method=full%26objectid=18908218%26siteid=98487-name_page.html

http://www.people.co.uk/news/news/tm_method=full%26objectid=19205859%26siteid=93463-name_page.html

http://www.mirror.co.uk/showbiz/tv/realitytv/tm_method=full%26objectid=19258292%26siteid=89520-name_page.html

http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/sunday/tm_method=full%26objectid=19135255%26siteid=98487-name_page.html

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/tm_method=full%26objectid=19208874%26siteid=89520-name_page.html

http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/sunday/tm_method=full%26objectid=19206463%26siteid=98487-name_page.html

[littlemissy]

Well, she has even listed something like that in her CV - she proved she can be ruthless by setting out bed a married man. She bragged about it in her interviews! I would never list that as an achievement. But then, maybe that's why I am not earning £90k a year :chin:

[leese]

. But then, maybe that's why I am not earning £90k a year :chin:

well she wouldn't have got that kind of money for modelling.........:shocking:

[Calvin]

Who won the aprentice ?? I missed it as I was at work :shocking:

I hope it wasnt Simon, please Sir Alan if you had any sense. :D

[Flashman's Ghost]

You should have called in sick.

And judging by your last comment you may be dissapointed

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6749303.stm

[Flashman's Ghost]

Well, she has even listed something like that in her CV - she proved she can be ruthless by setting out bed a married man. She bragged about it in her interviews! I would never list that as an achievement. But then, maybe that's why I am not earning £90k a year :chin:

She may having been telling porky pies about her job and earnings. It turns out she works for that well known Global Consultancy firm the Met Office

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6747051.stm

or rather worked...:D

[Calvin]

You should have called in sick.

And judging by your last comment you may be dissapointed

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6749303.stm

Oh god, what has the world come to when Sir Alan wants to employ some wet landlord whos facial expressions consisit of confusion or gormlessness.

I really wanted that bird to win it. :hyper:

Still it seems to be the runner up who does better in the long run.

Dam! dont tell Briggi, she will be wishing she had made that bet with me!

:D

[_guest]

I wish I had made it, I'd be quids in now :D

You definitely should've called in sick though, I put everything on hold and the boyfriend on baby duty so I could have everyone 'round for an Apprentice party. Sad I am. Was well chuffed Simon won, I felt awful for Kristina though she seemed gutted.

Oh well. Sir Alan has a new apprentice, Simon has a new job and some spiffing pairs of multicoloured cotton socks and Kristina has a loving, supportive family (and an 18 year old son who isn't ashamed to cry on national telly, bless) so everyone's a winner.

I loved the Katie-bashing TO HER FACE on You're Hired! In creases when Sir A basically suggested that she seek help for her mental problems. Suck on that, Princess-Diana-reflected-in-the-back-of-a-spoon :heart:

[**helen**]

Of course, Nick and Margaret are the true stars :thumb:

Ooh - you've inspired today's poll (http://www.thesite.org/) :thumb:

I didn't get a chance to watch much of this series unfortunately - but this thread is entertainment enough :D

[Calvin]

Ooh - you've inspired today's poll (http://www.thesite.org/) :thumb:

I didn't get a chance to watch much of this series unfortunately - but this thread is entertainment enough :D


I voted for Kristina. I dont really like Nick and Margret :no:

[katchika]

Did anyone else think Simon's building "the wave" looked like a giant penis? It looked cool though. The other building was quite boring and boxy.

[_guest]

Aye, I thought it looked like a sex toy. What with the big, er, wave and then the smaller one. Good for a laugh though :lol:

[Calvin]

Sorry i missed the show, so going to have to watch the repeat next week.

Did they have to design an actual building that was really going to be built ??

[_guest]

Nah they were just creating conceptual ideas for a building that SA had bought on the South Bank.

When Rory suggested "dancers" I thought Simon was for the chop without a doubt. They actually looked fantastic :thumb:

[Iknowyourmum]

Came across this

http://katiehopkins-apprentice.blogspot.com/

is it realy her web page? I think it is, if its a spoof its very well done, she is witty, I could regularly read this blog

[GoodFella]

Nah they were just creating conceptual ideas for a building that SA had bought on the South Bank.

When Rory suggested "dancers" I thought Simon was for the chop without a doubt. They actually looked fantastic :thumb:

Yeah true, i thought he'd had it.

[Calvin]

Oh Briggi, you know you were saying someone had seen Simon hanging around Sir Alans offices. This maybe true, because the two final contestants (Simon & Kristina) spend a few months working for him in the office before he makes his final decission.

:thumb:

[Flashman's Ghost]

It's also called 'The Apprentice' ie he wanted someone who he could teach. Christina came across more as the fully formed article, Simon came across as bright and with potential, but someone who needs to learn more.

I wouldn't be 100% suprised if Christina ended up with a job somewhere with Amstrad shortly.