The Apprentice? More like the YTS kids! (The Apprentice UK)

Member Name: jo1976

Product:	The Apprentice UK
Date:	05/06/09 (96 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Gripping viewing, fun tasks and challenges to watch

Disadvantages: Most of the candidates are dislikeable people

Just one more episode of the current series of the Apprentice to go until we discover who will be given the accolade of becoming Sir Alan Sugar's latest apprentice. I know I'm not alone in being totally addicted to this series and, much as I want to know the 'winner', Wednesday evenings just won't be the same once the series finishes.

Now in its fifth series, I have been a fan of the Apprentice since the second series. The show is currently being aired on BBC1 on Wednesdays at 9pm, having moved across from BBC2 as the show became primetime viewing. Just to confuse us though, the final is actually going out on Sunday evening this week. I would not be a happy bunny if I missed this, let me tell you!

For anybody that has been living under a stone for the last 11 weeks, the Apprentice is described as being 'the job interview from Hell.' The star of the show is business mogul, Alan Sugar, and the series charts the progress of 15 contestants who complete various business-related tasks each week, with one contestant being 'fired' at the end of every programme.

There are those who like to dismiss the Apprentice as 'just' another reality TV show but I think the show has so much more to it than Big Brother and the like. I'm not usually a fan of reality tv programmes but I find this series totally addictive viewing. Unlike Big Brother, where the goal is essentially to become as famous as possible, the contestants are competing for a position within Alan Sugar's 'business empire' whatever that currently comprises. This should mean that the contestants have got a bit more talent and ability than your average reality TV wannabee, although I have to admit this series' contestants have been, for the most part, a pretty pathetic bunch!

The basic set up of each episode is that the contestants are split into two teams with each having a 'team leader' and they have to compete in a specific task or challenge. The tasks are the favourite part of the programme for me, as this really brings out the character of the contestants and it is fascinating watching them working together (or squabbling amongst themselves more often than not.) Sometimes I find it stressful to watch, as you can see the mistakes unfolding in front of your eyes and the contestants are just so preoccupied by trying to stitch up their colleagues in the event of their team losing or trying to take the credit for anything that might seem like a good idea. All of this distracts them from the task in hand but makes excellent viewing. The losing team will see three of its members in the boardroom with one of them (occasionally more) getting the boot from Sir Alan, to the tune of the now famous catchphrase 'You're Fired!'

My favourite task of this series has to be the toiletry making one. I loved James being all girly and shrieking at the sight of a few crabs on the beach. The best part was when Nick (one of Alan Sugar's henchmen) just quietly let the girls realise they had made a big cock up on the costings - thinking they'd spent about a fiver on oils when they'd actually spent about £500! Nick and Margaret have a fantastic range of facial expressions and raised eyebrows that can speak volumes! I think they're almost as intimidating as Sir Alan Sugar himself.

Each episode culminates in the boardroom scene. This series I think has spent longer concentrating on the events in the boardroom and these are very highly edited and (I think) rehearsed by all parties. Alan Sugar's little quips seem particularly scripted although they are very cutting and funny! There is something a bit too much like Anne Robinson's 'Weakest Link' when he describes James as a village idiot and one week he said something about 'I can sing Candle in the Wind, but it don't make me Elton bleeding John.' Now, call me cynical, but I don't think Alan Sugar just happened to think that line up in the moment! That aside, the boardroom is really tense viewing and my husband and I constantly try to predict who will be fired each week, almost invariably both choosing the wrong candidate.

The contestants themselves this time around are a pretty easily forgettable bunch, which is a shame as in previous series I've always managed to find a favourite who I've wanted to do well. (I had a lot of admiration for Ruth Badger in the second series. I think she was definitely the one that got away.) Had I written this review a few weeks ago, I would probably be writing about how much I disliked Ben but, to be honest, as soon as he got fired I instantly forgot about him. He will no doubt have his five minutes of fame and feature in the tabloids for one thing or another and then skulk off to a life of obscurity. One word of advice for him - get rid of the braces! They make him look like an absolute **** (Feel free to insert your four letter word of choice here.) As for the voice, he sounds like he's got something shoved up his nose and I'm sure many of us could tell him where to shove his ego.... I don't even want to spend any more time on him but will just say one word - Sandhurst! (Although, quite clearly, Ben didn't like talking about it himself.)

The other candidates that stand out from the current series include Lorraine for being the one that dared to be different and wasn't just a run of the mill bullshitting graduate with lots of ego and no real talent. That's not to say that I think Lorraine had a great deal of talent either but I do think that she was singled out by the others and made a bit of a scapegoat. Her situation reminds me a little of Lucinda from the previous series, who was also different because of her mannerisms, dress and accent and she was also basically bullied by her team-mates too.

The two finalists are Kate (just think big teeth!) and Yasmina (who I said would make the final from the very first week. It's not the most inspiring of finals to be honest because neither of the candidates have either the likeability factor (that James had in bucketloads) or are totally dislikeable (like Ben or the thoroughly nasty and aggressive Debra.) In that respect, it will be a bit of an anti-climax seeing which of the two women will actually win as I'm not particularly fighting the corner for either of them. Both are actually worthy winners though and have shown at least some business acumen during the various challenges, which is a word much used throughout the show with very little evidence of it actually displayed.

For those of us that believe we have more about us than this year's motley crue, there is the opportunity to apply for the next series of the Apprentice. The link is on the official BBC Apprentice webpage: http://www.bbc.co.uk/apprentice/index.shtml

Personally, I'm much happier throwing insults at the candidates from the comfort of my own sofa and have no desire to sit through a dressing down in the boardroom, not even for £100, 000 a year, thank you very much. For what it's worth, my money's on Kate to win this year (although I do have a 50/50 chance of being right.)

Summary: You're fired!