It is only my opinion but generally I think based on business skills and not personality or looks I think the calibre this year is quite poor.
Contestants poor this year.
They are very sub-standard.
Even I'd have had the sense to choose items that lent themselves to the being sold to Sir Alan's pre-arranged contacts.
None of them have a buzz about them. They are too busy preparing for battle in the boardroom to concentrate on the task at hand.
Even I'd have had the sense to choose items that lent themselves to the being sold to Sir Alan's pre-arranged contacts.
None of them have a buzz about them. They are too busy preparing for battle in the boardroom to concentrate on the task at hand.
Watching them over the past 7 weeks I find it surprising SAS said before the show began that this years candidates were the best selection yet !!
Originally Posted by Sid_1979:
“They are very sub-standard.
Even I'd have had the sense to choose items that lent themselves to the being sold to Sir Alan's pre-arranged contacts.
None of them have a buzz about them. They are too busy preparing for battle in the boardroom to concentrate on the task at hand.”
“They are very sub-standard.
Even I'd have had the sense to choose items that lent themselves to the being sold to Sir Alan's pre-arranged contacts.
None of them have a buzz about them. They are too busy preparing for battle in the boardroom to concentrate on the task at hand.”
Absolutely they lack the va va voom and also just basic common sense.
Not one stands out for me as being exceptional.
This is the first time I have ever watched The Apprentice and to be honest I can not see what all the fuss is about. However, after reading some of this thread it would seem that this year's contestants aren't as interesting as previous ones. Is this series better or worse than those that have gone before? Am I missing something? Everyone at work used to be obsessed about it in years gone by, so I thought OK I'll watch this season and find out why they think its so fantastic. Have to say I am not particularly impressed. Not just with the contestants but with the whole formula. Sugar looks fed up all the time or is he always like that? Even my work mates aren't talking about it this year as much as before.
I don't think they're as bad as last year , would anyone seriously suggest so?So far there's been no stupid mistakes like Enviroment recycling day cards , kosher chickens , chasing down customers to get a car hire booking off them or not putting the product in the actual advert!
Originally Posted by JanieB:
“This is the first time I have ever watched The Apprentice and to be honest I can not see what all the fuss is about. However, after reading some of this thread it would seem that this year's contestants aren't as interesting as previous ones. Is this series better or worse than those that have gone before? Am I missing something? Everyone at work used to be obsessed about it in years gone by, so I thought OK I'll watch this season and find out why they think its so fantastic. Have to say I am not particularly impressed. Not just with the contestants but with the whole formula. Sugar looks fed up all the time or is he always like that? Even my work mates aren't talking about it this year as much as before.”
“This is the first time I have ever watched The Apprentice and to be honest I can not see what all the fuss is about. However, after reading some of this thread it would seem that this year's contestants aren't as interesting as previous ones. Is this series better or worse than those that have gone before? Am I missing something? Everyone at work used to be obsessed about it in years gone by, so I thought OK I'll watch this season and find out why they think its so fantastic. Have to say I am not particularly impressed. Not just with the contestants but with the whole formula. Sugar looks fed up all the time or is he always like that? Even my work mates aren't talking about it this year as much as before.”
I have watched everyday from the first series, and also the Donald Trump ones that were shown before. For someone who has watched them all , then I am finding this series abit formulaic. I have always thought that the boys team and girls team is very playground-like and would prefer that the teams were mixed more evenly at the beginning. I have always thought too, that the earliest US versions were far better than any of the British ones. If you can be bothered, try and see if The Apprentice USA series 1 is on youtube. The British version is too full of loud-mouthed "yobbish types" (and I don't just mean Debra!) who think they are the greatest thing ever. The American candidates are actually all high achievers so the calibre is just better over all.
Originally Posted by smartie 33:
“I have watched everyday from the first series, and also the Donald Trump ones that were shown before. For someone who has watched them all , then I am finding this series abit formulaic. I have always thought that the boys team and girls team is very playground-like and would prefer that the teams were mixed more evenly at the beginning. I have always thought too, that the earliest US versions were far better than any of the British ones. If you can be bothered, try and see if The Apprentice USA series 1 is on youtube. The British version is too full of loud-mouthed "yobbish types" (and I don't just mean Debra!) who think they are the greatest thing ever. The American candidates are actually all high achievers so the calibre is just better over all.”
“I have watched everyday from the first series, and also the Donald Trump ones that were shown before. For someone who has watched them all , then I am finding this series abit formulaic. I have always thought that the boys team and girls team is very playground-like and would prefer that the teams were mixed more evenly at the beginning. I have always thought too, that the earliest US versions were far better than any of the British ones. If you can be bothered, try and see if The Apprentice USA series 1 is on youtube. The British version is too full of loud-mouthed "yobbish types" (and I don't just mean Debra!) who think they are the greatest thing ever. The American candidates are actually all high achievers so the calibre is just better over all.”
Totally agree with you.
Compared with our Apprentice the american version is so polished and classy and the candidates are very professional.
Originally Posted by Sid_1979:
“They are very sub-standard.
Even I'd have had the sense to choose items that lent themselves to the being sold to Sir Alan's pre-arranged contacts.
None of them have a buzz about them. They are too busy preparing for battle in the boardroom to concentrate on the task at hand.”
“They are very sub-standard.
Even I'd have had the sense to choose items that lent themselves to the being sold to Sir Alan's pre-arranged contacts.
None of them have a buzz about them. They are too busy preparing for battle in the boardroom to concentrate on the task at hand.”
They really are. It all seems by-numbers, somehow, like they're all just going through the motions. The main difference between this year and previous years, I was really rooting for someone right to the end. This year, although I really like a couple of them, and I'm going through the motions of being enthusiastic about them, and the programme itself is entertaining and good telly... I don't think I really care who ends up winning....
Originally Posted by lexi22:
“They really are. It all seems by-numbers, somehow, like they're all just going through the motions. The main difference between this year and previous years, I was really rooting for someone right to the end. This year, although I really like a couple of them, and I'm going through the motions of being enthusiastic about them, and the programme itself is entertaining and good telly... I don't think I really care who ends up winning....”
“They really are. It all seems by-numbers, somehow, like they're all just going through the motions. The main difference between this year and previous years, I was really rooting for someone right to the end. This year, although I really like a couple of them, and I'm going through the motions of being enthusiastic about them, and the programme itself is entertaining and good telly... I don't think I really care who ends up winning....”
Yep, they must have had a new production team to do the auditions this year. The contestants are weak compared to previous years which is inexcusable. Programs like The Apprentice are established well enough to attract suitable candidates. Sir Alan must be fuming that he has to employ one of them at the end of the show!
I think a lot of the problems are not down to the candidates but to the format of the programme.
In business (apart from Del-boy type operations) probably the most important aspect is planning.
And yet on this programme the contestants are put under such pressure that they never have time to plan properly. It then becomes largely a matter of good luck which team wins.
The stress may make for good TV with arguments, feuds and train crash tasks but it come nowhere close to exposing the real business strengths and weaknesses of the candidates.
In business (apart from Del-boy type operations) probably the most important aspect is planning.
And yet on this programme the contestants are put under such pressure that they never have time to plan properly. It then becomes largely a matter of good luck which team wins.
The stress may make for good TV with arguments, feuds and train crash tasks but it come nowhere close to exposing the real business strengths and weaknesses of the candidates.
Originally Posted by missmissa:
“Yep, they must have had a new production team to do the auditions this year. The contestants are weak compared to previous years which is inexcusable. Programs like The Apprentice are established well enough to attract suitable candidates. Sir Alan must be fuming that he has to employ one of them at the end of the show!”
“Yep, they must have had a new production team to do the auditions this year. The contestants are weak compared to previous years which is inexcusable. Programs like The Apprentice are established well enough to attract suitable candidates. Sir Alan must be fuming that he has to employ one of them at the end of the show!”
True. I'd love to hear his private conversations with Margaret and Nick about them! Of all the candidates, I do actually think that Yasmina has all the qualities to make a good apprentice for his organisation.
Originally Posted by Sidespin Nid:
“I don't think they're as bad as last year , would anyone seriously suggest so?So far there's been no stupid mistakes like Enviroment recycling day cards , kosher chickens , chasing down customers to get a car hire booking off them or not putting the product in the actual advert!”
“I don't think they're as bad as last year , would anyone seriously suggest so?So far there's been no stupid mistakes like Enviroment recycling day cards , kosher chickens , chasing down customers to get a car hire booking off them or not putting the product in the actual advert!”
Umm what? Pantsman, Sandlewood Oil, the black gym box of death, Olmpyic sandwiches and catering?
Originally Posted by lexi22:
“They really are. It all seems by-numbers, somehow, like they're all just going through the motions. The main difference between this year and previous years, I was really rooting for someone right to the end. This year, although I really like a couple of them, and I'm going through the motions of being enthusiastic about them, and the programme itself is entertaining and good telly... I don't think I really care who ends up winning....”
“They really are. It all seems by-numbers, somehow, like they're all just going through the motions. The main difference between this year and previous years, I was really rooting for someone right to the end. This year, although I really like a couple of them, and I'm going through the motions of being enthusiastic about them, and the programme itself is entertaining and good telly... I don't think I really care who ends up winning....”
Going through the motions is exactly the right expression to sum up this series.
Now that we're half way through, I'll watch until the conclusion, but I don't find myself especially excited about this series or passionate abot any of the candidates.
What are they going to offer us next year? Bigger bitches? Siller mistakes? A grumpier Alan Sugar? Boring.
I've been a bit disappointed with the candidates this year. When the series first started I assured myself to bear with it, as after a few weeks people normally grow on you, but so far nothing. I don't see anyone who stands out, there all just a bit meh, who cares. There's not even anyone particularly likeable to root for.
Originally Posted by Sid_1979:
“Going through the motions is exactly the right expression to sum up this series.
Now that we're half way through, I'll watch until the conclusion, but I don't find myself especially excited about this series or passionate abot any of the candidates.
What are they going to offer us next year? Bigger bitches? Siller mistakes? A grumpier Alan Sugar? Boring.”
“Going through the motions is exactly the right expression to sum up this series.
Now that we're half way through, I'll watch until the conclusion, but I don't find myself especially excited about this series or passionate abot any of the candidates.
What are they going to offer us next year? Bigger bitches? Siller mistakes? A grumpier Alan Sugar? Boring.”
In the past, the bits I've liked best are when the teams are genuinely performing well, you know, when their approach is strategic and when they're actually showing they have the skills to do a job and they do it well. I get a real buzz from watching that, far more than when they're making a pig's ear of things, which can be entertaining - and yeah, really funny - but can also be very draining to watch. Particularly when it seems to be happening every week so far.
I do actually believe that most of the current lot (apart from Ben, obviously!) have good skill sets but we're just not seeing them in action, apart from an occasional glimpse here and there. Which detracts from the programme because at the end, we'll be left thinking, the choice is between the least bad rather than the best.
No worse than series 3, more depth than series 2 which had 2 BRILLIANT candidates and about 10 AWFUL ones.
And from what I can see at the moment:
James = Lee
Yasmina > Claire and Helene
Debra > Jenny
Howard and Ben are no worse than Alex.
Not to mention Kate who is also decent.
In fact last years final 4 was pretty shockingly bad. This years final 4 is bound to be better.
And from what I can see at the moment:
James = Lee
Yasmina > Claire and Helene
Debra > Jenny
Howard and Ben are no worse than Alex.
Not to mention Kate who is also decent.
In fact last years final 4 was pretty shockingly bad. This years final 4 is bound to be better.
Originally Posted by lexi22:
“True. I'd love to hear his private conversations with Margaret and Nick about them! Of all the candidates, I do actually think that Yasmina has all the qualities to make a good apprentice for his organisation.”
“True. I'd love to hear his private conversations with Margaret and Nick about them! Of all the candidates, I do actually think that Yasmina has all the qualities to make a good apprentice for his organisation.”
I was particularly impressed with the way Yasmina deported herself in the boardroom yesterday.
She got off to a bad start with me for producing that awful food but she was good at the reast of the task and she hasn't done much wrong since.
Plus her personality seems to have the right blend of humour, seriousness and, for want of a better word, 'guts'.
I think they are mostly lacking in common sense and organisational skills.
What irks me is how, even in the face of indisputable evidence that they haven't performed very well, they seem to be completely in denial about their shortcomings and constantly present misplaced confidence in themselves.
At the risk of sounding like a grumpy old git, it does seem that people today are led to believe that they are capable of anything, and the way to do it is simply to shout the loudest, do everyone else down and believe their own hype. Is it school, is it reality TV, is it the constant posting about oneself on t'internet?
What is needed is a reality check, a recognition of their limitations and a bit of humility & willingness to learn; then they might become successful and have something to brag about.
What irks me is how, even in the face of indisputable evidence that they haven't performed very well, they seem to be completely in denial about their shortcomings and constantly present misplaced confidence in themselves.
At the risk of sounding like a grumpy old git, it does seem that people today are led to believe that they are capable of anything, and the way to do it is simply to shout the loudest, do everyone else down and believe their own hype. Is it school, is it reality TV, is it the constant posting about oneself on t'internet?
What is needed is a reality check, a recognition of their limitations and a bit of humility & willingness to learn; then they might become successful and have something to brag about.
The problem here in UK is that tabloids makes an emphasis on making these reality contestants a celebrity of some sort and therefore in the case of The Apprentice candidates this seems to be their ambition first & foremost.
And if they win it's a bonus.
But more likely winning is only secondary on reason why they apply to such reality shows in the first place.
Hence you have someone like that guy Ben talking about magazine deals & even on previous series other candidates's interest was mainly to gain media exposure for tv shows, modelling, appearing on other reality shows, etc.
So much for AS saying he can tell if a candidate is only on his show for media exposure and that he will not tolerate it!!!
BTW I think these could be the most useless bunch of supposed to be "business minded people" to ever appear on The Apprentice. AS must be shaking his head in exasperation & disappointment on how inept they all are.
And if ever any of them actually wins anything it's more to do with fluke than actual showing of any skills.
And if they win it's a bonus.
But more likely winning is only secondary on reason why they apply to such reality shows in the first place.
Hence you have someone like that guy Ben talking about magazine deals & even on previous series other candidates's interest was mainly to gain media exposure for tv shows, modelling, appearing on other reality shows, etc.
So much for AS saying he can tell if a candidate is only on his show for media exposure and that he will not tolerate it!!!
BTW I think these could be the most useless bunch of supposed to be "business minded people" to ever appear on The Apprentice. AS must be shaking his head in exasperation & disappointment on how inept they all are.
And if ever any of them actually wins anything it's more to do with fluke than actual showing of any skills.
