Full story: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009...lan-sugar-bbc1

The article goes on to say that it's expected to receive a peaktime slot. The main show has also been commissioned for a sixth series and they've started asking for applications for both on the website.

Not sure if they can pull this one off tbh.

Sirallun will need to tone down his manner when dealing with teenagers, imo.

I also think that the tasks should be slightly less pressured for them, ie, they should have more time for each one.

It would probably also be good if each team has an advisor they can turn to if need be, rather than just being observed. After all, they're not all going to be out in the working world yet and could need guidance on occasion.

Apart from that, I don't see why it can't work...

I'm a bit scared thinking of what the candidates might be like.

And project leader of Beyonce this week is Vicky Pollard.

Daft idea. Won't pretend I can articulate why specifically, it just smacks to me of dumbing down. Very much for-the-sake-of-it TV. Talk about paving the way for fame-seeking dross. What's so difficult about waiting another 3 or 4 years if your desire is to be an Apprentice? Of course 16 and 17-year-olds need/deserve decent prospects and to be given an opportunity to prove themselves in a business environment but there are umpteen other ways to do so. A BBC1 reality show is hardly the only available avenue and I'd hazard a guess that a large proportion of those applying will have wholly transparent motivations.

Oh grief a programme full of people even less mature than Ben and Debra... I couldn't think of a better way of combining all the worst aspects of the Apprentice.

LOL

They're clearly milking the cash cow while they can and showing the Apprentice to be a reality show.
I noticed on You're fired last night when deciding whether Ben should've gone, Hugh said "For telly yes, and for business no" or something like that. Adrian quickly chimed in "Well this show's all about business, so thank you Hugh" and moved on quickly.

Oh, Adrian - it's not been about business for a long time now.

I don't view this as a dumbing-down at all. It's all too easy, particularly with trite media images, to dismiss teens today.

The Apprentice is very popular amongst teens...with every broadcast my daughter (aged 15) and her friends compare notes via texts on what products they would choose to sell, how they would promote something, etc...and very often their proposed approaches are better thought out and presented than that of the contestants.

I can only assume that there will be a fairly rigorous selection process which will involve the need for good school/college reports and some sort of evidence of work experience and/or youth achievement. Obviously, as with any format of this nature the odd wide-boy/gal will get through flying by the seat of their pants (SAS does have a wee soft spot for 'wide)...but I doubt very much it will be allowed to become simply a vehicle for teen fame-hungry wannabes.

My daughter is very disappointed to discover that the cut-off for aged-16 qualifier is the end of August and she doesn't turn 16 until September.

Oh dear, I smell a spin-off .. it's like Teen BB

I've applied - not that I expect to get far, I'm not what producers would deem 'TV material'

Yes, it's a shameless spinoff, and yes it probably isn't needed, but for 10 people it's a real experience and something impressive to put on their CVs, and even though the show isn't taken seriously, it can certainly lead to oppertunities in the outside world.

[Woo 900 posts]

Same here. I hadn't even got as far as tasks and SA's treatment of them. I was just wondering whether I'm going to be able to cope with a bunch of cocky over confident teenagers.

I'm SO auditioning

I have a feeling that the contestants on this will be more mature and businesslike than the ones on vanilla Apprentice.

Probably

In some cases, it isn't difficult.

i know 2 people who have applied. they are doing their gcsce's now and have both been forcast 11 A/A*'s

they have both done duke of edinburgh, charity work and one has been in the air force cadets. they both want to go to oxbridge. they are very mature

one is very attractive. i wouldn't be surprised if one or both gets in.

Yeah I noticed that. Towing the company line or what?
Everyone knows business has very little to do with it or we wouldn't be watching a bunch of clueless wannabes where the most boring are fired first.

None of that is particularly an advantage. They're looking for people from all walks of life.

I wonder will Nick and Margaret be there also!

I would apply but I'm not very intelligent, too bossy and rude and fail at anything remotely academic or that requires brain power

Don't put yourself down like that. I bet you could do equally as well as say Philip or Debra. Most of the tasks just involve common sense.

We have the winner!

Thank you. It's easy to dismiss teenagers as Vicky Pollards, but most aren't.

CBBC have run something a bit like The Apprentice for a while; Beat the Boss, where a team of children compete with a team of adults to design a product. The kids tend to work quite hard on it and take it seriously, and often win. I think this will work just as well.