Am I alone in just enjoying it for what it is, an entertaining reality tv show, but not really engaged with or bothered about who wins? Seem to remember in past series that I was engrossed right up to the point SAS pointed his stubby finger at the winner and said 'You're Hired!'

Why is this? Is it just becasue it's become too formulaic - ie. we've been there, done it all before? It's still great tv but there's definitely something missng this time round.

I just think the candidates aren't all that likeable this year. I'm not rooting for anybody. I mean I like James, but I've not been convinced that he's any good.

You're not alone Lexi - if it wasn't for the fact that we are almost at the end of the series, I would probably give up on it. I think the pretence that it's a serious job interview irks me a bit. Because it isn't a serious job interview - it's an entertainment show. I think it needs shaking up a bit for series 6.

I think it's the candidates.

It's a shame, because I think the candidates are the most real and likable bunch they've ever had (I appreciate I'm alone in that, trust me), but after 5 series, the editing is SO obvious.

As soon as Howard gave his speech in the house about being in the final or not I knew he was getting fired. There's been a variation of that same interview at least 7 tasks out of 10, within the first 15 minutes, and it drains all the tension out of the show.

Also, as much as Siralan went on about risk in the last episode, it's not as though he's going to hire Lorraine, James or Debra is he? In the first series there was a genuine sense of tension that Saira might get the job - four series later, we all know exactly who's in with a shot of winning, unless we're in deep denial.

You aren't alone OP.

This year's Apprentice has felt a bit contrived at times.

Plus, I've failed to warm to the candidates and I've not really noticed much talent amongst them.

Completely true OP
spot on!

For me it is the editing... the tasks just get done somehow and the time seems to be filled with something else.. but very unsatisfying watching. There just doesn't seem to be any tension or any real drama in the shows.

Also the candidates themselves. Is this really a group of the best out of how many thousands? Are the good people just not applying any more? or is it that they have a quota to fill and so get stuck with the people they get....i.e. a black one, an asian one, an old one, a really young one, an uneducated, or long time out of work one and really well educated sciencey one...

For me it would be a vast improvement if they would just pick the best ones of the group and stop trying to make them fit around the story they need. I don't mind if they are all 25 year old business studies graduates at the end, or 36 year old farmers, just get the best ones.

[going to lie down in a darkened room...]

I couldn't care less who wins either as I find the candidates lacklustre.

I've also struggled with YF in the main this year as the guest panellists all seem to have watched a completely different program to me.

The best people never applied. The best people don't need to. Expecting the best business talent in the UK on The Apprentice is a bit like expecting the best personalities in the UK to appear on Big Brother.

The amount of ethnic minorities is more or less the same as it was to begin with. There were overeducated posh duffers in series 1 (Matthew), there were screeching harridans cast for how awful they were (Adele), media wannabes (James, Saira), arrogant bullshitters (Paul) and an awful lot of people with no discernable skills whatsoever (Rachel, Raj, Sebastian).

Season 2 was even worse.

The standard of the cast in terms of business skills has changed very little over the years.

I dunno about others but this has been my favourite series after Series 3 (although where it places overall could change based on the winner! Can't go higher though , Series 3 is just unmatchable, best series to date).

I haven't passionately supported a candidate since Series 3 but even so I find it more enjoyable in a sense now that you watch just for what it is , because I think by "supporting" a candidate you have a false sense of security as you have the hope that SAS will come round to your way of thinking , which he won't as you have no say in what happens.

I couldn't abide Series 4 IMO , On reflection Lee was a good winner but I can't point out one good thing about the series other than the fact that the teams were so ridiculously stupid (and yet people still think his year's lot are more stupid , errr...no!) that it was funny. But I couldn't stand most of the candidates and for the first time certain candidates genuinely made my blood boil with their nastiness. And also for the first time last year I was strangely ambivalent about the final result and the fact that the show ended.

100% with Monkseal on this one. It's the old rose-tinting of retrospect story, the "good old days" on a slightly smaller scale. I can scarcely think of anything that people don't consider was better in the (comparatively) old days - trouble is they rarely have anything to substantiate it with. Even Alex Wotherspoon admitted in a recent radio interview that he strongly suspected that this year's candidates were more competent than he and his fellow series 4-ites . For what it's worth I couldn't get into series 4 either - I found it singularly forgettable.

I don't think the aptitude or likeability of the candidates has diminished. I think the format of the show has changed and as is the case with just about all reality tv shows - the audience have become wise to the tricks with time, and thus cynical.

No charisma about the candidates - no one standing out as entrepeneurial material.

Even those we love to hate haven't really excited our frustration in the same way as past applicants have done.

I think it's entertaining and generally don't care until someone who I think should've stayed is fired that week - i.e. Paula, Mona and Howard in the weeks they went. If they are all poor performers* in the boardroom then it doesn't bother me and I just watch it for what it is. So opinion changes from week to week.

*Except James o'course: He is my favourite that I wouldn't like to see go in any week - and funnily enough he is top entertainment to boot... so even on that basis he must stay in!!

" No charisma about the candidates - no one standing out as entrepeneurial material. "


100% Agree, their good workers but not Entrepreneurial at all.

They best get comedians next series, seriously does anyone really think Sir Alan needs an "Apprentice" total BS.

And 100K salary isn't that great considering the torture you have to go through and then have to work for it for another year!!!

Why would any one with a god job paying the sort of money the candidates claim they are getting go on this show?

THe reality is most are not earning a lot and are probably in the £25K tp £30K range.

Looked at logically you have about a 1 in 20 chance. Not good odds.