Just watched a repeat of the Apprentice and You're Fired show as I missed it yesterday.

I thought Melissa's behaviour in last night's show and lack of grace was nothing short of disgraceful. Far from coming across as a professional business woman, she looked like she'd come straight out of school, akin to a spoilt, bratty teenager with no sense of people skills or professionilsm.

In the past I used to rely on the You're Fired show to highlight some of these fourthcomings. In fact, the main reason I watch the show is for an analysis of the events and critique (good or bad) of the fired candidate. Yet I was very disappointed to find that the show last night failed to fill that need.

It seems to have evolved into a show that's simply about humour, and making jokes about the the funny bits of the show and the candidates. That's great, and I do find it funny. However, a large part of me yearns for the show to point out where the candidates are coming short and even critisize them where necessary.

I felt the panel last night (including Dara) were far too nice to Melissa. Her lack of grace in the boardroom and refusing to shake hands is arguably one of the worst exits of even the most hated candidates that have previously appeared on the show, yet none of them 'retributed' her for it (even a supposed hard headed businesswoman in the panel, the journalist in the panel seemed to even try to defend her behaviour).

I don't know if this is a direct consequence of Adrian Chiles' exit from the show (Dara, although I think brings more humour to the show, is not imo as direct or assertive as Chiles), or if the panellists being chosen are just too nice (bring back bra lady)? Is the show too soft on candidates?

Not sure what you are after but there is such a thing as taking a reality show too far. You're Fired is about looking at the fired candidate in more depth than usual - giving them their last moment in the spotlight, not some weirdo punishment ritual.

"Punishment ritual" was pretty much what Michelle Mone did with Katie Hopkins. Though that went down better with the audience because the latter was largely loathed. I don't think they'd respond the same way if that happened with Melissa.

Michelle Mone is HOT

True but as you sort of imply Michelle Mone always goes for the easy target. Not sure what she contributes really - it's certainly not insight or laughs.

Edit: aaah - cartree has found the reason she is probably there

I think it's largely down to how much they "fess up". I absolutely hated Melissa's lack of, well, everything really, but when she went on YF she was much meeker, much more apologetic for her behaviour and (for probably the first time ever!) willing to listen to and accept criticism. She was also, I would reluctantly have to admit, relatively engaging and tolerant, almost subdued. I think this "miraculous change" (and I'm not talking about the loss of the blonde hair and the glasses!) was largely what persuaded the panel not to go too hard on her.

If she had been unapologetic, loud, crass, ignorant, abrasive --- basically, the Melissa we all know and hate --- she may have received more of a rough ride, but I think the fact she was basically willing to admit she was a total **** saved her from a proper grilling.

In the end, as a poster above says, the shows (both of them) are about entertainment, and no-one wants to see someone put through the wringer, even if they were a grade A b1itch.

It's so long ago, too - the candidate has been out of the show for so long when it's finally shown on the TV that they won't feel half as strongly about any of it.

Sarah makes a good point, especially with the delay in the show being aired due to the election. Does anyone know when this series finished filming? I think I've read that next year's series is being filmed now, so the YF'd show would be a year later.

Sorry if that doesn't make sense, I haven't had any sleep.

They started filming this series around the 25th Sept 2009. So everything including the final wrapped up by mid November.

IFAIK the candidates on YF do see the show the same time as the audience, maybe a bit earlier. Probably for the first time. I would expect there's a PR person from the TV company there to give tips on how to come over/do damage limitation. Won't do the show any good if some candidate throws a complete wobbly in front of a live audience. The candidates will also have seen the previous episodes on the BBC at the same time as us. So they should be prepared for what's coming. Which is mostly some gentle ribbing. None of the panel want to come over as a bastard, unless there was some really terrible behaviour which cannot be glossed over eg. Alvin Hall taking Jenny Celery to task.

From what several past candidates have said, the whole thing is a quite intense experience which they do remember well.

I think its mostly because its not really meant to be a show with any weight, more of a 'Oh look at this, heehee' and with the change of presenter from Chiles to O'Brian, its even more so (I mean im suprised we havent had Michelle Mone on yet, probably an indicator of the shift in tone).

The show certainly isnt a live show though: I remember that on the Gaurdian liveblog last year, the blogger noted that she was in the audience for 'Your fired' meaning its likely filmed a couple of days or so before airing.

There's another thread on here about getting YF tickets. The link on there still works. Looks like they film it on the Monday, so two days before the show on the BBC

"grace under stress", as the panellist put it.

I thought "lack of class"

It wasn't just Michelle Mone. With Chiles, it was a woman-hating and -baiting show and just plain nasty. With the new presenter and production, it has much more civility, treating the candidates with courtesy and consideration, showing their bad sides too but ribbing them gently, rather than indulging in nastiness and whipping up hatred.

She was annoying, pushy, loud, abrasive but that doesn't justify calling her abusive names or holding her up to ridicule on the programme for the entertainment of the masses.
It wasn't just Melissa, either. The fellow who was fired the first week also showed acceptance of his faults and behaviour to an extent and like her, had the grace to admit them, cringe and laugh at himself. The programme got more out of them and showed more sides to them than ridicule for the sake of it would have done.

I have to say I do prefer Dara's style on YF to Chiles'. He seems to have a much softer, wittier approach and I think his jokes are better - after all, he is a full time comedian. He also seems better at deconstructing each episode. Imo, at least.

Yep I much prefer him too. I liked Chiles on Business Lunch, but always felt on YF he wasn't that interested and went for simple easy lines of debate. Dara has tweeted that he sees the episodes well in advance so has time to deconstruct. Which he does do very skillfully, far better than anyone on the panel so far. Been a bit surprised at how tough some of the things he says are, though he'll suddenly soften it with humour if the candidate is struggling. IMO the ones with Dan and Shibbi went better. Felt Melissa was glad to get it over with, and pleased it didn't go as badly as she might have thought.

Pretty much what I was going to say. I think her new look was all part of her realising how she handled herself on the show, and how badly she came across.