I prefer the older format when the last two candidates have to do a presentation, appear at some event. That made the final exciting. The interview stage doesn't seem the best way to end the show but I suppose it makes for good (humiliating!) tv.

I preferred it when the two remaining candidates had to do a task aided by some of the former candidates.

Yes, that's what I mean. The other candidates come back to help the last two. I loved that. I think the new format is a bit rubbish. Sure, the tasks are the same format but the end doesn't have that same enjoyment. Perhaps they can alter the format for next series.

Yep, I agree with both of you.

What I think would also be a new interesting format is to include an extra show later (obviously) as to how the winner does on the new job. It doesn't need to be elaborate, but would be good to see where they fit in LS's company, how they got on meeting the rest of the staff etc........and essentially what their new role entails.

I agree, but because the winner is decided on the business plans it does make the most sense. But it makes the final feel really flat IMO.

I would like to see contestants compete on an individual basis like having to sell in a crowded market, that way there's no freeriding.

Or how about being challenged in their own expertise and having to do well and prove that? Just a thought

Good idea

Hello again. Long time no see

I actually prefer the interviews to the old-style final tasks. The finals in the past have always been dull with no real drama, and LAS seems to choose based on his own criteria anyway, which renders the tasks pretty much pointless. At least the interviews have the potential for hilarity.

I prefer the old format

Indeed. It's almost make it up as you go along format. The show is pretty much losing its appeal for me, but your right, the final is always good for a laugh..........at everybody fool enought to go on this show.

They did that last week! Design a brand, set up a venue, and pitch it to a panel of industry experts including Lord Sugar. Exact same task!

Only difference is a. no returning candidates, and b. someone gets fired on the basis of it. Series 4 aside, the problem with the final task is that the results of it didn't make any difference. It was a last hurrah, a last chance to impress, and tended to summarise what each candidate was made of, but Lord Sugar always hired as much on the basis of the preceding eleven weeks as the pitching task. So this way around does make significantly more sense.

I do agree that interviews still don't quite feel like a final, no matter how much ominous music and Sherlock soundtrack they paste over the top of it. Twelve arduous weeks culminates in... a difficult conversation!

It's getting better, though. Felt more ominous this time, and pitching at the start helped. And I do like the four candidates in the final boardroom. And "sixteen candidates fight it out for a chance to pitch a brand new business to Lord Sugar," still makes perfect sense, no matter how much the "ohhhh, everything's going downhill!" lot insist that it's all a waste of time and he knew all their business plans anyway and he keeps them in so they'll be funny at interviews, even though it's not, (see: Ricky, who wouldn't have had a chance in the first few weeks) he clearly didn't (see: Jade's plan, every plan last year) and he clearly doesn't. (See: Adam.)

The final was dull to the extreme. I turned off before the end.

Agree with OP.

I love the interviews but they don't work being the final, lets hope they revert back to having the interviews as the semi finals next yr and then the last 2 candidates presentation type task aided by the fired candidates!

This is my first time watching a series of The Apprentice and I have to say I hated the interviews. It almost made the whole series seem pointless and for nothing? :s