Paul was a great fan favorite when the series first ran, and I think though I had mixed feelings about him at times, in the end I couldn't help BUT like him, in spite of some of his more unfortunate comments...

My take on the remaining candidates:

Paul has proved himself to be a good salesmen in most tasks, and also a good negotiator. The last couple of weeks he hasn't done so well, but if you go back beyond that he has equipped himself very well.

Saria is good in her own ways, but she is actually quite dishonest and underhand, certainly not someone I would want to work on...but in terms of making progress week on week? She does what she has to.

Tim has been getting by week on week doing competently without really ever shining, I also feel he gives little away about how he feels about things.

I would rate those three as the best candidates, though not necessarily in that order.

Miriam strikes me as someone who would make a good organiser/planner, but not sure she has the skills to sell or negotiate or lead a team.

James is a nice chap, but beyond that the cupboard is a bit bare.

Raj should have been gone weeks ago....he has done not one single thing of any use whatsoever thus far....

Next's week episode is a cracker, btw...

Agreed. He seems like a nice enough chap, but as you say he is not really contributing and is only really staying due to the actions (or misfortunes) of others.


I look forward to it.

It's only actually been a few weeks since Paul was asked (advertising task) if he thought he'd been a good team leader and he held his hands up and said "not on this one". Didn't see anything like that coming out of Ben's mouth this week. So I think to be fair to Paul he does know when he's wrong he just obviously felt (right or wrong) that he hadn't messed up this one.

Hmm, fair point. In the last two episodes though, he seems to have got quite worked up when accused of even minor errors - using his fiery attitude to defend himself. I find it strange he was willing to admit errors previously, but is not prepared to quite as readily now. Even though in the last task he had some responsibility to bear, just like everyone else in a loosing team.

Without giving out any spoilers, can someone familiar with Series 1 confirm the arrangement for the last few episodes? Dave are advertising the finale of the show this Thursday (two episodes from 9pm). There are currently six candidates left, after the 9pm show there will be 5, and after the 10pm show, there should be just two (comparing the with the third series). Is there no episode where the last two candidates battle against each other with help from the previously fired candidates, or are the final five wittled down to the winner in just one episode?

There are still 4 episodes to run, as follows:

Week 9: Team News (1 goes)
Week 10: Apprentices on TV (1 goes)
Week 11: Apprentice Interviews (2 go)
Week 12: The Final: Apprentices Reunited (final 2, winner is hired)

Thanks for that. Looks like Dave have ran the series finale trailer a week early. Assuming another double-episode next week, it would wrap just before Christmas, which makes sense.

Yes, I think last week was the last episode of the series of Dragons Den they were running, so it would make sense...

So actually, we have two cracking episodes this week.

Have to admit though that I was a bit disappointed with the last two episodes of series 1, but then that seems to be the case in all the subsequent series as well.

First Episode –

I thought it was quite interesting to see Saira’s, ‘don’t take no for an answer’, technique which has served her well in the past, actually nearly cost her everything in the phone call with the Spurs rep. It’s quite telling that even after the event, Saira’s team still found the Spurs rep quite abrasive, whilst Paul’s team found him quite agreeable. I wonder if this is one of those situations where you can’t see the full picture until you see it played back?

I thought it was quite unfair that Paul’s team’s plans were almost completely shot down by Spurs moving the goalposts (pardon the pun) after Saira’s phone call. On the other hand they seemed to shake it off very quickly. I found it interesting that each team seemed better at exactly the same thing the other team were weak at. Paul’s team were a bit poor at preparation at the ground, but seemed to do well face-to-face, while Saira’s team were very well prepared but seemed to struggle a bit with the face-to-face aspect. Having said that Saira did more or less state in the boardroom that she didn’t see it as much of a face-to-face exercise. I don’t think I agree with that to be honest, and the other team’s face-to-face efforts reaping much higher sign-ups to win them the task rather confirms this.

In the boardroom, Saria proved she can talk a good talk, but I found myself switching off to what she was saying. I think it was probably the right end result. Raj has needed to go for a while, so a good call from Sir Alan.

I am so PO right now, they have just cut two whole episodes out!!!

Do you think it's a mistake? The 'info' button on our tv states the episode should be the tv presenting one (I was looking forward to a repeat of the fleeces!)

Arrgh! The Sky EPG, radiotimes.com, and even the continuity announcer stated this should be the TV shopping channel episode. According to the Sky EPG and radiotimes.com there's another double-episode next Thursday. This has to be a cock-up, and they've played the wrong episode? Mind you they have been advertising the finale being tonight since the start of the week. So annoyed right now.

Can't believe after showing the whole series up to now they have spoiled the whole thing by cutting out 2 eps. What a bloody farce.

Anyone who feels the need to complain, can do so here - http://uktv.co.uk/uktv/item/aid/528249

Complaint duly submitted. I'm interested to know if this was deliberate or a mistake. If it's deliberate, it doesn't make any sense!!

Have just done that, cheers for the link. Gutted at them doing this after following it for the last 8 or 9 weeks.

Me too. I was so looking forward to the Shopping Channel episode - it was classic.

I've complained, I just can't believe that they have done that, do they think we are stupid or something.....

Exactly what I said in my email. The interview episode is a bit of a clunker, but I've been looking forward to the Shopping Channel one!

I don't really feel any need to do a summary of thoughts on the last episode. Although I knew already that Tim won, I didn't know how the last five became the last two. Tonight's cock-up has taken away a lot of the enjoyment from the end of this series for me.

Suffice to say, a complaint is on it's way to UKTV from me as well.

Yeah, I'm afraid their cock up has soured things for me...can't be bothered to comment further right now...

Thought there might even have been some apology or explanation from the continuity announcer for that cock up but nothing. What a waste following for the last 9 weeks.

Posted this in Broadcasting before redirected, thaught I d add it here coz I need to vent!

"How annoying is Dave TV! I have been watching The Apprentice on and off with my housemates for weeks now, we were particularly looking forward to the Interview episode.

Then for some reason DAVE goes and shows a Double bill, Hooray, But then STUPIDLY skipped out the two episodes before the final.

I really do not get the logic of some of the TV schedulers.

Before anyone says its Christmas, I don't give a toss, Dave schedulers have known about Christmas since they were 1! why not show double episodes for the last couple of weeks to fit them all in! This is ridiculous. Its like skipping through the last half hour of a movie!

Idiots"

E-mailed UKTV

"I am very annoyed with Dave right now!, I would very much like an explanation as to the farcical and somewhat idiotic scheduling of The Apprentice (Series 1)

Dave, can you count? after week 9 does not come week 12!

To be honest this is pathetic, I have really enjoyed Dave since launch, along with my housemates, and we have helped in the channels success with ratings.

Please note that if you have the gaul to show another programme in series, we wont be watching.

We will still abuse your random episode comedy shows, but don't bother running a series based show, your obviously inept.

All the best, and I wish Dave a very lonely and hopefully dark and sad Christmas

medium annoyed viewer."

i am very angry at dave right now!!!

i missed the series first time round on the bbc so have been looking forward each week to watch it! and, after last nights cock i am well peeded off now!!!!

i bet next week, they show the last 2 episodes as per the epg, and just miss out the shopping channel episode altogether!! i really wanted to watch that episode as well!!!

very angry!!!