In the tasks where the contestants sell to the general public or small businesses it must be obvious that they are being filmed. And virtually everyone in the UK is aware of this show now.

It's strange that when watching the programme that there is never any mention of the show by the buyers, it's as if the contestants are genuinely this company they say they are on.

Has anyone here ever done business with them as part of the show or known someone who has?

Is there any script suggested to the public? Ie - you accept this deal but say no to that one. If not, surely you would act differently to how you would if you knew you would be on Prime Time TV if you made an ass of yourself.

Sorry if these are very obvious questions - always thought it but never dared ask.

I suppose it depends if the public realise that TA is filmed some time before its shown.

I always thought it was filmed earlier in the year.

There are cameras around, but the candidates are obviously not well known to the public, so its more or less realistic.

Or I'd like to think that's how it goes.

That is a good point though.

At the end of the day, its still business - not sure they would 'accept' a deal if it wasn't beneficial for their company?

Adam from last years series kept a diary, and he said they weren't allowed to say to they were on the show to buyers. The link is on here somewhere; its quite an interesting read.

EDIT- here it is
http://www.adamhosker.co.uk/apprentice.html

Yeah Adam said that they werent allowed to mention the show and potential publicity but said Simon broke the rules in order to sell one of those Lips paintings by saying that the publicity caused by the show would ensure that they were a sound investment. Cheeky or clever business??

I think if a group of bushy-tailed bumbling suits came up to me in the street with a film crew and tried to sell me something random I would have a suspicion about which show they were from, whatever the time of year.

I'd probably buy it! Just to get on TV!

I suspect a lot of people do! I would have been particularly wary of entrusting my laundry to them this week - it was guaranteed they were going to loose stuff.