Simon described himself as David Brent as things colapsed around him. This maybe due to several factors. (a) The team especially Alex and Claire. (b) Management & Organisation (c) Project Manager. (d) The chosen theme. (e) Confusion. (f) Communication (G) Other

I would not describe him completely as a David Brent it's just that he had poor support from his team and he is not exactly a leader-from what we saw. He should not be hard on himself-but I love his attitude and intergrity. He is a great person to have in a team like he was with Raef. A number two as he called himself. But I do think he could manage a smaller team that is not too stressful and overwhelming.


I watched it again on iplayer. They really filmed it like a comedy sketch- its a hoot on second watch. I do not know if it was meant to be intentional. By the end of it I felt a lot of empathy for Simon-who was one of my favourites. He is a great all round bloke. He recognised his own limitations and I like him even more for it.

I know a lot of people are questioning the business relevance of this show. But we need to remember its a televison 'reality' show thats based on getting people to watch. However, these candidates go through psychological testing and one of them am guessing involves the MBTI (Myers Briggs Type Indicator). Its a testing that puts suitable personalities in teams etc. They might have done the reverse, meaning mismatch people instead of matching them to create personality 'disorder'. Well, I am using this word lightly. I think its all intentional as they also want us to'seeth with rage' Its all reverse psychology really.:yawn:

Here goes-The business aspect of the show. Is it really possible in one episode to show a perfect way to do a task? It's possible if thats what we all want to see. Then they should do a 'how to programme' instead of a business focus programme that is looking for an Apprentice. Apprentice means someone who has no clue or some clue but not exactly the finish product. So what's what?

Another point before I sign off. Is that the contestants must be under tremendous pressure and stress as they know they are been filmed-possibly worried about looking like a fool. Well, we are laughing at them. And of course they signed up to it but they only human. Of course they want to do well so what happens the other side of their personality comes out which may not be so nice-so we judge them e.g. Alex, Claire, Jenny etc. They may be perfectly nice people in their own environment. But do we care? We have no sympathy-why should we?

Anyway I better stop now before I write a book in one sitting.

Babeth

No, simon is very self-aware. He knew when he was going to look a bit silly. David Brent lacks this capacity.

Yes absolutley! Thats who he reminded me of. Right nob (though nicer than the others) .

Simon is far to self-aware to be a real life David Brent...the very fact he was able to make that reference shows that he isn't conclusivly.

and Laughing Ball, you seem to be obsessed with Simon's k*ob...what's that all about?

Haha! That can happen if you get too carried away on here!
I've done it myself in the past!

I agree with you though, he's nothing like David Brent really - him saying that seems to be part of this modesty which at times verges on putting himself down.

As was pointed out by Scott Mills, it's Kevin who sounds very much like Brent during the whole "culinary traveller" speech!
So that's now two comedy characters to whom Kevin can be compared!

He's no David Brent, he puts himself down way too much.

Nob, n. [Abbrev. fr. noble.]
A person in a superior position in life; a nobleman.

I agree with you and the others who have said the same thing.

I think for Simon thats his personality. He realised where he had gone wrong and tried not to take it too seriously. I wonder though-he is only human.

Babeth

Thanks. At least I have a partner in crime.

Its his personality though and self-awareness. It could be a good and bad thing. That could stop him taking on less stressful leadership roles. I hope not for Simon. He could really excel.

As for Kevin thats another write up. He is probably the real David Brent in disguise. He also needs a separate write up on his other role. He is so serious when he says what he says!!

Babeth

The only part of the show that struck as Brent-esque was the part where he lay on the floor in a seductive pose to illustrate "glamour". (Which I actually found kind of hot. )

I agree that Kevin seems much more of an oblivious David Brent type.

You can't take Kevin seriously. From week 1, I was thinking Vicky Pollard / The only gay in the village.

Here's hoping they have to do a fancy dress task!!!

Kevin is the hybrid love-child of David Brent and Vicky Pollard.

So which is Simon then -

"assistant regional manager.” or “assistant to the regional manager?

His army career must have given him managerial experience but he does lack confidence in his own ability.

He is certainly not a "David Brent" but in terms of honesty and behaviour he puts some of the other candidates to shame.

It seems most of us agree that Simon is no David Brent but maybe he was was totally overwhelmed with the task mainly because of his unsupportive team. But if he had a supportive team would he have won? Yes, maybe because sometimes thats all it takes to win. But, and this is a big BUT because he was leading and taking photographs at the same time, he could still have lost.

Kevin must be the real David Brent then as some of you have indicated. In Simon's interview with the Mirror today he says that Kevin is very funny-but maybe not Apprentice material.


Babeth

I think Ian came off more as a david brent like charcter, with the embarrassing talk
- there are two types of people....
- light bulb idea, keep it up there, or shoot it down

he seemed very cocky, when really he had nothign to be cocky about.

At times Simon did seem a bit David Brent like, saying 'I knew from the start this would work. I have a talent for photography'. There were certainly moments when David Brent sprang to mind.

Kevin too during the pub grub task. His pep talk was funny.