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WHY was Michael so tired?????


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Old 04-06-2008, 10:17
2LO
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I think we are underestimating the pressure they are under. Even Claire said it was nothing like what she was expecting.
Agreed.

Not only is their environment extremely artificial but they have to work at very high stress levels for very long periods of time and live in conditions that, whilst luxurious are far from ideal. (For one thing it must be very hard to get much time to themselves which would be very important when you spend hours living and working with people with whom you are in competition).

Even when they 'win' by not getting fired a lot of them seem genuinely upset to see people who have become friends as well as competitors thrown out.

Towards the end the house must become strangely quiet as fewer and fewer are left.

And of course we are mainly seeing them when it's all quite new,

This is why I refuse to judge any of them too harshly.
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Old 04-06-2008, 12:18
neomilan
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They were all tired and shattered

However for production purposes and for the entertainment value BBC craproducers decided to only show michael as being tired

although i could argue the other way and say, becuase michael is a dimwit idiot and was tired of his stupidity
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Old 04-06-2008, 15:14
Ignazio
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The boardroom and the treat were on Sunday. They start at 6 and finish at 2.00 a.m in most tasks. We all experience pressure but we have those we love to rely on. The apprentices qork 24/7 and in tasks they work around 18 hours non-stop. After finishing they have to go to live with those who compete with them for the same job. Add to that, every task they are thrown into a situation that is out of their comfort zone and this can continue for 2 months.

I think we are underestimating the pressure they are under. Even Claire said it was nothing like what she was expecting.
Well if Claire says so. (sorry - I couldn't resist that).

Not everyone has someone they love to rely on for comfort and support, many have spent long stints away from home - and for some, pressures come, not only with the job, but with holding down the job, fear of redundancy etc. The Apprentices do not work 24/7 and I'd like to know which tasks they have undertaken which finished at 2 a.m.

On one point I do agree, they are often judged on skills (or lack of them) outside their area of expertise - which is not only unrealistic, but sometimes leads me to wonder if SAS is looking for a Jack of all trades and master of none. It seems not to matter in which field they excel (allegedly), they are required to show an aptitude for finance, marketing, Contract law, purchasing and of course the big S - SELLING. But, although I know I sound uncharitable, they are in this position from choice: presumably they regard the ultimate prize worth the effort and pressure - not to mention the humiliation at the hands (and tongue) of SAS. Even those who fall by the wayside enjoy the benefit of tv exposure.

apprentice fan and 2L0 - I admire your tolerance and compassion, but I still reserve my sympathy for those stuck on the bottom rung of the opportunity ladder.
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Old 04-06-2008, 15:38
apprentice_fan
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Not everyone has someone they love to rely on for comfort and support, many have spent long stints away from home - and for some, pressures come, not only with the job, but with holding down the job, fear of redundancy etc. The Apprentices do not work 24/7 and I'd like to know which tasks they have undertaken which finished at 2 a.m.
In the laundry task we know from the edit that they finished at 2 a.m and started the next morning before 7 a.m. In this interview Margaret and Nick say that fish task kicked off at 5am and finished at 3:15am the next morning and then started again at 8:15am.

Fired candidates said that they have 4-6 hours sleep. Even when they are not doing tasks they are in the boadroom or having their treat.
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Old 04-06-2008, 19:49
brangdon
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In the laundry task we know from the edit that they finished at 2 a.m and started the next morning before 7 a.m..
Yes. Actually although the laundry closed at 2am, I heard it was a 40-minute drive from there to the house. Then they had a meeting to decide whether to continue working through the night, or whether to get a few hours sleep and start in the morning. Some of them (ie Lucinda) also did pieces to camera. So it was probably more like 3am they finished.
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Old 05-06-2008, 02:03
Ignazio
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In the laundry task we know from the edit that they finished at 2 a.m and started the next morning before 7 a.m. In this interview Margaret and Nick say that fish task kicked off at 5am and finished at 3:15am the next morning and then started again at 8:15am.

Fired candidates said that they have 4-6 hours sleep. Even when they are not doing tasks they are in the boadroom or having their treat.


Ok - twice in 12 weeks. I'm not pretending that is easy but it's hardly
They start at 6 and finish at 2.00 a.m in most tasks
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Old 05-06-2008, 10:42
floopy123
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"It's great - I can now just go up to someone and not have to make any small-talk. They'll just jump into bed with me."
Surely he should be working for a contraceptive manufacturer, not Sugar?
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Old 07-06-2008, 11:41
abercrombie
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In the laundry task we know from the edit that they finished at 2 a.m and started the next morning before 7 a.m. In this interview Margaret and Nick say that fish task kicked off at 5am and finished at 3:15am the next morning and then started again at 8:15am.

Fired candidates said that they have 4-6 hours sleep. Even when they are not doing tasks they are in the boadroom or having their treat.
I don't want to keep flogging a dead fish here but...

One can understand *laundry* and *market*-type tasks being at early hours and taking longer, but most of the tasks will surely fit into the working lives of the hundreds of other people involved. Just can't believe that every task takes ridiculously (and illegally???) long wrking days.

In the filming task, for example, they wouldn't make the actors do silly hours and the toy task and the selling task....

(stops typing to get a chance to breathe)
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Old 07-06-2008, 13:24
Reality Sucks
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I take your point - but I can't summon up much sympathy for them. According to their very high opinion of themselves, most of them work under stress every day - and deal it with admirably. They're under scrutiny because they choose to be - This is the 4th series of The Apprentice - they applicants should know what to expect.

As for working weekends - haven't we all been required to do that at sometime? Plus evening, plus working lunches etc.

So the Wedding Show was over the Saturday - were they expected to work Sunday as well?

I work under stress - but I'm well rewarded for it and if I don't like it I know where the door is! I reserve my sympathy for those who slave at a mind dumbing job for a low wage just to pay the bills and put food on the table.

I know many will consider my views harsh - fine that's their prerogative - we'll have to agree to disagree.
I don't think the OP was asking for Michael to have sympathy, he just wondered why he was tired. Alex also seems to be past his best. I think they have a tough schedule that doesn't let up but the main pressure is being on camera and being asked to do things well, that are way out of their comfort zone. How many of us could think up a concept for an ad campaign, design the packaging and marketing materials, dream up concepts for an advert, hire actors and have it all filmed and edited in 2 days plus pitching the whole thing to a group of advertising directors?

In reality all these tasks take much longer and that's where they are most under pressure. I doubt that many people would not feel tired at times under those circumstances.
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Old 07-06-2008, 14:06
brangdon
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Ok - twice in 12 weeks.
First, it's not 12 weeks. Episodes are shot more or less back to back with the occasional day off. Second, every task has an early start - pay attention to the times the voice-over gives when the phone rings. And on every task that spans more than one day, they will be working late in order to win. For example, on the card task we saw Raef practising his pitch as he went to bed. They work a lot harder than what we see in the show.
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Old 08-06-2008, 11:24
Ignazio
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On one point I do agree, they are often judged on skills (or lack of them) outside their area of expertise - which is not only unrealistic, but sometimes leads me to wonder if SAS is looking for a Jack of all trades and master of none. It seems not to matter in which field they excel (allegedly), they are required to show an aptitude for finance, marketing, Contract law, purchasing and of course the big S - SELLING.
I think they have a tough schedule that doesn't let up but the main pressure is being on camera and being asked to do things well, that are way out of their comfort zone. How many of us could think up a concept for an ad campaign, design the packaging and marketing materials, dream up concepts for an advert, hire actors and have it all filmed and edited in 2 days plus pitching the whole thing to a group of advertising directors?
I think I dealt with this point when questioning the value of any apprentice being expected to show aptitude/knowledge of all aspects of any business project. Some candidates might be regarded as good all rounders - others, whilst acquiring a working knowledge of the various disciplines that contribute to the success of an enterprise specialize in their own field of expertise. Who is the most valuable - the all rounder or the specialist? That must depend on the role you're trying to fill.

First, it's not 12 weeks. Episodes are shot more or less back to back with the occasional day off. Second, every task has an early start - pay attention to the times the voice-over gives when the phone rings. And on every task that spans more than one day, they will be working late in order to win. For example, on the card task we saw Raef practising his pitch as he went to bed. They work a lot harder than what we see in the show.
OK - I take your point regarding back to back shooting - but this simply proves my contention that they do not work 24/7. As for 4/5 hours sleep and Raef's bedtime practice of his pitch and the time of the morning phone call, haven't you ever worked late into the night on an important project with an imminent deadline, and then been expected to appear bright eyed and bush tailed at a so called 'breakfast' meeting. I concede that those of us who have worked such ungodly hours don't have the spectre of the tv camera intruding into our every waking moment - but this is for a limited time only - and I think it's fair to assume that the candidates consider the ultimate prize worthy of the effort.

Debate is usually about persuading one's opponent to consider a different point of view. tbh I doubt if you and I will ever see eye to eye - but at least the discussion has been civilised.
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Old 08-06-2008, 11:47
brangdon
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I can sustain that pace for a few days. As can most candidates. You mention breakfast meetings - when the girls had the 7am meeting on the second day of the Laundry task, Lucinda got a lot of flack because she was half an hour late, but the rest of them made it. Michael kept up the pace for 10 tasks, which I guess is around 5 weeks.

Helene talks about the stress in this The People article. She says the combination of stress, lack of sleep and poor diet hospitalised her during the Wedding task.
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Old 08-06-2008, 11:51
vidalia
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Poor diet?
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Old 08-06-2008, 12:13
Ignazio
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I can sustain that pace for a few days. As can most candidates. You mention breakfast meetings - when the girls had the 7am meeting on the second day of the Laundry task, Lucinda got a lot of flack because she was half an hour late, but the rest of them made it. Michael kept up the pace for 10 tasks, which I guess is around 5 weeks.

Helene talks about the stress in this The People article. She says the combination of stress, lack of sleep and poor diet hospitalised her during the Wedding task.
I've kept the pace going for far longer than 5 weeks. Of course it's not healthy and at some point one has to take a breather, but 5 weeks is nothing in the real world of business.

If Helene really was hospitalized during the Wedding task it says very little about her stamina - and if I was Sir Alan I would take note of her inability to stand the pace.

I once worked under almost intolerable strain and tension for 9 months - and yes at the end of it I took a sabbatical - but hey - 5 weeks would have been a walk in the park!
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Old 09-06-2008, 14:34
Ignazio
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I can sustain that pace for a few days. As can most candidates. You mention breakfast meetings - when the girls had the 7am meeting on the second day of the Laundry task, Lucinda got a lot of flack because she was half an hour late, but the rest of them made it. Michael kept up the pace for 10 tasks, which I guess is around 5 weeks.

Helene talks about the stress in this The People article. She says the combination of stress, lack of sleep and poor diet hospitalised her during the Wedding task.
Just a couple of questions - not nit picking, genuinely trying to understand a couple of facts.

On the assumption that you're right and Michael accomplished 10 tasks in 5 weeks - what caused such stress and tiredness in the other 5 weeks, when no tasks were accomplished.

And to return briefly to Raef's bedtime pitch rehearsal - did no one here burn the midnight oil when studying for exams? I certainly did - as a pupil, a student and later for professional exams.

Karen Bremner from last year's series was quoted as saying, " It was the most amazing experience and I don't regret it for a moment - I will be terribly jealous come the first episode next year - the new Apprentices will have the time of their lives.”

Admittedly Karen went out of the series quite early - but she clearly didn't feel overtired, stressed or believe that the programme turned her into 'a monster.'
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Old 09-06-2008, 15:13
brangdon
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On the assumption that you're right and Michael accomplished 10 tasks in 5 weeks - what caused such stress and tiredness in the other 5 weeks, when no tasks were accomplished.
What other 5 weeks?

When people in the show talk of Michael being fired after 10 weeks, they mean 10 tasks, which are broadcast at 1 per week. They aren't filmed at 1 per week. Why is this so hard to understand?

Admittedly Karen went out of the series quite early - but she clearly didn't feel overtired, stressed or believe that the programme turned her into 'a monster.'
Karen was fired in task 3. At that point Michael and Helene weren't too stressed either.

I think Helene was partly talking about the bitching that went on. Eg she was in the car when Jenny C laid into Lucinda. I don't recall so much of that in Karen's series 2.
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Old 09-06-2008, 15:52
Ignazio
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What other 5 weeks?

When people in the show talk of Michael being fired after 10 weeks, they mean 10 tasks, which are broadcast at 1 per week. They aren't filmed at 1 per week. Why is this so hard to understand?

Karen was fired in task 3. At that point Michael and Helene weren't too stressed either.

I think Helene was partly talking about the bitching that went on. Eg she was in the car when Jenny C laid into Lucinda. I don't recall so much of that in Karen's series 2.
Please don't patronize - I've been nothing but civil to you.

I was under the impression that the tasks are undertaken 1 per week - and televised 1 per week; thus 10 tasks = 10 weeks. Now this may be very silly of me - but in the absence of any other information it seemed logical. I am however happy to bow to your greater knowledge and apologize for being such a numbskull; sadly not all of us are blessed with your acumen. Your very informative post has made one thing clear - Michael lasted 10 tasks ie. 5 weeks, only half the time I originally thought - even less reason to be exhausted.
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Old 09-06-2008, 18:23
brangdon
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I was under the impression that the tasks are undertaken 1 per week - and televised 1 per week; thus 10 tasks = 10 weeks. Now this may be very silly of me - but in the absence of any other information it seemed logical.
I didn't mean to be patronising, but how the show is filmed has been explained elsewhere in this forum many times, and specifically in this topic in posts #12, #21, #24 and #35, and I thought in #36 you had taken it on board. Hence my surprise when you reverted to supposing 10 weeks and say you've been given no information to the contrary.
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Old 09-06-2008, 18:38
Ignazio
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I didn't mean to be patronising, but how the show is filmed has been explained elsewhere in this forum many times, and specifically in this topic in posts #12, #21, #24 and #35, and I thought in #36 you had taken it on board. Hence my surprise when you reverted to supposing 10 weeks and say you've been given no information to the contrary.
Well silly old me!

Perhaps it was this observation from Ruth Badger that led me to conclude 1 task = 1week - but then what would she know; she was only a finalist on last years show.


I would never have done anything differently on the Apprentice. Never regret anything. It the decisions you don’t make that you regret, not the ones that you do. It’s done now anyway, I work on the things that I can control not the things I can’t. I mean if I put a camera in front of you and followed you around for three months you’d go "Ooh", it’s self-reflection, but there’s nothing I’d change.


link: http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/celebri...ger-34577.html

Come to think of it - she worked bloody hard, yet didn't show any signs of exhaustion.
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Old 09-06-2008, 18:43
Dollystanford
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Michael wasn't tired, he was a being a sulky little boy because he didn't like the task.

Most of us on here have got much busier lives than that, I get up at six, get a junior school child ready for school and myself for work, do a full day's work, come home, do housework, cook dinner, do a couple of hours studying and rarely go to bed before midnight. The boy doesn't know he's born
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Old 09-06-2008, 18:58
Ignazio
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Michael wasn't tired, he was a being a sulky little boy because he didn't like the task.

Most of us on here have got much busier lives than that, I get up at six, get a junior school child ready for school and myself for work, do a full day's work, come home, do housework, cook dinner, do a couple of hours studying and rarely go to bed before midnight. The boy doesn't know he's born
Precisely Dolly - and I have nothing but admiration for women and men who hold down full time jobs whilst raising a family; and surely compared to this, The Apprentice must be a walk in the park.

OUTRAGEOUS Apprentice star Michael Sophocles last night told how he fantasised about CHERYL COLE—as he bedded a fat, hairy 48-year-old mum to earn £100.
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Old 10-06-2008, 10:04
Muttley76
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Michael wasn't tired, he was a being a sulky little boy because he didn't like the task.
In a nutshell.....

The irony is I have a hunch that SAS held him back from being PM the prior week becasue he assumed (because, of course, Michael is just like SAS when he was a young man or whatever ) that Michael would stand more of a chance of doing well with this task than the advertising task.....
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