The Apprentice: a short review

Believe it or not I've never watched an episode of Big Brother, Survivor or any other reality TV. But I couldn't resist tuning into the British version of The Apprentice on TV3 tonight. And I have to say I enjoyed it.

The group dynamics were very interesting to observe and it was clear early on that the girls were going to have a problem with their head strong project leader. I don't care that she sold so many flowers by practically shoving them down people's throats - it was very disappointing to see Sir Alan Sugar's right hand man expressing qualified admiration. How sustainable are such desperation sales tactics? A fine technique for hawking night club tickets to drunken teenagers in Tenerife but how many repeat buyers would she have for flowers day after day in the same location in London? Not many I'd bet. I'd go into automatic acceleration and head down mode every time I saw her.

Much more impressive was the witty charm of the property developer. The program flashed all too briefly through a few profiles at the start but as far as I remember this guy was a 'self made' success. Its easy to see how. He seemed to have a quick fire answer for everyone on the street and with about his task with humour and guile. For someone like me who left my first job because of being moved into a cold calling sales role it was rather amazing to watch.

Alan Sugar seemed very scripted and I'm not quite sure how he came to his firing decision in the end but this could well be the first reality type series I'll be tuning into every week.

Comments

[CGorman]

I watched this a few months back when it was on the BBC. I must say, it was far better than the original American version; perhaps because it was less glamourised... and Alan Suger does'nt seem to have the same enormous ego as Donald Trump.

I believe a sequel is currently in the making at the BBC. Anyways, enjoy the show!

BTW: 'Dragons Den' on the BBC is worth a look if you ever the get the chance.

[James Corbett]

Don't tell me who won... please!!! I honestly didn't realise it had already run on BBC. Just goes to show how much TV I watch here in 4 channel land :)

[CGorman]

Don't worry, I won't tell you... it was err... I think i've already forgotten! You know these reality TV stars - I forget their names so quickly!

Only kiddin, the winner is... announced on the last episode!

[Ken McGuire]

As good as the idea behind the show is, it hadn't a patch on the US version, and that's already been through two iterations. Watched the British version last year when it was on but it just didn't have the same appeal, I think you need the ego to make something like it work. While it's appealing on TV to business minded people I can't help but see it lag in mainstream TV.

[walter]

I have to agree with CGorman, "Dragon's Den" was must-see TV when it was broadcast before Xmas.

[Dave]

I loved Dragon's Den too! Didn't enjoy the British version of the Apprentice either. The American version was a hundred times better!