The Apprentice: a cross-Channel catastrophe
Posted 3 May 2007 at 9:45AM by Simon Dickson in Light relief
This week's episode of The Apprentice was possibly the highlight of the series so far, as the teams took British food to sell in a French market. But if you don't want to know who made a dog's dinner of it all, look away now.
Having basked in the glory of my predictions' accuracy last week, I can't really avoid a confession this week. Yes, Adam managed to survive another boardroom. So look on the bright side, Man Utd fans - at least one lad from the North West got an against-the-odds result in Europe.
But this week's episode was all about poor Paul. The moment he walked into a Makro cash-and-carry, emerging with his very own cheese mountain to take to a French connoisseurs' market, his fate was sealed. But he took it all with such good grace, didn't he? Even at the moment he realised how bad he was doing, as he tried to sell pork to a Muslim during Ramadan, he could still raise a smile. Did he deserve to go? On this week's performance, yes, of course.
Once again, moaning Adam seemed to do a decent sales job, despite not speaking any French. And although he might be criticised for over-spending on the banner they printed for their market stall, the diabolical French grammar - presumably supplied by Paul - was completely overlooked. For a moment, I even felt sorry for Adam, being lined up for eviction yet again.
But I put it to you once more that Adam cannot survive much longer. The most telling moment of the entire show was the wall of silence which greeted him as he walked back into the room in the show's final seconds. His fellow contestants couldn't even be bothered to raise the traditional (and clearly faked) cheer of celebration as the boardroom survivors return. He asked to be a team leader next time, to show what he's capable of - and I really hope his wish is granted.
Are we all underestimating Adam? Does Tre really believe he is brilliant at everything? Is Kristina really 'too orange to be taken seriously'? And did we learn anything about winning team leader Lohit? Over to you...
Tags: Alan Sugar, bbc, The Apprentice
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Comments
2. At May 3, 2007 10:37 AM, iain wrote:
I think Adam is getting a hard time of it unfairly. Maybe there's a bit of a North/South divide going on? Some of Katie's comments last night about people being "c-grade" and she would never have had to mix with them at school really turned me against her. I don't think Tre will make it through to the final but I can't help but like his honesty and comments about everything and everybody. Come on Adam, show us what you've got.
3. At May 3, 2007 11:59 AM, Linzi wrote:
I think Iain has got it right, there is a North South divide thing going on. Adam surely didn't deserve to go into the Boardroom again. As for Katie - she should keep her opinions to herself, snob!
4. At May 3, 2007 12:00 PM, Rosemary Grant wrote:
I think Katie's just been lucky she doesn't get taken back into board room. Her face last night was a picture, when Adam came back, she obviously wants him to go and will scupper all his plans next week. Get her out Alan.
5. At May 3, 2007 1:30 PM, bev wrote:
Am I the only person who likes Kristina? I think she's shown great leadership & initiative. Admittedly her sales technique in the zoo episode was shocking. (wafting the lollipops under the noses of the little kids, then telling the parents "that will be £2.00 please") I think Paul deserved everything he got last night, including any verbal he received from Kristina.
6. At May 3, 2007 3:55 PM, Adam Knight wrote:
Iain and Linzi have got it spot on. The North South divide is alive and kicking, not to mention public school over confidence. Admittedly the Apprentice nows stands more as a popular entertainment show, than it's original format, which leads me to plump for Adam. (supporting the underdog) I think these are the weakest contestants yet.
7. At May 4, 2007 8:33 AM, Dave wrote:
Adam is getting a raw deal, mainly due to the public school clan. He sticks to his guns and has sold well the last 2 weeks. Katie says far too much and has contributed little throughout the whole series, and when under pressure decides to attack other people rather than defend herself. As a Sales Director she is the last type of person I would want in my team. She should have been in the board room the last 2 weeks instead of Adam. The other girls with the exception of Kristina are nowehere near strong enough. Tre is intelligent but maybe too hot-headed to win, Lohit is geting better but not strong enough all-round, Simon is one of the better ones in a bad group but again not strong enough all round.
8. At May 4, 2007 9:20 AM, Fiona Vernon wrote:
How will Katie get on in the house now that she does not have Paul's knee to sit on. I could not wait to see her face when Adam walked in and Paul was missing - absolute horror.
9. At May 4, 2007 10:26 AM, Brian Dodd wrote:
I believe that 'The Apprentice' has run it's course, and the BBC should say to Sir Alan (with a pointed finger) 'You're Fired'. The contestants are coming onto the show not to secure a £100,000 per annum position, but to hopefully get spotted by other programme producers, in order to take much richer pickings and a ticket to stardom, which the contestants on the initial show stumbled across.
10. At May 6, 2007 9:05 AM, Baan Klootwijk wrote:
As an avid follower of the series I have to conclude that these are the weakest contenders yet. As a cross channel import myself( I am Dutch) I know what it is not to be able to converse with people properly, however it hasn't stopped me from trying. The right man got fired as he couldn't assemble his troops and there was a lot of fighting. This in itself is no problem but don't do it in public! From really really disliking Tre I find him straight forward difficult do deal with, up his own backside and blowing his own trumpet. He might do it if he knows how to calm down. From liking Katie I find her quite scary now, she clearly thinks she is too good for this!
11. At May 9, 2007 2:09 PM, Anon wrote:
I have worked with Adam in the past at a Motor Group and his sales skills are excellent, but he is a little under confident in some areas. Good Luck Adam!
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1. At May 3, 2007 9:59 AM, kim wrote: