Okay, this is a bit late, but I figured it was better to make a separate thread, since the other thread was for 2007's Apprentice (thanks for giving me the push to do this, Katie :P)

I can't be bothered to add pictures with names and then uploading them, so here's a site with all the candidates and some info on them all, as well:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/apprentice/candidate/id/3/type/contestant.html

Just clicky on the faces along the top.

I've also attached a poll, and added all 16 people in there, even though 2 have left. Just vote on who you think will win the apprentice.

Dang.. yesterday's episode was mean. That's probably the biggest mistake I've seen Sir Alan do. He totally fired the wrong person. :( Something needs to be done about Jenny, because in my eyes, she's just a bully. But what I noticed was that when the girls were in the boardroom, not enough was said against jenny, and that's probably why she's still there :/

Well, despite all that, Jenny was pretty poor, especially the one hour sales meeting and, my personal favourite, allowing the person who knows what they are doing to leave! Grrr... Raef surprised me, because apart from the moment where he picked up the coffees he was a pretty good leader. Anyone else find the little whimper and head shake the losing girl made hilarious or am I being too callous?

It did annoy me when I saw that Raef and the other two picked up coffees for themselves, but not for the other 4 working their tushies off :o Ruuudeness! What also irritated me was when they were doing the laundry and kept calling Raef for updates, and Raef and "sidekicks" kept laughing at them and saying stuff like "just get the job done" - not realising how much work it really was, until they got there, of course. In the end, they worked really well as a team.

Personally, I didn't see anything especially good in Raef as a team leader (i'm sorry! :S). It's just that I thought that team succeeded more in what they did because they all planned well, and worked really well together. They were hard working and determined to win that task. Simon, especially really was a big player in that task. In terms of getting everyone together and throwing out great ideas. He's actually my favourite to win, at the moment, because I see something in him that I think Sir Alan would be looking for.. but hey, he just might decide to fire him instead of someone else who needs to have their butt kicked :P Clearly I'm still annoyed that Jenny is still there - I simply won't get over that, lol. I just don't feel Shazia did enough "wrong" to get fired. Especially since the reason why they lost the task was mostly down to the wrong pricing = less of an income.

I hope jenny goes soon, and that she doesn't last til the end-ish like Katie did in the last season.. :eek: I just don't think I'll be able to handle it, lol.

I haven't read the above posts yet, but I will personally bite anyone who votes for Jenny. Omg, what a wedgie.

I just started watching it ;)

I like Jenny! The way she handled Lucinda during the laundry task was amazing. She didn't blow her top off at all... I probably would have ;( She was very much in control, and though it did mess up a little when Shazia left the launderette, I mean in general it was okay. The blagging tips bit was pants though, lol.. I don't like Lucinda. She's pretty though o.O really feminine. But yeah, her forte is what? :rolleyes: none of her (so-called) fortes came through on laundry day...

Raef is okay... there's something weird about him... maybe it's coz he looks like a friend I don't like xD Acts a bit like the friend I don't really like either x.X

I realllyyy like Simon...I loved him in the laundry task! So positive and just got on with it.

and as for getting fired...
Hahaahah pretty-boy Iain lmao. So good-looking. Did you notice his /eyes/ :O But really not much character, and was weak, and did a crap job at being project leader and wtf what that ♥♥♥♥e about "not having a meeting" in the pub task (the one that that head-chef guy called)...and then he says he's "honest"? Er. What was he trying to pull there? Blag his way to another round? I stopped liking him then. Glad he's gone anyway.

And as for Shazia leaving... no big loss I think. Her expression... lol, when Jenni was accusing her of all sorts of things. I don't know when she allegedly "lied" though - eh? I guess she shouldn't have left the launderette though. In terms of task failure, it was due more to Shazia than Lucinda so in that sense giving Shazia the boot was justified. I wouldn't have minded Lucinda leaving though.

And I totally agree with Sir Alan about the boys not really showing much business acumen... Except maybe Simon...because of the peanut-butter sandwiches.

I like Jenny! The way she handled Lucinda during the laundry task was amazing. She didn't blow her top off at all... I probably would have ;( She was very much in control,

That was her problem though.. too much in control. I mean, what adult tells another one to be quiet because she's speaking. And not just once. Over and over and over again. :eek: The way she was speaking to Lucinda was actually a form of bullying too, in most peoples' eyes. I think you're the only person so far that I've come across that likes Jenny, heh. Which is okay. I just don't see anything terrific about her. Sure, she got the job done, and was in control, but her attitude in wanting to be in control was completely wrong for a business person.

And an adult should simply not be talking to another adult in such a way :/ I see what you mean about Lucinda though. I've not seen much from her, and I don't think she'll last too long because she seems a bit "weak" for it all. Just my opinion though :/ I guess we'll see how she is in the next task. Can't wait for tomorrow :D

That was her problem though.. too much in control. ... but her attitude in wanting to be in control ...

I don't think she was "too much in control". Her job was to be in control and she was, so there should be no questionning her "wanting to be in control" -- it's her job! She *needs* to be in control. How can you be in control if you don't want to? How would you have handled Lucinda?

...I mean, what adult tells another one to be quiet because she's speaking...

One that is speaking to one who doesn't act like one. Why was Lucinda interrupting and speaking over Jenny in the first place? Doesn't she have the patience and composure to wait her turn?

...And not just once. Over and over and over again. :eek:...

Precisely. Should Lucinda have to be taught at that age not to talk when someone else is speaking?

...And an adult should simply not be talking to another adult in such a way :/...

As they say, growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

How can you be in control if you don't want to? How would you have handled Lucinda?

Definitely not the way Jenny handled her. :rolleyes: There's being in control, and then there's talking down to someone. Jenny was talking down to Lucinda a lot. Unnecessarily at times. I know, however, that Lucinda should go! She hasn't admitted to knowing how to do anything yet :S That's worrying..

About yesterday's episode - 16th April, epi 4 - (don't read if you haven't watched it yet!)..


I was so sad to see Simon go! But.. I was disappointed to see that there was no team spirit in wanting Simon as a project manager. That annoyed me.. it's like they were in no mood to actually want to win the task. And as soon as Simon said he wanted to be team leader, it was as though Alex just gave up on it all. Gave him no chances. I can't speak of Simon, but part of me thinks that added to the pressure for Simon, knowing that no one actually willingly wanted him as a project manager.

When Sir Alan was about to send Claire out of the room, I honestly thought that she was going to get fired :o

Did anyone else go "awww" when Simon thanked Sir Alan for the opportunity? And then thanked Francais? That was adorable.

Not sure if it was the right decision, because when you compare how much Simon did, and what little Claire did, and how annoying she was being.. well.. hmm.. I do wonder if Claire should have gone instead :/ Did anyone watch "you're fired" straight after that? The interview was good, and it was great to see that Simon was so honest about his character and said it was time for him to leave.

I liked Simon too, but I don't see how he could've stayed:

The week before he was close to being fired, but said something like "make me project manager and you'll see what I'm capable of":rolleyes:

Claire should go next week for stealing his place. It amused me when Alan Sugar said he was sick of the sight of her. :razz:

ive watched it and its funny lucinda should have got help with the computa, all of them could have helped and not just blame her

I do love The Apprentice but it seem to be engineered/edited more an more every year!

I the people I see lasting the longest are:

Raef
Sara
Jennifer M

I'm not sure who will go next, I know who I'd like to go but I'm not sure who will...

Aww.. the task this week was pretty darn good. And it was very hard to actually find someone that REALLY deserved to be fired. They all did quite well. Some better than others, obviously, which is why someone had to go.

Lucinda completely surprised me! Now THAT was interesting. I was trying to work out what her strong point was, and she is clearly good at managing.

Raef is growing on me now. Don't know why, he just is, heh.

I liked Alex at first, a lot.. but he's starting to irrirate me now. I'm starting to see a side of him where if he doesn't agree with something or doesn't like someone, he gives them no chances and gets all stroppy :/ Which is a shame, 'cause I think if he did less of that and was more positive in his approach, he'd stand out much more.

And darn... Claire is still there, heh. I had a feeling she'd win that :/

Simon had to go last week.. but I have to say my new 'favourite' of the group is Lee.

Oh, and completely off topic.. my nephew was in a tournament with the school that Sir Alan's grandson goes to. And my nephew got him out. Muahahaha. That's my nephew XD

First time I'd ever watched and I would've fired Jen and Clare (for being totally inept). Maybe Sir Alan doesn't watch the playbacks

I liked that episode the best so far i think, i really wasnt expecting that team to win! I like claire, but i expected her to be more organised than she was.

Reaaallly like Raef, id marry him for his accent alone, rofl. I love him, a lot.

I propper creased when lucinda came out with that one liner 'yes you did, you said she was an evil snake and that you hate her' ... or something along those lines, Lmao!

Id like to see more from the Ice queen and from Michael, and i hope Kevin leaves soon.

oh, and I really want to try that toffee apple icecream!

Yummy task!

Yeah, Lucinda did a good job, as a manager (but I don't see her as a leader). She was so good at managing people that they didn't even feel like they were being managed. And thought the task would've succeeded no matter who the Project Manager was, but I think this task could have failed if it had had a bad PM. Lucinda's style was good. I was glad Lee noticed that it was =]

Look at Claire's team... if they hadn't pulled off that last sale, they would've lost, and trawling around the countryside looking for 50 oranges takes how many hours? Such a damn shame Claire's team won.

I wonder what Maguire would be like as a team leader? I don't think she and Lucinda would get along very well. But then again, Lucinda doesn't seem to do much when she's only a team member*... I wanna see Michael as team leader.

I see a little of Simon in Kevin, too. Haven't seen enough Lee yet.

Who's one of the team leaders next week?

Click here if you want to know: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EJ_hIJ0Nm4&feature=dir

I just had a thought about the exclusivity deal. I think the advisors should have said something (after the deal was made) about how they're not allowed to offer it. I mean, honest mistake. They obviously didn't realize. Plus, the topic only came up when the girls brought it up as an issue... if they hadn't mentioned it, things might have been a whole lot different. She might have only been fired for trying to sell ice cream to ice cream makers :rolleyes:

I still don't know who I want to win, but last week was kinda unfortunate. Clair's team really were lucky and if her team lost I think she should have gone. She's annoying and she seems so familiar it bugs me.

Anyhoo, I came across these, if you've not seen the episodes yet, don't watch, tells you who has been fired. It's lego but it's funny, enjoy! :razz:

Lego apprentice 2008 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6vJHQHbhbw&feature=related)

UK series 4 week 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qglsrwrLJuk)

UK series 4 week 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4IIGUPEpCQ)

UK series 4 week 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl6VYA2rLC0&NR=1)

UK series 4 week 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPDt7aRF8R4&feature=related)

UK series 4 week 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkMLT-74yAA)

Urgh, i didn't like the end of this week's apprentice. The candidates didn't have to continue arguing about who should have gone and who shouldn't have. They were bullying Sara i feel. I think after seeing that last bit, I like Raef a lot now, as he sort of said "no use crying over spilt milk" and respected Sir Alan's choice about who should get fired... Why in the boardroom did everyone act like sheep copying Jenny's pathetic reason to fire Sara. It's obvious she just said it because they don't get on. I think if Jenny had been brought back, the out come would have been much different.

She annoys me soooooo much >:/ esp. at the end saying "well next week i'm not going to try, then i won't get fired. Tbh her idea was rather rubbish.. why send cards to people about saving the earth. The fact that you're printing paper and card to make it, sort of defeats the purpose. Sara did come up with a good suggestion, but no one would listen and for that Sara gets told she didnt contribute? pfft. :mad:

Now Kevin's gone i shan't be reminded of Little Britain. hahaha (:

Ohh.. i loved the bit where the man from Tesco asked about the Singles' Day cards, "And who will send them to the person?" :))) lololol

FYI, Raef= sexymeff. <3. (:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d14/ktwoodwood/Raef.jpg
LMAOOO im only keeping this just because it made me larf.

<rant>
Yeah, last nights episode sucked rocks.
I liked Lee a lot, and felt he needs to come up more up front to show people what he can do, because we don't see enough of him. For me, he's always been a "background" person. So I was absolutely disgusted with the way that he was talking to Sara. He was hot tempered over it. It was just bad because at the end of the day, at least Sara has done something. She was a project manager and her team won. Lee, on the other hand, hasn't even been put into the spotlight, so he's comment about contributing nothing was just silly. Both Sara and Lee seem to be ones that don't contribute as much as others, anyway.

Lee was big poopoohead. End of.
So were the rest of the housemates. I hated what they did in the boardroom with Sara. Thankfully Sir Alan new the games they were playing. And I agree, if Jenny was in the room at the end, it really would have been different. Personally, I feel if Jenny was there, she would have been fired, without doubt. Kevin is a wedgie and just thought she was working hard... as her reason for not being there. Meh.

</rant>

K yeah agree that poor Sara is the new Lucinda now... being the scapegoat and all.

As for 'Celery' - I don't think she should've been brought back to the boardroom even if her idea was rubbish. Once a rubbish idea has been approved by everyone it's everyone's responsibility so why place the blame in the end on the person who came up with it? I don't know why no one realized it was a dumb idea to print save the earth cards, while having to kill trees to save it. E-cards ftw.

I think Singles Day is a good idea and loool comment from Nick "no apostrophe in the history of the English language has been argued about so fiercely" :razz: Michael "apostrophe" Sophocles was a fairly good team leader, I thought, apart from stressing so much about apostrophes. Didn't they have internet access? Anyway. I'm guessing the Singles Day cards would be sent by friends the same way Friendship Day cards are sent by friends. It wasn't that hard a question, I don't know people couldn't accept that.

For me, this episode wasn't that great coz everyone seemed to be underperforming (not speaking out about rubbish ideas, ignoring other ideas, last minute pitches, stressing about apostrophes, not knowing how to answer simple questions...), whole thing wasn't very high calibre.

Ah well, at least the weaker candidates are getting whittled away.

P.S. Raef's doing well and all, but I keep thinking he's going to trip on his own tongue (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMh4yIb9l_U)...

P.S. Raef's doing well and all, but I keep thinking he's going to trip on his own tongue (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMh4yIb9l_U)...
I couldn't have said it better myself. It wouldn't surprise me is Raef did win actually.

People who I think might win and who I'd like to see win are Raef and Alex.

I did think Lee was an alright guy except we didn't see much of him but after seeing he way he laid into Sara I just thought he was a total git.
Sara could be stronger if she just spoke up and voiced her opinion more, she's far too quiet and I think she does have some good ideas.
Helene.... who the heck is she? Is it just me or is she always invisible and then suddenly you notice her in the boardroom or talking to the camera and you're like "Woah! Where did she come from?!"

If either of the Jenny lasses win, I'll scream. If Claire wins, I'll kick Sir Alan's butt myself and if Lucinda wins... well, Sir Alan's lost his marbles! Oh and Michael, he's just a dummy imo. Loved his boardroom win though, what a freeeeeak!

UK series 4 week 6 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJYULrev3Ig)

lol @ Jenny being fired on her birthday XD

I liked how Alan noticed her changing her story on what she knew :)

and then when she got in the taxi she acted like she didn't lie at all and it was all Michael lying :S

Although they were all completely ♥♥♥♥ in that task, i would have liked them all to go, bar Alex.

Lol @ Edinburgh isnt what it used to be

I agree with both Hinty and Lemon.

Btw, why the heck would Sir Alan care about it being Jenny's birthday???! She looked so bloody proud when she said that hahahahaha! :razz:

I'm soo glad Nick said Sara was really good and Lee loved her for that, you could tell. Btw, LOL @ Lee's alarm clock impressions...

Raef and Alex ftw. This was the best show so far.

/me watches the You're Fired show.

I love this show i want it to go on 4 ever:biggrin:

Super_man, you should watch the You're Fired show after The Apprentice, it's hilarious! Anyway, what a wowser... I can't believe Micheal talked himself out of being fired and changed Sir Alan's mind! :o Sir Alan's going all soft! Can you believe he was gonna fire two people for two weeks in a row? That would have been cool :smile:

I think Helene and Micheal should have been fired and yes, Sara was being bullied, but it could just be a helluva lot of attacks, poor thing. I'm glad she's learnt a lot about herself from this though, she's the sort to actually act on what she's learnt.

Best quotes from this episode:

Central London's near North London ~ Micheal

I would have got your head and pushed it in the bloody cake ~ Sir Alan

I think those people in a size 16 and 32 dress are size 16 and 32 for a reason; they love cake! ~ Raef

UK series 4 week 7 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=618wOxq5Xqw) lego clip, finally!

Lol, I got all excited thinking that Michael was going to get fired, too. Then you could see Sir Alan's head ticking :o

Personally.. I felt Michael should have gone out of the two. Why? Because I feel he's made a lot more slip ups than Sara. A lot of the time she was made to look bad because people would just pick on little things about her. But Michael has actually made some very, very crucial errors - for example, the kosher meat thing.

Sir Alan just has a thing for him and has given him yet another chance. I have a feeling he was thinking back to when he was 23 again, lol.

Alex.. I'm really liking the way he's working. You really do see the good side of him when he's not being stroppy. Do you remember the time when Simon was team leader and Alex was just not having it from the beginning? I've seen big improvements. If he keeps it up, I can see him going far. Alex and Raef are definitely now the favourites to win.

Sir Alan just has a thing for him and has given him yet another chance. I have a feeling he was thinking back to when he was 23 again, lol.


Snap. I reckon thats the only reason that hes still in it, he reminds him of himself when he was younger. Michael also reminds me alot of the guy who won it last year, (i think maybe Alan Sugar thought he reminded him of himself aswel) they're both really arrogant and full of it, but they always look nervous as ♥♥♥♥ and some how Alan Sugar lets them off.

I dont think theres many good people even in the series of the apprentice. Apart from Raef <3, Claire and Alex, possibly Lucinda.

Loved that "they love cake!" bit, haha :)

Ooooh, super quotes this episode lol! Raef running posh ahahhaha maaan, that guy's starting to grow on me. He looks good with his hair ruffled (when he picks up the phone) Anyway, I digressss...He did lose some charm when he put that bear suit on, though, lol.

Poor Sara for going but no big loss I think, she wouldn't have made it to the end coz she was too "demure" as one of the panelists said... But hey, she did say she wasn't too good working in a team, and wants to be her own boss so it's all good, I think.

Yeaah, and Michael... "slimeballs" his way outta most situations. Shocking. I'm not sure if I trust him though...I don't know when he's being truthful and when he's faking it. =\

Lucinda, wtg! And Lee, if he doesn't lose his temper he's good to go, but I think that's a risk and I have the feeling he's gonna lose it again.

Loved this epi coz it's getting so close to the end and wowzers only 7 left!

I felt sorry for Alex as he did a great job selling the wedding dresses yet still got comments from Sir Alan about being on the losing team yet again. I think he's been very unlucky in the team mates Sir Alan has dumped him with:mad:

Oh and Helene couldn't lead a conga line let alone a business team LOL

Lee is a bully and I hope someone shows Sir Alan that clip of him screaming at Sara. Shame really because so far he seems to be the only one who could manage his way out of a paper bag. Alex is a wuss, Claire talks too much, Lucinda's weird, Helene isn't a strategic thinker, Michael's a dishonest weasel (not to mention thick as two short planks)... which only leaves Raef, who really needs a new dressing-gown, the one he has already was fashionable in 1920.

Oh i forgot! Lucinda's pyjamas! LMAO..!! funneh
i just crease every time i see them, shes so weird! but is growing on me :D

I wanna see Lucinda and Raef in the finals.

/me gets a box of "I ♥ my tissues" out for Katie.Lemon.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!

*SCREAMS AT THE TELEVISION*

*CRIES AND MOANS*

*REFUSES TO WATCH ANOTHER EPISODE*

(that would be an exact replica of my reaction)

How did Michael get away with it again!!! its all his fault i haaaaaaate him! :mad::mad::mad::mad:



Edit: hahahaha NoHints.

Lol, Hinty ^

<rant>

What on EARTH happened?!
My jaw dropped when I heard that Raef was fired :|
Why, God. Why?

I can completely understand his reasons for wanting to fire Raef, BUT.. I just felt Michael deserved to be fired more. Especially with all his chances. End of. He SHOULDN'T BE THERE NOW! Grrr.

Dang it! Rawwr.

>.<

</rant>

Ok, Raef's team screwed up, they could have worked "antibacterial tissues" in the advert. But the name SUCKED. Why did anyone listen to Claire??!

OMG Raef fired??? I'm speechless.
Micheal. Must. Kill.
Sir Alan. Lost. Marbles.

UK Series 4 Week 8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSVluKFINs4) these amuse me :smile:

Hah, first time I've seen Michael actually be honest in the boardroom and not squirm and whimper, and hey, it worked... coz Raef talked too much and lost his cred. Guess he did trip over his own tongue. Seriously, Raef should have shut up...I grew pretty sick of listening to him trying to defend himself. I thought Raef was growing on me, but that was when he actually had something interesting to say. This time he seemed to talk far too much. Claire surprisingly didn't say much... oh well.

I thought the box was pretty and went really well with the ad, and yes the ad was very nicely done too, but I guess it was far too subtle... I mean, they're tissues :rolleyes: they can't be too beautiful. Hmmm, but as an afterthought, if I had to buy tissues at the store, and they were both priced the same, I'd go for the I ♥ my tissues one, because it's more discreet xD

I don't know, though... I'm a little torn. This episode was the most unclear for me. I was pretty surprised at how poor Lee's speech was, and I'm wondering why Sir Alan didn't put Michael in charge of this project... a part of me thinks that Sir Alan doubted Michael's ability to carry off this task and so he decided to test posh boy Raef with a common, filthy product instead...

and Raef fell for it hook, line and sinker :sad:

Lucinda ftw.

Lucinda was probably the only one talking sense last night and the two guys totally dismissed her. :mad:

Lucinda was probably the only one talking sense last night and the two guys totally dismissed her. :mad:

Indeed. I think they were dismissing her, because they didn't like the way that she was putting her views across, but that's still no reason to dismiss her ideas. She spoke so much sense.

Alex started doing that thing again (that I hadn't seen him do for quite some time now), where he sort of acts like he doesn't give a darn, and easily gives up on people before giving them a chance. He did that with Simon, and did it with Lucinda this time (even though he said he'd never worked with her before). But then he started thinking good things of her as the day went on. And then back to negative. I just don't like seeing Alex when he gives up on people before giving them a chance. That's his biggest flaw on him. I feel if he had a bit more positivity in him, he could easily go further.

I like Lucinda. I find her honest, and she doesn't really play the game that some others do - that is, going to the point of lying, just to save their backs. I'd be happy if she wins because she has a nice balance in her.

What really did surprise me about Michael's comments to Sir Alan, "Everything good that you saw has been from me", is that I expected Sir Alan to reply with something so negative! I thought he was going to say he's had enough of his talk, lol. I did find it a bit cheeky to take credit for ALL the good things in that advertisement :| But then when you break it down, and look at it closer, a lot of the ideas did come from him.. so..err..yeah.. dunno what I'm saying ;P

I just still think Michael's time was up, purely because he's messed up more than enough times to not be there now (when you compare him to Raef). That's my biggest reason. But also the fact that he sees himself in Michael. It seems to give him an advantage over everyone else (at the moment..).

Important reminder to all 'The Apprentice' addicts

The Apprentice is on tonight, Tuesday 27th May at 9:00pm for this week only. Not tomorrow!

Although theres no point in watching it, now Raefs gone.

FINALLY!!!! MICHEAL IS GONE! :razz::razz::razz::razz:
Helene should have gone too, I told you, she just *pops up*.
Claire should have gone too though, she bugs me so much!

That team was made up of members who should have been fired a long time ago.

Woooooooooooooooosh!!! byebye Michael :D

I think that team was doomed to fail with Lee and Alex being on the same opposite team.
Really like Claire and Alex now, hopefully they'll be the final 2 :)

Id like to see,,,, claire and lee in the final.

Oh my Lord.

Lee is such an ugh! Lee pass-the-buck McQueen. He knew Lucinda was the weakest link in this task and boy did he do what he could to make sure she would fail gloriously. Conveniently forgetting that Lucinda had the raffle idea, making Lucinda make the call on whether to sell raffles, sending Lucinda off to sell when she wasn't comfortable with it (and might I add, going back on his fricking word coz he said she wouldn't be alone, then dropping her when the moment came), being a blah about her shadowing him and not helping her in anyway whatsoever... OK, Lucinda should be able to stand on her own two feet, but they're still a team, and in this task it was more like Alex and Lee were one team and Lucinda was the other. Sheesh. He should've gone. That's what I'm talking about!

As for Michael leaving, thank God. He can sooo pull off those puppy-dog eyes and I was actually in two minds about him, but now that he's gone, I'm glad. Young as he may be with his "glimmers of brilliance", he's shown an untrustworthy side to him in previous tasks and he needs a few more years to grow up. Don't think he would've been able to handle the pressure of working for Sir Alan for a whole year anyway.

Helen, it was nice to see her stand up for herself. The Mona Lisa comment made me smile.

Sad to see Lucinda go but she was never the one to win. I did watch the BBC2 show and she made some very interesting points about how things changed with Lee when Alex joined the team. I now believe Alex to be a real snake and I think it could come down to Lee or Claire but Lee's lies on his CV might yet finish him off.

Hahaha, the "im not gunna sit here like a bit fat Lemon" --- Well dont dress like one then!!

I think lee and clare will be the last 2 in,, but clare to win.:razz:

Hahaha, the "im not gunna sit here like a bit fat Lemon" --- Well dont dress like one then!!
I said the exact same thing! Dude, who on Earth wears that to an interview?? Sheesh, I thought I was bad, rofl.

I felt so bad for Lee when he started his interview off by doing that reverse terradactile impression. Silly man should have said no, although the interviewer did think it was good.

I dunno if anyone saw that final five episode but I really felt sorry for Lee in that. That said, I don't think I want him to win, yeah that mistake on his CV with the 2 years/4 months may have been accidental, but seriously, how could you make that mistake? :S

The winner is either out of Claire and Lee or Alex and Helene because that's how they're paired next week.
I still don't like Claire even though she has admittedly come a long way, but she's bugs me so much. I think I'd like to see Alex win. He has been strong throughout the whole thing, he doesn't lose his temper, which is extremely important and he really is a people person. I don't think anyone could dislike or hate him tbh.

That said, I don't think I want him to win, yeah that mistake on his CV with the 2 years/4 months may have been accidental, but seriously, how could you make that mistake? :S


It wasn't a mistake it was a lie pure and simple and he got caught.

I think I'd like to see Alex win. He has been strong throughout the whole thing, he doesn't lose his temper, which is extremely important and he really is a people person. I don't think anyone could dislike or hate him tbh.

I think both shows last night really gave a lot of insight into what a devious person Alex really is. I know none of them are angels and all are extremely ambitious to win but I don't like his underhanded tactics.

If Alex wins the task... hes won, and i think he knows it. He looked propper smug when he got paired with her on the clip of next weeks.
I want him or claire to win now anyways though :D

This is inevitably going to be one of those polls where I wait until the end and click the winner. :razz:

All's fair in love and business... what matters is if the winner delivers, if they're up to the job. How they got there is just ingenuity to get them an opportunity in a competitive field.

I thought when i voted, it was inevitable that Raef was going to win :((((((
Who by the way.. BACK NEXT WEEK!! WOOOOOOP!

And i disagree :P i want people to win for the sake of saying that they won.. i dont actually care if they're any good at the job or not.

And i disagree :P i want people to win for the sake of saying that they won.. i dont actually care if they're any good at the job or not.

At the risk of spamming... LOL! :biggrin:

I thought when i voted, it was inevitable that Raef was going to win :((((((
Who by the way.. BACK NEXT WEEK!! WOOOOOOP!
After my previous post I went down and saw the local paper and Raef was in it. He was visiting some woman in my area with a strange obsession. I think if you lived where I did you'd stalk him Katie :P

"I know that you've been fired, but I've changed my mind. Raef, you're hired."

There's no chance that Sir Alan will be saying that, but I'm going to keep hoping anyway... where has logic ever taken anyone anyway?

I can't help but think that Claire will be hired, regardless of how I can't stand her. Very much hoping that Lee will pull through for me and win it though. :)

Am I the only one that doesn't like that there are 4 in the finals? He said they all deserved to be there, which is true, I guess, 'cause he found it hard to fire 2 more.. but at the same time, do they deserve to be split into two teams, which means there could be a case of "unjust" losing? What I mean by that is that one team could lose only slightly. And in that team could be the person that worked the best (more so than the actual winning team), but the other team member (and ex-members) may have let them down a bit. It just doesn't feel like a fair way of losing (and therefore missing out on being the apprentice) I just hope that doesn't happen..

Alex - I personally feel he's playing some clever tactics. It's true.. Lucinda and Lee have been working well, until the point that Alex joined in, in the last few tasks and caused some sort of friction between Lucinda and Lee. I could be wrong, but I get the impression that Alex knows that Lee is up there in the competition, and therefore was "attached" to him somewhat, in the last few tasks. They both have a lot to offer. What I also dislike about Alex is that he can get incredibly grumpy when he doesn't get things his way, or doesn't like a member - like I've said in my previous posts. Maybe he's too used to working on his own to an extent, I dunno. Everything else about him other than the negatives that I've stated? I like him. Purely 'cause I feel he does have what it takes. He is hard working. He does know how to sell.

Lee - Okay, he lied, and that sent him down a few notches in my book. But to be honest.. how bad has he been throughout the whole series? He's actually been the best candidate. Minus the fact that he was bullying Sara a bit, and spoke rudely to Lucinda a few times.. he does have the skills and motivation. I really don't like the fact that he lied in his CV, but I'm also glad that he said why. He did say he was ashamed of his education. I was surprised to see that someone on Sir Alan's team even said he's lied before on his CV. So maybe Sir Alan will take that into account, as maybe not such a negative thing, if he sees a lot more positive things in him. I felt really bad for him for those spelling mistakes, but I have a feeling it's why he feels so intimidated about education/educated people. Worried that their education will be taken into account more so than his, and he probably feels bad about that because he feels he's a great business guy.

Claire - Argh. She has improved a lot, and sells very well. But again, like one of Sir Alan's team members said, is she doing it to impress you knowing that you don't like it. I never saw it from that perspective before. I mean, she did start talking a lot in one of the interviews, heh. I get the impression that Sir Alan knows that Claire does deliver and do well, but you can tell he's worried about having her in his business. For that reason, I'd be surprised if she gets hired. I keep reading and hearing that she's one of the favourites to win! I just don't see it though :S She's good, don't get me wrong, but I think her personality is something that worries Sir Alan. I just can't see her working for him..

Helane - I dunno about her. I haven't seen enough of her to really give a judgement :S I don't think she deserves to win though. I think others have done some great, outstanding things, but I haven't seen anything like that from her yet. And that's why I find it though saying much about her. That said, I admire her for the way she changed her life (as did a few others).

For those of you who missed it, there was a program on last week, about the final five (when Lucinda was in it still). And you can find it here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/page/item/b00byg9n.shtml?src=ip_mlt (please note it'll only be on there for a few more days!). I think it gives a bigger insight to each person.

Yeah, MrsNerd, I agree that it's strange to have two finalists in each team for the final. Naturally they'd have the fired candidates on their teams anyway, but like you say for another finalist to lose it for you would be awful. However, it got me thinking, for the final doesn't Sir Alan choose who wins the task himself anyway? So if he wanted one candidate to win, he would just say that their team wins? Even if it does make it seem a little unfair to have to share the final, I'm sure that it will make it all the more exciting.

I'm just looking forward to seeing them bring back Raef and Simon. =D Last year I really felt that that Rory fellow won the task for Michael, and he was fired in the second week or so... I'd put money on Raef being the first pick for the teams. =)

Yeah, MrsNerd, I agree that it's strange to have two finalists in each team for the final. Naturally they'd have the fired candidates on their teams anyway, but like you say for another finalist to lose it for you would be awful. However, it got me thinking, for the final doesn't Sir Alan choose who wins the task himself anyway? So if he wanted one candidate to win, he would just say that their team wins?

Ah, I see what you mean. If that does happen, then it does help the situation somewhat. I just thought that he'd go with whoever comes back with the most money (if the task entails that..). If that is the case, then I still stick by it not being too fair :/

I'd love to see Raef and Simon back, too. Simon especially. I thought there was something terribly polite about him and also hard working. You could tell Sir Alan had a soft spot for him :P Why he had a bigger soft spot for Michael was beyond me.. O_O From the clips that I've seen for the final, it looks like both Alex and Lee mess up the presentations a bit. :S

BTW.. the highlight of Wednesdays episode? When one of Sir Alan's trusted interviewers winked at him at the end, and he said "p*ss off!* Ha! Classic.

BTW.. the highlight of Wednesdays episode? When one of Sir Alan's trusted interviewers winked at him at the end, and he said "p*ss off!* Ha! Classic.

Heh, yeah, that was a good bit. I'd have to go for how that same interviewer scorned Lee about how neither he nor Sir Alan would find the pterodactyl impersonation amusing, but then said in the board room "between you and me, it was a fantastic impression". :biggrin: Maybe if Sir Alan doesn't hire Lee, that fellow will take him on just so he can have him do it for him each morning.

Heh, yeah, that was a good bit. I'd have to go for how that same interviewer scorned Lee about how neither he nor Sir Alan would find the pterodactyl impersonation amusing, but then said in the board room "between you and me, it was a fantastic impression". :biggrin: Maybe if Sir Alan doesn't hire Lee, that fellow will take him on just so he can have him do it for him each morning.

lol! I was surprised that the interviewer reacted the way he did. Saying that he wished he was gonna say "no, I'm not going to do this, it's an interview", 'cause in some ways it actually shows no fear in him. He's gutsy. Not afraid to make a fool out of himself, and isn't "too serious", and let's face it, you can't be serious all the time - even when working for Sir Alan (I hope, lol). So although they were hoping he wouldn't do it, I was quite impressed that he did :P

For those of you who haven't seen it, there was a 'The Weakest Link' special with past apprentice candidates. It's available on BBC iPlayer, here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/page/item/b00c0c4d.shtml?q=the+weakest+link&start=1&scope=iplayersearch&go=Find+Programmes&version_pid=b00c0byy

Downfall is that it's only there for 2 more days (which in a few hours of this post will be 1 more day, lol)

/me goes to watch it now

Yayayayayayayay!! Lee won! :razz:
If you ain't seen it yet, "oops", I just spoilt it for you :P :twisted:

In your face, Claire! Aww, but poor Alex, he cried :(
It was kinda funny if you heard me and my other two sisters cheer when Lee won, it was like blokes watching footie, hehe

Gutted that Lee won!
Awwww Alex!! He's only 24 you know.. ;)
and Claire!! :(((

They were both so much better than him..! I dont understand how he won. All his good qualities were better qualities of Claires! And she really had gotten better.

What a lame ending to the lame series which got lame as soon as Raef left.

What a lame ending to the lame series which got lame as soon as Raef left. Lol :P

Admittedly Claire did improve so much but she's so annoying. Btw, was it my imagination but did she look like she was crying because she though she'd won it?

Nerdy's not seen it yet and she's on MSN so I'm tormenting her about who won. I told her Micheal won and she almost believed it lol, so much for being "nerdy" :twisted: I've now told her Heleeclairex won :rolleyes:

That was so unfair, clare was the winner in all ways.
Its a shame that clare dident win she worked harder for it, and improved more as well.
Its all crap anyway tv ratings and stuff the winner was chosen months ago.

Wooooooooooh! That was a bloody emotional ending to the apprentice, lol. So tough because there were 4 good candidates there.

I loved the Dual idea. Very clever. I thought their advert was definitely the best out of the two. It was great seeing the person changing. The brand name fit the advert really well. But dang it.. I'm so shocked that they overlooked the pricing of it :| I had a feeling it would end that way, that both teams were going to do well, but one team would lose (and a bit unfairly 'cause it wasn't going to be 'fair' all the way), and it did happen. I felt as much as Alex was always so grumpy in all the tasks, this final task was actually his strongest. I can understand why he kept questioning if Helane was panicking and it was because of the tone in her voice.

That said, I do feel Lee should have won, and I'm glad he did. He was by far the strongest candidate throughout the whole thing, as was Claire. One thing at the back of my head that I couldn't let drop was the fact that he was such a bully to Sara at the house. That seemed so unforgivable in my eyes. However, he explained his reasons here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/page/item/b00cbhb6.shtml?src=ip_potpw (in the 'you're HIRED' show, for those who haven't seen it), and now I understand why he did it. I realise that he didn't mean to be a bully (if he is being sincere, which I think he is). He likes to motivate people, but it just went a little wrong there.

I was surprised to see that all the previous candidates worked so well and really wanted to make their managers win their tasks. Kevin, for me was a bit of a surprise. I saw a lot in him, and it did make me think.. did he go too early? Obviously, it was deserved when he did go. But you can see also that he's got a lot to him, that we didn't see in the previous tasks.

Did anyone have a lump in their throat when they saw Alex crying in the car? What is it about men crying? :| *gulps* It was sad, 'cause you could see how much he wanted this. Also, Claire crying was sad too. I have to say the changes in her were great, and she did keep her cool in the final. He presentation was excellent. But like I said previously.. I would be shocked if she wins 'cause you could see Sir Alan having doubts in his mind about her personality and her fitting into his business. And did anyone else notice how she was indirectly making Lee look like someone who crumbles under pressure? You could see she meant him, lol. Sure, he did crumble. But he went away and worked WELL and practiced so hard and made it work! That's what matters.

All in all, out of all the candidates, it comes down to who will fit well in his business and work hard for him. As much as Claire was hard working, etc Lee definitely looked like the more likely candidate to work for him. You could just see it.

And than you, AJ for not ruining it for me, lol. :D Darn. No more apprentice :(

CAW! CAW!

Wehey! Woo! Fantastic final. I was a bit apprehensive as to whether the two finalists per team would work but it went very well, and made excellent viewing. Extremely happy with the result. :biggrin:

Claire possibly did better in the tasks, but the real job will hardly be a case of "Lee, today, you're going to be selling socks to Lithuanians" or some obscure scenario, it'll be working a regular job, and I daresay that Lee would be an excellent employee for a real job. I'm happy that Claire didn't win. I thought that she would, but I hoped like heckers that Lee would. I bet everyone watching who worked for Sir Alan was thinking "if he hires that Claire, she'd better not be working next to me". I found her so infuriating. If I had to work with her, I would die. I would actually, clinically die.

I loved the Dual idea. I liked the Dual idea too. Maybe Sir Alan should have hired the designer who came up with it as his apprentice... although he DEFINITELY SHOULDN'T have done that, as Lee needed to win.

One last thing; I won a bet with one of my friends. I had Raef down as being picked for the teams before Simon. Raef was picked before him alright, but what was the deal with Jenny being the first pick? If you have first pick surely that means "Wow, I get to have Raef!". JENNY?

...

CAW!

Urgh..
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/pressass/20080617/ten-claire-criticises-apprentice-winner-5f8abb3.html

/slap

Urgh indeed. I didn't like Claire anyway, but I seriously didn't think that she'd do something like that. I find it quite funny, though, that she's preaching about nobility and how she has standards, and she's preaching it to HEAT MAGAZINE. I know that they pay a lot, but so does Sir Alan. I thought that it was a funny parallel, as I'd say that jabbering your hoop of a clack about how she ought to have won to Heat Magazine is on par with being a cleaner. I'd say that there's less shame in being a cleaner than what she has done here; by far.