Dragons Den

flyswatter

DD has been my favourite show for years. Anyone else a fan?

thats_life

Would be my favourite but up there. the follow up shows are good, 'a year later'. Peter Jones is definitely the best dragon.

jaffa20

woop i love it and it's on now on bbc2

ronnie3585

Love the show, really enjoy how the Dragons have such distain for the common man! I recently read a article saying the Dragons Den had 'jumped the shark', I disagree.

Morgans

Decent program, but one the best dragons. I agree Peter Jones appears to have the best savvy. On the worst.....shouldnt Deborah Meadon have a "TOKEN" label written accross her forehead. Ok, so she doesnt commit much money, no crime in that. I could go in, sit as a "dragon" and automatically not invest in anyone, but I cant actually remember her initiating any intelligent questions either. She seems to wait for the other dragons to expose their misgivings, then she agrees without any analysis.

Apologies, that has been bugging me for a while.

Mossy Monk

Morgans wrote: »

Decent program, but one the best dragons. I agree Peter Jones appears to have the best savvy. On the worst.....shouldnt Deborah Meadon have a "TOKEN" label written accross her forehead. Ok, so she doesnt commit much money, no crime in that. I could go in, sit as a "dragon" and automatically not invest in anyone, but I cant actually remember her initiating any intelligent questions either. She seems to wait for the other dragons to expose their misgivings, then she agrees without any analysis.

Apologies, that has been bugging me for a while.

She gave 125,000 tonight.

Yakuza

Morgans wrote: »

Decent program, but one the best dragons. I agree Peter Jones appears to have the best savvy. On the worst.....shouldnt Deborah Meadon have a "TOKEN" label written accross her forehead. Ok, so she doesnt commit much money, no crime in that. I could go in, sit as a "dragon" and automatically not invest in anyone, but I cant actually remember her initiating any intelligent questions either. She seems to wait for the other dragons to expose their misgivings, then she agrees without any analysis.

Apologies, that has been bugging me for a while.

I disagree - if the people making the pitch are in the entertainment field, she's fairly savvy with her line of questioning. Still, the word "harridan" does come to mind when she opens her yap, mind

Morgans

Mossy Monk wrote: »

She gave 125,000 tonight.

Yes, unfortunate timing. I think one of three investments that she has made to date (mentioned on Something for the Weekend a few weeks ago). It should be noted, that she was one of three dragons willing to invest in that product tonight. She was first in though which was a surprise.

Thomas_S_Hunterson

Morgans wrote: »

On the worst.....shouldnt Deborah Meadon have a "TOKEN" label written accross her forehead.

Then there's the suspicious swap of Richard Farleigh, whom I liked, for James Kahn, who's arguably a lesser personality and less personable, but has got the PC wow factor.

BaZmO*

Sean_K wrote: »

Then there's the suspicious swap of Richard Farleigh, whom I liked, for James Kahn, who's arguably a lesser personality and less personable, but has got the PC wow factor.

Yeah, I could never understand why they got rid of Farleigh. He always seemed to invest in the people that turned up, at least one a week it would seem. He also tended to get the other Dragon's back's up by bidding against them, probably one of the reasons why he got the boot.

Dont be at yourself

James Caan will invest in absolutely anything.

Duncan gets my vote. He seems able to get right to the crux of it in no time.

zuutroy

It's kind of a tired formula now at this stage:
1. Your product is ridiculous and it'll never work, you're a deluded mad scientist.
2. Your company is way over-valued, lol gtfo.
3. You have another company, why do you want our investment?

They also come across as very ignorant at times but I suppose this is necessary for TV and true of most succesful business people, but the most annoying thing is how they ask the 'constestant' a question and then refuse to let him answer it and just berate himinstead.

Clare_Guy

i've only started watching the show lately and am starting to get into it, yer man theo paph-blah-blah seems like an aggressive little bast*rd!?!

They gave the fella with the "green" pcs a right doing last night, valuing his "brand" at £5 million was delusional but he didn't deserve to be attacked like that...

ekevosu

Clare_Guy wrote: »

i've only started watching the show lately and am starting to get into it, yer man theo paph-blah-blah seems like an aggressive little bast*rd!?!

They gave the fella with the "green" pcs a right doing last night, valuing his "brand" at £5 million was delusional but he didn't deserve to be attacked like that...

In fairness to Peter Jones he knew his stuff and was able to argue his point very convincingly.

They do tend to bully the contestants in terms of equity etc when they do decide to invest and you'll usually get a dragon assuring the inventor that the other dragon has offered them a superb deal even when it appears to the viewer that they've just been pillaged....still they wouldn't have got to where they are without that trait.

BaZmO*

I do like the show but I do also think there's something sinister, almost vulture like, the way the Dragons are there to pounce on a good idea for a large share of the company. I know their experience is extremely valuable to someone starting out but they're no mugs either and really pile the pressure on for the candidates to decide when a deal is on the table. That's probably why so many deals fall through when the cameras stop rolling.

Trevor Baylis (British Inventor and inventor of the clockwork radio) has publicly slated the show too. However, it's a bit of a catch 22 in the sense that if the Dragons don't invest the business's could just stagnate and not make very much money and if they do invest, albeit for a very large share of the company, it could potentially make an awful lot of money for the candidate.

Cyrus

well i would always say, its better to own a little piece of something big than a big piece of something little

if any of the people appearing on DD could make it alone they would have, but they havent and thats why they are there.

to be fair they dont take any more than any other venture capitalist would want

Cyrus

guys when is this repeated?

Boots09

Sunday evening from 7 to 8 on the bbc i think it is repeated!

Sherifu

Always enjoyed watching this show. Always liked Peter Jones's style.

Eoin

I'm glad they got rid of Rachal Elnaugh; she had no credibility at all.

I try to keep an eye out for the stuff that does get invested in, the "reggae reggae sauce" is probably the most high profile one I've seen recently.

Theo Paphitis was quite funny when he went through a phase of just trying to break any invention by stamping on it, and then say it wasn't manufactured well.

It's getting a little tired now though I think. The little weird chap downstairs who looks like Gollum could do with new lines. You could play a drinking game based on the number of times he says "dramatic turn-around".

magnumlady

I really like the show, Deborah is a bit of an odd one though, she always looks like she's rolling a bogie around!:D

DirkVoodoo

Class show, have a good deal of respect for all the current Dragons, but I do miss Richard Farleigh (he was fantastic when Ryan Tubridy interviewed him on the radio awhile ago, really interesting chap). They are all fair, if brutally honest at times.

It always amazes me at some of the offers for investment people turn down. These guys see so much that to spark their interest means they will devote some time to their investment, and a dragon on your side is worth a lot!

Great show, better than all the other reality crap out there.

aidan_walsh

Good show, but the commentator/announcer/narrator annoys the crap out of me by times.

homah_7ft

I'll tell you where I am on this

I enjoy Dragon's Den a lot. It always seems to generate genuine drama.

Holsten

Brilliant show.

Love the people with just stupid, stupid inventions and have the Dragons tear into them.

Eoin

From wikipedia - even Farleigh doesn't know why he was dropped:

The Daily Mail suggested he may have been dropped in order to have a new dragon from an ethnic minority. Farleigh said, "It would be disappointing if that was the reason - rather than anything fundamental - if it was because I was the wrong colour. I don't know why this has happened and I am very disappointed and bemused - I wasn't expecting it because all the feedback I got was very positive. I had even moved back to the UK to focus on commitments for the show. I am gutted that I have not been invited back"

Looking back at the people they've dropped, Farleigh is the only I would miss seeing on the show. I really didn't like Simon Woodroffe or Rachel Elnaugh. The two of them came across as one hit wonders. I don't remember Doug Richard too well.

Charlie

Doug Richard was my favorite. Brilliant with his words, managing to tear someone a new one in about 2 sentences, and he always seemed bang on with his industry knowledge.

Used to be a fan of Peter Jones, but kinda going off him lately, as I think he is starting to see himself as the 'Simon Cowell' of the show.

Agree with those who dislike the presenter, he comes out with the most generic statements, and has a weird 'glazed' look on his face all the time.

Best pitch I ever saw was for that Wonderland magazine. Chap knew his shit inside out, and had the dragons clambering over him, for an investment (magazine) which is a cutthroat industry.

Mimikyu

This post has been deleted.

Eoin

charlie mchugh wrote: »

Agree with those who dislike the presenter, he comes out with the most generic statements, and has a weird 'glazed' look on his face all the time.

I'm in all favour of experts rather than Z list celebrities fronting these shows, but I don't think they got the right guy in this case. At least it's not Ant & Dec I suppose.

charlie mchugh wrote: »

Best pitch I ever saw was for that Wonderland magazine. Chap knew his shit inside out, and had the dragons clambering over him, for an investment (magazine) which is a cutthroat industry.

I remember that, but I don't think there was a bidding war by any means. Good to see it's still going though, I'd say the success rate for magazines must be very low.

PurpleBerry

Clare_Guy wrote: »

theo paph-blah-blah

Oh hello there Jade Goody, have you spoken to "Shilpa Poppadom" recently?

barnicles

charlie mchugh wrote: »

Used to be a fan of Peter Jones, but kinda going off him lately, as I think he is starting to see himself as the 'Simon Cowell' of the show.

Agree with those who dislike the presenter, he comes out with the most generic statements, and has a weird 'glazed' look on his face all the time.

+1

Degsy

I think its a great show.The drgaons arent soem celebrity half-wits dragged off the street to insult people's ideas,they are the real deal.

A lot of people feel they're being raped when it comes to percentages but they're missing the point.
The dragons have money,expertise and connections.One show a guy turned down an offer from Theo because he thought the margin he wanted was too high.
What he didnt realise was the Theo had friends the length and breath of the country that could've had his product in the shops overnight.
Likewise,old Skinflint Scotsman Duncan,intimated that some bloke would never make it because he had more money and would put him out of business.
Its an excellent,if slightly dramatised insight into how business works.

Clare_Guy

Neesa wrote: »

Oh hello there Jade Goody, have you spoken to "Shilpa Poppadom" recently?

my spelling of his name was down to laziness not "racialism". i have nothing against greeks, in fact i think everyone should have at least one!!

ziedth

aidan_walsh wrote: »

Good show, but the commentator/announcer/narrator annoys the crap out of me by times.

It's a dramatic turnaround Aidan's Admission has stunned the dragons what will peter jones say to get the pitch back to business

Ya he wrecks my head 2 but TBH its one of my favourite shows on telly.

qwytre

My favourite show, the only one I can't miss.

I think Theo is the best, he seems well grounded and threats people with respect. He is the only one I could work with I reckon.

Duncan, whats the point of this guy anymore, he always looks bored, declares himself out at the earliest point and is an arrogant whatever.

Dragons Den always makes me want to go off and work for myself.

Mr E

qwytre wrote: »

..threats people with respect.

heh... I think you mean treats.

Pigletlover

Clare_Guy wrote: »

They gave the fella with the "green" pcs a right doing last night, valuing his "brand" at £5 million was delusional but he didn't deserve to be attacked like that...

I agree, it got a bit personal. Peter Jones argued his point well, he obviously knew what he was talking about, but I thought the Dragon who spoke after him (Duncan maybe?) pulled a cheap blow.

BurnsCarpenter

Have there been any follow up shows giving an update on how the new partnerships are progressing?
Would be interesting.

Utopia Parkway

Duncan Bannatyne has nearly overtaken Deborah Meaden as the worst dragon at this stage. He looks permanently disinterested and looks ready to declare "I'm out" before most of the pitches are even completed. he hasn't invested in anything recently until last night and he only invested last night because James Caan beside him made the connection between the company they own and your man's product.

Eoin

BurnsCarpenter wrote: »

Have there been any follow up shows giving an update on how the new partnerships are progressing?
Would be interesting.

There have been a couple of those episodes that I remember. They covered the guy who had disposable umbrella dispensers in the tube, but the deal fell through. He was still on his own when they aired the follow up.

Wonderland magazine was featured also; I think around the time it was launched. Reggae Reggae sauce covered as well; you've probably seen the subway adverts. I think they also featured deals with a girl who made dolls, and another one who made jewellery.

Dman001

James Caan is the best. He keeps his cool and he doesn't insult anyone.

byte

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

Duncan Bannatyne has nearly overtaken Deborah Meaden as the worst dragon at this stage. He looks permanently disinterested and looks ready to declare "I'm out" before most of the pitches are even completed. he hasn't invested in anything recently until last night and he only invested last night because James Caan beside him made the connection between the company they own and your man's product.

And with that deal, they take 50% of the company. It's a massive lump of equity to lose, though considering the success of the chocbox, it may be a financially good idea in the long term.

Eoin

byte wrote: »

And with that deal, they take 50% of the company. It's a massive lump of equity to lose, though considering the success of the chocbox, it may be a financially good idea in the long term.

Was this the cable-tie product? I don't think there's much doubt that the guy will do much better financially in partnership with the dragons, but that actually just felt predatory last night.

The guy had to pay some equity out of his own share to his previous backers, so now doesn't even own half of the company he built from nothing.

byte

Yeah, the cable-tie guy. He did lose quite a bit alright.

Random

Really like this show (having only started watching this season!). Can't stand the presenter / golum guy. He seems to have no personality and doesn't seem to add anything to the show in my books.

I like how people are made to defend their ideas / inventions while being attacked by the dragons .. it really shows who knows their stuff and who doesn't.

ElNino

random wrote: »

Really like this show (having only started watching this season!). Can't stand the presenter / golum guy. He seems to have no personality and doesn't seem to add anything to the show in my books.

I agree. He is a complete waste of space. Does he have to keep reminding us about how many dragons are in and out? Talk about stating the bloody obvious. :mad:

Dman001 wrote:

James Caan is the best. He keeps his cool and he doesn't insult anyone.

I often feel sorry for him as he misses out on a lot of deals due to not being as well known as the other dragons. He must make more offers than any of the other dragons.

BaZmO*

Dman001 wrote: »

James Caan is the best. He keeps his cool and he doesn't insult anyone.

He was great in the Godfather too.

token56

Great show I agree with some of the others that the Dragons do bully an awful lot but I guess its there show and they are going to get the best offer they can like all good business men.

I imagine though alot of offers after the show might not actually go through with things like peolpe during the pitch making false claims of sales etc.

Eoin

token56 wrote: »

I imagine though alot of offers after the show might not actually go through with things like peolpe during the pitch making false claims of sales etc.

Yeah, I think it's been mentioned that a good few deals don't get finalised once they get down to the details afterwards.

I remember one couple who had some online business, and I think they were made to move their offices into Theo's building rather than work from home - so I guess those sort of conditions could be deal breakers for some people.

TvWatcher

brilliant show. the thinking man's apprentice?

Random

eoin_s wrote: »

Yeah, I think it's been mentioned that a good few deals don't get finalised once they get down to the details afterwards.

I remember one couple who had some online business, and I think they were made to move their offices into Theo's building rather than work from home - so I guess those sort of conditions could be deal breakers for some people.

Always wondered how these things worked out. Obviously it's not a binding contract when they speak for the cameras but at what point can they back out?