The Apprentice (IRL) Post Show Discussion

Sizzler

I was going to start a new thread but probably no point ? (Mods?)

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There has been a lot of critique on all of these threads since the show was announced some 6 months ago and no doubt some people have changed their opinions on the show having seen it over the past few weeks but I was curious to know what people thought of it now that its over.

Try and forget about measuring it up against the UK & US versions, both are very different so theres no point harping on about them! Try and answer the questions independently based on what you saw on the Irish version

I have my own opinions on the below, anybody who read my posts throughout the course of the series probably know what I thought of it anyway


1 - What did you think of the show overall?

2 - Did Cullen do a good job as the hiring executive?

3 - Could you take Cullen seriously?

4 - Would you bring him back for another series?

5 - Would you watch this if they were to bring it back next year?

6 - What would you change for the next series?

7 - Would you be tempted to go on the show next time?

8 - What did you make of Bill's two "advisors"?

9 - Did the constant product placement pi$$ you off?

10 - Would you actually have hired any of the contestants in your place of work?

Red Sleeping Beauty

1 - What did you think of the show overall?

There were some genuine entertaining moments but overall it dragged on a bit long.


2 - Did Cullen do a good job as the hiring executive?

Well that's neither here nor there. People don't get hired to jobs like this, he was playing the part of an executive I thought. In that part he was inconsistence and hypocritcal.


3 - Could you take Cullen seriously?

No. One week someone's fired for breaking the rules , next week he berrates someone for not breaking the law and a winning team was disqualified on a rubbish technicality.


4 - Would you bring him back for another series?

Nope. I'd like to see someone with some more charisma or character. Someone like Duncan Banantyne.


5 - Would you watch this if they were to bring it back next year?

Nope, doubt it. Maybe if I was bored but I wouldn't make a habit of it.


6 - What would you change for the next series?

I don't know, I'm not a production executive. The show is a glorified advertisement for various products. If there was some way of making it without the ads and adding some integrity or actual professional realism then I'd interested.


7 - Would you be tempted to go on the show next time?

No.


8 - What did you make of Bill's two "advisors"?

Scary. One has a face of melted plastic and the other is an emotionless robot. Look at the UK Dragon's Den to see what type of millionaires or business people make for good TV.



9 - Did the constant product placement pi$$ you off?

Yep. And I'd probably not buy any of them. Wouldn't be surprised if Garmin paid someone a few extra bob for such a notoriously difficult/impossible task.



10 - Would you actually have hired any of the contestants in your place of work?

I'm an average basic worker myself not an employer.

BolBill

1 - What did you think of the show overall?

As i've said before, for a TV3 production, it was great TV.


2 - Did Cullen do a good job as the hiring executive?

I think he was good but very inconsistant. You could see he cared about what he was doing though. I suppose i would be too if I had to hand over €100,000 for a years work.


3 - Could you take Cullen seriously?

Mostly yes.


4 - Would you bring him back for another series?

No. I'd like to see someone else.


5 - Would you watch this if they were to bring it back next year?

Yes, very much so.


6 - What would you change for the next series?

Less ads and more thought put into the tasks. More behind the scenes footage too might be nice.


7 - Would you be tempted to go on the show next time?

I would but getting 12 weeks off might cause a problem financially.


8 - What did you make of Bill's two "advisors"?

Awful really. Its hard to take Jackie seriously because of her appearance. She would never have gotten the gig if she wasn't Bills other half. The other fella has no personality either. Both should go.



9 - Did the constant product placement pi$$ you off?

Yes but welcome to the real world folks.



10 - Would you actually have hired any of the contestants in your place of work?

Yes, Brenda and maybe Shane if he could cut down on the sexist comments.
__________________

faceman

Sizzler wrote: »

1 - What did you think of the show overall?

2 - Did Cullen do a good job as the hiring executive?

3 - Could you take Cullen seriously?

4 - Would you bring him back for another series?

5 - Would you watch this if they were to bring it back next year?

6 - What would you change for the next series?

7 - Would you be tempted to go on the show next time?

8 - What did you make of Bill's two "advisors"?

9 - Did the constant product placement pi$$ you off?

10 - Would you actually have hired any of the contestants in your place of work?

1. Poor. Its served more as a advertising vehicle for Cullen's businesses and to a lesser degree, sponsors of the show. The show cant be taken serious in any way.

2. While he is successful in the business world, i found him lacking charisma and respect on the show. His rambling lectures, contradictory criticism and boardroom entry from the toilet?! (:D) just served to amplify this IMO. Perhaps his hands were tied due to the show format, either way, it sucked. If i didnt know who he was in real life, id be laughing at the chap!

3. no, see above. He critisised people for the sack of critisising people. The most comical moment being his rant at the Aussie girl for not breaking the law and selling in Glendalough anyway when the previous week he lambasting someone for not doing the homework in advance.

4. No

5. Unless they get someone Like Mick O'Leary or Denis O'Brien, then no.

6. Air repeats of Wanderly Wagon instead.

7. No. Anyone who believes they would make a good entrepreneur or executive manager is out there doing it. Just like in Bill's case, you just go out there and take the risks. CEO's and MD's are not created in lotteries or game shows.

8. Advisors. Simple as. Nothing more or less. cant comment on their credibility tho as it wasnt demonstrated on the show. They could have been 2 consultants from Doilette for all we know!

9. Im amazed the BCI didnt take action!

10. As senior management, no. As employees, depending on the other candidates maybe. Brenda has run businesses before, she was the strongest contender. But you didnt need to sit through a series of the show to find that out.

Red Sleeping Beauty

faceman wrote: »

5. Unless they get someone Like Mick O'Leary or Denis O'Brien, then no.


9. Im amazed the BCI didnt take action!

I didn't think about O'Leary. He'd make great telly. He was on BBC's Watchdog
there the other week. He's such an arrogant wanker and as everyone knows, that makes for great telly.

The BCI seem to say that product placement isn't allowed :

The current code prohibits product placement. This prohibition has its origin in the TWF Directive. A number of broadcasting and advertising respondents to the consultation favoured the removal of the prohibition on product placement. Failing this, a clearer definition of product placement was requested in order to clarify the responsibilities of broadcasters in this area; for example, are they liable for product placement in programme material sourced from foreign markets that permit product placement? As this prohibition is in European law, the Commission does not have the discretion to remove it. However, being mindful of the request to clarify the prohibition, the Commission will include a definition of product placement in the new Code. It will also expand the rule in order to provide clearer guidance to broadcasters

Otis Driftwood

1 - What did you think of the show overall?

2 - Did Cullen do a good job as the hiring executive?

3 - Could you take Cullen seriously?

4 - Would you bring him back for another series?

5 - Would you watch this if they were to bring it back next year?

6 - What would you change for the next series?

7 - Would you be tempted to go on the show next time?

8 - What did you make of Bill's two "advisors"?

9 - Did the constant product placement pi$$ you off?

10 - Would you actually have hired any of the contestants in your place of work?


1-exactly as i suspected it would be.same as every irish format of an international show.garbage.
2-i think he was just playing a character.
3-No
4-No.Someone like Michael O'Leary though. . . .
5-Not with Cullen in charge.
6-See previous answers
7-No.If you mess up you are painted as a total muppet.Career suicide.
8-Playing a role aswell.
9-Never noticed.
10-Orla,but just to make coffee,cos she is a bit hawt.:D(only reason she was on the show IMO)

kmick

1 - What did you think of the show overall?
6.5 out of 10
2 - Did Cullen do a good job as the hiring executive?
Well they were coming to work for him so he could choose who he wants
3 - Could you take Cullen seriously?
No
4 - Would you bring him back for another series?
Id like to see someone with a bit more gravitas i.e. Michael O Leary
5 - Would you watch this if they were to bring it back next year?
Probably
6 - What would you change for the next series?
Crappy budgets the teams were given for tasks circa 200/300 euro.
7 - Would you be tempted to go on the show next time?
No way - there was only 4 or 5 normal people on that show.
8 - What did you make of Bill's two "advisors"?
They were fine nothing special - those HR advisors were bad though
9 - Did the constant product placement pi$$ you off?
No - it was unavoidable as they were working with real businesses
10 - Would you actually have hired any of the contestants in your place of work?[/QUOTE]
Id hire the winner, I thought Nicki came up to scratch towards the end. The car sales guy was ok apart from the fact he found it hard to express his thoughts lucidly. I didnt really get a sense that any of the others were much good. The marketing people I thought really showed themselves up.

Our man in Havana

nedtheshed wrote: »

10-Orla,but just to make coffee,cos she is a bit hawt.:D(only reason she was on the show IMO)

Which Orla?

homerun_homer

Bond-007 wrote: »

Which Orla?

I bet he picks Orla Power, the dog:pac:

Could you imagine the bitching her and Avril could do if they worked in the same office.

I would watch another series of the show if they go ahead with it. Feic all else to do on a Monday night so it was watchable television. The last few weeks did provide loads of cringey moments.
Bill was ok but he was very hypocritical which was annoying. You can't help but think that if you did either/or in any given situation he was still going to berate you for it.
Question - who buys a friggin Sat Nav on the way to Croker for an All Ireland Game?

simu

1 - What did you think of the show overall?

It was watchable enough but I was more forgiving because it was Irish (I like seeing Irish people on TV).

2 - Did Cullen do a good job as the hiring executive?

He was a bit inconsistent tbh.

3 - Could you take Cullen seriously?

Yes but because he's done well in business rather than based on the show.

4 - Would you bring him back for another series?

Yeah, he'll improve.

5 - Would you watch this if they were to bring it back next year?

Most likely.

6 - What would you change for the next series?

More varied tasks, less product placement.

7 - Would you be tempted to go on the show next time?

No. If I wanted to get into business, I'd rather do it on my own than have a camera crew and Bill Cullen breathing down my neck.

8 - What did you make of Bill's two "advisors"?

Jackie's ok; the other guy's a bit of an eejit.

9 - Did the constant product placement pi$$ you off?

Yes.

10 - Would you actually have hired any of the contestants in your place of work?

Hmmm. Some were ok; the bitchy and childish ones no way.

homerun_homer

simu wrote: »

8 - What did you make of Bill's two "advisors"?

Jackie's ok; the other guy's a bit of an eejit.

You know Jackie has never run a successful business of her own? It's strange that she can be a judge, but at the same time if Danni Minogue can judge X-factor...

simu

homerun_homer wrote: »

You know Jackie has never run a successful business of her own? It's strange that she can be a judge, but at the same time if Danni Minogue can judge X-factor...

I don't know what sort of CV she has tbh but she came out ok on the show, I thought. Not wonderful but ok. The role seemed to require common sense and observational skills more than anything else.

Otis Driftwood

Bond-007 wrote: »

Which Orla?

There were 2?
I mean the blonde one.Looks kinda like the Northern Ireland Orlaith offa big brother a couple of years ago.
Dim-witted as fcuk but you would still throw it into her.
:pac:

BolBill

simu wrote: »

I don't know what sort of CV she has tbh but she came out ok on the show, I thought. Not wonderful but ok. The role seemed to require common sense and observational skills more than anything else.

In other words, she has eyes.

Elmo

1 - What did you think of the show overall?

Not over surprised, it was a cringeworthy as the US and English versions. Which is what you want from the series. I didn't think that the tasks where as good as either of the other 2 versions. I felt that they where given more then they should have been given.

2 - Did Cullen do a good job as the hiring executive?

Yes I think he played the roll well.

3 - Could you take Cullen seriously?

As seriously as I can take Sugar!!!!

4 - Would you bring him back for another series?

I don't think it will get another series. Unfortunately.

5 - Would you watch this if they were to bring it back next year?

Yes, but I don't think they will

6 - What would you change for the next series?

The blue lights in the board room and the receptions office. Make them do a bit of work for the tasks.

7 - Would you be tempted to go on the show next time?

I am guessing you are and you should go for it but no just wouldn't be for me.

8 - What did you make of Bill's two "advisors"?

Thought the woman was better then the english woman.

9 - Did the constant product placement pi$$ you off?

Yes and No. It actually depends on the product. No offence to Supermacs, but for a business show the product placement was miss directed and also brought down the show. But thats what producers/editors etc have to deal with when Product placement is legalised.

And I would have been very annoied if I was AE, when Addidas got a huge add without paying any money. The addidas logo should have been blocked.

10 - Would you actually have hired any of the contestants in your place of work?

The girl who won but no prob not.

Wheels

Elmo wrote: »

And I would have been very annoied if I was AE, when Addidas got a huge add without paying any money. The addidas logo should have been blocked.

But why should it have been blocked? I was surprised they didn't block it, but at least it showed that the advertisers didn't get to dictate the content?

From what I recall the american one was way OTT on the product placement with every candidate talking about the merits of each brand each week. It didn't feel like that on this but I'm still in conflict as to whether it worked or not.

Elmo

Wheels wrote: »

But why should it have been blocked? I was surprised they didn't block it, but at least it showed that the advertisers didn't get to dictate the content?

From what I recall the american one was way OTT on the product placement with every candidate talking about the merits of each brand each week. It didn't feel like that on this but I'm still in conflict as to whether it worked or not.

Most product placements that aren't part of the show are blocked look at MTV, every logo is blocked on cribs. TV3/ITV block out the Coca Cola adverts on American Idol.

I am taking it from the point of view of EA Games not the viewers. Addidas got a free ad. I would be annoied if I was EA.

But it was illegal, product placement is not allowed under the Television Without Frountiers Directive and TV3 have plenty of money without the need to have product placements as well.

This will change in Dec 2009, the BCI will need to make a list of genres where it is allowed, bar News, Documentries and Childrens.

Red Sleeping Beauty

Did ye read my post ? I linked to a document listing the BCI codes which include a product placement one.

Elmo

alan dunne 27 wrote: »

Did ye read my post ? I linked to a document listing the BCI codes which include a product placement one.

Yes I was just mentioning that Product Placement is illegal currently and that in Dec 2009 if the BCI want to allow Product Placement in certain genres then they must make a list of those genres. I wasn't Ignoring your post.

Red Sleeping Beauty

Elmo wrote: »

Yes I was just mentioning that Product Placement is illegal currently and that in Dec 2009 if the BCI want to allow Product Placement in certain genres then they must make a list of those genres. I wasn't Ignoring your post.

Ah cool. Well I'm surprised the BCI havn't done anything. RTE's recent output's been a bit risky. They've 2libel complaints against them from their Prime Time show, there was that Late Late Show, Gerry Ryan was talking about dildos and penises and vaginas on his show there the other week!

Our man in Havana

BCI won't do anything until someone complains.

Red Sleeping Beauty

I guess someone will have to complain then

That's a silly rule. If a guard is walking down a street and sees someone being shot, stabbed or robbing a house they'll obviously do something not wait around for someone to ring them up and say "oh btw I'm being stabbed".

Our man in Havana

http://www.bcc.ie/legislation_codes/index.html

Davido84

1 - What did you think of the show overall?

The start was a bit slow and I am a bit of skeptic when it comes to Irish reality TV productions, but the last five weeks i think the show got legs and found it's feet but i do believe it is all down to he man Bill Cullen

2 - Did Cullen do a good job as the hiring executive?

He did i think he's straight up and if it wasn't a TV production I imagine his choice of word would be effin this and that even if he did read "all the bukes in ".

3 - Could you take Cullen seriously?

Maybe in a job situation but not as the star of the apprentice, he's a funny character.

4 - Would you bring him back for another series?

Definitely

5 - Would you watch this if they were to bring it back next year?

Yes I would the production has got all the elements of the UK/US version but with an Irish twist.

6 - What would you change for the next series?

Make sure bill gives the candidates a harder time really stress them

7 - Would you be tempted to go on the show next time?

I would yes, but I wouldn’t stop laughing


8 - What did you make of Bill's two "advisors"?

I thought they were good had the perfect persona for the role question is the lady advisor Bill’s wife?

9 - Did the constant product placement pi$$ you off?

Not really I think its standard

10 - Would you actually have hired any of the contestants in your place of work?

Well I quite enjoy the idea of a “Sales Assassin” so probably Stuart

Our man in Havana

I wonder did Snap Printing pay for their placement?

Red Sleeping Beauty

Bond-007 wrote: »

I wonder did Snap Printing pay for their placement?

The gas thing is , they were probably providing the show with the printing stuff for free! Yet in the tasks you saw them haggling with them over the price of stuff.

Elmo

Davido84 wrote: »

9 - Did the constant product placement pi$$ you off?

Not really I think its standard

Read the other posts pointing out that Product Placement is Illegal.

nevey

Elmo wrote: »

Read the other posts pointing out that Product Placement is Illegal.

But are those guys like Snap and Supermacs not all just sponsors of the show? Don't all the names come up at the very last screen?

I'll come back to answer the extensive questions when I have time. In brief, I feel cheated and betrayed by Bill's lack of consistency, but I still really enjoyed the show, I think he and the sidekicks will improve, I will definitely watch it next time, and no, I would never EVER dream of going on the show myself.

On a sidenote: I might have been curious to see if I could successfully pass myself off as a 32 year old (am 42), but sure that's been done now!

BolBill

"ae" "addidas" "annoied"

Learn to type people !

Mr E

BolBill wrote: »

Learn to type people !

People people people people people ... easy.

Oh, you mean "Learn to type, people".
Ah.

Elmo

BolBill wrote: »

"ae" "addidas" "annoied"

Learn to type people !

I appolopgise for my lake of tuping skylls. But I think it is my Dyslexia more then my typing skills that is coming out in my posts.

AE should of course read EA Games. I don't know how to spell Addisa??? and I get annoyed when people point out my lack of spelling skills. Please don't post OTT. If you want to complain about a Dyslexic's use of a keyboard please PM me

But are those guys like Snap and Supermacs not all just sponsors of the show? Don't all the names come up at the very last screen?

No they are product placement sponsors the main sponsor is TSB. (I won't try to spell the first part of the TSB bank's name )