The Apprentice 2022

That's fair. From Wikipedia it does seem that the numbers are relatively stable/consistent so maybe I'm in the wrong there that viewership is dropping. In one regard, its incredible that its pumping out consistent numbers after all this time, I never would have thought it!

But not having that premier Sunday evening slot/pedestal is certainly indicative that something is different. I'd certainly be one to keep tuning into it but it is evident more than ever that the contestant pool is becoming weaker year on year and the format is becoming very stale and repetitive week on week. So maybe viewing numbers are consistent but actual interest, intrigue or buy-in isn't as high?

On the format, its mad to think that the series has now been about the business plan investment (Series 7-16) far longer than being the "becoming an apprentice" (Series 1-6).

Jordan was deceit though, in that he hadn't told them. And also he was only willing (or able) to give up 20% of the business for the €250K.

The crucial difference this time is I think that Harpreet was up-front about it and it had been known by Sugar and the advisors from the start.

So it was just a 'bombshell' for the viewers when it was belatedly revealed us in the interviews. Purely a device to create some dramatic tension as it was pretty much the only thing which cast some small doubt on Harpreet advancing to the final.

I watched a few best of Claude Littner videos on YouTube this morning, few crackers 😂

Wrong thread

In fairness the show is approaching 20 years on air and is never going to be able to maintain such cultural relevance over such a long period.

In the states it adapted somewhat by becoming primarily The Celebrity Apprentice. I think the UK version had an opportunity to do similar by doing a bit more with the likes of The Junior Apprentice.

I think reality shows do this over time, what the people want out of it changes over time. I think a lot just want a bit of exposure for whatever reason. It was like big brother which started with some what normal people doing something and became like a freak show over time as it attracted different people for different reasons. It became car crash tv which was successful in its own way but people lose interest over time in it.

Of the people who apply, I'd imagine a very small fraction have legitimate businesses s/plans and of those, only a smaller fraction would make for entertaining tv. This is why we get the likes of Akshey and Brittany

I'd say very few people who are seeking genuine investment would ever want to go near The Apprentice. I definitely wouldn't

These cakes look very dry. Where is the cream??

Why does the pharmacist were a pilot's jacket?

My cat is very annoyed and says he wants Harpreet to win.

Harpreet the obvious choice and deserving winner.

I presume Sugar gets paid more than the €250k he gives away?

Really poor line up this year and nothing original on offer.

Two massively underwhelming finalists.

The fact that Harpreet got to the final despite her venture being 50:50 owned with someone else would never have happened before and just shows how shallow the pool was.

Katherine hadn't a hope with her online pyjama business. She was drowning since the beginning but as soon as she mentioned the 250k partially going to influencers she was dead in the water.

As another poster said, I had utterly no interest in either candidate winning. Awful episode.

On another note, Nick really thinks he's the second coming of christ. 😂

Think if Naveem (the pharmacist contestant) was in anyway half decent he’d have lasted. None of the rest of them had a decent business proposition.

katherine didn’t accept that jungle print is no longer en vogue - that seemed to annoy L. Sugar.

I can’t imagine putting PJ’s on my dog - she’d go nuts !

"katherine didn’t accept that jungle print is no longer en vogue"

but at the presentation, she had already answered that criticism by saying that it was in the previous year's collection of Dolce & Gabbana or some such brand. Clearly, she had her finger on the pulse in that respect.

When you break her 'business' down, you're spot on, its a nonsense idea. But more than that, how it actually made it onto the show seems bewildering as its more like a hobby she has on the side rather than an actual plan with merit. Whilst I think the idea of giving the deal to someone who co-shares a business is flawed and undermines the process, Katherine's business seemed entirely underdeveloped and not at all feasible. I do think that Harpreet wouldn't have stood a chance if there was any credible business plans in the final four.

Harpreets deserts looked totally over the top, too much for one person so maybe best to share, but 2 people buying 1 desert is not good for business. Plus at a time when we need to reduce obesity it’s probably not a good idea to spend your time in a desert shop.

Thursday 5th January 2023 for series 135 of this infuriating nonsense which drags me in every time.

(I'm already getting annoyed in anticipation of Suicre's blatant inconsistencies)

The Apprentice 2023 | Start date, cast and news | Radio Times