Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 51

Thread: The Apprentice - why do they bother?

  1. #1
    Formerly known as DavidJames David Bailey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Norf Lundin
    Posts
    17,001
    Blog Entries
    1
    Rep Power
    18

    The Apprentice - why do they bother?

    Yes, it's another series of has-been tycoon giving completely pointless jobs out to people who should be more than smart enough to know better.

    I mean, Alan Sugar - he's got a lot of cash, but he's not Branson or Stelios is he? He failed miserably to exploit the PC business, back when he was in a dominant position, and he's now reduced to selling set-top boxes to Sky for his main business. Woo.

    So, why do they bother?

  2. #2
    Lovely Moderator ducasi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Glasgow
    Posts
    10,015
    Rep Power
    14

    Re: The Apprentice - why do they bother?

    He's an idiot and I would never want to work for him.

    However, the publicity might be good for my job prospects if there any jobs for vain self-promoting failed wannabe business executives...
    Let your mind go and your body will follow. – Steve Martin, LA Story

  3. #3
    Registered User nikki's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Paisley
    Posts
    18
    Rep Power
    9

    Re: The Apprentice - why do they bother?

    Personally, I don't understand why they bother with any of these reality TV shows. I can't stand them, but I guess they must get an audience somewhere or they wouldn't keep making them.

    I think Alan Sugar is one of the most arrogant, rude and self-obsessed people I've ever seen on television and I've only watched a couple of his interviews- but I guess that's why he's made mega-bucks and I'm still a poor, lowly NHS physiotherapist....


  4. #4
    Commercial Operator StokeBloke's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Stoke-on-Trent
    Posts
    2,366
    Rep Power
    10

    Re: The Apprentice - why do they bother?

    Why did you bother starting this thread David! Now there's a place to discuss this dross... and I am adding to it...

    Nooooooooo........

  5. #5
    Registered User nikki's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Paisley
    Posts
    18
    Rep Power
    9

    Re: The Apprentice - why do they bother?

    You are sooo right, StokeBloke!!

  6. #6
    Commercial Operator
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Northeastern Parts
    Posts
    5,221
    Rep Power
    14

    Re: The Apprentice - why do they bother?

    Quote Originally Posted by DavidJames View Post
    So, why do they bother?
    Because if they do well, they'll likely be set for - if not life, at least the foreseeable future.

    (or pregnant with the child of the most noxious person on the programme - take your pick )

  7. #7
    Commercial Operator Gus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    York
    Posts
    5,203
    Rep Power
    13

    Re: The Apprentice - why do they bother?

    Just seen the first episode of the Apprentice. They were introduced as the brightest and best in the UK …… if that is the case I think we should emigrate now. I know we haven’t seen all the candidates yet there was little to be impressed about. Given that these guys are supposed to be supreme examples of real business, they made so many fundamental mistakes in the exercise, and exhibited such appalling man management skills, its really depressing.

    The real irony is that it’s the same exercise that was run in series one in the original American Apprentice … didn’t they even do their homework?

    Having said all that, I prefer Sugar’s attitude and commentary to Trump’s. Will probably keep on watching .

  8. #8
    Commercial Operator Gus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    York
    Posts
    5,203
    Rep Power
    13

    Re: The Apprentice - why do they bother?

    Quote Originally Posted by David James
    I mean, Alan Sugar - he's got a lot of cash, but he's not Branson or Stelios is he? He failed miserably to exploit the PC business, back when he was in a dominant position, and he's now reduced to selling set-top boxes to Sky for his main business. Woo.
    The guy is worth #800m. What are you worth. Branson is a suprb example of busines ... but his verison of the Apprentice sucked. I think Sugar is worth more than Stellios .... and some may say that Sugar is a better businesman that Stellios

    Quote Originally Posted by ducasi View Post
    He's an idiot and I would never want to work for him.
    Idiot??? What the heck do you base that on????? It never ceases to amaze me how people who have never worked in proper business make simplistic comments about someone being cr@p at business just because they have afew disasters. MANY succesful businessmen have gone bump at some stage ... Trump included. You have to take risks to succeed. Plesae don't underestimate Messr Sugar. Probably best not to underestimate some of the appretices. Give it six or seven weeks and maybe some class will emerge.

  9. #9
    The Gobby one! WittyBird's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Geekville
    Posts
    6,889
    Rep Power
    13

    Re: The Apprentice - why do they bother?

    well thats another thing

    Having worked for Sir Alan...........................


    Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm I say no more.

    But If you wanna have a bet let me know

  10. #10
    The Gobby one! WittyBird's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Geekville
    Posts
    6,889
    Rep Power
    13

    Re: The Apprentice - why do they bother?

    Quote Originally Posted by nikki View Post

    I think Alan Sugar is one of the most arrogant, rude and self-obsessed people I've ever seen on television and I've only watched a couple of his interviews-
    I'm so proud, I taught him everything I know :snigger:

  11. #11
    Commercial Operator StokeBloke's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Stoke-on-Trent
    Posts
    2,366
    Rep Power
    10

    Re: The Apprentice - why do they bother?

    :fingers in ears:

    Lalalalalalala this isn't happening!!! ..... has it stopped yet? Tarnations I'm still adding to this dross...

    Nooooooooo......

  12. #12
    Registered User Wouldbe's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    SE London
    Posts
    156
    Rep Power
    9

    Re: The Apprentice - why do they bother?

    Quote Originally Posted by ducasi View Post
    He's an idiot and I would never want to work for him.
    Quote Originally Posted by Gus View Post
    The guy is worth #800m. What are you worth. Branson is a suprb example of busines ... but his verison of the Apprentice sucked. I think Sugar is worth more than Stellios .... and some may say that Sugar is a better businesman that Stellios

    Idiot??? What the heck do you base that on????? It never ceases to amaze me how people who have never worked in proper business make simplistic comments about someone being cr@p at business just because they have afew disasters. MANY succesful businessmen have gone bump at some stage ... Trump included. You have to take risks to succeed. Plesae don't underestimate Messr Sugar. Probably best not to underestimate some of the appretices. Give it six or seven weeks and maybe some class will emerge.
    My interpretation of "He's an idiot", although admittedly might not be Ducasi's, is that, at least as far as this show portrays, he's another arrogant businessman with too much money, who pushes people around, not proffering any common courtesy towards people he appears to think are lesser than he. Sure, that is the business world and I'm living in Cloud Cuckoo Land if I believe that normal rules of social etiquette should extend there, but I have to say I prefer it up here! And I would call myself anything but a socialist.

    The fact that this programme is contrived for our "enjoyment" to me is more than a little frustrating. This programme, along with Dragons' Den, makes me cringe with embarrassment, partly for the naive planks who put themselves up for this public humiliation, but mainly for perpetuating the outside world's perception of the rich and wasteful West, which throws money around like it was going out of fashion. I don't like my nose rubbed into the fact that certain people have so much money they can't spend it fast enough, even if they've worked hard for it. It's boasting, and I don't find that an attractive quality in anyone about any characteristic they possess. I work hard, as a teacher. Am I "worth" that much less? Yes, in the business world, very much so, but, still...

    Sorry, high-horse-rant over, but my friend loves all these shows (along with Big Brother and Pop Idol etc) and I find myself having this discussion everytime they come round again. I leave the room if we end up with this on tele!

    Phew, I feel better already.

  13. #13
    Registered User Wouldbe's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    SE London
    Posts
    156
    Rep Power
    9

    Re: The Apprentice - why do they bother?

    Oh, and one more thing...

    Isn't it great that the Beeb (following Channel 4's lead) get to make a secondary spin-off "You're fired" where the latest victim gets to be interviewed for their 15 mins of fame?! Two shows for the price of one. Budget TV with little creative thought at all.

    I can't believe "we", the public, have been sucked into this craze.

    Happy thoughts, la la-la la la...

  14. #14
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    bedford
    Posts
    4,899
    Rep Power
    13

    Re: The Apprentice - why do they bother?

    Quote Originally Posted by Wouldbe View Post
    My interpretation of "He's an idiot", although admittedly might not be Ducasi's, is that, at least as far as this show portrays, he's another arrogant businessman with too much money, who pushes people around, not proffering any common courtesy towards people he appears to think are lesser than he. Sure, that is the business world and I'm living in Cloud Cuckoo Land if I believe that normal rules of social etiquette should extend there, but I have to say I prefer it up here! And I would call myself anything but a socialist.

    The fact that this programme is contrived for our "enjoyment" to me is more than a little frustrating. This programme, along with Dragons' Den, makes me cringe with embarrassment, partly for the naive planks who put themselves up for this public humiliation, but mainly for perpetuating the outside world's perception of the rich and wasteful West, which throws money around like it was going out of fashion. I don't like my nose rubbed into the fact that certain people have so much money they can't spend it fast enough, even if they've worked hard for it. It's boasting, and I don't find that an attractive quality in anyone about any characteristic they possess. I work hard, as a teacher. Am I "worth" that much less? Yes, in the business world, very much so, but, still...
    It's the big, bad and belligerent attitude ... would you go into competition with him?

  15. #15
    Papa Smurf
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Planet Scathe
    Posts
    12,528
    Blog Entries
    6
    Rep Power
    18

    Re: The Apprentice - why do they bother?

    Quote Originally Posted by Wouldbe View Post
    My interpretation of "He's an idiot", although admittedly might not be Ducasi's, is that, at least as far as this show portrays, he's another arrogant businessman with too much money, who pushes people around, not proffering any common courtesy towards people he appears to think are lesser than he.
    Hmm. Ive watched quite a few episodes and haven't picked up any arrogance at all. Lots of confidence of course ; its clear he doesn't suffer fools gladly and he's very forthright - but surely thats the point of the program. I don't understand the "he's an idiot" comment either.

  16. #16
    Formerly known as DavidJames David Bailey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Norf Lundin
    Posts
    17,001
    Blog Entries
    1
    Rep Power
    18

    Re: The Apprentice - why do they bother?

    Quote Originally Posted by StokeBloke View Post
    Why did you bother starting this thread David! Now there's a place to discuss this dross... and I am adding to it...

    Nooooooooo........


    Quote Originally Posted by Gus View Post
    The guy is worth #800m. What are you worth.
    I've got 23p in my pocket at the moment, does that count?

    I've also got a $ sign on my keyboard, so

  17. #17
    Commercial Operator
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Northeastern Parts
    Posts
    5,221
    Rep Power
    14

    Re: The Apprentice - why do they bother?

    Quote Originally Posted by Dreadful Scathe View Post
    Hmm. Ive watched quite a few episodes and haven't picked up any arrogance at all. Lots of confidence of course ; its clear he doesn't suffer fools gladly and he's very forthright - but surely thats the point of the program. I don't understand the "he's an idiot" comment either.
    Oh come on - it's obvious! Anyone who makes a decision I utterly disagree with is an idiot. When they make a decision I utterly disagree with, brook no argument, and do it on national TV, they're arrogant!

    Clearly.

    Now we've cleared that up, who's your money on to win this thing?

  18. #18
    Registered User Feelingpink's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Greenwich, UK
    Posts
    1,782
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: The Apprentice - why do they bother?

    Quote Originally Posted by Wouldbe View Post
    My interpretation of "He's an idiot", although admittedly might not be Ducasi's, is that, at least as far as this show portrays, he's another arrogant businessman with too much money, who pushes people around, not proffering any common courtesy towards people he appears to think are lesser than he. Sure, that is the business world and I'm living in Cloud Cuckoo Land if I believe that normal rules of social etiquette should extend there, but I have to say I prefer it up here! And I would call myself anything but a socialist.
    My view is that he is doing business in a very male and '80s way - it is an old-fashioned, Gordon Gekko style, possibly hammed up for the series, but certainly it is not the only way to do business. For good television, at least in the last series, it seemed that the contestants had done very little homework - pretty much no-one appeared to know anything about Alan Sugar - certainly they'd not read his biography nor knew anything about his business. Come one - if you're going for an interview, you at least read the company's last annual report!

    There are other ways of doing business. Many businesses are selling and working in a much more courteous way - often run by women. There are many businesses who have bosses choosing to put their own stamp on the way things are run - the first major one that springs to mind is Pret a Manger (yes, know it's run by a guy).

    The two things that I dislike about The Apprentice are (1) viewers may think this is the only way that a business can run, and therefore either shy away from running their own or if they do, they'll get out their shoulder pads and run things in a way which is not true to their heart or their vision (& ultimately posssibly fail because of it) and (2) the contestants apparently include "single mothers". Why do we never hear of "single fathers"? Has anyone checked recently to see if the male contestants are parents - and if so - are they raising children on their own? Even if they are, what does that have to do with the price of eggs?

  19. #19
    Lovely Moderator ducasi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Glasgow
    Posts
    10,015
    Rep Power
    14

    Re: The Apprentice - why do they bother?

    Quote Originally Posted by Gus View Post
    Idiot??? What the heck do you base that on?????
    Mainly my experience of watching his various companies over the past two decades. Partly on quotes attributed to him like this... Alan Sugar says he won’t be going green because he thinks it is too late to save the planet.

    Plus all the other stuff mentioned above...
    Let your mind go and your body will follow. – Steve Martin, LA Story

  20. #20
    Formerly known as DavidJames David Bailey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Norf Lundin
    Posts
    17,001
    Blog Entries
    1
    Rep Power
    18

    Re: The Apprentice - why do they bother?

    Quote Originally Posted by Feelingpink View Post
    My view is that he is doing business in a very male and '80s way - it is an old-fashioned, Gordon Gekko style, possibly hammed up for the series, but certainly it is not the only way to do business.
    Also, as said, it promotes a view of capitalism and competition in general which is less-than-positive, it's not all about brutal Darwinian selection, there's such a thing as enlightened self-interest after all.

    Plus, again as said, who's to say that someone who spends their time and effort working for, say, £14K a year in the charity sector is "worth" less than Alan Sugar? Not me.

    Quote Originally Posted by Feelingpink View Post
    There are other ways of doing business. Many businesses are selling and working in a much more courteous way - often run by women. There are many businesses who have bosses choosing to put their own stamp on the way things are run - the first major one that springs to mind is Pret a Manger (yes, know it's run by a guy).

    John Lewis is another good example - it's held in trust on behalf of its employees, who get a large (double-digit percentage - 18% last year) profit-sharing bonus each year, and who have a large day in how the company's run.

    Last year, they had a turnover of £6.4 billion, and a profit of £319.2 million, so they're doing a heck of a lot better than Amstrad.

    It'd be nice to see someone do a TV programme trying to follow that cooperative model rather than be "personality-only" focussed. But I guess that wouldn't be good telly...

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Do badly worded polls bother you?
    By Lou in forum Chit Chat
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 16th-December-2006, 01:47 PM
  2. "WHY do women bother?"
    By ducasi in forum Let's talk about dance
    Replies: 20
    Last Post: 1st-September-2006, 12:19 AM
  3. MJ Competitions: why bother?
    By David Bailey in forum Let's talk about dance
    Replies: 29
    Last Post: 10th-May-2005, 02:28 PM
  4. Only testing somert - don't bother to read!
    By Northants Girly in forum test messages
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 5th-December-2004, 10:47 AM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •