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The Jewish Chronicle

Apprentice Watch: It’ll soon get ugly

Ex-candidate Michael Sophocles casts his expert eye over Sir Alan’s new crop of hopefuls.

March 26, 2009 13:38
Sir Alan Sugar and the candidates. Mona Lewis (far right) looks an early frontrunner, says Michael Sophocles
2 min read

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. When I look back on my time on The Apprentice last year, I wish I had done things differently. But then again, I realise now that my mistakes were mostly down to a lack of experience; something, I think, for which I can be forgiven.

As I scan the latest bunch of Apprentice hopefuls, all vying for their chance to work for Sir Alan, I would like to think I am a little more clued up now — at least when it comes to this particular reality TV show. Judging from Wednesday’s series opener, all the 15 candidates were understandably petrified in their first boardroom encounter. If being confronted by Sir Alan was not enough to set their knees trembling, there was the awful prospect of spending the next 12 weeks teamed with a group of people they cannot trust but have to work with through gritted teeth and feigned smiles. I remember the terror so well.

Sir Alan’s introductory speech was as sharp as ever and the man was clearly in no mood for people who have the gift of the gab and little else. “I haven’t got time for people who talk a load of balls,” he growled. No change there, then.

One thing that must have struck him as he surveyed this group of wannabes was that they are a bunch of unattractive individuals. It is superficial I know, but someone went round with the ugly stick when casting for this series.