The Apprentice: it's the final countdown

With the last episode of The Apprentice due to put Lee, Alex, Claire and Helene out of their misery tomorrow night, we get to see everyone who's been kicked off in previous challenges back in the game. The four remaining contenders have been split into two teams and will be required to herd the failed cats into some sort of useful order for long enough to launch a men's cologne.

Several big questions remain:

1. Will one of the finalists actually end up the winner? Some sort of twist seems likely. Maybe one of the recalled losers will do such a rose-scented job in the last challenge that he or she wins the crown. Or perhaps all four finalists will win. Or no one wins. I think that's my favourite option at the moment.

2. Will Lee ever be able to get another job somewhere else? His CV lie (or mistake, if you're feeling generous) seems to have been glossed over rather easily on the programme but I'm not convinced that people without cameras on them take the issues quite so lightly.

3. What would happen if Alex's good looks were temporarily destroyed by, for example, an unfortunate workplace accident? God forbid such a thing should actually happen. Still, would be interesting to see how his smug smile confidence held up if he woke up bald tomorrow morning.

4. Will the cologne that they market smell any good? A minor question in the scheme of things, but the trailer did mention the scent of curry.

5. How much sabotage will there be? Surely not all of the recalled losers will want to play nicely. I sincerely hope not, anyway. Though I would in no way suggest that the funniest result would be a combination of this and point 3. I don't really want to see Alex bald. Well, maybe a little bit.

I don't think we're going to have a traditional winner by 10pm tomorrow - where's the televisual thrill in following tradition - but, in the meantime: Go Claire!

Comments

[L J S]

The only employable apprentice this year was Simon the ex-army guy. All the rest where total non-entities with over blown egos. Basically useless.

[M]

I agree with L J S, Simon was very employable - a reasonable guy and hard worker. I would say the same of Raef, despite his being a bit foppish. The finalists are either ridiculously disruptive (Claire), very dull (Alex and Helene) or simply unemployable (liar Lee).

[Freddy Flint]

Disruptive (Claire) to win, only because she wanted to suck his lips off.

[JECG]

The programme seems to have become less about employing the candidates on their individual merits, and more about moulding them into business clones; something Claire has most definitely picked up on, as she has reinvented herself to fit in with what she believes that Sir Alan wants. Raef should be in the final instead of Lee.

[Katie Fieldy]

Helene, 'I dunno what you're all about...' Sir Alan often comments, creasing his already stress lined brow...So quite why she is there I don't know. Though I laughed outloud at her attempt to re-inact the 'Michelle Dewberry' - employ me, my life has been oh so tradgic pout. Raef, an honourable, studious, astute and hard working individual should be in the final. He would have shone as Sir Alan's apprentice. Claire was a holiday rep - say.no.more...

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I understood nothing in this article. But I am very sure my solar (sun) energy system is the only and unique solution for the future. Including near future

[Grainne Sinclair]

why would anyone want to work for him anyway?

[Ms Ferozi]

This is a programme to find a person who works in a sales environment. Hence someone brash is required. I agree that Claire has changed her approach, however despite being mouthy she does knuckle down. Raef should not have gone, Simon was a good solid worker. Unforetunately nice guys can't scheme and sabotage and that's why although they have the skills they don't have the bravado to get down low and survive, so Simon went. A pity as business can be run by nice people as well e.g. The Rowntrees or the Bournevilles of this world who did to a point run business with a social attitude towards their staff. Lee's lie may go against him, but if he wins then it may be overlooked, which is what happens in the corporate world. Helene too much big corporate, can't see her fitting in culturally she is just there to make the numbers, and ditto Alex.

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[KISM]

I rarely watch the apprentice as I think its more about TV than about good practise. Having a bunch of desperate wanna be's jump through different hoops whilst being filmed isn't real.

I have always admired Sir Alan Sugar though, he comes across as rough and ready, but the man has proved himself and made a fortune at the same time.

My respect for him though took a nose dive when the CV issue came up. I completely disagree with Sir Alan, not everyone has enhanced or lied or cheated on their CV, I haven't, and should I find that one of my employees has gained a position through lying then action would be taken as it is supplying false information. Once someone has done this at such a basic level can they be trusted, should they be trusted? For me the answer is NO NO NO.

I think that Sir Alan has made a serious mistake, I would certainly not employ anyone who has lied to me, and I also disagree with the government dumbing down things to keep results high, all of this is turning this country into the next generation of unemployables because our education system and our acceptance of lower standards will put us behind competing countries.