Did You See That

The task this week was to come up with a concept for greetings cards and try to sell them in bulk to retailers like Clintons, Celebrations and Tesco. Michael was put in charge of team Alpha and Kevin headed up Renaissance.

Alpha settled on a “National Singles’ Day” - there was some conjecture on the spelling but I think they got it right - and Renaissance went for “Save Our Planet”, which were environmentally themed cards. The ridiculousness of sending a card to spread some kind of green message would have been obvious to most right thinking people, but fortunately for us viewers, the Apprentice doesn’t always attract right thinking people. Sara tried to volunteer other ideas in the car but was victim to Jen’s overbearing, aggressive hectoring which we had previously seen her deploy against Lucinda.

Despite having someone with commercial experience of pitching, Kevin decided he was “150% confident” that he could smash it out of the park himself. This was brilliant car crash TV as poor Kevin morphed into David Brent. By his every attempt to exhude confidence and gravitas, he made himself look increasingly ridiculous. Perhaps his lowest point was suggesting to Clintons that not buying the environmental cards would be “like the US saying they don’t care about pollution”.

The environmental idea was obviously doomed to failure from the offing, so it was no surprise when this was confirmed in the board room. Unable to comprehend that their idea was fatally flawed, the team instead formed a pack mentality and tried to put the blame onto Sara. Initiated by Jenny, Claire and Kevin saw a possible scapegoat emerging and in piled in behind her. It was ugly to see. Sir Alan was wise to the bullying that was going on and was able to see that Kevin was completely to blame and rightly fired him.

Poor Sara, after having to put up with her team trying to gang up and bully her out, got back to the house only have that boorish oaf Lee leading some new aggressive attack on her. It’s at times like that they the contestants can show how thoroughly unlikeable they can be, although it looked like Raef recognised the inappropriateness and was trying to end it.

He’s funny and a tad pompous, but Raef is surely the star of the show and must be a favourite to win.

What did you think of this week’s Apprentice?

Check out cool personalised Apprentice gifts!

Let me preface this post by saying that I love Heather on Eastenders and think it’s great that they feature characters of a larger figure, but…. I saw this Cabbage Patch Kid and can’t help but think it looks like a dead ringer for Heather…. what do you think?

Ok, I’m going to take a break from my usual ponderings on reality shows and soaps to discuss tonight’s Question Time special, in advance of the London elections next week.

Boris Johnson, despite being famed for his TV appearances, has seemed to struggle in the televised debates so far. But with tonight’s QT being probably the final big set piece debate, he saved the best for last. He made his point well, and was sharp and punchy in laying into the Mayor’s record. He maintained a seriousness throughout which defied his critics, whilst still managing enough colourful flourishes of language to remind you what a great character he is.

Ken Livingstone looked to me like a beaten man. His head was down and went through the motions with a few quips, but he was on the backfoot for much of the debate although he warmed up a bit towards the end. Although the debate between the two was strong and occasionally barbed, you could also sense some mutual respect and they left the stage arm in arm, such was their bonhomie!

Their generally good natured debate was occasionally punctured though by the malevolant presence of the Lib Dem candidate, Brian Paddick. For a start I’d have to question why he even gets invited along to all these televised debates. His share in the opinion polls is a long way behind the main two - he clearly won’t be the next Mayor - so why does he warrant a place on the debate any more than UKIP or the Christian Choice! But far from be grateful for his unjustified slot on national TV, he instead reeked of arrogance. He also took the debate to new lows when the question of morals came up and he said that Boris’ family couldn’t trust him. It was a horrific cheap shot and there an audible groan from the audience. Brian presents himself as a man of impeccable morals - presumably his ex wife knew he was gay when they got married then? I don’t think Paddick did himself any favours with his mean spirited bitchiness.

My own view, for what it’s worth, is that Ken himself often comes across as likeable and, yes, even competent but I don’t think it can be disputed that he and his supporters have used the politics of division in London and I hate to see that approach prosper. It is surely time for a change. I think Boris Johnson is just the new broom that London needs, hopefully bringing in a new style.

Did you see the debate? What did you think?

After a reshuffle of the teams, they were told they would have to come up with some new ice cream flavours, and sell them to retail buyers. Lucinda was to lead Alpha and Claire was put in charge of Renaissance, with the ticking off she got from Sir Alan last week still ringing in her ears. Claire seemed calmer than in previous episodes and although the editing led you to think the other team were cruising a victory (a sure sign in fact that they weren’t), Renaissance did snatch some last minute deal which pushed them across the winning line.

Lucinda had managed to do a seemingly good job of leading her team, although I was shocked by her behaviour in the boardroom. She said that she had been told by Helene that Jen was “a snake” and “evil”. I mean, who would repeat gossip from a private conversation - if it was ever even said - like that in public. It was embarrasing for all involved. It was some kind of bitchiness more suited to the playground and certainly diminished Lucinda in my eyes, which was a shame as she had done a reasonable job and could have kept her dignity. It took Margaret Mountford to steer the conversation back to the business.

In assessing the loss, Sir Alan was mostly appalled by two factors: The decision to agree to exclusivity in order to get a deal, although I don’t see how that actually contributed to them losing the task, and the sales meetings that were setup with companies that could make their own ice cream, although I’m pretty sure that the other team did manage to sell to a company that usually made their own so I’m not sure why that in itself was such a crime. Lindi had been made 2nd in charge and Sir Alan decided she was culpable for the errors. I’d liked to have seen more of Lindi, and don’t think Sir Alan’s decision to fire her was the right one.

CHECK OUT COOL PERSONALISED APPRENTICE GIFTS

This was Simon’s episode. It pretty much charted his downfall with the rest there as merely extras in this tragedy. Simon is what was has been referred to as a grafter but this was his chance to show Sir Alan he could be more than that, and volunteered to be project manager. The task was to set up a photography stand, taking and selling photos to the public.  The team weren’t enthusiastic about Simon taking the lead, but relented to his enthusiasm. After dividing the team in two for the separate duties, he asked Alex to be his number two on the other team. The thought of any responsability (culpability?) seemed to leave Alex reeling and Claire stepped up to the place instead. I can’t take Alex seriously anymore after he negotiated something down by half price last week and called it a “100% discount”.

Simon made a number of grandiose statements which only served to warn us he was heading for a might fall. He told us how intelligent he was. What a good photographer he was. He told the team he “knew” the people that went to Bluewater - the scene of the task - but then confused me by at one poing saying they were like “orange” footballer’s wives and then later saying they were “dowdy”.

Both teams seemed to do ok on taking the photos, and both struggled with the logistics of actually printing the (right) photos. Neither team shone, but Simon’s defeat was sign posted throughout by his authoritative statements of the ridiculous. After some cat fighting in the boardroom, through which Simon kept his dignity and probably the respect of Sir Alan, the inevitable firing was delivered.

Simon said he will probably now go back to installing satellite dishes. I hadn’t realised that was his job - does that mean they abandoned their usual claims to have the best young business people applying for the position? So Simon lost the task, but showed him self to be a thorough decent guy by the end of it.

Andrew Johnson - could he be this year’s Paul Potts? This little boy from Carlisle came on stage and said that he got bullied at school but just wanted to carry on singing. Then he gave a spell binding performance of the classical requiem, Pie Jesu

Britain’s Got Talent is back on our screens, with another great array of talent - some amazing, some less so. One special performance from last night’s first episode was from Gin The Dog. He performed a number of amazing stunts in a routine with his owner, set to some James Bond theme music. He really is one in a million - check him out below.

The Beeb is currently running a funny trailer for Eastenders, with the returning Bianca and her 4 kids taking the role of the “Jackson 5″ and performing “Want You Back” in Walford Market. They achieve a rare feat - getting Phil Mitchell, Sean Slater and Chelsea to actually smile. Seeing Phil smile is a bit unnerving and I’d sooner he gave em a clip round the ear and told them not to dance on his patch.