Geoff Coupe's Blog

Reflections on life at “De Witte Wand”…

They’re Baaack!

Another bunch of 16 people whom I definitely wouldn’t want to bump into at parties has hit the screen tonight. Yes, the third series of The Apprentice has begun in all its tacky, toecurling glory.

Apparently, all the candidates have left their previous jobs to take part in the show. I can’t think why. Probably that very thought was going through the mind of tonight’s – ah – victim, Andy Jackson.

In fact, I can’t help but wonder why on earth anyone would want to take part in this at all. The process does seem to have a tendency to self-select the candidates who appear for the most part to have the most unappealing human characteristics. Speaking of which, it would seem that Tre Azam is easily the leader in the candidate from hell stakes on the boy’s side. I’m not sure yet about the girl’s side, but Gerri Blackwood has possibilities. 

Still, I have to admit that it has all the appeal of a road crash. You know you shouldn’t look at it, but it has a certain morbid fascination, and you rubberneck as you drive past on life’s road.

Update: Anna Pickard’s got a brilliant blow-by-blow blog of the opening episode here.

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5 responses to “They’re Baaack!”

  1. Brian Avatar
    Brian

    Sleaze compels.  At the risk of wafting clouds of superiority up through the Low Countries, I can SO resist these (yawn) programmes. I’ve honestly never seen their appeal, I couldn’t even abide Borat, though I found it funny.  Am I saved or have I lost the popular culture stakes? 

    Reply
  2. Geoff Avatar
    Geoff

    Well, I can certainly resist crap like Big Brother, of which I have seen perhaps two minutes, and "I’m a Celebrity…" (never seen). But TA does have a certain je ne sais quoi for me. Perhaps it’s because I used to come across examples of the candidates, complete with their management speak, and their appalling management skills (which, of course, they thought were superb), in my working life. In TA, I have a glorious opportunity to revel in schadenfreude and laugh at such cretins without any fear of retribution. So, I’m shallow.
     
    You should give TA a chance. Treat it as a pantomime, chock full of villains and dames. That’s what Nancy Banks-Smith does in her review today, and she’s usually got a good handle on these things.

    Reply
  3. Geoff Avatar
    Geoff

    Oh, and if you’re still not convinced, then perhaps Cheddarvision will be more to your taste…

    Reply
  4. Brian Avatar
    Brian

    If Nancy Banks-Smith wants me to watch the test pattern overnight, that’s what I’ll do.  I am putty in her backhand. 

    Reply
  5. Geoff Avatar
    Geoff

    Yep, I know what you mean, Coboró. Ms. Banks-Smith is a class act. She must be ninety years older than God by now, and still going strong…

    Reply

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