h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I think so. I think he's been conned by a manipulative, disengenuous schemer who couldn't manage a car-boot stall.

Anybody else got an opinion?

I would have given the job to Ruth.

It was a foregone conclusion after last weeks interviews. As soon as Sir Alan was told about Michelle's difficult upbringing, and her ability to pull herself out of poverty, i felt it struck a chord.

Badger was the better candidate i reckon.

She played that card well, then appealed to his fatherly instincts. She handles interviews well, but botched every task that I can think of. She's going to be well found out over the next year.

I did hear that Saieed has already been given a job by Sugar.

Yeah, i'd give that dipstick a job , he'd have his own broom after the first year too.

But the cost of ear defenders alone would make Ruth a commercial loss. Anyway; Michelle looks better in a towel.

The reckoning in our house is that Ruth talked herself out of it right at the death.

"I am the Apprentice because..."
"I will manage your companies..."

And, let's face it, she wasn't exactly compatible with SAS in an employer-employee relationship, was she? I think the Adrian Childs show demonstrated that perfectly.

I think Michelle was the right choice out of the two, but I'd have given the job to Ansell, who was my vote from week one.

B

Ruth didn't do herself any favours with her final speech, but at least she gave the same consistent message she had put across throughout the series. Michelle won the competition last week with her spiel about family. Why didn't Sugar ask any of the other competitors about their families? What answer did he expect to the question

Ansell got as far as he did by being Mr Nice and exhibiting the fewest negative qualities, however he was the "Apprentice" version of Mr Nice but Dim,

Saiid and Ruth were by far the outstanding candidates. I would have chosen Ruth for her managerial and leadership skills.

I'm sure she has a queue of employers dying to give her a job though.

>>I'd have given the job to Ansell<<

I got the impression that once it was down to the last three, Sugar wasn't all that bothered. Any of them would have done.

My thoughts were much the same.
She basicly said she wanted to be the Apprentice because she had nothing to learn from him. Whereas Michelle had in the previous round revealed that she had raw ambition and worked her way up from nothing. Exactly the things the man admires.

My pick at the start was also Ansell. Michelle always did an aire of being cold and calculating but in recent shows I'm become less convinced she genuinely is a wrong'un.

"Saiid [sic] and Ruth were by far the outstanding candidates."

Syed!? Are you deaf and blind? The man is lucky fool that gets by steamrollering people with a torrent of effluent.

And that's just his good qualities.

I can't believe that you are discussing something that is so ephemeral. It was a television program, with weak-minded people who were out to get their 15 minutes of fame, and did no more than 'I'm a Celebritiy' or Strictly come dancing' to make money.

Shame on you for having a brain and watching it! And even worse broadcasting it here!!!!

I am ashamed. Next you'll be saying that Corrie or Casualty is real life!!!!

I disagree. It's nothing like Big Brother or I'm a Celeb because unlike them it is genuine reality with real tests of the candidates skills and talents and with a real job at the end of it. Yes, it has personality clashes and big egos that make it all the more compulsive, but it must surely inspire it veiwers to do more than text a number.

Come on Azahoth, I can't believe anyone can be taken in by that!


>>unlike them it is genuine reality with real tests of the candidates skills and talents and with a real job at the end of it.<<

Bunkum. They were chosen for their TV' ability.

Mr Alan 'Amstrad' Sugar is not a Philanthropist, and the BBC are not out to do reality TV (unless it involves Sir D Attenborough) because they want income. So your arguement does not hold. It is just another case of the BBC watering dowvn it's quality.... And I have just spent £400:00 on buying BBC quality from Amazon, so I am not being unfair.

The 14 starting candidates are selected by the programme makers. I'm not blind to that. But it is a genuine fight after that based not on their performance to the camera but what they achieve before guy offering a genuine career oppertunity.
AMS is to a degree a philantropist but of course philanthropy is not the single motive behind his participating in the show, he would not suggest it was himself, I think. In fact I believe he makes that clear at the start of every episode.
But his selctions of apprentices show that he is interested in giving candidates that are interested in more than getting themselves on TV and have ambition and talent and remind him of himself[!] a place in his organisation.
The BBC has done reality TV and will do again and this show is part of the reality TV spectrum - the BBC I think don't try to hide the fact that the show is part of their entertainment output not business affairs.
But it's an entertainment show that does have a real chance of inspiring people to go out and work toward a 100 grand salary and not to just try a get 15 minutes of fame.

Madfiddler - did you actually see the programme? Where do you get the idea it was a money-making exercise for the BBC? There was no audience participation, no phoning Premium Numbers to vote or any such thing. Many business professionals watch the programme, getting tips and also comparing themselves with the candidates and situations. It is a topic of conversation at management and boardroom meetings throughout the country.

Also, where do you get off belittling conversations on HooToo? Do you have the slightest inkling or understanding of the people who use HooToo? Many single people, housebound and the like use the board as a discussion forum where they can talk with other people on any subject as they are starved of regular contact with friends, family and colleagues.

Isn't HooToo about Life, the Universe and EVERYTHING ?

Who set you up as moderator? Should we submit all topics to you for approval as you look down your lofty nose at the rest of us?

You should be ashamed. You aspire to elitism, but your ignorance shows arrogance and a small mind.

I respect both of you, but SWL, that remark was bang out of order.

I think it's a bit rich criticising a forum that's had a serious Teletubbies discussion thread in the past.

And if you think we're hypocritical, then it was reported on most BBC News reports this morning.

B