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

Oooh, don't you just want to slap Ben?

Shame he didn't listen to his father (who works for Ross auctioneers here in Belfast) a bit better, he might have picked up some inkling of how to value items. But then, he got a scholarship to Sandhurst, in case you didn't know, so that apparently absolves him of any need to think or listen to anyone.

Yes I really don't like Ben....big time. I'm still going for Yasmina as my bet - and very annoyed that the bookies wouldn't let me put a bet on her.

>The audience figure for Big Brother seem to be as strong as ever...<

That's because its a different set up. People have the illusory idea that they have the power, via a few phone calls, to influence the outcome. I find it boring. But I like Apprentice because its big ego Sir Al ripping them apart in the boardroom and making the decision.

I have come to realise that the programme is really all about the 'boardrrom'. that's the bit I love watching the most.

I still enjoy watching them stumble through the tasks.

And last week I was right about the exact point that would get him in trouble... I'm usually way off and end up yelling at the TV (well, pc monitor) that they are all wrong, is everyone blind etc. etc... This time I went 'ooh, that's gonna hurt unless his team wins...'

Alas poor Phillip..

Ruby Wax said it in the second show.."if you want to win the trophy wife you have to have the money first.."

I've nothing against ballsy men, I'm a big fan of Gordon Ramsay, when they've actually got some real ones in their pants and not just a lot of hot air

He had to go but I thought Sir Al was a bit soft on him in the board room..I'd have ripped him to shreds...along with the bimbo. They both should have gone.

I'm liking what I see of Mona now.

Slightly spoiler Effers, but don't be too quick to praise Mona. Wait until you see next week.

I think Kate deserved a second chance, she's been a stand-out performer and she's my tip to win (which, given my past form, means she'll come second), though I'd prefer it if James won.

I think both Philip and Lorraine should have gone. Philip because he's an arrogant bully, Lorraine simply because she's foul and fights with everyone. Her spat with Yasmina was absurd.

The products were awful, especially the bike carrier thing which looked actively dangerous. Why they thought anyone would pay 35 quid for one of those when you can pick up a good pair of panniers for £30 is beyond me.

I've no time for Kate. She allowed herself to be filmed flirting and mucking about with Phillip, and so associated herself with his abject failure to walk the walk, but only talk the talk.

It's so easy if you are a blond good looking woman to be seen as just a sex object and not as an actual achiever in your own right, who won't mess around with the likes of Phillip.

But knowing me...I'll start thinking she's the bee's knees after next week's episode

How do you know about what the future has in store for Mona?

>>How do you know about what the future has in store for Mona?<<

There was something in one of the Sunday papers a couple of weeks ago and it came with authentic footage (obviously not in the actual website) proving it's not the usual garbage that gets printed in them.

>>It's so easy if you are a blond good looking woman to be seen as just a sex object and not as an actual achiever in your own right, who won't mess around with the likes of Phillip.<<

Hmm, but why should bright, capable women who happen to be rather attractive neuter themselves and discard a pretty handy tool at the same time? Philip is a good-looking guy: I fancied him until he showed his true colours as a bully. He was also a nuisance and his bickering killed off a couple of candidates - keeping him onside is a good tactic.

Similarly Ben, who's been a nightmare every week apart from the week Kate PM'd when he was polite, restrained and supportive. I wouldn't think any less of Kate if I discovered part of it was down to feminine wiles (random Firefly joke) as part of her whole array of strategies and undoubted abilities.

I did wonder if Swalan was going to sack the 3 of them who couldn't sell a thing. And I wonder why Lorraine didn't bring Ben into the boardroom (maybe cos he managed to set up their appointment) - if Philip was shown the door based on his un-workability-with-others, Ben must surely fall into the same category.

It was obvious that Swallin wouldn't sack the blonde, he never does. The best tatic would have been to bring Ben and Phillip into the board room, then the two of them might have gone.

She'd have gone if she'd taken Ben in... He may not have sold anything but he did set up their biggest meeting. It would have been straight bad strategy for this week.

She will go though, you can see who's got the red shirts on, although one or two have managed to take them off.

I actually admired Kate's handling of the situation, it's not exactly her fault if Philip was a puppy following her around. If she played on that a little and let him hang himself then so be it, she certainly wouldn't jump with him, she's way too smart even though I cant get her trying to sell blinis so badly out of my head. That was her, wasn't it? She seems far more confident now...

Go go go my original pick Yasmina.

I reckon Mona was a bit anti-gay and let her personal feelings get in the way of business. That's why she had to go.

(But please no more spoilers HI from your sunday newspaper readings )

For the first time, possibly ever, I'm going to have to agree with Effers and say Yasmina is favourite. She seems to be pretty level-headed and talks a fair bit of sense. Lorraine is nuts; James is on his own planet; Ben is an arsehole; Kate will be tripped up at some point; Howard is too meek; and as for Debra.......

B

Very lucky escape for Debra last night! But we knew Mona was a goner from the "Gay people in Kent???" lack-of-touch-with-the-real-world stance at the outset.

Yasmina's certainly looking strong, but I'm not writing off Kate just yet.

I was slightly confused by the winning team's big idea of re-branding Margate as a place for family holidays. I mean isn't that was it has always been known for anyway? I certainly went there as a child and the beach was full of families with millions of kids..and then we always went to "Dreamland', its funfair park at the end of the day.

The gay idea was at least an imaginative idea for re-branding...but those posters were appalling

I can't believe Debra made such a hash of the posters and leaflets - and I can't believe that point wasn't put more forcefully in the boardroom!

Is Mona not a native English speaker? She sadi on the Beeb 2 show that she sometimes says stuff wrong cos she's trying to translate her thoughts into English. If that's the case then I would be a wee bit less harsh in my assessment of her performance....

Just finished watching it (love the iPlayer!) and wasn't sad to see Mona go: she just didn't seem to do anything. Loved the winning teams campaign, thought it was really good.

Debra must be on her last legs - previous gobby candidates started to change and become tolerable by now. She's just unpleasant.

Haven't seen Lorraine do anything other than complain: had her team lost, she'd have been fired, surely?

Howard did well this week but I can't see him staying the course, he's far too anonymous.

Yasmina and Ben were both good. I think Ben's become far less obnoxious of late.

Kate was good and I'm starting to really love James. Thought Swallen was a bit harsh, he seemed hard-working and capable.

And I'll not post any more spoilers Effers

I think James is a hoot, but he won't go all the way. Good to see him fighting his corner in the boardroom, & his face when the other team's treat was announced was .

Confused as to how Lorraine is still there though - she has the smug, annoyance factor in droves (as does Ben, but he seemed to calm it down this week). I think Kate will get through to the last three at least.

What's wrong with me? Lorraine doesn't annoy me...she seems fairly competent and assertive to me.

Nothing wrong with you Effers, you may be able to see past the personal to the professional aspects of Lorraine, whereas I'm having difficulty in doing that. It's her personal style that rankles, not necessarily her business acumen.

However, I do think she has traded heavily on Margaret's remark about being the group's 'Cassandra', & almost expects others to adhere to her point of view on the basis of this. Hmmm.