The Apprentice: series five, week nine

Posted by Will Parkhouse

Nice shoes, Sir Alan! Yes, the ninth week of The Apprentice saw the candidates meeting in the maternity wing of University College Hospital, which meant they all had to don some startling blue foot covers, and even everyone's favourite Brillo-haired business impresario wasn't spared the indignity.

As project managers for the Earls Court baby show task, Sir Alan opted for the two candidates who'd already become parents – although thankfully not together. So wide-eyed Hugh Dennis impersonator James was tasked with running Empire and increasingly annoying one-woman glasses show Lorraine was put in charge of firing up Ignite.

Bizarrely, there actually seemed to be some competence on show, with James apparently exhibiting some understanding of the birth process (although this was belied later when he told one woman: "The lid's open, so the baby can jump out.") and Lorraine choosing two apparently sellable products.

But it all went au pair-shaped when James gave Debra and Ben the chance to pick a product. "Let's just say there were two products in the world and you had to pick one of them or someone shot you, which one would you pick?" James asked Debra, with more than a hint of wistfulness.

It was the hand-carved rocking horses. Priced between £1,700 and £4,000, selling just one would've seen the quartet galloping to victory. But they didn't – and with Lorraine's fold-up prams flying off the shelves once a helpful punter had explained to her how to actually fold them up, it was Ignite who won the task and Ignite who were rewarded with a round of champagne and a dose of artful mockery from caricaturist Gerald Scarfe.

Back in the boardroom, Sir Alan pulled out the novel idea of actually getting one of the candidates to explain exactly how they'd proved their mettle in previous weeks, using real facts to back themselves up, rather than meaningless buzzword bluster. Cue Ben pointing out that his time as cereal box mascot Captain Squawk showed he "had no problem getting stuck in".

Meanwhile, Debra, despite not having a leg to stand on, put up an indignant fight, twisting and U-turning like crazy to avoid a firing. But – perhaps a little unfairly – it was Ben who got the chop, and his umpteenth mention of that Sandhurst scholarship made room for what was arguably Sir Alan's best boardroom zinger ever: "Don't start banging on about BLADDY Sandhurst again," said the grizzled one. "I was in the Jewish Lads' Brigade, Stamford Hill division, trainee bugler and that didn't help me sell computers…"


SEE ALSO

Business is booming for Apprentice café >>
Last week's show: Mona is fired >>
Mona chats: 'My heart wasn't in it' >>

Comments

[HDTV]

Debz shoulda been outa there..!

[Dave]

How long before ben appears in heat with his top off? I give it a week lol

[old clothears]

I'm glad Ben got fired he lied when asked about discounting the price of rocking horses. Trust a thief but not a liar

[sergio roncella]

The short bearded muppet has a fettish for saw look alike dolls.thats the only reason why that munter is still in there. Anyway, what does the the trainee bugle player know anyway?? Hed have been made bankrupt years ago if murdock hadnt made him a partner then bought him out. For this he gets knighted.

[Paul Sutton]

Why fire Ben? Debra blatently lied in the boardroom, when Ben spoke to her on the phone her word were, "we must have the rocking horse". If she can live with herself, perhaps Sir Alan should fire her next week, after all Parliament wants a new speaker from June 22nd.

[Kerry]

Debra whilst probably there only for ratings is one of the rudest individuals I have ever had to watch on television. She has very limited common sense and even less business sense! I am bewildered as to why she is still in the running. The others whilst none the brain of Britain have at least good manners, she is just blatantly rude, get her off my screen !!

[Pauline Clarke]

Why is Debra still there I have never seen a more disagreeable person with a face like a lemon, she definately should have gone. Poor Ben should still be there even though he is a prat

[Matt]

Debra should have gone.In fact I think she could be about to make Apprentice history and get fired by either Nick or Margaret because she has turned on them several times now when she fires her barbs around the boardroom.It's quite clear that any apprentice candidate should be able to operate as part of a team and take responsibility when they have made a mistake.Her arrogance in assuming that they would sell the Rocking Horses(priced without negotiation to boot!Bet Mona would have got the price down!)And the way she bulldozed through the item selection process just shows an almost complete inability to actually take orders(surely a prerequisite for an Apprentice)A loathsome individual who claims she is a great salesperson(hard to see any evidence here,Mona was the clear leader in that respect)I find it hard to see what srAlan sees in her particularly as she regularly takes pot shots at Nick & Margaret(surely a no go area?)Perhaps it's because she does make good TV.She is living a charmed life and I find it really hard to see where someone with her personailty traits would fit in to srAlan's organisation without winding everyone up the wrong way.
I feel sorry in a way for Ben because although he is a bit of a tool and talks almost exclusively in cliches I think given the fact that Debra was looking to win the by task by selling one high value item as opposed to many he wasn't at fault for the failure of his team.Neither was James,the bulldog/dozer that is Debra should have carried the can.SrAlan has made an error there so I expect that sadly Debra will be in the final.

[Iain]

When The Apprentice series first aired, the contestants were people who had a respectable CV already. i.e. Double 1st at Cambridge etc and they had already held successful jobs. These days they are just reality TV wannabees whose only claim to fame some of them have is being a used car sales manager or estate agent. Oh yes and a few high powered tele-sales people. !!! Hardly the best selection of under 30's the UK has to offer I'm sure !

[Wanda]

Non of the cadidates have stood out this series in fact most of them lack common sense but I suppose one of them has to win. Kate is the only one that has at least some personality.

[Eggo]

Is the disinterested Phil below the one that got sacked a fortnight ago?

[Elbel]

I agree with John about Allan Sugar and there is no way I could ever bow to call him 'Sir'. Anyway I've rightly predicted each firing this series (I haven't watched it before) and that's because I'm in entertainment too. That's what the show is 'entertainment' & nothing to do with a career with Allan Sugar!! I would also say I think Ben has Aspergers syndrome, has anyone ever seen a facial expression from him?

[John]

sorry - please correct to 1970's - the technology was 1930's

[John]

I think that Sandhurst produces a better product than a boys brigade bugler... we all know alan sugar , or as he likes to call himself , and he does frequently, Sir Alan , likes to blow his own trumpet enough of the time , Sandhurst produces men and women who die for their country , and frequently do ... whilst the Govt , that this so called entrepreneur tax exile supports so vehemently,send them off to war on a false premise.
I remember buying the crap hifi this bugler sold in the 30's - Amstrad - a disgrace to British manufacturing. I hope to God that the next government will distance itself from this pompous egomaniac . No more champagne and canapes for Sir Alan at No 10.

[dracos]

Settle down and be an auctioneer Ben....you have the bent for it.

[Margret Thatcher]

I'm glad Ben got fired - he'll probably end up in parlament now!

[Jack]

I care! Funnily enough, I didn't enjoy last night's show and that's because they actually did OK. And there I am moaning when they're stupid- it's what makes the show! Debra should have gone this week though...

[Phil]

Who cares?..