The Apprentice- My guilty pleasure

Having been an avid X-factor watcher since it started, I vowed to myself last year that, having become extremely predictable and mundane, I would steer clear of terrible reality-type shows, especially with the lovable mean guy. 
Yet, a year later, for the first time ever I found myself watching 'The Apprentice', with dramatic board room arguments and high tension tasks involving running through the streets of London in what must be uncomfortable stiletto heels (to clarify, so far it's only the women subjecting themselves to the high heel torture). For those that didn't know, The Apprentice is a reality 'game show' type started in 2005, and 10 series later still involves multimillionaire Lord Allen Sugar (the lovable mean guy) pointing his sausage finger at bright eyed entrepreneurs with the damming words 'You're fired.'

The famous sausage finger of doom.

You might ask why my blog post is about a obviously staged program, and I would agree. The office is a set, over-editing of the shots for a more dramatic facial response and even the receptionist is an actress! Watching it last week, I considered that if I were Lord Sugar, I wouldn't want to go into business (that's the prize for the successful winner) with any of these ridiculous people; for example a salesman who clearly couldn't sell or a smarmy Australian willing to back stab anybody. So whats the point? Talking to friends about this, we started to discuss actually who Sugar is, ending up googling his life story and attributes with the conclusion that he's worked hard for himself and deserves his achievements. And there you have it: pure advertising. Having actively researched the guy after seeing his grumpy face on BBC1, I feel like I actually like him, and millions of others must have this same reaction. It's been reported that Sugar himself says it's purely free PR and good PR when it's said his fees from starring in the program are given to Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital. Public opinion is out though, there are those that complain that Sugar is tearing down the British business, promoting one on foundations of backstabbing and individualism. These people call for the BBC to remove this advertising of Sugar.

This years hopeful candidates

 
In conclusion, this advertising is an 8/10 due to it being barely unnoticeable yet still effective. With reports of disgruntled previous winners, this rating could easily be taken down though if public opinion goes against Sugar after watching episodes. Say what you will about this program but I will be eagerly watching it to the end to see what moron Sugar is obliged to enter into business with, all the while being thoroughly entertained.







Websites used:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2289036/Apprentice-winner-Stella-English-told-job-boss-day-100-000-role.html
http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1368065
http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1020081
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Apprentice_%28UK_TV_series%29
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2279317