According to overnight ratings, the tenth series of The Apprentice opened with 6.6 million viewers, making this their biggest series launch since 2011.
First to go - Chiles Cartwright, image courtesy of the BBC
There may be 20 new candidates but it’s the same old formula. Shropshire businessman Chiles was the first to be booted off after contestants were asked to take on all of the sales challenges featured from the previous nine series in a bid to make the biggest profit. It was boys vs. girls to start (or Summit vs. Decadence) and required all kinds of horrible gimmicks to raise cash including dressing up in hotdog outfits. Just as sharp as Sugar himself were Karren Brady, monitoring the boys, and no-nonsense Nick Hewer, rolling his eyes at the girls.
We were treated to not only one but two episodes, the second airing Wednesday night. The task this time was to create ‘wearable technology’, which proved challenging for both teams. Lord Sugar hinted that Robert Goodwin – the one who reckons his face is his USP – should be project manager for Summit, which he was quick to turn down. The boys produced possibly the most hideous, nonsensical item I’ve seen on The Apprentice to date – a jumper with a camera on the front, to ‘take photos on the go’. The girls had a much stronger idea – a jacket with an attached phone charging device and solar paneled pads on the shoulders to keep one snug! The boys made zero sales (cringe), and the girls left the boardroom victorious for the second time.
This was followed by a shock-double elimination. Robert was fired instantly for ‘bottling it’, followed by project manager Scott McCullough, which also pleased me. I hadn’t seen him crack a smile since the series started.
From what I’ve gathered over the two episodes, the lads need a wake up call. Each one seems as equally headstrong and bad-tempered as the next! Only two weeks in and Lord Sugar has labeled them ‘hopeless’ and ‘a shambles’. One to watch in the girls’ team is bossy blonde, Sarah Dales. The press are already setting her up as the new Katie Hopkins. Eek!
I don’t know about you, but we can’t wait for next week’s episode! At one of Pretty Clever’s most esteemed venues, Imperial College, the teams will be creating their own home fragrance.
If you were inspired by any of last night’s ideas or locations, we can help you create something similar. We even have our own Apprentice themed game show ‘Hired or Fired’!
The Apprentice continues next Wednesday, BBC 1, at 9pm.
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