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- Video: Watch the moment Raef is fired
He'd been lurking in the background ever since the first episode but last night Raef stepped up to the challenge of being teamleader and gallantly fell on his own sword. (That's probably how he would put it himself.)
We haven't seen a lot of Raef during the series - he's had the occasional funny line which has won him fans but last night we had to agree with Sir Alan that there was just a lot of hot air as far as he was concerned and it was time for him to go.
Michael and Raef seemed to fancy themselves as a comedy double-act during the latest task - and we're not just talking about that singing which was hilarious for all the wrong reasons. The pair clowned about like Little and Large on the set of their TV ad as Raef tried to coax a 'DiCaprio-esque' performance from the child actors.
Sir Alan was puzzled about why they had cast weathergirl Sian Lloyd as the child's upset mum in the ad - "If she'd been upset about her boyfriend blowing her out for a Cheeky Girl I'd have understood" he said in another classic boardroom line. We think Raef had ulterior motives for casting Sian - anyone else notice his excited reaction when she arrived?
It did seem like Raef's team were going to storm to victory - they had the slick ad, the clever slogan and a great pitch delivered by Claire (she's shaping up to be our favourite). But, as Sir Alan later pointed out, they'd forgot one thing - "where were the bloody tissues?"
It was this fatal error that cost them the task and helped Alex's shambolic effort win. Lucinda and Lee, led by Alex, came up with an ad that looked like a Victoria Wood sketch and a box of tissues that looked like a box of Weetabix. In all fairness Lee's suggestion of 'Atishoo' was a much better name than the other team's 'I Love My Tissues', however, his boardroom pitch was cringeworthy. Once again Alex has survived not on his own merits but because of other people's errors.
What was up with Lucinda? Putting aside the fact she'd come dressed as Noddy, last night we saw a new much more aggressive side to her and it wasn't likeable. Is she unleashing her inner business bitch now that the end is in sight?
It was another classic boardroom with Raef vowing beforehand that there would be no backstabbing and they would remain united as a team - and then going straight in there and blaming Michael! Michael, who's getting used to being in this situation, was quite to take the credit for everything that was good about the task. Yet again, he escaped firing. Is he Sir Alan's secret lovechild or something?
We still think it's looking like a Lee versus Lucinda final, though Claire is catching up fast - has she replaced Raef as the dark horse?
What did you think of last night's show? Was Sir Alan right to sack Raef? Why is Michael still in the show?
Let us know what you think...
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User comments
Maybe he was right to send Raef off, although this semi Catholic- semi Jew Greek guy Michael must have gone long time ago;and his time will eventually come!
Posted by: mstavrakis2 on Thu May 22 12:43PM | Report abuseMaybe he was right to send Raef off, although this semi Catholic- semi Jew Greek guy Michael must have gone long time ago;and his time will eventually come!
Posted by: mstavrakis2 on Thu May 22 12:43PM | Report abuseithought raef would have won it and i liked him until he was ike imnot guna cheapen myslef or backstab anyoine when we gointo the boardroom and trhen said it was all michaes fault for not havin the brandname - whats that all about? he acted like a proper twat and hes toobluddy posh!!! claire should win.alex cant speak for shit did u hear how he pronounced genre in his pitch it was embarrassing ad criinging
Posted by: ov_hirshfield89 on Thu May 22 12:43PM | Report abuseI totally agree with your incredulity regarding Michael's position within the show. I sometimes wonder whether he has been planted within the group in order to improve ratings? It seems impossible that Sir Alan, a discerning, hard-nosed business- man, should tolerate such a scheming, back-stabbing, completely insincere individual. What is going on?
Posted by: hillycott on Thu May 22 12:43PM | Report abuseI agree with everyone's comment, I was shocked when Raef got fired. I dont want anyone the rest to win. Sir Alan did not make the right decision at all.
Posted by: tosin1232000 on Thu May 22 12:43PM | Report abuseI was quite gutted seeing Raef go....but this morning in the papers I read that he is considering going into theatre and is willing to take his kit off completely! Go Raef.....I will definitely be interested in watching that!
Posted by: redseashine on Thu May 22 12:45PM | Report abuseThat is such a funny write-up, I agree with it all! This series is turning into one of the best comedies on TV, it's like The Office in reality TV! We're going to find out Michael is related to Alan Sugar, I'm SURE of it!!
Posted by: gemmagray1010 on Thu May 22 12:46PM | Report abuseLast episode I have interest in watching... Raef seemed to me and I think many a true leader who prevented bickering and could really keep things focused and mature at all times.... big mistake. Michael should have gone when he got halal meat instead of kosher but sir alan keeps this waste of space? In fairness if old alan had to choose there and then which one to run his company he'd have come to the right decision...total rubbish imho
Posted by: super_spam_magnet2000 on Thu May 22 12:46PM | Report abusea waste of an hour of my life that I can never get back
Posted by: whatreallywins on Thu May 22 12:47PM | Report abuseIt wasnt a surprise to see Raef fired with his performance last night not able to step up and being a good team leader. Michael should be fired too. Michael is too sly to claim all credits for himself. Do they not have the basic common sense to realise they were shooting the advertisement for ANTI-BACTERIA TISSUE should focus entirely on the main object. I was shocked when Michael suggested to take the focus off the TISSUE on the ad. Is he so dumb? Also, the colour for the tissue box is not eye catching all at. I thought Claire and Helena would pick a more vibrant colour to attract the customers' attention. Afterall, they truly lack of common sense and no wonder the other team beaten them down so easily.
Posted by: mermaid_monster on Thu May 22 12:48PM | Report abuse