Oh My Cod!

Thu Mar 27 09:51AM by TV Editor

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From the opening moments of last night's Apprentice it was clear that we had another bunch of jumped-up, arrogant, cringeworthy know-it-alls battling for a job with Sir Alan - in other words we are in for another excellent series.

Ian can't even bring himself to say the word 'loser', Jennifer rates herself as 'the best salesperson in Europe', Claire says she likes to crash through everything like her family's german shepherd dog and scary Sara doesn't like to beat her opposition, she likes to thrash them.

The first task saw the group split into male and female teams and given a load of fish to sell at a London market. Easy? Well, no. The teams struggled to tell their Monkfish from their Sea Breams and ended up selling the fish at a fraction of the actual value.

Other highlights of the first episode included sulky Ian pursing his lips and declaring that he hated losing, Lucinda's kooky dress sense (do health and safety regulations allow people to sell fish wearing a purple woollen beret?) and, of course, Raef's hair - what's that all about?

The award for best line has to go to Sir Alan's sidekick Nick who asked the boys' team "Did it strike anybody that a £5 lobster is bloody cheap?"

The boardroom showdown saw the girls triumph and drippy boys' team leader Alex chose to take Nicholas and Raef back into the boardroom with him.

Things quickly escalated into a class war with Nicholas declaring that the group had split into the educated and the non-educated. Alex was quick to point out that he also had a university degree which led Nicholas to point out more differences between the boys - he likes to talk about arts and culture and they like to talk about football apparently. The writing was really on the wall for Nicholas at that point and Sir Alan rightly fired him.

What did you think of the first episode? Who are your favourites and which of the candidates are getting on your nerves. Let us know...

- Watch Nicholas on You're Fired

- Vote for your favourite contestant in our poll

User comments

(71)

Nicholas has Anul Retention. If he really were from a 'better class' he certainly wouldn't have to voice it.He just WISHES he was. It's obvious he felt 'lower class' and inferior at school. Prince William and Harry love football and like their Mother, never talk 'down'. Pure ignorance and lack of breeding.

Posted by: jylhll on Thu Mar 27 01:37PM | Report abuse

(72)

And thses are the type of know-ot-alls who are running our Country and businesses....as you say "God help us!!" Who would think of selling fish in a Solicitors' office of all places. OAP - Oldham

Posted by: marjohns on Thu Mar 27 01:37PM | Report abuse

(73)

As a fellow trainee barrister (and NOT a qualified one as Nick apparently claimed), I was rather shocked and embarrassed at the picture he painted of those within our profession and was subsequently glad when he got booted out: it simply goes to show that just because one is intellectually intelligent does not mean one will automatically have the entrepreneurial spirit (or even common sense at that)! Alex defended himself very well and hands-down beat the '1st class barrister' at his own trade. Raef needs to show that he's more than a mere 'whizz with words', otherwise he should be the next to go. I can't quite say who should win yet but the lady who came up with 'Alpha's' name seemd pretty spot on to me. Zara, London

Posted by: bonike_erinle on Thu Mar 27 01:37PM | Report abuse

(74)

Alex should have gone. He works in telesales which just about says it all. The man has no class whatsoever and his tendancy to lay the blame on thick to anyone but himself will hopefully see him fired within a few episodes.

Posted by: frances.jarratt on Thu Mar 27 01:37PM | Report abuse

(75)

Magical first episode. Nicholas employed little of his training in defending himself and showed a real lack of judgement in selecting the class issue as a defence. You don't win over a man who left school at 16 by referring to anyone without a masters as uneducated. Also, how did the short fellow who took responsibility for selling £130 worth of maritime delicacies for £50 avoid the boardroom? Raef's hair is approaching the levels of inexplicability that only Trump can boast of. Anyway can't wait for the next hour-long bumble.

Posted by: sean.gonzalez on Thu Mar 27 01:37PM | Report abuse

(76)

It made me laugh how Nicholas said he was outstanding at maths, and then couldn't price up the fish properly. Although I don't think Alex should be let off, because if his type of management means blaming everyone else, then god help the 40 people he's in charge of. Also, has he not heard of constructive critiscism? What also makes me laugh is when some people have been educated so to speak, but have the social skills of a fish. Why is it when some people have a degree they think it means to go around having no personality? I'm from a working class background, and proud of it too. I don't have a degree; am not bothered about it; enjoy arts and culture, and can talk to anyone (I hope). I do have to say that I like Raef for sticking up for Nicholas, and just talking back to Alex while everyone else bar Nicholas of course thought he was a good leader!!! However, saying that I don't think I could be in the same room as any of them. I'd rather eat 5 quid lobster.

Posted by: jayellcee2002 on Thu Mar 27 01:37PM | Report abuse

(77)

good choice the amn is a snob

Posted by: netty_hart1406 on Thu Mar 27 01:37PM | Report abuse

(78)

Im glad he got FIRED. The jumped up little toad. All I can say is that there was not one once of common sense between all of them. And its these kind of people that unfortunately one day may be running our country. Think i'll emigrate.

Posted by: lesleysballoons on Thu Mar 27 01:37PM | Report abuse

(79)

It does strike me as being strange that the people selected although they appear to have high powered jobs or have achieved well in University, they appear to be extremely wet behind the ears with little common sense, organisational or leadership skills. It would be more interesting in the next series to have a team of young high flyers against older people who have been through the mill and are keen to show that although life does kick you down at times, you are still better than the arrogant, sneaky little know it alls we have at the moment. Would make interesting viewing.

Posted by: bus.consult on Thu Mar 27 01:37PM | Report abuse

(80)

All these so called educated people and they havn't a clue, give me a fella who is willing to learn and can climb a ladder over a fella who has a degree and a silver spoon in his mouth any day. I never went to college yet work for one of the worlds biggest companys as a sales manager having started as a tea boy. All within 10 years. And have seen fellas with degrees out of their ears come and go unable to hack it in the real world.

Posted by: lekidfunk on Thu Mar 27 01:38PM | Report abuse

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(71)
Nicholas has Anul Retention. If he really were from a 'better class' he certainly wouldn't have to voice it.He just WISHES he was. It's obvious he felt 'lower class' and inferior at school. Prince William and Harry love football and like their Mother, never talk 'down'. Pure ignorance and lack of breeding.
Posted by: jylhll on Thu Mar 27 01:37PM | Report abuse
(72)
And thses are the type of know-ot-alls who are running our Country and businesses....as you say "God help us!!" Who would think of selling fish in a Solicitors' office of all places. OAP - Oldham
Posted by: marjohns on Thu Mar 27 01:37PM | Report abuse
(73)
As a fellow trainee barrister (and NOT a qualified one as Nick apparently claimed), I was rather shocked and embarrassed at the picture he painted of those within our profession and was subsequently glad when he got booted out: it simply goes to show that just because one is intellectually intelligent does not mean one will automatically have the entrepreneurial spirit (or even common sense at that)! Alex defended himself very well and hands-down beat the '1st class barrister' at his own trade. Raef needs to show that he's more than a mere 'whizz with words', otherwise he should be the next to go. I can't quite say who should win yet but the lady who came up with 'Alpha's' name seemd pretty spot on to me. Zara, London
Posted by: bonike_erinle on Thu Mar 27 01:37PM | Report abuse
(74)
Alex should have gone. He works in telesales which just about says it all. The man has no class whatsoever and his tendancy to lay the blame on thick to anyone but himself will hopefully see him fired within a few episodes.
Posted by: frances.jarratt on Thu Mar 27 01:37PM | Report abuse
(75)
Magical first episode. Nicholas employed little of his training in defending himself and showed a real lack of judgement in selecting the class issue as a defence. You don't win over a man who left school at 16 by referring to anyone without a masters as uneducated. Also, how did the short fellow who took responsibility for selling £130 worth of maritime delicacies for £50 avoid the boardroom? Raef's hair is approaching the levels of inexplicability that only Trump can boast of. Anyway can't wait for the next hour-long bumble.
Posted by: sean.gonzalez on Thu Mar 27 01:37PM | Report abuse
(76)
It made me laugh how Nicholas said he was outstanding at maths, and then couldn't price up the fish properly. Although I don't think Alex should be let off, because if his type of management means blaming everyone else, then god help the 40 people he's in charge of. Also, has he not heard of constructive critiscism? What also makes me laugh is when some people have been educated so to speak, but have the social skills of a fish. Why is it when some people have a degree they think it means to go around having no personality? I'm from a working class background, and proud of it too. I don't have a degree; am not bothered about it; enjoy arts and culture, and can talk to anyone (I hope). I do have to say that I like Raef for sticking up for Nicholas, and just talking back to Alex while everyone else bar Nicholas of course thought he was a good leader!!! However, saying that I don't think I could be in the same room as any of them. I'd rather eat 5 quid lobster.
Posted by: jayellcee2002 on Thu Mar 27 01:37PM | Report abuse
(77)
good choice the amn is a snob
Posted by: netty_hart1406 on Thu Mar 27 01:37PM | Report abuse
(78)
Im glad he got FIRED. The jumped up little toad. All I can say is that there was not one once of common sense between all of them. And its these kind of people that unfortunately one day may be running our country. Think i'll emigrate.
Posted by: lesleysballoons on Thu Mar 27 01:37PM | Report abuse
(79)
It does strike me as being strange that the people selected although they appear to have high powered jobs or have achieved well in University, they appear to be extremely wet behind the ears with little common sense, organisational or leadership skills. It would be more interesting in the next series to have a team of young high flyers against older people who have been through the mill and are keen to show that although life does kick you down at times, you are still better than the arrogant, sneaky little know it alls we have at the moment. Would make interesting viewing.
Posted by: bus.consult on Thu Mar 27 01:37PM | Report abuse
(80)
All these so called educated people and they havn't a clue, give me a fella who is willing to learn and can climb a ladder over a fella who has a degree and a silver spoon in his mouth any day. I never went to college yet work for one of the worlds biggest companys as a sales manager having started as a tea boy. All within 10 years. And have seen fellas with degrees out of their ears come and go unable to hack it in the real world.
Posted by: lekidfunk on Thu Mar 27 01:38PM | Report abuse

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