There appears to be a ruthless theme happening here. Nevertheless, the Apprentice continues to be top stuff. First episode highlight, Paul selling the flowers (tanned property developer) was the antithesis of what I would have been, Matthew (Mature Student) was closer to my mark, but I imagine more will be seen of him in the third episode. Adeniki went because she was aloof and didn't agree with the strategy laid down by Saira.
Second episode, Lindsey had all the data, and for some reason, went against it. Sugar gave them a clue for chrissakes, kids are the most disloyal consumer, what they want today, they may not want tomorrow. Well you give them want they want today and worry about tomorrow, and from the focus groups, Robots was what they wanted, not secret signals. She was blinded by her pet project, and paid the ultimate price. Thus far, Sugar has been cold in front of them, but
Then I started to disagree with his choices. Adele took her team down a road with excess control and having a rigid structure inhibited her staff, so she probably should have gone instead of Miranda, and Sir Alan was clearly blinded by the criticism levelled at him during his days as Chairman of Tottenham.
This week, it became abundantly clear that Adele was suffering with personal problems which would hamper any normal passionate person away from their loved ones, particularly with those that they have a strong connection. But she got visibly frustrated with a member of Harrods staff who complained to Sir Alan, emotional when all the hard work amounted to virtually nothing (chances are home life contributed to that), but once she composed herself, she began selling well again. Ben and Sebastian seem like perma-tanned robots, who despite having the professionalism, lack the sort of passion that I would have thought a entrepreneur would be looking for in a vibrant apprentice? Saira also asked if could just tell them what to do instead of hinting and giving clues, but of course no post-mortem if you're the winners, even if it is by £100. Despite the recriminations, Adele felt the distraction too great, and despite Sir Alan's label of 'cowardice' or cop-out, it was probably the best thing for Adele too do for her own emotional stability. Perhaps a case of instant karma, but the snotty reaction of Ben and Sebastian left my blood boiling, so much so I hope one of them is off-ski next time round. It is true what they say, there is no room for sentiment in business.
One would hope that Sir Sugar looks on some of his decisions in hindsight, and wonders what might have been. Early thoughts on the potential winners, Paul and Saira are stars in selling, Tim seems to be a leader, James is well-mannered and savvy, Matthew is insightful, but clumsy and withdrawn, and we've not seen anything else of anyone else thus far.
Celeb Fame Academy (Various times, BBC1 and BBC3, Every night)
I must admit I am in agreement with David and Carrie. Yes some can't sing as well as others, but just because you can sing in tune, doesn't mean you should be treated the same way as someone with little or no vocal training.
Reggie and Ade aren't as solid as Kim, Edith, or Debra. However, the in-roads Reggie has made over the past week or so have been commendable, and Ade continuing to make the visual aspect of his performance compensate for his voice has been a revelation. That's not to take anything away from the girls. Kim is solidly, consistently good. Debra nailed last night's (8/3) performance of the Dionne Warwick/Cilla Black classic Anyone who had a heart. Edith is good, despite not being my cup of tea.
Even before Dawn leaving, I couldn't see a distinguishable loser - someone clearly out of place. At this stage it is clearly up to the judges to be ruthless and I for one am glad I don't make the decision.Who's going to win? No idea. Voice - Kim or Debra. Visual performance? Ade or Reggie. I suppose that means that Edith will be the winner.
Comic Relief in Da Bungalow ( 4:30 p.m. BBC1 6:00 p.m., Daily, BBC2)
Double Dare meets Vic and Bob. Gunk, slapstick, madcap hilarity. Quite clearly the second most entertaining piece of nonsense, behind Takeshi's Castle. Dick McCourt and Dom Wood prance around like your nutty elder (or in my case younger) brother, setting the most basic of parlour tasks with a twist. Remembering words in a certain order, getting up whilst in a padded costume, shouting Bogies!!!! in a place reserved for decorum, are not challenges for the rocket scientists among us. But they are seriously entertaining. Catching it sometimes on Saturday morning's, Dick and Dom manage to avoid being patronising where some presenters can be, and descend into puerile mimmickry if ever a snotty, well spoken eloquent child puts their point across in a pious manner. It works. You're in stitches.
So sticking a bunch of celebrities is sure to make it more conservative surely? Perhaps not when you have Roland Rivron, Anthony Worral Thompson, Sheila Ferguson, Brian Conley, and Gina Yashere disperse amongst the failed pop stars, Kids TV presenters and Z-list celebs. Oh, and McFly. Perhaps not when the idea of gunk was a major part of Comic relief's early years, where a celebrity of irrelevant stature got propelled into the Gunk tank. This highlight was done rather conservatively in comparison by Fry and Laurie and Little and Large during the first two Comic reliefs, before disappearing into the wilderness of ideas.
Here Dick and Dom have pushed the concept up to the nth degree with the marvellous Muckaoke - one unlucky bungalowhead has to sing whilst being doused in the vilest looking custardy 'creamy muck muck.' A 'creamy muck-muck fight' normally ensues where everyone gets covered with the stuff, falls over each other and basically is allowed to go on this anarchic frenzy of caking fellow competitors in gunge.Majestically messy and one of the highlights of this year's Comic Relief programming. Who would have thought it? A charity-based programme that doesn't reek of embarrassment.
Random thoughts:
On 80’s nostalgia: As previously mentioned on the message board, Andrea Arnold (formerly of No. 73) won an oscar for a live action short film. Also glancing on occasion at Dick and Dom, two former actors of Palace Hill, which I fondly remember. As for the show, it works for the kids, the students, and the 80’s lover who grew up the same time as our hosts. Over on ITV, Ministry of Mayhem is duller when it’s slicker, better with the mistakes, the spontaneous laughter, but one question; Has Takeshi Kitano phoned up yet for his royalties from “Ram Ray”. Nothing as catchy as Wonkey Donkey or Challenge Ant, but OK.
Nathan Barley protagonists claiming the purists moaning about the censorship are childish, should take note of Coen Brothers Fargo. The cursing adds to the dramatic points of the story, and can be the case with any number of films/Tv dramas if you look hard enough.
From the Wire: “F**k Daniels and his up-the-ass kissing chain of command” - just emphasises the passion and frustration of McNulty. I could easily have transcribed most of Deadwood, but my fingers hurt already.
Channel 4's Banned season has had The Idiots and Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Decent films, but surely deserving of play in their own right?
Craig Aston.
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