Sir Alan's Apprentice

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noddydog
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Joined: Feb 28 2004

There seems to be such an obvious format to the Apprentice. It goes something like this;

First two thirds of the series develop the bad guys and make sure they don't get fired when obviously they should be.

Have at least one ethnic and/or religious token who can stay until about week 9

Have some attractive eye candy characters, but they start to disappear by the half way mark.

Have a weirdo/loner/highly strung character who everyone picks on.

About half way through change one of the bad guys into a good guy who's much deeper than we first thought.

So have I missed anything?
And based on what we know are there any predictions for a winner?

Alan Roberts
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Joined: May 3 1999

I wouldn't know, I've never watched any part of any series of it. I've got better things to do :)

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noddydog
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Joined: Feb 28 2004

I love and hate this series. It's so wrong how they portray and manipulate the participants and the audience. On the other hand it cleverly pushes the right buttons in the viewer getting them to feel or think in a particular way. Not wishing to be cynical, but that's pretty much what all media is out to achieve and a lot can be learned by working out how they do it.

I personally don't watch Big Brother, but I suspect it works on the same principles and the tragic death of Jade Goodie shows how much of the nations psyche is invested in these programmes. You could argue that the Producers of such entertainment have more power over the nation than Gordon Brown.

Arthur.S
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Joined: Jun 2 1999

Watched the first 2 series and loved it. Format got a bit tired after that. I think the new people coming in were just trying to emulate what went before. If nothing else, it's a lesson on documentary type camera work.

branny
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Joined: Nov 6 2001

I looooove the city scenes! :)

Do not follow, I may not lead. Do not lead . . . I may not follow.

Maxwell
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Joined: Jan 13 2007

Only one winner. What is the point of sitting through all that? For me it has played out.
bring back the Lone Ranger at least i can act some of the scenes out when having a bath.

MAGLINK
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Joined: Mar 8 2007
Alan Roberts wrote:
I wouldn't know, I've never watched any part of any series of it. I've got better things to do :)

Me too!!! another copied fixed format show that will be flogged to death, why do the Beeb spend money on this guy??? he and loyd webber are leeches and should stick to making crap consumer goods and third rate musicals.
As for the so called business contestants they are probably failed big brother entrants:rolleyes:

Alan Roberts
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Joined: May 3 1999

I agree that the format seems tired, but we're in the middle of a fashion period for "reality shows", which will play on until the audience levels drop significantly. While people still watch them, they'll still be made and I have no problem with that, but I can't be bothered to waste my time watching them.

On the other hand, I'm always ready to try something new, and "New Town" on BBC4 last night was a dream, great settings and some wonderful situations being set up for a slow burn. I like the slow pace, and Omid Jalili with a long wig and Edinburgh accent has to be seen/heard to be believed:)

Get my test cards document, and cards for 625, 525, 720 and 1080. Thanks to Gavin Gration for hosting them.
Camera settings documents are held by Daniel Browning and at the EBU
My book, 'Circles of Confusion' is available here.
Also EBU Tech.3335 tells how to test cameras, and R.118 tells how to use the results.

MAGLINK
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Joined: Mar 8 2007

I agree with Alan but why do the beeb still feel the need to play the ITV and competition ratings game with these format shows, they also need to be nurturing new talent and not inflicting sad muppets like brucie on us.

Alan Roberts
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Joined: May 3 1999

Gary, I think that's exactly what they are doing, and it's why I mentioned New Town. They make and output programmes that attract large audiences, whether we like them or not, and that's what they should do. But they also do lots of off-the-wall stuff on the minor channels, and where else would you get Spiral? I could go on but I'm too busy :)

Get my test cards document, and cards for 625, 525, 720 and 1080. Thanks to Gavin Gration for hosting them.
Camera settings documents are held by Daniel Browning and at the EBU
My book, 'Circles of Confusion' is available here.
Also EBU Tech.3335 tells how to test cameras, and R.118 tells how to use the results.