48 replies to this topic

[Mini_Magic]

How far in advance are the episodes filmed? Does anyone know?

I had a strange sense watching last night, that the [two piece] bottle design they came up with was already on the open market... I felt sure I had already seen something identical!!

In fact, two versions of the final boardroom sequence are filmed, showing each of the finalists winning. Between filming and transmission, a period of about six months, both finalists work for Sir Alan in temporary jobs. Sir Alan does not reveal his decision about who is he is going to hire until shortly before transmission, and this determines which ending is shown. The BBC has issued contradictory statements about the decision procedure. The first version of events is that Sir Alan makes his decision on the day that the final boardroom sequence is filmed, based on the contestants' performance in the final task, and keeps it secret until just before transmission. The second version is that Sir Alan decides after the six-month trial period. Former contestant Saira Khan also stated that "His final decision is not based on the programme that people see. His final decision is based on these two people who have been working with him for the six months."

It seems to suggest that the final is also filmed six months before it is broadcast, but I'd be suprised if there products were actually put out on the market.

It is unknown if all four finalists worked for Sir Alan in that six month period, as this is the first time that four candidates have gone into the final.

I wonder if they had to film the final four times this year.

Edited by Mini_Magic, 12 June 2008 - 10:25 AM.

[Jammy]

I'm confused about when this 6 month 'trial' period for the finalists begins?

Does the final episode get filmed, with Sir Sug' chosing a 'winner', and then both finalists do 6 months of temp work, after which Sir Sug' hires one of them.

or

Are all the episodes filmed months previously, then after the final task the 6 months of temp work begins, and THEN the final episode is filmed and Sir Sug' makes his decision?

[Mini_Magic]

Does the final episode get filmed, with Sir Sug' chosing a 'winner', and then both finalists do 6 months of temp work, after which Sir Sug' hires one of them.

That's exactly what happens, the BBC film both (or in this years case all four) finalists being told in the board room that they're hired. Then there is a six month period where the finalists work for Sir Alan on a temporary basis. Sir Alan makes his decision, based on the six month period where they have worked for him, the day before the final episode is broadcast. The BBC then broadcast the final episode the day after, using the footage they have filmed six months earlier.

[Ethel]

In the middle of watching it on Iplayer - it was still dark at 7.30am as they left the house so obviously some of the final at least was filmed a while ago. They must surely play it fairly close to how they present it, they would have to be up front with applicants and I can't see many agreeing to being mucked about for 6 months on the off chance. I wouldn't be surprised if they helped out rejected candidates if they became unemployed through taking part however.

Spoiler

It is quality viewing, even better than The Office for being real. A bloke who can't pronounce his R's pitching a product called 'Woolette' by talking about his target buyer 'Wyan' , you wouldn't make it up

A worthy winner from what we saw, the only one of the 4 to come up with any ideas. What happened to gobby Claire in the final she was so quiet ???

Helene had the best understanding of business but seemed lost when it came to coming up with original ideas.

I didn't rate Alex; he can sell, but that's about all, I got the impression his selling abilities would have extended to his own granny to win. Just got to the bit where their in the boardroom and he's about to be bubbled for getting the split bottle idea off the designer. get ready with the ******* deflector!

I guess Jammy's got his big black marker out because I may have given the game away - You did that yourself on the first page, Jammy

loving the Lego - a few good ideas for the next series there

Edited by Ethel, 12 June 2008 - 11:55 AM.

[Rhys]

They do 2 endings during which time the 2 finalists are working for him at one of his companies, he then chooses one and they air that ending i think.

Rhys

[Mini_Magic]

They do 2 endings during which time the 2 finalists are working for him at one of his companies, he then chooses one and they air that ending i think.

Rhys

Although this year they must have had to film four different endings, for each of the finalists winning.

Perhaps even all four finalists worked for Sir Alan in that six month period.

[Amy]

It seems to suggest that the final is also filmed six months before it is broadcast, but I'd be suprised if there products were actually put out on the market.

Six months is plenty of time for anyone to use the idea the apprentice candidates came up with (or the designer) before it's aired on TV.... they certainly impressed the 'fragrance bods' with the idea, and I'm almost certain they wouldn't have patented the design six months ago.......

You only need to change one small detail and the design then becomes your own. I guess someone beat them to it anyway

Will have a root about today and see if I can find the product I've seen on the market.

[Mini_Magic]

It seems to suggest that the final is also filmed six months before it is broadcast, but I'd be suprised if there products were actually put out on the market.

Six months is plenty of time for anyone to use the idea the apprentice candidates came up with (or the designer) before it's aired on TV.... they certainly impressed the 'fragrance bods' with the idea, and I'm almost certain they wouldn't have patented the design six months ago.......

What I meant was, I'd be suprised if they would bother to put the products out on the market. Not that six months isn't plenty of time.

I suppose it could have been there project in that six month period, to get their ideas out on the market and make money. Then again I think it's more likely that they would have been doing something completly different, as perfune doesn't appear to be a market that Sir Alan has gone into.

[Amy]

It seems to suggest that the final is also filmed six months before it is broadcast, but I'd be suprised if there products were actually put out on the market.

Six months is plenty of time for anyone to use the idea the apprentice candidates came up with (or the designer) before it's aired on TV.... they certainly impressed the 'fragrance bods' with the idea, and I'm almost certain they wouldn't have patented the design six months ago.......

What I meant was, I'd be suprised if they would bother to put the products out on the market. Not that six months isn't plenty of time.

I suppose it could have been there project in that six month period, to get their ideas out on the market and make money. Then again I think it's more likely that they would have been doing something completly different, as perfune doesn't appear to be a market that Sir Alan has gone into.

Yes, I know.... what I meant was that somebody else has already used a similar design..... not the apprentice people!

[Ethel]

I'm sure they'll have lawyers keeping an eye on anything they come up with through the programme. I wouldn't be surprised if there is a contractual undertaking not to market anything - it's on the BBC & they get the cooperation of a lot of competitive businesses.

I doubt you could patent a 2 part bottle per se, it will have been done before. I don't think it would have been as expensive to produce as they made out - it certainly didn't look like it did what the designer suggested.
The big failing nobody mentioned is that, in order for the idea to be worthwhile, you'd have had to have included a lot more scent for the £30.

It almost makes you wonder if they lay traps for them when they are in danger falling off the radar & turning it in to a 1 sided contest - the ice cream exclusivity deal springs to mind.

[E.L.M.O]

Yea, Lee was the right person. I wouldn't be surprised if he hires Alex on the quiet too.

That's what I heard, that Sir Alan hired one of the others back stage. Supposidly there is two of them working for him now, the other one could be Alex.

So if they film x2 or x4 endings with each of them "pretending" to be the winner then Lee was faking when he won last night, because he was quiet and looking like a bit of a plonker for what felt like ages when he was told he was hired. surely if this was fake he would have put on a better act rather than look like a tit?
Sir Sugs face when alex was quiet for about 5 seconds amused me.

[Rhys]

I have been told that there was only 2 endings, Claire and Lee winning. They have both been at Viglen since January and only 1 apprentice has ever been hired per year. Last years runner up was offered a job for 1/2 the money and refused.

Rhys

[T.Harper]

Maybe Alan sugar gives the other finalists an employment offer for 6mths after the final, seeing as they have already taken time off work, to give them a bit of income and get them back on their feet?

[cap'n crunch]

i woulda chosen alex... because he has a really cool name

your right it is a good name

though I am a little suprised that he picked Lee after lying on his CV... there really is no excuse for doing that

[Mini_Magic]

though I am a little suprised that he picked Lee after lying on his CV... there really is no excuse for doing that

He may have lied a little on his CV, but Sir Alan didn't let that overshadow the rest of his performance throughout the whole series. Which on the whole was very good, he definatly improved as the series went on.

The only other person who was as consistant and sucessful was Alex, in my opinion he came very close to being hired over Lee.