I have some pressing questions about the Apprentice

[Notalone]

First of all what timescale is it filmed on? The candidates go on constantly about it being relentless and of how shattered they are. Does this mean rather than being filmed over a period of weeks, there are only days in between each task? If they do have a week then what do they do in that week?

Also what does Frances write in that pad and is this where she always works? Is she really Alan Sugars PA or is she just there for the show as a bit of eye candy? Also if she really is his PA what time does she start work as she is always the one who makes the early morning call, even when the call is at 5.30am.

Does anyone have any answers lol?

Frances is a model hired for filming I believe

You need to get out more.

Maidamess - you are so right lol.

Believe you me, I have had similar conversations with my friend on the phone.

Oh God - its so sad isn't it?!!

I do wish I had Frances's voice though - think she has a lovely sexy voice unlike my shrewish dulcet tones

But Sir Alan is sitting so close to the lobby he could shout for them to come back into the boardroom!

I'm always fascinated by the amount of stuff the candidates have for the task that you never see getting prepared, i.e Michaels Ferrari hire sign he used tonight. Who makes that? Did he?

See I've got just as many daft questions as you!!

I think the morning call is recorded. I also think it must all be filmed back to back. That would make, what, about 3 weeks off work for these people. Far more believable than having so many people pack in their jobs on a wing and a prayer.

Thank goodness its not just me asking random questions!! sir alan could quite easily call them in himself couldn't he, or Nick or Margaret could. Frances is quite unecessary really isnt she?

Makes sense Twinkle - I have been wondering for ages what they do for the few days inbetween filming.

Its not his real office you know -its a set and Francis is an actress. Its a TV programme.

His real ofice is very unglamourous in N.London somewhere.

Oh snice, don't rain on our parade. Its real to us

It's a set.
Frances is an actress.
If you look closely she's not even always the same person.

I don't buy all those macho dawn wake-up calls either. It could be any time. I don't seriously believe there is time for them all to shower and shave (well, okay, Alex doesn't bother shaving, treating us all to his bumfluff 14-year-old's "stubble" all through the programme).

I wonder too if they are given more prep time than they appear to be. Some of that stuff must take a lot of setting up - someone else mentioned the "props". (Did Lucinda sell any raffle tickets?)

It's all recorded over a period of about 8 weeks - late August to early October, to judge by key clues we have been given in this series and the last.

it is real..... please humour me!!

WHen the impromptu morning phone call comes its amazing how the cameraman is there ready to film whoever rushes down the stairs- and that only one of the contestants ever comes to pick up the phone

god im sooo thick. i havent even thought about any of this til i started reading ths boo hoo

Also they must film the bit where they get in the taxi after being fired in a job lot at the beginning. If you watch their clothes they change from walking to the taxi and when they are filmed inside it.
I read an article where it said Sir Alan's PA is someone totally different.

Yes, all the "taxi walks" are done in one shoot before any of the selection begins. Its why they ask them to wear long buttoned-up black coats - to hide (not always successfully!) the fact that their clothes will be different.

I think Margaret will get her own series now though - she's brilliant

also i was wondering about how it was all kept secret - as soon as it starts being shown on telly, why don't the friends/family start selling their stories? i gather the final few are filmed a bit more in real-time tho.

Anyone else noticed that the house is very similar to the Britain's Next Top Model house?

The final 2 have already been working for Sir Alan for a good few weeks, so he bases his final decision on a lot more than we get to see on TV.

I heard that the PA is someone on the production team who has only this series been given a clothing budget. Since being told this I have noticed fancier clothes.

Am lol and a bit at how stupid I actually am. I really thought it was all real sob sob! Franceses voice is always the same but then they never properly show her face. Was the old one (Jenny?) and actress too then?

Why on earth do they do the taxi walk before btw??