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?

so it is a well known making out venue then
like behind the bikesheds

But someone this series (I want to say Simon - ?....army guy) said bye to Frances before leaving after getting fired....surely not together enough to make that sort of in joke????

A challenging part for that actress [smirk]

Follow the link at the bottom of this page to answer your questions....

I've just read the Apprentice Spoilers - (.DOC format) from the BBC website. It answers some of the questions. Bit now.

Damn - my computer won't open that spoiler file. Are there any shockers in it?

Wouldn't say there were any shockers. Doesn't actually contain that much info. Just things like reminding you it is a tv show, some of it takes place in a studio.

when they did the tissue task they filmed down the road from my office at the advertising agency. We were walking down to Sainsbury's to get lunch and 4 of us (huge Apprentice fans) saw the big black cars and were wondering what was going on...that was months ago

A friend of mine was on it - must have been two years ago.

She 'disappeared' for just less than the number of weeks you'd expect given the round she got fired in iyswim.
I think each round is slightly shorter than a week though.

Officially they have to keep it secret from all but the very very closest friends and family.

It must be tricky (and was for my friend) as quite a few people knew she'd applied and they guessed when she 'disappeared' for a few weeks.

Ooooh MNersanonymous. Please tell us who your friend was or at least give us a clue!!!

ha ha I knew I was asking for trouble by saying that.
erm she ordered a few too many chickens and some big melons....

Ah ha!!! Have just googled and your friend has got to be Alexa!!!! Was she the one who was v pretty, long dark hair and glasses?

what I want to know is why all these incredibly brilliant successful employed people in their late 20s aren't on 6 figure salaries already!

Probably because a lot of them are mainly hot air. Think Kristina Grimes was one of the most deserving candidates though - apparently she got 140 job offers afterwards. Wonder how many Mzzz Hopkins got?

We saw the pub the boys' team sold their italian food at when we were staying in Earls Court a few weeks ago.

and my friend and her sister were at the Wedding show at the NEC in Nov(?) and they saw them all doing their stalls.

Yes, the last two have been wittled down and are working for Sralan now. The final is live though. Wonder if they have to sign a contract not to change their hair drastically for continuity purposes?!

Dh will be gutted that Frances isn't real.

Who will final 2 be then? I think it will be Lee and either Lucinda or Claire.

Lee and Claire deffo.

Newest catchphrase at my office: "That's what I'm talkin about!"

I work in a team of 12 people and not one watches the Apprentice! I used to love -slating-- talking about the candidates sob sob

Oi - what happenned to my crossed out word???

It all makes sense when you think about it though. I mean, if Frances calls at 6.30 to say Sralan wants them at 7, why aren't they all up and dressed and waiting for the call? Must take them half an hour to get to him. Could only be a set up.

If you're in London, LBC now has two ex-Apprentices, James Max from a couple of years back and Tre Azam. It's quite interesting hearing them bust all the myths!

There is something horribly macho about the notion that getting up early for a "breakfast meeting" makes you all hard and businesslike. People actually work better when they work flexibly and are allowed to regulate their own hours.

I think Lee wilrugglhe interview process...eloquence is not his forte, and he can't rely on his Lenny Henry style jungle bird screech top get him through

will struggle...my fingers don't work.

I agree UQD - having been there and done that, early breakfast meetings just make you tired!

However, the Apprentice process is surely designed to make the candidates a bittired to see who performs well under pressure.

Changing tack a little, DH always, always complains about all those aerial shots of the City....especially when Sralan's office is in Brentwood or somewhere like that.

NOTALONE- I can neither confirm not deny your suggestion .
But ahem yes that description fits Alexa....