It’s all over

Posted in Latest News, Nicky's Blog by Nicky on December 15th, 2009

Apprentice 2009 Steve Rayner. What a result!! The best man won and I am delighted. He was strong at the beginning of the series, dipped for a while and came back fighting so kudos where deserved. The man of the moment has integrity, amazing selling skills and deserves the opportunity. It is amazing how you only see a certain side of these guys on television and even though I have been through the Apprentice wringer I sometimes forget this. I had the pleasure of meeting Steve and his family over the past few days and I have to say what lovely, genuine people they are. Steve even told me my advice to lose the dog chain was taken on board and his fiancée was thanking me, she didn’t like it either Congratulations are in order but in the same breath I would like to give my sympathies to Stephen. I know that runner up feeling and how devastating it can be so congratulations to him for making it that far, the little tear at the end helped We have all criticised the candidates time to time but it is a reality TV and it is part a parcel of the show but as its over I’d like to say I know how hard the process is and well done to all 14 for making the past 13 weeks addictive watching.

Ok back to the task, without sounding biased I did think the final task was quite basic and small compared to last year and even UK/America series, normally alot more parts to the task. This is down to the production team but last year we had a ball to organise including entertainment, source prizes, run a 3 mobile store, source a celebrity, do aradio interview and a presentation so I was quite surprised, but 2 days is short time to pull it all together and they did well. Maybe they thought being 2 men they wouldn’t be able to multi task, joking!! This year was very different because neither Brian nor Jackie were following the candidates which I thought was strange? Aren’t his eyes and ears meant to advise him of each performance, maybe if we were thinking conspiracy theories they had Steve already in mind as the winner and were just going through the motions. Just a thought!! There was no sales or money or anything to decide a task winner either which is unusual!? Many say Stephen won the final task but I’m not sure. Yes he changed tactic which is admirable and the event looked great but he forgot fundamental basics such as detailed information about the car and venue in his speech which is what the task was about, he didn’t push a boundaries getting a celebrity either, Pippa O’Connor? I don’t want to dig the knife in but I have to report on the task! Steve’s idea was a bit cliché but he worked the room, kept his cool, informed the audience exactly why they were there and all about the car. His speech wasn’t great but I’m surprised he was even able to talk after what happened to Michelle, I’m not sure I could have composed myself because people falling is my giggle weakness!! What a tumble and the 10 times I’ve watched it she really stacked it!! Fair play to her though, she got straight up and kept going. An insider told me she was happy for it to air and was a sport about it. No diva behaviour in sight!

Technically the task was smaller than usual but I still think it was a cracker of an episode, it had humour, bitching, emotion and business of course. The Breffmeister didn’t let us down with his one liners and hilarious reaction to everything. Describing Stephen as a “bull in a china shop but now a calmer Bull” ahaha, his fiesta demonstration skills consisted of smoozing Pippa, who seemed to appreciate our Breff as well. Brian Ormond better watch this space Breff may not have contributed massively to the task but the final would not have been the same without him! I wanted to throttle Sam watching the show last night; it amazes me how some past contestants act on return! Some have a serious case of Hunchback syndrome from the enormous chip on their shoulders! The task was about Stephen, get on with the job and be happy for him, it’s not a competition anymore so I felt the negative comments weren’t necessary. Yes she was honest but I felt it was more begrudgary!

So it’s all over and what a great 13 weeks, what are we going to do!? The Apprentice 2009 was a classic and special thanks to Meteor who included us the public so much more this year, providing us with great unseen clips and gossip!! Also huge thanks to those who read the blog, it is hugely appreciated and I wish you a Happy Christmas and great 2010.

Nicky