So which of the backstabbing conniving corporate capitalist wannabes will be taken under suralan’s wing and earn a 6 figure salary..? I admit to watching this and at 9pm every (Wednesday…Tuesday this week). When I hear the start of the classical theme tune to the programme I drop everything to watch as I desperately need my sugar fix. I am addicted. Why? Pure fascination, enjoyment at watching the bunch of witless wannabes organise together to sell products and emulate suralan’s business style. And the language is risible along with the desperation (the guy who said that the “L word” wasn’t in in his vocabulary…).
They all come from the private sector (finance, banking, marketing and “sales”) and dream of becoming the apprentice to Sugar’s Merlin. It is an obvious tactic (well, to me…and I am lowly public sector worker) that if a group is to win the task then at the core of this is the art of dividing up the tasks, working together collectively and equally. Not the usual spats about supermacy, plots to usurp the “task leader” and individualism that have a tendency to spiral out of control and leading up to the inevitable “you’re fired”!
One of the reasons why Michael was fired on Wednesday, other than being disorganised he went off to do his thing in selling flash cars with his “hard sale” pitch that pissed people off (same with his cake selling tactics that pissed off potential buyers). Chasing people down the street just aint gonna work. I’m amazed he wasn’t fired weeks ago.
Though doubtless to say (could be wrong) that none of these “bright sparks” have picked up a copy of Communist Manifesto and/or ventured past the first page of Capital. Or involved in building trade unionism in the private sector. Their blinkered ideology is based on individualism, classic dog-eat-dog tactics and making loadsa cash. I would love to see them organise a paper sale on a Saturday morning……
My low-paid salary is on Claire to win. She is a kinda carbon copy of Ruth Badger (who woz robbed of the title in the 2nd series) though Sirulan does have a tendency to choose non-entities who don’t seem able to cut the corporate capitalist mustard, case in point is last year’s winner, Simon (according to suralan, Simon is doing “ok”…). Whose knowledge of suralan’s history boarded on stalker obsession along with his need to wear yellow socks. But won he did over the more pragmatic and organised Christina.
But to put the pantomime theatrics to one side, it gives a brutal inside glimpse of the “kiss up kick down” strategies of corporate capitalism, equal opportunities being trashed (sexist double-standards with women being interrogated about their childcare responsibilities BUT not the men with kids…and the usual power relationships between the men and women wannabees), bullying behaviour. The behaviour and language of suralan has seeped into the real life lexicon of corporate bosses (increase in employment tribunals). Yeah, I can hear you all chorusing, “but are you surprised by these practices”? No, I am not but it is still shocking how people treat each other to get on to make a fast buck…
But hey, they all make up with a group hug……………
Why am I bovvered? Again, my defence and am sticking to it, m’lud, is that it is fascinating to watch especially as it is a very popular show. The Big Brother of sales and marketing. And like all social phenomena it needs to be analysed and this zeitgeisty show along with its popularity has to be studied.
But if anyone can give me useful and practical ways in ending my Apprentice addiction, it will be appreciated…..
Before entering rehab, who is gonna win..?
