Episode 1 - 25 Mar 2009, 21:00 on BBC One

[Daddio]

"In their first boardroom meeting, Sir Alan leaves the fresh-faced candidates under no illusions about how tough the next 12 weeks will be, with a no-holds-barred introduction to the job interview from hell.

With no time for respite, the hard work starts immediately, as the immaculately dressed candidates are given a bucket and sponge and told to make as much money as possible by starting up a cleaning company. With just eight hours to turn a profit, both teams have to roll up their tailored sleeves and get stuck in.

Under the watchful eyes of Sir Alan's aides, Nick Hewer and Margaret Mountford, the teams must decide where to go, what to clean and how much to charge. With highly competitive candidates all desperate to prove their worth, it is not long before tensions rise and tempers flare. Chaos ensues as the boys and girls compete against the clock to avoid a showdown with the boss, Sir Alan Sugar.

The winning team gets to check out their new home, a luxury penthouse suite with more than 10,000 square feet of modern living space, while the losers are left to battle it out in the boardroom. In the end, someone will be in the firing line. Who will be the first to hear the infamous words 'You're fired'?"

So that's the foreplay taken care of.

Now brace yourself for some action.

Live comment on the first episode, and W(TF)HATM, will follow here at 9PM.

[Peter]

I love it because it is the one thing that gets people talking about my profession - Project Management; even my kids, and wife, learnt to understand a little more of what 'Dad' does every day at work from Sir Alan and his team of hopefuls. Actually I hope what I do is a little more effective but you know what I mean.

But the would be recruits should be very wary of the role of Project Manager at the start of the series; managing a bunch of people you don't know, who are all on a huge ego trip and who are all after the 'one thing' is not something that offers much hope for any project manager and has proven to be high risk in previous series.

By the way, why do they always show the London skyline when Sir Alan's offices are in Essex?

See The Lazy Project Manager meets The Apprentice Blog at www.thelazyprojectmanager.com

[wossy]

By the way, why do they always show the London skyline when Sir Alan's offices are in Essex?

Probably because Sir Al' actually runs the whole operation from a lock-up in Essex

[Daddio]

Of all the reality shows, this is definitely one that you need a gameplan for.

More than that, you need to be able to think on your feet, and adapt to your surroundings.

Taking the role of PM for the very first task can seem brave, but it's usually down to who blinks first.

I think that's because the bravery is soon forgotten, and you have no idea who you are working with.

As Siralan is looking to stamp his authority straightaway, he usually fires the first losing PM.

I prefer the system Donald Trump has for the USA series, where there is an incentive to be PM.  In the USA the winning PM gets immunity from being fired the following week.

[admin]

Let battle commence...!

[Daddio]

Car aerials sound like a good business.

[Daddio]

Come on Rocky!

Lambs to the slaughter.

[wossy]

O dear, Debra Barr's voice really doesn't tie with her appearance

[wossy]

"As easy to play as bongo drums" - classic!

[Daddio]

Do you reckon the girls are scrubbers then?

[Daddio]

Ben's a Scot - warming to him.

Kate looks like Heather McCartney - without the charm.

[wossy]

Noorul Choudhury is annoying the hell out of me and he has only just opened his mouth...

[wossy]

Look at that, Philip is straight in there with the name, which they all agree on. Come on Phil!

[Daddio]

Empire biscuits

Ignite - light the touch paper and retire.

Don't do it Howard!!!!!!

[Daddio]

Mona gets the short straw.