The Apprentice has just concluded its 18th series, and some viewers think it’s time for a refresh.
The BBC reality show sees a group of businesspeople compete against each other to win £250,000 of Lord Alan Sugar’s money. After the series ends, the investment is put into their business idea, and they’ll also receive money-can’t-buy guidance from the billionaire.
Since 2005 we’ve had a new series pretty much every year and it’s largely followed the format of the American version, which finished in 2017 and saw Donald Trump, and for the final outing, Arnold Schwarzenegger, sitting at the top of the boardroom.
The finale aired last night with boutique fitness studio owner Rachel Woolford taking the win against pie company businessman Phil Turner, but some viewers weren’t completely satisfied with its 12 episodes.
‘A genuinely abysmal series of #TheApprentice overall,’ remarked RyanJL on X.
He continued: ‘The whole process has never felt more tired and in desperate need of fresh eyes behind the scenes. There is a major disconnect between everything that builds up to the interviews/business plans and final.’
Let’s take a look at some of the viewers’ ideas to give the show a refresh for 2025…
Varied tasks
For the first 10 episodes, the candidates split into teams and faced each other in tasks doing everything from launching a new Formula-E team to arranging corporate away days. However, RyanJL thinks at their core, they are ‘samey’.
‘They need a refresh of the tasks. They are so predictable,’ agreed BexBookaholic.
Currently, the hopefuls’ business ideas aren’t focused on until the penultimate episode when they face questioning from tough interviewers, including former show aide, Claude Littner. In the finale, they launch their business and present in front of a room filled with industry experts.
It was suggested that the format be altered to bring in this aspect earlier.
‘Would be great if the whole format changed so that each week built on a different aspect of their business plan,’ wrote Hanami Dream.
Advisors switch-up
Since its inception, Lord Sugar has had two aides informing him about what happens when he’s not around. They’ll silently watch and judge the tasks and occasionally give a disapproving look to the camera as something goes wrong, then spill all the tea in the boardroom to help Lord Sugar decide who to fire.
Currently sitting next to him in the boardroom are Baroness Karren Brady, and first The Apprentice winner Tim Campbell, but some viewers think it’s time they were changed.
Fans have called for the return of Claude – the businessman originally worked as one of Lord Sugar’s advisors from 2015-2019.
He stepped down from his more demanding role when the series returned after a short break in 2022 due to a horror car crash. Claude was replaced by Tim in 2022, who hasn’t won over everyone.
Raynor Summers doesn’t think his inclusion ‘makes sense’ and that his observations are similar to what a ‘typical university student’ could come up with. Nothing wrong with resembling a student – have they ever watched University Challenge?
SuperTV247 called Tim ‘not entertaining in the slightest’. That one is a little harder to put a positive spin on.
Others are happy for either Tim or Claude to sit with Baroness Brady but want them to take on more of an active role leading tasks, that demonstrate their skillset.
Shorten the series
Although we live in a TV era often defined by binge viewing (just look at our Baby Reindeer speed), The Apprentice remains a weekly show that stretches across three months.
Viewers wait 12 weeks to discover who is the champion, but not everybody is happy with this format. ‘This show needs to be like 5 weeks shorter next year,’ remarked SuperTV247.
One viewer, LisJDubz, felt that the show’s length even meant that he was unable to remember candidates who returned for the final episode to help the finalists with their business launches. If you struggle with recalling what you did at the weekend on Tuesday, then this show could definitely be a struggle.
Better candidates
‘The candidates need to be actual business-smart,’ wrote one viewer and they are not alone with this thought process. Many viewers are calling for a stricter casting process to find a stronger selection of businesspeople.
Account PuckingHell felt that the selected stars didn’t ‘actually seem to know anything about business’.
‘This was easily the weakest selection of candidates ever,’ remarked Slarty247.
‘Invest three months of my time to watch a lower quality of candidates each year, and for the winner to be someone setting a gym. Ridiculously boring TV,’ said a disappointed Thomas Lethardy.
Despite the criticism, the show remains popular – it is often the most-watched programme of the week, and peaked at over six million viewers, so it’s unlikely The Apprentice will be hearing ‘You’re Fired’ from the BBC any time soon.
While some people had a long list of notes to improve the show, others were happy with what they got.
‘Without a shadow of a doubt the best series we’ve had in years,’ wrote SimbaYoyo, who is already looking forward to 2025’s offering.
Lordlucozade added: ‘Thoroughly enjoyed #TheApprentice this year. First time in several years I’ve been utterly invested. From week 1 to 12.’