The Apprentice was inundated with complaints when it aired its Thursday night (March 16) interview episode. The remaining five candidates – Dani Donovan, Megan Hornby, Victoria Goulbourne, Rochelle Anthony and Marnie Swindells – were put to the test by Lord Sugar’s team.
Their business plans were shattered by Claude Littner, Karren Brady, Mike Soutar and Linda Plant. In a ruthless altercation, Baroness Brady told Megan Horby that her business plan to launch an online sweet business was as “crazy as it gets” and had “no depth or substance”.
Karren then brutally slapped her as Megan thanked her for the interview. As she left the room, Karren snapped, “It’s Baronness Brady to you, my friends call me Karren.”
Viewers complained on Twitter that the candidates were being ‘bullied’ and some claimed they would no longer watch the BBC show. Claire Donnachie wrote, “#TheApprentice, the interviewers seem to bully the finalists. They don’t interview. This is the last time I look at the Apprentice.”
“Actually finding this episode awkward. Bullying this woman for not being confident enough? Imaginary numbers not good enough and some minor spelling errors? This is not a dragon’s den. This is a show open to anyone with a business idea, not CEOs ffs, said GrumpyThoughts.
Jake Johnstone commented, “These interviews are really just mean. All because of the cutting comments and jokes, but some of this is just bullying.”
Saj reiterated, “This is on the verge of bullying…” Catherine Thomas agreed, “This is getting obnoxious – borderline bullying.”
Jo added, “Why are people so rude on #TheApprentice? Break apart the business plan, not the person. It’s become bullying, not constructive criticism.”