Apprentice defends ‘evil’ interview episode after viewer complaints

The Apprentice has fought back viewer complaints that his latest episode is too “nasty”.

On Thursday (March 16), the reality series aired its penultimate episode, which shows the last five contestants being grilled by Lord Sugar’s loyal helpers, including Claude Littner and Linda Plant.

However, viewers have complained that the episode, which is usually a fan favorite, was particularly rough this year, with many saying they felt the contestants were being “bullied” by interviewers.

However, a rep for the series replied: “The round of interviews is more than just a regular interview. Its purpose is to help determine whose business plan has the potential to secure the £250,000 investment.

“As a result, every detail needs to be carefully considered, and advisors sometimes have to ask tough questions. The stakes are high and emotions run high for the candidates as they aim to secure a spot in the finals.

Littner and Plant were joined by Mike Souter and Baroness Karren Brady, who is seated next to Sugar in the boardroom.

Brady found himself at the center of one of the episode’s most brutal moments. When Megan Hornby left her interview, which went terribly, she addressed Brady by her first name, to which Brady replied, “To you, it’s Baroness Brady. My friends call me Karen.”

She also brought two of the contestants to tears, with Victoria Goulborne and Dani Donovan both breaking down during their interview. However, prior to the interviews, each candidate made it clear that they were most nervous about interviewing the businesswoman since she had been tracking their progress throughout the series.

But it was too much for some viewers, some of whom said they will stop watching The Apprentice as a result.

Claire Donnachie tweeted: “The interviewers seem to be bullying the finalists. They don’t interview. This is the last time I look The Apprentice.”

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Jake Johnstone added, “These interviews are just really nasty. All for the snide remarks and jokes, but some of it is just bullying.

Saj called the episode “awkward” and wrote, “This is verging on bullying,” while Jo added, “Why are people on #TheApprentice so rude? Dissect the business plan, not the person. It has become bullying, not constructive criticism.”

One viewer, S. Zarras, said her “little daughter was horrified to see the interview process,” adding, “Young people go through so much fear. I never want her to think her first interview will be like that.”

At the end of the episode, Sugar fired Victoria, Dani and Megan, leaving Rochelle Raye Anthony and Marnie Swindells as the 2023 finalists.

The Apprentice Finale airs Thursday (March 23) at 9pm on BBC One.