The Apprentice Blog - The Wrong Girl

On the two previous occasions that I've written this blog I've managed to put the kiss of death on the two people I tipped to go a long way. At the risk of jinxing anyone else, this time I'm going to keep quiet. Oh, alright then - I really think Debra is going to win.

Keeping quiet was ultimately Mona's undoing, although I can't see how someone who is really good at sales, diplomatic and not straining under the weight of their own greatness wouldn't be an asset to the Sugar empire.

We all know people who are only assertive in situations where they feel comfortable and I think the past two weeks have shown that with Mona: brilliant when she had to close the deals with the retailers but in the background when the territory was new to her and Debra was running the show - or not, if you know what I mean.

How someone can have the best idea to work with and the three people with the least ego issues on her team and still manage to muck it up and get away with it in the boardroom is truly galling. The force of Debra's personality prevents people from performing at their peak and her desire to always have the last word or the upper hand will only ever yield limited success. Whereas confidence can be nurtured, arrogance is very hard to unlearn.

Watching this week's show, I felt like I was mentally stuck in a seaside town for a wet weekend. There weren't too many laughs and the feeling of doom around the project and despair about human nature made the hour a slog.

That's my ray of sunshine for this week.

Next week, the contestants are going to a Baby Fair. You just know that some of the most childish behaviour won't be emanating from the prams.

Harry Guerin