Charm, the magical quality of being likable, is a superpower. When it fails, the result is as catastrophic as Superman losing his ability to fly, at 80,000 feet.
Tre Lowe, perhaps the most charismatic candidate ever to fight for Lord Sugar’s money on The Apprentice (BBC1), fell from the sky in a long, raucous tailspin during the interview round, the only genuinely entertaining segment of this former Format.
Tre wasn’t Superman, just Wile E Coyote discovering there was nothing beneath him but a bottomless abyss. When his luck ran out, he almost turned to the camera with a pitiful look and a sign that said, ‘Byeeeeaaarrrgghhh!’
Tre never failed to remind us that he scored a top three hit with Body Groove, back in 2000. His smiling confidence has carried him through ten weeks of mistakes and infighting.
But when he presented his business idea to Sugar’s team of interrogators, it proved useless. He dreamed of marketing ‘testosterone shots’, fruit smoothies packed with vitamins and herbs to maximize a guy’s macho potential.
Tre Lowe, perhaps the most charismatic candidate ever to fight for Lord Sugar’s money on The Apprentice (BBC1), fell from the sky in a long, lurid plummet.
Alan Sugar’s advisor, Claude Littner, took one look at Tre’s business plan and blurted out, “It’s woefully inadequate.”
I had no idea how to make the product and hadn’t even tried the recipe. Plus, it turns out that selling real testosterone-enhanced drinks is illegal.
Alan Sugar’s advisor, Claude Littner, took one look at Tre’s business plan and blurted out, “It’s woefully inadequate.” I think we have stopped completely.
Mike Souter prolonged the torture by producing a mock-up of Tre’s recipe and forcing him to drink a whole one. “I love that burning feeling in the back of your throat,” Tre choked out.
Since the series began in February, the Apprentice most likely to succeed appeared to be Flo Edwards, a recruitment consultant who seemed unfazed.
But Claude’s rejection of his plans was even more scathing. “This is all ridiculous, the ravings of a lunatic,” he said. —In four months they will arrest you.
It turned out that Flo couldn’t distinguish between ambition and illusion. Neither could cosmetic dentist Paul Midha, who wanted to launch a sideline with fashionable ‘clothes’ or robes for healthcare workers.
“My dentists seem to wear this sort of big shirt,” mused Lord S, “which goes up to three-quarters of a length.” Karren Brady, who until then had seemed ineffably bored, perked up. “I hope they’re wearing something else too,” she suggested.
When Tre presented his business idea to Sugar’s team of interrogators, it turned out to be useless.
Revealing his wolfish side, Sugar attempted to tell Paul he would be willing to take 50 per cent of his £2m dentistry business, in return for an investment of £250,000. I bet he would.
This left Phil Turner and his family pie company, and Rachel Woolford with her boutique gyms.
From the middle of the episode, it was clear to viewers that these two were the only possible contenders for next week’s finale. By then, Tre, Flo, and Paul were toast and were the only people who couldn’t see him. Denial is also a kind of superpower.