The Apprentice: The Best Of Series 1-4

The successful reality TV show fronted by Sir Alan Sugar (everyone associated with this release is seemingly bound by instruction to announce him thusly, as if he is some wandering Knight) has entered its 5th series and shows little signs of flagging with both viewers and applications soaring. However, the idea to create a "best of" compilation show is bizarre for such weekly challenge based material, which of itself has only a cumulative impact on the result of the programme thus robbing it of any of the tension and enjoyment one gets from such a measured dose.

In actuality, this release is just a unification of two recent clip shows that accompanied the fourth series ('Motor Mouths' and 'Worst Decisions Ever'), and therefore the spotlight is even narrower and the context even more flimsy, especially for the rookie viewer. However, the market of this release, as any of the increasingly banal contestants will tell you, is the die-hard Sugar fan.

What's most bizarre in 'Motor Mouths' is the racial slant that is presented. The first three such termed are Series 3's Tre Azam, Series 1's Saira Khan and Series 2's Syed Ahmed - all Asian contestants who, whilst undoubtedly gobby, are simply trying to upsell their skills to Alan and progress through the competition. It seems strange that the likes of Katie Hopkins or Claire Young are not so spotlighted.

'Worst Decisions Ever' obviously allows some more entertaining schadenfraude, as on-the-spot mistakes are highlighted over an hour so we are able to revel in the infamous "100 Chickens" incident and cash and carry cheese fiascos in all their glory. The DVD is seen out with a more in-depth look at advisors Nick Hewer and Margaret Mountford, who are given a clip show of their own and a very brief interview extra. All in all not a bad experience, but hardly one whose rewatch stock will ever rise.



Extras: Nick and Margaret's Memorable Moments, Interviews with Nick Hewer and Margaret Mountford.

Released on DVD on 20th April 2009 by Fremantle Media.

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Reviewed by Simon Cole.