Tycoon - ITVs version of the Aprentice

[David Braziel]

Did anyone else watch this tonight - its sort of the ITV version of the apprentice with Peter Jones and a mixed bag of wannabe entrepreneurs.

And did anyone else watch with the same sense of rising frustration and annoyance? Personally I switched off less than half way through.

Wouldn't it be great to have a TV programme that actually dealt with business and entrepreneurship in a grown-up realistic way instead of big brother in suits.

Was I expecting too much?

[Alex Bellinger]

I caught the last half of it and you're right it's car crash telly and very definitely entrepretainment.

Taking contestant to the end of a pier to tell them they're business was about to get closed down was highly amusing. Presumably when PJ does choose to close one of the businesses he'll push a contestant into the Thames ;)

Actually, I suspect these programmes overall probably have a beneficial effect. At least it gets people interested and one would hope they'd then look at more serious resources.

Of the TV start-up shows I think Martin Webb on Risking It All doe a reasonable job. I've got an interview with him on SmallBizPod coming up in the next few weeks.

[David Braziel]

I'm afraid I don't think its as harmless as you Alex. Dragons Den is a good example of a program that is entertaining and I think it does show some of the spirit of entrepreneurship. In this Tycoon mess you could really feel the producers hand constantly looking to twist the knife or start a fight. And I think it puts PJ in a bad light - some of the 'advice' he was coming out with was just so obviously slanted at making good television not good business.

If people really do watch this and decide to get into business Im afraid that they will go into it with completely the wrong idea.

Ohh it really did get my back up didnt it!

BTW Alex you are currently on my TV - Im playing the latest podcast by wirelessly streaming it from my macbook to my Xbox360 plugged into the telly. Did I mention that I'm a geek?

[Alex Bellinger]

I've worked in organisations where it felt like you were in some bad reality business TV show. Seriously!

Why is it so often when ITV nick one of the BBC's formats they dumb it down? I'm sure they underestimate their audience.

Blimey ... you really are a geek, David. I'm impressed. One of these days I'll shock you with a SmallBizPod video podcast - hopefully one of better quality than I put up as a test a little while back.

[Madelaine Kirke]

TV in general is short of formats - so many programmes are just clones - Joseph/Grease, Trinny & Susannah/Look Good Naked to mention but two pairs.

Video podcast? No! I can't take that on the dog walk.

[Chris Garrett]

I really hope Peter Jones has enough money to refund people their lost earnings whilst wasting an hour watching this rubbish. None of the ideas seemed to be particularly innovative and none of the contestants seemed to be capable of being successful. As for Tom Thurlow, I'm amazed he managed to win Young Entrepreneur of the Year, he seemed to me to be a very poor representation of young entrepreneurship.

The amount of funding being offered does seem to be somewhat low by todays standards, I think this may be directly responsible for the low standard of contestants.

[Rowena Mead]

I also watched TYCOON, but managed to watch it to the end! Apart from finding the programme absolutely hilarious, it was incredibly embarassing for these so called entreprenuers. It really did show most of them as total idiots, particlulary Mrs Fruka. I was also amazed at Tom Thurlow and his GCSE newspaper.

The irritating thing for me, is that these people were picked because of sheer determination according to Peter Jones, not because of a good business idea. I feel angry that so many people must have presented to him some decent business ideas that ITV have discarded because it wouldn't have had as much appeal. Saying that, I was falling about laughing when Peter took the vodka juice lady to the end of the pier whilst she was crying and saying repeatedly 'I can move mountains Peter'. Unfortunately I'm hooked!

[Alex Bellinger]

The pier incident was classic! I think I'll give the show one more week (only having seen half of it this week).

[Rowena Mead]

It's worth another watch just to see that re-cap alone, I have honestly never laughed so much in all my life. I don't think she realised how hilarious it looked for the viewers, shouting this after him as he strutted back down the pier with his golf umbrella - the wind blowing her hopes, and her hair, down the Thames forever....

[Peter Draper]

I think programs of this nature do offer an insight for Joe Public. Unfortunately the people that normally get into these programs are there for entertainment value and not for any other reason. PJ definately let himself down by choosing the business ideas thay are currently running with as any one looking to invest "his own money" (as he keeps stating) would find out if the ideas had any legs at all!

This discussion leads us onto (if not already done) the spin offs such as "Badger or Bust" - the swearing business consultant (pah!) and "Syed Ahmed - Hot air" (yep thats right). At least these programs do one thing - they keep researchers busy trying to find willing participants with no idea at all!

[Alex Bellinger]

I suppose you might ask whether the recent increases in the numbers choosing to set up their own business, will be matched a year or two down the line by record numbers failing or choosing to return to employment?