The Apprentice

British version of the reality competitions series that sees young entrepreneurs compete in several business tasks, attempting to survive the weekly firings in order to become the business partner of one of the most successful businessmen.

The Apprentice (2005-present) is a British reality competition series created by Mark Burnett for BBC One. Young entrepreneurs vie for a business partnership with self-made tycoon Lord Alan Sugar, who acts as the boss and hands down the final verdict. Each week the candidates are split into teams and sent through business tasks in areas such as marketing, sales, advertising, product design and manufacturing, and every episode builds toward a boardroom meeting where one candidate is fired. The engine of the show is survival: contestants must impress Sugar and his aides, Nick Hewer, Karren Brady and Claude Littner, while avoiding the blame that falls on whoever is judged weakest. Narrated with brisk, pointed commentary and built around the tension of the boardroom, the series runs as a continuing competition across twenty seasons, moving from one cohort to the next. Its tone is sharp, competitive and often cutting, with an atmosphere of corporate pressure and public scrutiny. Fans of Survivor and Shark Tank will find resonance in its elimination format and high-stakes pitching, and the show remains a defining British tradition of business reality television.

• Survivorcompetitive elimination format, business tasks, weekly firings, reality competition tone
• Shark Tankreality competition with high-stakes business pitches and a powerful judge figure
• The Great British Bake Offreality competition built on weekly eliminations and a demanding mentor figure

Created by

Mark Burnett

Release Date

2005-02-16

Episode runtime

60 min

Rating

7.1 / 10 (30)

What is The Apprentice about?

Young entrepreneurs compete through business tasks and weekly firings to win a partnership with a successful British tycoon.

What is The Apprentice like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Apprentice as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.

Is The Apprentice violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Apprentice.

Which shows are like The Apprentice?

Shows with a similar feel include Survivor, Shark Tank, and The Great British Bake Off.

How long is The Apprentice?

The Apprentice: 20 seasons, 266 episodes.

Is The Apprentice still running?

Yes, The Apprentice is still running.