Charm, the magical quality of being kind, is a superpower. If 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 to ever throw Lord Sugar’s money on The Apprentice (BBC1), fell from the sky during a long, screaming dive during the interview round – the only truly entertaining segment of this old-fashioned format.
Tre was not Superman, just Wile E Coyote who discovered that 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 read, “Goodbyesaaaarrrgghhh!”
Tre kept reminding us that he had a Top Three hit in 2000 with Body Groove. His smiling confidence has carried him up through ten weeks of blunders and battles.
But when he presented his business idea to Sugar’s team of interrogators, it turned out to be worthless. 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 to ever throw Lord Sugar’s money on The Apprentice (BBC1), plummeted from the sky during a long, screaming dive
Claude Littner, Alan Sugar’s fire-breathing advisor, took one look at Tre’s business plan and snapped, “It’s woefully inadequate.”
He had no idea how to manufacture the product and hadn’t even tried the recipe. Furthermore, it appears to be illegal to sell drinks spiked with actual testosterone.
Claude Littner, Alan Sugar’s fire-breathing advisor, took one look at Tre’s business plan and snapped, “It’s woefully inadequate.” I think we’ve come to a standstill.’
Mike Souter extended the torture by making a mock-up of Tre’s recipe and forcing him to drink an entire recipe. “I love that burning feeling in the back of the throat,” Tre choked.
Since the series began in February, the student most likely to succeed has seemed like Flo Edwards, a recruitment consultant who seemed unflappable.
But Claude’s rejection of her plans was even more devastating. “This whole thing is ridiculous, the rantings of a madman,” he said. “You’ll be bankrupt in four months.”
Flo, it turned out, couldn’t tell the difference between ambition and delusion. This also applied to cosmetic dentist Paul Midha, who wanted to launch a side business in fashionable ‘scrubs’ or tunics for healthcare workers.
“My dentists seem to wear one of those big shirts,” Lord S mused, “that’s three-quarters long.” Karren Brady, who until then had looked unspeakably bored, perked up. “I hope they wear something else too,” she suggested.
When Tre presented his business idea to Sugar’s team of interrogators, it turned out to be worthless
Sugar revealed his wolfish side and tried to tell Paul that he would be willing to accept 50 percent of his £2 million dentistry business in return for a £250,000 investment. I bet he would.
This left Phil Turner and his family pie business, and Rachel Woolford with her boutique fitness schools.
From halfway through 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 devastated, and they were the only people who couldn’t see it. Denial is also a kind of superpower.
