Kicking The Door Down: The Apprentice

(BBC1. Wednesday. 9PM)

‘Selling your body might make money, but does it come with deeper costs?’

Correct me if I’m wrong, but when you tune in to power-dressing game-show The Apprentice, the last thing you’re looking is a philosophical conundrum to get your teeth into. But that’s Sir Alan for you – he’s always full of surprises.

This week the sour-faced entrepreneur had given each team two-hundred pounds – and their task was to double it.

And everyone was going swimmingly until one of the girls came up with the idea of selling kisses.

Within minutes a furious polarised debate was raging. One side, captained by Naomi, supported the idea. Yes, selling kisses may say little for the girls’ credentials, but the money would speak louder than actions ever could.

Then there were the others: steadfast in their belief that you could never put a price on your dignity. It was an argument championed by Sophie and her acolytes, and, crucially, joined later by Sir Alan himself.

But it all made fascinating viewing – once again we witnessed reality television stumbling carelessly into a timeless debate. Just like Celebrity Big Brother raised questions about identity, The Apprentice foolishly fanned the fans of the money/dignity dilemma.

Brilliant stuff. And wonderfully timed too, alongside the Fay Turney debacle. From the news to The Apprentice, 21st century Britain found itself wrestling with the big question – does everything have a price?

Team two, captained by Tre, managed to avoid such moral quandaries, opting instead for a simple gardening service.

Not a bad decision, but it’s not hard to think of better. How about a swear jar? If Trey had had to cough up a pound every time he cursed one of his colleagues then they’d have quadrupled tier cash easily.

But that’s Tre for you – he likes to keep things simple.

“It’s hardly rocket science, is it now?”, he sneered and spat.

Correct, my foul-mouthed friend, it wasn’t – for the main part it was philosophy, but who knows what’ll crop up next week. The way this year’s The Apprentice is going, nothing is out of bounds.