THE LIFE AND TIMES OF NICK CROWSON

Unscripted: My Ten Years in Telly by Alan Sugar

Book Review, April, 2017

A 456 page account of his life associated with television, mainly through numerous series of 'The Apprentice', in its differing guises, which includes junior and celebrity charity versions.

We are taken through the process of him initially being chosen for the role - or the 'talent' as he regularly alludes to, in BBC television production 'speak'.

He moulds the programme to some extent to suit his style, within the limitations of the copyright agreement arranged through the owners of the initial, pioneering series in America, where the new President of the USA, Donald Trump, acted as the 'talent'. Perhaps, Lord Sugar may have similar designs in later life. He also recruits his own business sidekicks, with varying degrees of persuasion to act as his accomplices in following the apprentices around on tasks; namely, Nick Hewer and Margaret Mountford.

There are two colour photographic sections, where fans of the programme can re-familiarise themselves with past winners and others associated with the production.

The book is neatly arranged into 23 chapters of about twenty pages each. The chapter titles are often a good, informative lead-in to the main or starting preoccupation of the chapter; though he also heavily relies on favourite candidate put-downs in the boardroom.

The book is one for those interested in Alan Sugar and/or 'The Apprentice'. And would also have interest for those associated with television production.

One of the key aspects in producing the series is the video tape editing of the programme content. The author has often lamented his lack of control here and often fought to have pieces he deemed vital to his message added, after editing or later during editing. A key ingredient in the success of the programme to my mind, is that over 100 hours of video footage are used to make a one-hour episode of the show. So there is so much content fighting to get-in, that dull moments would always struggle for space.

A well written read giving an incite into television production, but not as entertaining as the 'Apprentice' itself.