Dragons' Den
The Dragons are back on Dave with Series 9 and there’s a new Dragon in the lair. Firm but fair she may be, but Hilary Devey’s shoulder pads alone should give the entrepreneurs nightmares for years to come.
Cutting entrepreneurs down to size, Dragons' Den is compulsive (and often hilarious) viewing. And hey, some of the wannabes actually strike it rich as a result.
The concept is simple, ingenious and almost infinitely addictive. A group of ragingly wealthy business leaders sit in a row and listen to nervous, generally quite sweaty-looking entrepreneurs desperate for investment in their fledgling businesses. Cue awkward questions, ridiculous business ideas, terrified pauses and the ruthless, amused crushing of long-cherished dreams. Yep, the millionaires aren't called Dragons for nothing.
Another source of great amusement is trying to predict the characteristic response of each Dragon. For example, it's fairly certain that surly Scot Duncan Bannatyne will be slumped with his face resting on his hand, looking like a bored headmaster who's hearing some stuttering pupil's excuse for the umpteenth time. So predictable is his irritation that you could even play a sort of Duncan drinking game – just down a shot whenever he uses the phrase "It’s ridiculous". (And down three when he says "It's ridiculous, ridiculous, ridiculous".)
Deborah Meaden tends to grin incredulously and seems to relish being shocked at how dumb the entrepreneurs are. Peter Jones, meanwhile, likes to come across as sober and businesslike, asking scalpel-sharp questions before suddenly twisting the knife just when the entrepreneur thinks they're in with a chance. Theo often appears to be the friendliest, even playing devil's advocate at times, until he remembers his children's inheritance and decides to shoot the entrepreneur down (not literally – but that's a good idea for some future, Running Man-esque version of Dragons' Den).
And then there's the Nice Dragon, as played by Richard Farleigh, James Caan and most recently Hilary Devey. They're the ones who nod reasonably, smile a lot and resist the urge to take cheap shots at the sweaty heap of nerves they see before them. There must, however, be some kind of Nice Dragon jinx, because whoever holds that position doesn't tend to stick around that long.
Of course, Dragons' Den would be nothing without the entrepreneurs themselves. When it comes to success stories, one name leaps to mind: Levi Roots. Oh, how he made us all cringe when he strolled into the Den with his guitar, good-naturedly singing a ditty in praise of hot, hot sauce. How we braced ourselves for his demolition by the Dragons – would Duncan lose his patience and smack him over the head with his own guitar? Not a bit of it – Levi's since become a true star, with a food empire and his own telly show to boot.
But for every Levi Roots there are quite literally dozens upon dozens of failures – and let's face it, most of them thoroughly deserve it. We're thinking of the couple who pitched a bedsheet with a line down the middle, so you know which side of the bed is yours. We haven't heard an idea that bad since… well, since the cucumber cap. Which, as Theo Paphitis accurately surmised, was basically a condom for cucumbers.
Let's also remember the table which had a television screen in it – a product whose awfulness was out-rubbished only by the pitch itself (few will forget the sight of the visibly terrified entrepreneur claiming that his product was aimed at the "disconcerning home professional"). Ah, we'd weep for them, if they weren't so flabbergastingly dreadful. Still, at least Dragons' Den has proved that the innovative, capitalistic spirit is alive and well in Blighty – even if it does result in the creation of a driving glove to be worn on one hand in foreign countries to remind you what side of the road you should be on. Yes, that did happen.
When is it on?
Dragons' Den is next on at 7:10 am on Monday, 3rd June on Dave.
Which Dragon are you?
Are you chirpy James Caan, stern Deborah Meaden, flash Peter Jones or dour Duncan?
Who's the best Dragon in the Den?
We've been weighing up the pros and cons of each of the Dragons and here's how they measure up.
Dragons' Den quiz
Have you paid attention to the Dragons or just dreamed of what you'd do with their dosh?
Top 10 worst pitches
Get ready to sigh like Theo and tut like Deborah - here are the worst Dragons' Den ideas ever.
Comments
-
SiNutter | 6 Mar 12
I love Dragons' Den !!!
-
SiNutter | 25 Feb 12
Please play more of Dragons's Den it's brilliant. Even the irish, canadian and usa ones.
-
SharifB80842 | 24 Aug 11
I want irish dragon but where r they :(
-
muthuR39389 | 17 Dec 10
GOOD
-
williamR16303 | 11 Oct 10
-
DaveG47605 | 14 Jun 10
Why are you running this pointless show? It was crap when the beeb first showed it and as a repeat it makes even less sense. Get rid of it and show some more 'Mock the Week' instead.
-
Maria BlancaR64205 | 17 Nov 09
I've just seen a chapter of the Dragon's Den and I think they behave as authentic sexist and male chauvinist. There were two women trying to get money for their business, which was something to do with introducing women in the world of construction; with training and contact with clients. When one of the Dragons said "let's going to make it simple" one of them said "we can't, we are women", he took it personally and he was offended!! how he dares!!! It was not offensive and it was not discriminatory. He behaved like a child who does not know how to respond to a comment that make him comfortable!! He was angry!! It was so sexist!!and the rest of them agree with him!! oh!! poor them, they are all so good guys, they employ women...Well, if they are really good guys they would not act like they did in this chapter...I'm not going to watch this program never ever again... They do not have ANY idea the amount of really discriminatory and sexist comments a woman has to cope with during her entire life!!! Prove of the continuous discriminatory sexist world is that there is just one female dragon among the 5 of them. How childish!
-
freedomcall | 3 Sep 09
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE is it possible to stop showing this programme? its the most dull and boring show on this channel. I just cannot watch it, i gringe when its even advertised!! and as for when it is shown i simply switch over channels. We need more comedies PLEASE! Just please stop showing it!!
-
twilight_goth | 13 Aug 09
hmmm not the best show on dave... but one of them it is very cool when they take the mick out of people and then they are practically crying when they dont get the money. i liked the snow bone idea and i am gled that they got the money for it
-
Darryl1991 | 9 Aug 09
Dragons' Den is brilliant! The brilliant ideas get the money and are getting the backing of a great dragon and the rubbish ideas get taken the nick out off. The best show on Dave!
-
cmagic | 3 Jul 09
can abybody tell me how to apply to the Dragons' Den? There are plenty of people with briliant ideas out here but we don't know how to get there....
-
gillebo | 3 Jun 09
I also like the show i think it is brilliant!
-
lisamoab | 8 Mar 09
Am watching the "Best of" show, and realise that host (Evan Davis?) is the spitting image of the comparethemeerkat spokesmongoose. I mean that in the nicest possible way, of course. Just nice to see some synergy on the telly.
-
gordonH31613 | 8 Mar 09
'Dragons Den' When you appear before the Dragons, you'd better know your sums,otherwise you'll quickly go beneath their pressing thumbs, proper dress is essential too, no casual wear for starters, or Pete the Dragon will spring out and have your guts for garters. If your super invention is frail, or has some tender threads, don't let Theo near it, he'll tear it into shreds, 'cos he's the one with destructive bent who loves to crush and tear, no matter how much time you've spent, he'll quickly lay ti bare. Bannatyne is the 'action' man who'll rush to have a go, especially when he spots a chair with Gym' and running-pad below, his energeticsprees has them and us in fits of laughter, and the dear old boy who made it will remember him hereafter!! Mr Caan however, is a thorough gentleman Dragon, he's got a heart of gold and oozes it by the flagon, if they were all like him, there'd be no quarrel there, a bloom between many thorns , and charm with loads to spare. Deborah is the lady Dragon, bringing elegance with charm, but entrepreneurs be careful, she can't half twist your arm! and if she doesn't trust you you'll be 'down them stairs' tout suite, into the grasp of the M.O.C. wwho'll show you to the street! We all love the Dragons, with their pocketsful of 'readies', investing in 'wagon washers' aand 'bedtime-story' teddies, Viewers and some inventors are delighted they are there, but 'tho' they're all Dragons, they'll take a Lions share!! hicky.
-
janosull | 26 Feb 09
When is the next series starting.Me and my husband love this show but are getting tired of the repeats.
-
wassail | 20 Feb 09
Great show, but why have we had the Egg Boiler on , three times this week, at the same time ?
-
Steadi | 14 Jan 09
I saw this show only once and I really love it. I wanted to start here in London my own small film and video production company. My business plan was perfect and although I have since more than 17 years experience in this Business, as Steadicam -and camera operator but nobody wanted to give me a loan because I´m only one year resident here in UK. May be I should try to apply for Dragons´ Den ;-)
-
dancer5057 | 16 Dec 08
what happened to the sun shade item where is it sold i liked it i also like the folding table i would buy many of the items the show is great
-
Holly-Beth | 20 Nov 08
Woo! Love it!
-
Fizzwidgit | 11 Nov 08
Dragons Den is a much better show than it is given credit for. If that makes sense. Basically, it's very good.
Latest post
-
SiNutter | 6 Mar 12
View all commentsI love Dragons' Den !!!