basics…Yet another series of the venerable business game show, with the novelty of new dragon Hilary Devey replacing ‘silver fox’ James Caan in the Dragon line up.
brilliant…
The introduction of Devey, with her dulcet northern tones and her massive shoulder pads, has added a dash of theatricality to the Den, along with a new dynamic. Now there are two female Dragons, and on occasion Deborah Meaden and Devey clash with the odd withering look. None of the Dragons are afraid to speak their mind but Devey adds a real earthy worldliness with a lack of business buzzwords. Duncan Bannatyne is still reliably grumpy, if not more so, Theo Paphitis has got a scowl for every occasion, and Peter Jones can be relied upon to see gold where the others just see rocks. There were some crazy pitches this year, including a particularly funny one from a guy trying to sell instant-abs via sun beds, but as usual I’ve forgotten them as soon as the show’s done. Dragon’s Den has become a reassuring programme that I can watch while washing up, not something that needs my full attention, but I still enjoy it.
but…
As ever, Evan Davis lurks around the Den’s basement looking like Gollum and providing as much useful input as a chocolate teapot. I don’t think he’s recorded any new voice-overs, I reckon as a cost saving measure the BBC just cuts old ones over the top of the new pitches. It’s hard to notice any difference.
briefly…
Reliable, funny and with the occasional surprise, Dragon’s Den remains one of the few reality shows I’ll willingly let into my life. I draw the line at the spin off shows though.
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