Dragons' Den

The idea is simple: entrepreneurs pitch ideas to a group of 5 multimillionaire business investors. The investors ask questions of presenters to clarify, expose pitfalls and negotiate the percentages and dollar amounts offered. The presenters state in advance how much they want to raise and if they don't raise the full amount between all the investors, they leave empty handed.

If you have ever tried to raise money, this is one of the best shows to watch. You WILL learn what a good, tight pitch sounds like (as well as what terrible ones are like). Regardless of whether you agree with the decisions made by the investors, it's worth watching for that alone. You'll also learn what kinds of questions you should expect and what you need to know going into such a meeting.

The questions asked are often insightful and penetrating. It's fascinating to watch how good/bad ideas coupled with good/bad presentations play out.

Faults: The narration is somewhat annoying. The narrator generally spills the beans on what an investor is about to say, so the element of surprise is lost. Also, the investors frequently sound derogatory. It's unfortunate, but there's not much one can do about it - these are real people with their own money and not actors. If you're asking for money here, you better have a thick skin.

If you enjoy thinking out new businesses and how to create or expand a company, this show will likely be fun to watch.

Dragons' Den was one of the best British television programmes of 2005! Sadly overlooked by many of the population, due to being shown on BBC Two this was a rare gem in the current mass of soaps, detective dramas, and reality shows.

Admittedly it does rather fall under the reality show banner, but not the "docusoap" one. Britain's first business-based reality show, it has become rather overshadowed by our version of "The Apprentice", which is a shame.

Here the direct competition element of most shows in the genre is toned down, although elements of it still exist in the general make-up of a show where inventors and budding entrepreneurs conduct a sales pitch for their product(s) to five already successful business millionaires. The cruel streak so loved by the British public is here though, with the "contestants" having to lug their item, however bulky or heavy up a flight of stairs before beginning their pitch, and then having to stand in front of five people who already have more money and success than they will ever need, and tell them why they should part with a small amount of said money to help them get a foothold. All this while having to stare at piles of the money on desks in front of the millionaire dragons! Inventions and ideas range from fascinating to plain crazy, and the dragons have no qualms in telling them so! There was actually a surprisingly good success rate in the first series though, with several items getting the funds they asked for from one or more of the backers.

The dragons though, far from living up to some millionaire stereotype are quite a mixed bunch. Peter Jones, the least appealing of them comes across as stuck-up and full of his own importance, and offers very little in the way of constructive criticism, preferring to just scoff and withdraw his cards from the table asap. Duncan Bannantyne adds a touch of crazy Scottishness to the proceedings, as well as a worrying lack of knowledge in some areas. When one week he admitted to not even knowing what truffles were it beggared belief, and makes one feel that his success was rather more down to luck than talent. Doug Richard adds a useful American business angle to the ideas, and is pleasant as well as aloof. Simon Woodroffe, by far the most down to earth of the dragons gives help and encouragement when the others just scoff. And Rachel Elnaugh, the thinking man's Abi Titmuss, adds much needed sex-appeal as well as a sensible balance to the male egos.

With a show this great, the only real complaint one can make is that it is too short. Many of the snippets which were shown of inventions they didn't have time to feature looked highly entertaining, and the show could certainly have done with some "press red button" extra footage! If that had happened I for one would have been a captive BBC audience for many more hours of the evening! Also a promised programme featuring those business wannabes who were signed up, and their progress with their own particular dragon(s) is so far is yet to materialize, but is much anticipated by me.

Roll on a second series I say, and let's get it more publicity next time round! Although The Apprentice is very good, this is AS good, and maybe even better . . .

Unlike The Apprentice, the Dragons have moved on in the internet world of Influences. Alan Sugar has not, he doesn't even know what an influencer is, insists on suit, (who wears a tie nowerdays? I would go on in ripped jeans, converse all-stars and a Pixies t shirt just to wind him up!) Occasionally we get a good deal, the dragons fighting each other. My question would be, if this show has been going for 20 years, how many companies, looking for support do they have now, hundreds? They must be spreading themselves very thinly, even just through one series. I suspect they are palmed-off to other staff once the deal is made, because there is no way the dragons could manage all the companies the have a stake in.

We are hardly ever told about how these companies are performing 1,5,10 years on. Reggae Reggae sauce by Levi Roots is probably the only one I remember- because I see it in the supermarket.

They could do with a companion show +5 years to see how each company progressed with honest feedback as to the support they received.

They are lowballed into giving away huge shares of their company, did they do it, did they escape the Dragons, did they fail? How was their experience once they got in the lift, the adrenaline had worn off and they realised they have sold their soul.

Thoroughly enjoyed it. I've just started watching from season 19 onwards. Was into shark tank for a couple of months saw a DD clip on YT; Peter jones was on a whole other level compared to the sharks; switched to DD after that. Peter Jones, Deborah Meadon, Duncan Bannatyne are truly dragons on the show. Like the 3 dragons from GOT.

Totally savage and ruthless. The entrepreneurs get a thorough roasting from the dragons though some escape with a light grilling and some get the dream investor/s they were hoping for. Brilliant in terms of entertainment plus you get insight into the business world. Very interesting to watch. British dry humour at its best 👍💯

There is drastic change from season 1 to 19 in the setting, dragons attitude and demeanor, humour and of course the dragons themselves (with the exception of den legends Deborah Meadon and Peter Jones). The dragon savagery has gone down sadly but there's a nice vibe on the den.

Season 19 has a great lineup of dragons. There's 2 younger dragons Sara davies and Steven Bartlett who bring a fresh perspective to the show. Theres the older more experienced dragons like Deborah Meadon, Touker Suleiman, Peter Jones all who are well established in the business world with diverse portfolios and rolling in cash. Experience of decades combined with new perspective and ideas.... The perfect combination for a good business.

A word of advice if you're just watching clips on YT know that each pitch takes nearly 1.5 hours to film, so many parts are edited out.

Evan Davis flitters around the set of Dragons Den like a daddy longlegs that has run into a light. Aside from being visually annoying he only seems to be there to tell you things you just saw, are going to see or they didn't have time to show you because of him talking. If that wasn't enough filler for you he has a nice line in generalisations too like "it takes nerves of steel to face the dragons" or "all of todays entrepreneurs are hoping for an investment".

If you ever thought millions of pounds would make you instantly happy take a look at the panel. You've got nervy Deborah Meaden scowling at proceedings while a waxy Duncan Ballentine appears at times to be worked by Peter Jones by way of a lever or something. Kelly Hoppen would be a good investor to work with if you need advice on what shade of brown to paint something but beyond that her presence on the show is mystifying. She's certainly not going to spend any cash and the cameraman seems obsessed with getting shots of her nose. I also feel my lifeforce draining away every time she starts droning on about design.

I do love the show though. Seeing the nonsense people come up with is interesting but you can't help but feel sorry for the ones that have invested their life's savings in an invention that's doomed.