BAKE OFF

[aeslis]

Really, no wonder everyone likes the Great British Bake Show. I haven't watched too much of it; I just started with season 6 and I'm about halfway through, I suppose, but I can't help compare it to American reality television. Everyone talks about how nice they on TGBBS which is incredibly true, redundant though it is for me to say. They're such strange personalities with great idiosyncrasies but they're all delightful and a little silly. I honestly don't care much about the bakes??? I'm addicted to these cute, sweet people.

I realize that I'm in the middle of a season and probably everyone else has watched beyond me, but for non-spoileriness in case anyone is behind me, here is a cut.


I grew very attached to both Karen and Terry through this season. More Karen than Terry--it's wonderful to see an older lady be so very herself in the way that Karen is. Slightly tacky taste, totally unapologetic, a bit acerbic but in a kind way, and then also accepting of criticism. And she has a wry sense of humor that I loved. I'm sad to see her go.

But oh, oh my heart. Terry, you're such a strange man, and yet my heart breaks for you. I'm so happy that he found a focus and a happiness on the show and that he made friends to help fill the void of losing his wife. And I'm desperately pleased that the show didn't milk that and make drama of it, which is exactly what an American show would have done. I cried when he cried, and I wish him all the best. I do wish his bakes had gone better for him, because he has such unique, wonderful ideas.

I like the remaining bakers quite a lot as well of course. Kim Joy is potentially my favorite. Her piping is so delicate and cute! Her ideas are so grand and yet adorable! She definitely deserved Star Baker during this episode.


But like the whole thing with Paul's handshakes, I dunno, I'm not about that. It feels very "I am white man bestowing my approval on you" and I kind of get enough of that in this world, you know? I like Paul though, overall, that's really my only grievance with the entire show as a whole. I guess it's just a thing.

Comments

[rinalin]

I love The Great British Bakeshow. The magic, I think, comes from the culture of the show. For a competition show there's just... so little malice and that just isn't how we do them over here. I've caught a few episodes of US cooking shows trying to be TGBB, and it's so obvious that they're trying and missing it and not knowing why.

[aeslis]

Oh what are our knockoffs? I've watched various US cooking shows and I get into them, but then get kind of tired of it eventually. Top Chef was fun for a while, but I think the intensity got to me. That and the way Gordon Ramsey talks. I just want him to say a full sentence without pausing and making it all dramatic!

And yes, the lack of malice is precious. And important. It seems like they genuinely like each other and in this day and age that's so refreshing. Why do we all have to tear each other down all the time?

[zabimitsuki]

Oh my god, that little revelation about Terry just killed me. You're right, it was definitely best that they didn't milk it - Bake Off is such a gentle show normally, so I'm glad it didn't decide to change format and up the drama when they switched channels.

Kim Joy is amazing! She was definitely my favourite baker of the season. I think she won me over with her melting turtle cake, it was so cool! Definitely appealed to me as a Discworld fan.

[aeslis]

I knowww. Terry! I want to give him a hug and keep him in my pocket. The fact that he's all into pottery and keeping bees is so charming. I feel like he ought to be a character in a book.

The melting turtle cake was amazing tho!? It worked out perfectly and was so clever. That girl's mind is fascinating.

[fh14]

I haven't watched any of season 6 yet (so I kinda glazed over that portion the entry) but I really love GBBO and I agree that it's nice to watch a reality show where people are actually... nice?

The thing with Paul's handshakes doesn't bother me as much because he was one of the original hosts of the show, and IMO Mary Berry was a much better counterbalance to him in terms of industry stature and expertise (Paul is the bread guy, Mary is the cake lady) so if Paul Hollywood likes you're bread that's a big deal and if Mary Berry likes your cake its a big deal. And while I like Prue as a host she doesn't really give off that same vibe so the balance of the show kind of changed in that respect. But this might just be me thinking about it too much.

Also the older seasons don't have any "spoiler" elements to them so they can be watched in any order which is nice.

[aeslis]

Oh that's a good bit of history! Since I'm starting with S6, I don't know anything about Mary Berry, although that's certainly an adorable name. I'm sure I'll watch the older seasons at some point, because I'm enjoying the whole thing so much. I'll let you know what I think when I do!

[mintceres]

Some of my tumblr followers watch it and bc I live in Germany, it's not an our netflix :/ and i have no idea where to watch it - it's probably up for steaming somewhere but... well with age you get lazy LOL

[aeslis]

Awh man that makes it difficult. That's part of why I don't like the whole streaming fiasco...it really limits what people have available to them. I miss the days of video stores and DVDs a lot.