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Crying at bake off

228 replies

NigellasNeck · 23/09/2026 12:04

I cried when Molly dropped her cake. Just a few tears.

I'm a saddo aren't I?

OP posts:
ohthesuspense · 25/09/2026 10:47

AlwaysExtraHot · 25/09/2026 08:49

C4 have made sure all the DEI boxes have been ticked but have forgotten about the baking part of the show. Unless something amazing happens, this series is going to be as dull as hell.
Really?
I think it's already had drama and interest. Molly and her cake and how she rescued it; the mirror in Gabe's showstopper that made Nigella come over all emotional; Gary and the jokes about him being Paul; Tom and his arch little asides to camera and flirting with Nigella; Mo's incredible skill and creativity, which I for one can't wait to see more of.

I agree. I can’t wait to see more Tom and Mo.
“I dunno, a ginger one?” 😂😂

takealettermsjones · 25/09/2026 10:22

Cartouche · 25/09/2026 09:34

Because marriage law in the west is set up for one person marrying one person, historically one man marrying one woman, for entirely patriarchal reasons — that that the man can be sure (or surer, in theory) that his wife is giving birth to his children, not another man’s, especially from the perspective of inheritance. It’s been expanded to cover same-sex marriage, but parenthood on that case is covered by separate legislation.

In other parts of the world polygamy is legal, though usually in the form of one man with several wives, so throuples abound, and are culturally absolutely normal.

I'm not disputing that society was patriarchal at the time marriage was conceived, but the idea of marriage between one man and one woman isn’t "entirely patriarchal." It also follows plenty of logical, common‑sense lines.

The basic premise was that one man and one woman join together to found a family — which of course, back in the day, could only be done between men and women.

The commitment to one partner, to the exclusion of all others, was to protect the interests of that family unit - so yes ensuring that children were unquestionably born to them and only them, as you say, but also making sure that resources were directed into that single household rather than scattered across multiple partners or sets of offspring - ensuring survival and prosperity, etc.

It also had practical implications for health in that it avoids incest and inbreeding - when people know who is related to whom, there is less risk of accidentally marrying/reproducing with a sibling or other family member.

There's also evidence that two-person relationships (i.e. dyadic attachments) make for happier, more secure partnerships, because of the emotional feedback loop. They have less stress and handle conflict better. This is obviously better for public mental health, the stability of the workforce, etc.

There are good reasons why two-person marriage makes sense, and they're not all patriarchal.

Cartouche · 25/09/2026 09:34

Shatteredremnants · 25/09/2026 09:18

Interesting point is why, if we now accept a thrupple is fine, people aren’t permitted to marry more than one person, at least in civil ceremonies?

Because marriage law in the west is set up for one person marrying one person, historically one man marrying one woman, for entirely patriarchal reasons — that that the man can be sure (or surer, in theory) that his wife is giving birth to his children, not another man’s, especially from the perspective of inheritance. It’s been expanded to cover same-sex marriage, but parenthood on that case is covered by separate legislation.

In other parts of the world polygamy is legal, though usually in the form of one man with several wives, so throuples abound, and are culturally absolutely normal.

Shatteredremnants · 25/09/2026 09:18

Interesting point is why, if we now accept a thrupple is fine, people aren’t permitted to marry more than one person, at least in civil ceremonies?

AlwaysExtraHot · 25/09/2026 09:14

Cartouche · 25/09/2026 08:48

It’s relevant because I was responding to a poster who said she didn’t want ‘throuples’ ‘normalised’. It has nothing to do with this throuple being made of up gay/bi men. The comparison is because it wasn’t that long ago that people didn’t want gayness ‘normalised’. Throuples aren’t harming anyone.

I mean, the fact that Annoying Blue Cake Drag Man, whose name I’ve forgotten, was described as living with his partners in his first-episode intro as ‘living with his partners’ on a programme designed to be comfortable, ‘nice’ viewing, suggests the entertainment Overton window sees a mention and quick footage clip of a throuple as well within ‘unthreatening’ territory.

Drag being ‘normalised’ I do have a major problem with, because it’s blackface but caricaturing, and at the expense of, women. And every ‘comfort viewing’ reality show on UK TV seems to have a drag performer. The Great British Sewing Bee series that just ended had one. I don’t think it’s OK to normalise a hobby whose entire point is men performing a version of womanhood which is a grotesque, demeaning parody.

Drag being ‘normalised’ I do have a major problem with, because it’s blackface but caricaturing, and at the expense of, women. And every ‘comfort viewing’ reality show on UK TV seems to have a drag performer. The Great British Sewing Bee series that just ended had one. I don’t think it’s OK to normalise a hobby whose entire point is men performing a version of womanhood which is a grotesque, demeaning parody.

I don't disagree with this characterisation of drag in general (I particularly loathe the Drag Race style of drag, which is just ugly, violent and very misogynistic).
I would say though that Gabe's drag character looks more like a fantasy figure, not particularly reminiscent of any 'type'/stereotype of woman, and not misogynistic.

Caveat: I haven't seen the actual act, so don't know how he plays it.

Missingducks · 25/09/2026 09:05

I love the show (and the pottery one and the woodworking one and the make-up one and the sewing one). I regret two things about GBBO

  1. That Paul H is the only one from the start still involved and may be thinking he is the star / he is GBBO. He seems to be the type to believe his own publicist.
  2. That it isn't within reach of many of us - the judges want you to bake your signature 7-tier wedding cake and you have 20 mins. I thought there was hope this week that we might be getting back to 'who can do a mean Vicki Sponge and a lemon meringue pie and a seeded bloomer'.
MoistVonL · 25/09/2026 09:01

@pineapplecrushed - you'd think drag would be over but C4 keep flogging that particularly tedious dead horse.

With Nigella's speech and eating style, I wondered if it was because of cosmetic procedures - lips or new teeth or something meaning she was having some difficulties.

AlwaysExtraHot · 25/09/2026 08:52

SALaw · 25/09/2026 05:35

Yes. Not all fetishes need to be talked about at 8pm on the telly.

Can you let us all know, with references, how being in a throuple is a fetish? I can't find (admittedly I'm only using Google) anywhere that defines it as such, and 'd be interested to learn.

AlwaysExtraHot · 25/09/2026 08:49

DeadSpace3 · 25/09/2026 04:17

I too thought Nigella must have had a stroke, she seemed to have fine motor skills issues, and the way she talked was bloody awful.

Speaking of which... Molly's voice is grating as hell, in fact she reminded me of Moaning Myrtle in Harry Potter 😅 . Danni, Clara and Shannon's voices weren't a great deal better either.

As an ND person myself, yes Danni is on the spectrum and I think Mo is too.

C4 have made sure all the DEI boxes have been ticked but have forgotten about the baking part of the show. Unless something amazing happens, this series is going to be as dull as hell.

Speaking of which 😅 we watched Second Helpings today, the replacement for Extra Slice, and it was some of the most boring drivel I've ever heard. There's absolutely no chemistry between anyone whatsoever, just a constant tedious "meh" interspersed with vaguely awkward moments. Urgh...

C4 have made sure all the DEI boxes have been ticked but have forgotten about the baking part of the show. Unless something amazing happens, this series is going to be as dull as hell.
Really?
I think it's already had drama and interest. Molly and her cake and how she rescued it; the mirror in Gabe's showstopper that made Nigella come over all emotional; Gary and the jokes about him being Paul; Tom and his arch little asides to camera and flirting with Nigella; Mo's incredible skill and creativity, which I for one can't wait to see more of.

Cartouche · 25/09/2026 08:48

AllIwantForChrismasIsAKitchenAidStandMixer · 25/09/2026 08:19

Nothing - it’s totally irrelevant.

It’s relevant because I was responding to a poster who said she didn’t want ‘throuples’ ‘normalised’. It has nothing to do with this throuple being made of up gay/bi men. The comparison is because it wasn’t that long ago that people didn’t want gayness ‘normalised’. Throuples aren’t harming anyone.

I mean, the fact that Annoying Blue Cake Drag Man, whose name I’ve forgotten, was described as living with his partners in his first-episode intro as ‘living with his partners’ on a programme designed to be comfortable, ‘nice’ viewing, suggests the entertainment Overton window sees a mention and quick footage clip of a throuple as well within ‘unthreatening’ territory.

Drag being ‘normalised’ I do have a major problem with, because it’s blackface but caricaturing, and at the expense of, women. And every ‘comfort viewing’ reality show on UK TV seems to have a drag performer. The Great British Sewing Bee series that just ended had one. I don’t think it’s OK to normalise a hobby whose entire point is men performing a version of womanhood which is a grotesque, demeaning parody.

AlwaysExtraHot · 25/09/2026 08:46

pineapplecrushed · 24/09/2026 23:54

Not attention seekers? people who enjoy baking and don't want to be a star? Contestants who actually represent most people?

Please, can you explain how someone in a throuple is automatically an attention seeker?
The Bake Off has always had people who enjoy baking and don't want to be a star. Along with people in each season who seem like they are (at least partly) on it as they hope it will be a springboard to something else.

And why must all contestants only represent most people? People who are of Jamaican heritage/gay/ND/disabled also watch TV and so it makes sense to also represent them.
A Bake Off cast entirely made up of people who are the UK average (so, white, about 40, cohabiting or married to one person) would be very weird.
Out of curiosity, did you have a problem with Juergen or Giuseppe in earlier seasons?

AlwaysExtraHot · 25/09/2026 08:38

pineapplecrushed · 24/09/2026 23:49

no. There aren't loads of people secretly in throuples. You're being ridiculous.

Are you being deliberately obtuse so you can argue?
The post clearly says, 'I imagine very few people are in ‘official’ throuples…but I’m not sure its rarity is problematic in itself'.
Key words being 'very few people' and 'rarity'.

AlwaysExtraHot · 25/09/2026 08:35

tommyhoundmum · 24/09/2026 20:35

I remember when she was the literary reviewer in the Sunday Times. So sad about John Diamond her husband who died young.

I'm sure he was the love of her life. Sad
I used to like his writing.

AlwaysExtraHot · 25/09/2026 08:35

likelysuspect · 24/09/2026 19:49

All the people being so ok with the throuple thing, Im sure you would be as well if it was 'he lives at home with his 2 girlfriends'?

You'd be happy to explain to your daughter that just like some people have 2 daddies, well some men have 2 girlfriends. You might be lucky enough to meet such a man one day dear.

You might be lucky enough to meet such a man one day dear.
You're just being silly. Why would anyone say that to a child who asked?

AlwaysExtraHot · 25/09/2026 08:33

Mydogisagentleman · 24/09/2026 18:53

I don't think that he is part of a trouble, I think he simply lives in the same house as a couple.
Dd has a friend who shared a house/rented a room from two men who were a couple. I doubt that he would have described himself as part of a thruople though

Darling, they said 'lives with his partners'.

AlwaysExtraHot · 25/09/2026 08:33

KassandraOfSparta · 25/09/2026 08:01

Love Nigella. I went off the Bake Off after the BBC1 era and I could not abide Sandi Toksvig or Matt Lucas. Noel annoys me too but not so much I can't watch it. Paul up his own arse as usual.

IMHO Molly demonstrated real baking skills. Something went wrong, she didn't strop off in a huff, she started over and managed to get something out worth judging. OK it wasn't spectacular but it was decent and edible. Reminds me of that N Irish guy in a previous series whose ice cream wouldn't set or something, and who threw his cake in the bin and left the tent. She is miles better than that.

Danni will go next week not because she is a "them" or because she is annoying, but because she has not got the skills. I liked the older guy (Gary?) and the doctor Yannis. I also didn't mind Shannon who went off ill, she was fun and nice and the sort of person you'd imagine going for a coffee with.

*MHO Molly demonstrated real baking skills. Something went wrong, she didn't strop off in a huff, she started over and managed to get something out worth judging. OK it wasn't spectacular but it was decent and edible.
Completely agree. I was really impressed.

AllIwantForChrismasIsAKitchenAidStandMixer · 25/09/2026 08:19

SALaw · 25/09/2026 05:32

I’d be rolling my eyes about the polygamy even if it was a woman with 2 boyfriends or the other way around. What does polygamy have to do with being gay or homophobia?

Nothing - it’s totally irrelevant.

KassandraOfSparta · 25/09/2026 08:01

Love Nigella. I went off the Bake Off after the BBC1 era and I could not abide Sandi Toksvig or Matt Lucas. Noel annoys me too but not so much I can't watch it. Paul up his own arse as usual.

IMHO Molly demonstrated real baking skills. Something went wrong, she didn't strop off in a huff, she started over and managed to get something out worth judging. OK it wasn't spectacular but it was decent and edible. Reminds me of that N Irish guy in a previous series whose ice cream wouldn't set or something, and who threw his cake in the bin and left the tent. She is miles better than that.

Danni will go next week not because she is a "them" or because she is annoying, but because she has not got the skills. I liked the older guy (Gary?) and the doctor Yannis. I also didn't mind Shannon who went off ill, she was fun and nice and the sort of person you'd imagine going for a coffee with.

Cartouche · 25/09/2026 07:42

SALaw · 25/09/2026 05:35

Yes. Not all fetishes need to be talked about at 8pm on the telly.

It’s not a fetish!

PinkMagpie · 25/09/2026 05:45

Littlegreywolfcub · 23/09/2026 12:16

Oh dear - I was laughing; a lot. I am not a nice person. But there's something about a cake falling to the floor

Really? A disabled woman struggling with her equipment and dropping the cake she worked hard on is that hilarious to you?

SALaw · 25/09/2026 05:37

RachelGreep87 · 23/09/2026 22:49

Is it any different to describing what a couple is?

You know it is. You’re trying so hard to come across as cool but you just look stupid.

SALaw · 25/09/2026 05:35

RachelGreep87 · 23/09/2026 22:48

Their clip from home briefly mentioned two partners in the same way the rest of them mentioned one. We didn't hear about it any more than the others. Would you prefer for it to have been edited out?

Yes. Not all fetishes need to be talked about at 8pm on the telly.

SALaw · 25/09/2026 05:32

RachelGreep87 · 23/09/2026 22:03

Ah yes, a polygamous relationship has the homophobes frothing.

I’d be rolling my eyes about the polygamy even if it was a woman with 2 boyfriends or the other way around. What does polygamy have to do with being gay or homophobia?

SALaw · 25/09/2026 05:24

momager22 · 23/09/2026 12:47

Apprently Danni goes by ‘they’ not ‘she’, if anyone cares

We don’t

jobwoes1 · 25/09/2026 05:04

LotusMandala · 24/09/2026 12:54

Some people really can’t be helped, and you’re one of them. Why open the thread?

Exactly, it’s not like being on social media where there’s a risk you could scroll past and read something, on MN you have to actively choose to click on it yourself!