to be seriously considering giving up on GBBO?

[FancyPantSusan]

I've always been a devoted GBBO fan.

However, I'm really struggling to cope with the C4 version.

I absolutely hate the adverts and I don't think the programme is gripping enough to cope with adverts. I find myself chatting with DH during the adverts then carrying on our conversation over the top of GBBO when it comes back on. When it was on BBC with no adverts, me and DH never uttered a word

I find Noel Fielding very tiresome. He's just not particularly funny and his childish "I have no idea what baking is, I'm just going to stand near you and make jokes" interactions with the contestants I'm finding quite hard to put up with. Having said that, I always found Sue Perkins to be a bit of a knob so I guess I can't be too harsh on Noel.

I'm also finding this year's crop of contestants very challenging. It seems to be edging towards a typical C4 "personality parade" and I can't help but feel that some people are putting on a bit of a show for the cameras. We have:
Kim Joy's "Oh I'm so crazy and whacky but also a little bit adorable";
Ruby's "I'm completely gorgeous look at my pout. Oh a little swear word slipped out accidentally on purpose. Aren't I naughty and foul mouthed and hilarious";
Jon's "Look at my loud Hawaiian shirt, I'm clearly crazy and a really good laugh. Oh and I love my daughters, aren't I just swell?";
Karen's "I'm also hilarious. I'm an older woman very painfully and performatively not giving a shit. Wasn't it hilarious when I sat shoveling crisps into my gob when everyone else was still cooking that one week? See, told you, hilarious";
Briony's "Oh look, I'm so lovely and mumsy"
Rahul's "I'm still learning lots about the UK and, conveniently, fitting into the cultural stereotype of the acceptable immigrant. I'm very quiet and apologetic and that makes me adorable"

I really need to give up on this programme I think. Who's with me?!

Noel and Sandi are so much better than the ghastly Mel and Sue with their childish smutty comments

But I loved the smutty comments

I still like it I start watching later and forward the adverts. I find Rahul intensely irritating.

Love Prue, Love Sandi, HATE Noel. What were they thinking, giving him the job?!! (that being said, I also found Sue Perkins annoying)

I still love the show. I suppose I'll just have to put up with his idiocy until they see sense!

I find it goes on way longer than my attention span for it now. I only have normal Freeview so no way of avoiding the ad breaks. I can't bear Prue's 'is it worth the calories?' line, and I don't think Sandi and Noel work well as presenters. And yes, definitely this year's contestants are very 'chosen'.

But I still want a biscuit chandelier.

I still love it. The format is still the same which was always the winning aspect for me. Noel I can't warm to but I live Sandi and Prue.

Paul is giving out way too many handshakes though. They barely mean anything anymore

Britain's best home cook is amazing, I actually prefer it to bake off. And no more of that twat Paul Hollywood.

But I loved the smutty comments

ME TOO.

I didn’t think I’d like the switch, but I like Noel, sandy and prue (and teen DS loves Noel - I think they made a good decision with him). But Paul is getting worse and worse. When it’s a handshake I cringe so much I can’t look. How is it possible for him to get any smugger? - yet he does. And he’s the bit that came from the bbc, so can’t blame c4 for that.

The contestants are growing on me, though some are annoying. Ballsy “hilarious” older northern lady is too forced - which is a shame as there are countless genuinely funny ballsy older northern ladies :o I think Rahul is really and truly a bit overwhelmed. Kim-joy annoyed me to start with but actually I think she’s not just whimsical and quirky, and it’s not fake - she’s just true to herself and actually quite strong. And I love that there are three men who are really good, and really going for it quite competitively (even Rahul). Often there are a few too many men who are a bit useless.

Still looking forward to it. Part of it is I just like looking at the cakes.

I prefer Pru to Mary Berry. Noel and Sandi are OK. Not quite Mel and Sue but a fair and not annoying replacement. Paul Hollywood is the same. The show format is exactly the same. The bakers are the usual tick box line up. I still enjoy it the same. I still don’t ever bake. I think I prefer watching an extra slice to the actual main show.

What happened to the great British sewing bee? I loved that.

I like Rahul.
I also like kim joy.
It's not as bad on c4 as I was worried it was going to be.

I love it on C4. Liked Mel and Sue just fine but Noel is surprisingly brilliant and Sandi also great. The contestants this year are mostly likeable - Rahul needs a big hug every week, Kim Joy is fantastically weird, I also like Dan and Jon. The only one who annoys me a bit is Ruby - bit of a diva!

Paul is giving out way too many handshakes though. They barely mean anything anymore

Yep. It seems a bit contrived now.
I don't mind Noel but I found his hair really distracting at the beginning with the Elvis quiff and massive lamb-chops!

Had a conversation about this today, and was surprised so many people in the office bought into the whole 'ooh this character is stereotype A and has predictable background/sob story B', but this thread is confirming my suspicion that I am a cantankerous cynical bitch.
Apparently one contestant has come on a reality baking show to get past crippling grief?
Not thought of counselling then?

RIP Our Nan

*stupomax

Oh interesting. Don't have a laptop but good to know, if we get one

I like it, I had gotten bored on the BBC , I like sandy and Noel and the contestants are no more stereotyped or pigeon holed than they used to be. I don't miss the shoehorned history bits, or Mary berry being portrayed as an easily offended living angel. I watch on catch up or on record to avoid ads, but I rarely watch any TV as it's broadcast. I just watched the last episode downloaded on a flight home from work.

The only thing I don't like about the new format is the stupid challenges.

Just keep stuff to something sensible, for heaven's sake!

I love Mary Berry and Mel and Sue. I’ve watched a bit of the new format but I’m not feeling the love.

It's a TV programme, not a lifestyle choice. If you've gone off it, stop watching. It has always had a mix of contestants and is little changed on C4 although I could do without all the adverts.

@Allegorical sewing bee is back next year, BBC threatened not to renew - same production company as GBBO and they were pissed off about the defection to ch4, everything got delayed and or meant they skipped a year. No Claudia this time though she's too busy, Joe Lycett instead who will be just brilliant. Very excited.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds Rahul's OTT modesty and face-pulling disingenuous and annoying.

Kim-Joy is really growing on me. Her space turtle melting sphere looked amazing and I wanted to try it.

By chance i know 2 of the contestants this year - Dan and Kim-Joy so that makes it quite interesting.
I am surprised how little C4 have changed the format (good thing) and i think the new presenters are better

Rahul is a sweetie!

Love Rahul

Love Kim Joy

Love Noel and Sandi

Love Pru

Tolerate Hollywood but he evokes the emoji

Don’t care either way about the ads. It’s just a bit of telly.

I couldn't hack the new crew. Never cared for Paul but I can't abide Pru.

I'm quite enjoying this year, but what I look forward to is GBBO for comic relief.