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AIBU?

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Original poster

to be seriously considering giving up on GBBO?

238 replies

FancyPantSusan · 26/09/2018 17:18

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 Grin

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?!

OP posts:
CrumpettyTree · 27/09/2018 13:33

Rahul comes across as someone who might have grown up being criticised/told off a lot or bullied or in some way put down a lot. He's so apologetic and underconfident but the judges seem to think he's so talented that i want him to do well to give him a boost.

CrumpettyTree · 27/09/2018 13:35

Dd said he said he bakes cakes to make friends. (Probably already been mentioned on the thread)

ElspethFlashman · 27/09/2018 13:38

It seems its a bit 70/30 in favour of the C4 version on here? But less maybe?

Personally I think some of the changes have been good. The boring history bits were pointless, and Pru has a bigger presence than MB so holds her own a bit better against the Giant Denim Wall of PHs personality.

I also think Noel and Sandi are just really nice. They're sweet and seem to be loving it and have a happy energy.

I wasn't mad about Mel and Sue. Sue in particular could be a bit socially awkward and if in doubt she fell back on barking out a punchline at someone. Meanwhile Mel was just "alright my love?" all the time. Meh.

I do like the new challenges cos they're good TV! Putting the wrong filling in a forrin' biscuit! Having to construct a chandelier and deciding that hanging 150 biscuits was a sane and rational plan! GrinGrinGrin

And Terry made me blub. Sad

GruciusMalfoy · 27/09/2018 13:45

I'm slowly giving up on it. I had three weeks of episodes recorded, watched one yesterday and got distracted by looking at rubbish online. And I'm not in a rush to watch the other two episodes now. I think I just can't stand looking at Paul Hollywood anymore. Don't mind Prue, Sandi or Noel.

Bloobs · 27/09/2018 13:46

In the initial segment about him the voiceover said he bakes cakes to make friends - I thought that was awful! It made him sound needy and clingy. I'd have said he enjoys baking for his colleagues or something. There's definitely an editing thing going on.

Bloobs · 27/09/2018 13:57

IMO the problem with PH is that the "bad cop" judge has to be a big softy and nice person on the inside, and able to laugh at themselves. Craig Revel Horwood on Strictly is the "bad cop" / mean judge but also comes across as witty and caring often enough to soften it.

PH doesn't seem to get this and actually takes his "bad cop" role seriously and thinks everyone really is in awe of him and would sell their soul for a PH handshake. It's soooo cringey.

VetOnCall · 27/09/2018 13:58

I still love it, I didn't think I would when it moved but I really like Noel and Sandi and Prue is fine. I'm not quite as grabbed by this year's contestants as previous years (I loved Steven and Liam last year) but I think Rahul is a sweetheart. It's still my only can't-miss TV series other than Game of Thrones. I've rewatched all the previous series on Netflix and All4 in the last few months as well.

Buxtonstill · 27/09/2018 13:58

Bit fed up with Rahul playing victim all the time - oh I'm so meek and humble....' He can't be that shy or he never would have made it through the many auditions he would have gone through, cooking in front of total strangers, to get to the show... He reminds me of Sadiq Khan with that 'upset little boy' expression.

ElspethFlashman · 27/09/2018 14:03

I think Ruby the Architect is quite funny. She'd be hilarious and unbelievably messy in equal measure after a few Lambrinis.

Artofpretending · 27/09/2018 14:09

I’m still enjoying it. I don’t mind Prue and she’s not that different from Mary. I think they could have had a different mix of characters, maybe a few quirkier or more vibrant ones, but I’m getting used to them.

I do think An Extra Slice is 20 minutes too long.

ArtieMae · 27/09/2018 16:27

Agree with some of what you are saying. Ruby is really annoying - good baker but trying so hard to be the next Nadia. But Nadia was endearing because she was so unassuming. Ruby loves herself and so it seems does Noel who can’t seem to stay away from her and lingers too long at her island.

shadypines · 27/09/2018 16:38

Your summary of the contestants had me chuckling OP but pleeese don't give up on it!!

Agree about them all 'out dressing' each other, don't get me started on Prue's dress sense ….. (has she got one?), also, she gets on my nerves as she' s like a nasty haughty headmistress. Last week saying 'do you know what a sphere is?' to Ruby. No need missus, no need.

Rahul looks like somebody is about to hit him with a big stick all the time.

I'd rather C4 BO than no BO though but I really really miss M,M and S and always will.

BuntyII · 27/09/2018 16:43

@Bloobs the PH handshake thing makes me cringe too Sad

LaurieMarlow · 27/09/2018 16:46

I'd rather C4 BO than no BO though but I really really miss M,M and S and always will.

This. I also mourn the death of the history bit.

However, I really like this year's bakers and that's the most important thing. Only Kim Joy strikes me as a very 'channel 4' cast
and she's pretty good, so I'll forgive her when she's annoying.

The rest are exactly who I'd expect the BBC to cast, so no big surprises there. I adore Manon and want her to win (she won't though, because Rahul's got this in the bag, dammit).

LaurieMarlow · 27/09/2018 16:48

The PH handshake would be fine if he hadn't decided to debase the currency almost immediately. He gave out 3 (?) in the ginger cake round alone ffs.

Maybugger · 27/09/2018 16:48

Wtf does Paul Hollywood have to try putting his hands in the pockets of his obviously-too -tight-jeans? It reminds of those pathetic pictures of Tony Blair trying to copy Bush
I love Prue but most of the contestants in the first episode left me cold, and as for the 'biscuit chandelier', what on earth was that about?

LaurieMarlow · 27/09/2018 16:49

I think Ruby's a lot more like Ruby Tandoh and Candice than Nadia.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 27/09/2018 16:51

I really miss the history bits! - I loved seeing the RL bakers who were really proud of their product. Sandi and Noel would both be great at presenting that type of slot too.

I used to like the early Strictlys, too - where they showed you how they designed the outfits, and why particular styles/colours were chosen.

It was ACE!

TickyTacky · 27/09/2018 17:21

Oh I did really the BBC version- I liked the history segment and Mel & Sue, really loved Mary Berry as well.
However, despite my real concern about Noel I think he's hilarious, Sandi is wonderful as always and Pru is, ok... A bit brisk! I'm not a huge fan of Paul, I enjoy going back to the very early series when he wasn't orange for a bit of a snigger!
This year I like Rahul, Briony and Jon. Ruby irritates me, she reminds me of Candice from a few series ago.

Tahani · 27/09/2018 17:34

Not keen on Ruby (too much like the other Ruby, but a little stronger personality)
Rahul is a little irratating, but maybe just doesnt have the confidence, but he's quite like the other Ruby (oh its not very good....)

My favs are Briony, and i quite like KimJoy, how many are left? 6?

Teacher22 · 27/09/2018 17:35

Fancypantsusan, you are growing up. That's what it is. Don't worry. Life gets better from now on.

Parttimewasteoftime · 27/09/2018 17:45

I still like it.... Pru is a bit meh but like Noel he's very lighthearted. Like Kim Joy and Briony this year. Old Gbbo is on Netflix 😂

Ravenesque · 27/09/2018 17:45

I stopped watching it the year before it went to Channel 4. Partly because I knew it was going and knew I wouldn't watch it then. Partly because I'd had it with Paul Hollywood and he was the only person going to Channel 4. Mostly because when Nadiya won it, it reached its peak for me and I knew I'd never love a series more than the one she won, so I said goodbye to it happy that I'd watched it, but before I began to dislike it, which I knew would happen. I know myself too well.

Now I get to watch Nadiya doing her own programmes - which are a delight - and I never have to watch Paul Hollywood ever again!

DampSquid · 27/09/2018 17:55

I'm in the camp of having not watched at all since it left the beeb, of the original presenters PH was the one I liked least and I wasn't enamoured with the new people brought in although I do like Sandi on QI. I still miss GBBO but as far as I'm concerned it finished when it moved channels. Bloody awkward that I am Grin
Great British sewing bee and pottery throw down were definitely in the same style of warm tv shows and I hope they return at some point

DarlingNikita · 27/09/2018 18:18

I adore Sewing Bee, despite being crap at anything much beyond buttons and trouser hems - but are people saying the presenter will not be Winkleman? That would sadden me.

No, it isn't, it's Joe Lycett. I'm reserving judgement on that. May and the gorgeous Patrick Grant will be back as judges though. Yay!

The Great Pottery Throw Down has been canned. Sad