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GBBO - opinions?

999 replies

yawning801 · 29/08/2017 20:04

What are people's opinions on the new Bake Off so far? And yes, I know we're only a few minutes in. IMO the new presenters feel a bit like they're trying a little too hard to be Mel and Sue.

Opinions?

OP posts:
TheLuminaries · 27/09/2017 07:37

My & my DD are heavily into it again this year. We like all the contestants except Stephen (too good & likes his mum too much) but have special love for Liam.

Unlike most of you, we don't like Pru - she is much harsher than Mary, who always found a kind comment from somewhere. But apart from that, it is the same format and as good as ever. Bring on pastry week - one of our faves'

BiglyBadgers · 27/09/2017 08:05

I am always in the middle of putting DD to bed when it is on live so end up refreshing my laptop screen from 9:15 waiting for it to go on catch up so I can watch it straight away. Monday I got my days mixed up and was devastated to realise it was not bake off day. I am loving it this year! Grin

Personally I don't want lots of personal stuff about the bakers as I am there for the baking. They have plenty showing their personalities and home life I think, maybe you have just fast forwarded through them wildrose.

I totally agree about Steven, purple. He is clearly amazingly talented, but a tad smug. This week might have done him some good though. He is still the one to beat but it isn't looking like such a sure thing anymore.

Theycalledmethewildrose · 27/09/2017 08:28

Which one is Steven?

I just keep zoning out. I liked the personalities part of the previous years more than I ever realised 'This is X from Liverpool' and a few comments about them would be better. I literally don't know/can't remember any of their names this year. Mel and Sue's voices were 'livlier/more enthusiastic. And it is so bloody LONG. Previously that would have been a good thing but now it is like watching paint dry.

The BBC have the format for that type of show down to a tee. I watch them all - sewing, pottery. The other tv stations just can't replicate them without losing their charm. The many many ads don't help.

ppeatfruit · 27/09/2017 08:38

Turnip The innuendo may sometimes have been unintended on the beeb, but I heard Sue being interviewed about it and she said that she got fed up of thinking up enough smutty remarks about baking!

I still like it and now it's better because we are getting to know the contestants properly. I was pleased that smug Steve's trifle type thingy was too rubbery! I liked the star baker's trifle thingy while she was making it! So pleased she won.

Igneococcus · 27/09/2017 08:40

But isn't it made by the same production company just now sold to a different channel?

I hope Liam and Julia are in till the final because they are the only ones I care about this year. I doubt it though.

BiglyBadgers · 27/09/2017 08:44

I thought it was pretty much the same length, but all the adverts stretches it out. Surely it was an hour on the BBC?

Steven is the one who did the American flag this week.

I find the whole meet the families bits incredibly tedious. They have had plenty of it and are always going on and on about their families and history when they are talking about their cakes. I don't know how you have missed it. I don't remember them doing all that much background previously, didn't it take weeks before Selasi mentioned he had a girlfriend?

I guess you either like the bakers or you don't. It's just one of those things.

Theycalledmethewildrose · 27/09/2017 08:51

It might be the same production company, but they have been given different requirements and told to drag it out unnecessarily. It feels like a completely different show. I am so disappointed by it as I always looked forward to it. IAfter last night, I stopped recording it as it just isn't for me.

It reminds me of a very bad programme on one of the US food channels where a bakery has to make gigantic cakes with a theme. I watched one episode in awe that turned to horror as they rolled slabs of sponge around a cardboard cut out and proceeded to decorate it. It looked fine (if a little bizarre) but we knew there was cardboard inside it. The current GBBO reminds me of that cake. Empty.

BiglyBadgers · 27/09/2017 09:32

I don't see where they are dragging it out. It was 60 mins on the BBC and is still 60 mins once you take the adverts out. It seems exactly the same to me Confused

woodhill · 27/09/2017 09:41

Julia looks much older than 25. Still like this despite ads and think Noel was more relaxed when he wasn't wearing a starchy shirt this week,

I don't think Pru is harsh and is Paul slightly kinder?

RhiannonOHara · 27/09/2017 09:47

Isn't Julia 21?

I don't agree that it feels like a completely different show. I HATED the Beeb losing it and was all set to loathe it on C4, but I have to admit it seems the same to me and I'm enjoying it.

I don't mind Prue and Paul, and Sandi and Noel have both warmed up very nicely. And the bakers as far as I can tell are just as engaging/infuriating/endearing a bunch as always. I loved when Julia, who didn't exactly have a good week herself, was supporting Liam and asking how she could help him. They're adorable.

ppeatfruit · 27/09/2017 09:58

Yes I agree Rhiannon

Purplemeddler · 27/09/2017 10:27

I don't agree that it feels like a completely different show. I HATED the Beeb losing it and was all set to loathe it on C4, but I have to admit it seems the same to me and I'm enjoying it

Same here. I was ready to hate it too, but other than the advert breaks, it's fine. It feels the same! Sorry to the previous presenters, but I think they were replaceable...

RhiannonOHara · 27/09/2017 11:09

I mean, don't get me wrong; I LOVED Mel and Sue and in my absolute ideal world they'd all still be there, on the Beeb, giggling away, Mel in her collection of pastel/bright jackets...

But this version is fine too.

augustusglupe · 27/09/2017 12:05

I love the new show! I always felt I should like Mary more than I actually did, ditto Sue, although I liked Mel.
Prue, in my opinion, is more knowledgeable than Mary and Noel has warmth and humour without over playing it, he's fitted in well after a shakey start.

Theycalledmethewildrose · 27/09/2017 12:11

I like the presenters and Pru too. That definitely isn't the issue. It just seems dull this year. Every show feels like it is the first or second show and that's why the bakers are unknown but it isn't the first or second show. And it feels more like the Paul Hollywood show which is not a good thing imo

ppeatfruit · 27/09/2017 12:17

It was the 3rd ! Theycalled I think that Prue has more control over Paul, he seems to have more respect for her, which he should have actually.

Anecdoche · 27/09/2017 12:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DustyMaiden · 27/09/2017 12:21

Don't like the fact they make models out of food, all a bit gimmicky.

mydogisthebest · 27/09/2017 12:25

I don't see how posters are saying "it seems like a different show". It's exactly the same show but with 1 different judge and 2 different presenters.

Everything else is the same. Same music, same opening credits, same 3 baking challenges etc.

TansyVioletta · 27/09/2017 12:27

I'd be happy for them to get rid of Paul and put Mary Berry in his place. Keep Prue. Happy with Sandi and Noel

ppeatfruit · 27/09/2017 12:29

They did it when it was on the beeb too Dusty I like that they do the basics too. The chocolate puddings yesterday were very basic , I've always wanted to make one , now I know!

EB123 · 27/09/2017 12:58

I am quite enjoying it 4, I had got a bit fed up last series but am back into it this time. I was unsure about the move over to channel 4 but I think the presenter changed has refreshed it a little although the format is the same.

EB123 · 27/09/2017 13:00

The handshake thing last night was ridiculous.

TrashPanda · 27/09/2017 13:02

I still like it on C4, I love Noel and Sandi, always have. Pru I always liked on GBM and I think she's a lot more honest than Mary was and will put Paul in his place. His handshakes have become cringey and gimmicky now.

I do see what PP means about it feeling a bit flat though. I find it much harder to get into because of the adverts, it feels broken up and the last break at the end is awful. It feels like the hour is up and I'm ready to turn it off, but we haven't had the result.

RhiannonOHara · 27/09/2017 13:12

The trick is to record it so you can FF the ads.

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