GBBO - opinions?

[yawning801]

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?

I really liked it. I'm not a massive Mary Berry fan anyway so didn't really miss her. Usually find Sandi extremely annoying and smug but she was fine.

Adverts were annoying, especially the last one but we recorded the first half an hour and whizzed through the ads

Apparently Sewing Bee will be back next year. I follow Jade on Facebook and she's posted that it's definitely back next year

I was disappointed by Sandi Tozvig- she hardly seemed to be there. Love Noel.

I enjoyed it, and at least with Prue you get cake in layers not bloody lairs!

The thing I was worried about was Ch4 awful habit of thinking you've forgotten what happened 2 minutes ago and repeating the last part after the adverts - they didn't seem to do that so I'm quite happy.

I enjoyed it, and at least with Prue you get cake in layers not bloody lairs!

Excellent point! That used to wind me up too.

I thought the adverts were well placed and not in the middle of baking as I was expecting.
I think Mel and Sue were brilliant at making the bakers relax. I haven't seen Noel Fielding before and I like Sandi Tosvig. I think the judges spent an equal time with each baker. I'm not sure if that was the same with the BBC.

I thought it was really good on all fronts and I actually like the breaks so I can make tea and nick to the loo.

I thought Noel would annoy me and that I would like Sandi, but it's the other way around. Noel has pleasantly surprised me but I can't warm to Sandi.

I don't like Pru at all. Never liked Hollywood anyway.

I agree that they are trying too hard to be a new Mel and Sue. I don't even like them saying on your marks, get set, bake.

Was better than expected. Prefer Pru to Mary.
Will record or watch on catch up in future to miss the ads.

Preferred Pru to Mary as well. Never liked Paul Hollywood.

Format was the same and really the presenters never did much anyway!

The contestants have always made it - the more memorable years have had more memorable contestants - not sure about this year yet

I was worried about this - I know that I am Not Good With Change, and feared it wouldn't be as good as the original - and that I would miss Mel, Sue and Mary too much - but I was wrong.

I did feel that it was too careful at times - Prue and Noel in particular seemed to be rather tentative, and as other posters have said, Noel's character seemed somewhat muted. I hope they will be able to let go a bit more as they settle in - I'm reminded of when Rachel Riley took over from Carol Vorderman on Countdown - at first, when she was doing the solutions for the numbers games, she wrote all the calculations so carefully and tidily, but as time has gone by, she has relaxed and it is far more free, and scribbly - I am hoping Prue and Noel will be able to relax into their roles in a similar fashion.

I thought some of the Illusion bakes were completely stunning - such clever ideas, and many of them so well executed too. The closest I have ever come to an illusion cake was three 'pizza' cakes I made for the dses when they had a joint party - one layer of victoria sponge, red butter cream, yellow, shredded icing for the cheese, herbs made of green-dyed dessicated coconut, candied pineapple, and ham, mushrooms and peppers made out of modelling icing.

They passed muster with a crowd of 6, 8 and 10 year olds, but I think Prue and Paul would have turned their noses up at them!

I'll continue to watch. Liked Prue and think Noel will come into his own as the series progresses (he seemed very nervous). Don't like Sandi usually but didn't find her grating last night so hoping she is more bearable when her presence is watered down.
Enjoyed the challenges last night, always like cake week though.

Just watched it (recorded to spin through the ads). Liked it just as much as the BBC version, if anything it was better because it was more focused on the bakers and their baking rather than being a vehicle for Mel & Sue's witticisms.

Looks like an amazingly high standard so far, really looking forward to the rest of the series.

Noel seemed nice enough. I like Sandi, but the new lady seemed a bit stuck up. I miss Mary.
Still, its the same format and the bakers seeem very good already. Was in awe of the watermelon and sandwich cake, so clever.
Will tape and whizz through the ads.

Anyone else think Sandi looked a little too polished last night? She's got a lovely natural look that suits her and she seemed to have been plastered with every conceivable product they could find.
Yes I know it's shallow

Yes they had changed Sandi's usual hairstyle and given her very blonde highlights and a shovel load of make up - not sure it worked. It also looked like she had inherited Mary's wardrobe with the floral silky blouson.

I liked it! I kind of missed Mary as I enjoyed scrutinizing her clothes shallow but disliked Sue Perkins particularly so not missing her at all..

I liked the Noel guy. Haven't seen him before sheltered life but I think he has potential. He was a bit understated tonight. I liked the bit where Sandi threw a bowl at him and he fell over..kinda subtly.

The showstopper was amazing. That bread-cake! Of the contestants, I think the ones to watch are Tom, Liverpool Lady, Glacier Mint Lady and the guy who won. I think the right contestant left.

I think Prue is respected but not so telegenic as Mary.

I liked it, I think they'll all settle into it after a few weeks, they have big shoes to fill so I'd imagine they are quite nervous, some of bakes were amazing, I'll keep watching and see how it pans out.

I did like the bit in the hot air balloon when Sandi said "you did say a white tent Sue"

I liked it. I am glad Mary's gone and I like Pru on GBM.
I loved sue but not so much Mel and this time I love noel and not so much Sandi.
I think Noel knows he's a bit out of place and will ease into the roll over the weeks (pun intended). The and breaks gave me a chance to get more gin and cake so no complaints

I really liked Pru. I found Mel and Sue a bit cringeworthy so don't miss them. Noel and Sandi have no chemistry though but will hopefully improve as it goes on.
I'm pleased it hasn't changed much and will continue to watch it.

I enjoyed it too.
For me, it was always about the individual bakers and their skills (or lack of in some cases).
I couldn't care less who presents it or who judges it.
I am in awe of the bakers talents.
Just wish we had taste-television.

Finally seen it. Preferred it - less ego without Mel Sue and Mary. I did watch without adverts and imagine they were a bit annoying.

I really liked Noel - he did seem a bit restrained/nervous but that made it interesting. I liked when he put the marigold in his mouth and said it tasted like a clowns nose. I don't like GBBO I watch it because my DH and eldest DC like it. I much preferred this version. It's a bit less twee and the "oh aren't we silly but actually ever so clever" upper middle class schtick of Mel and Sue with their silly voices and OTT innuendo etc used to really grate on me.

Just caught up with it. It's a definite improvement, with none of the twee inanity that Mel and Sue brought to it.

Is nice to have presenters that aren't afraid to be themselves instead of trying hard to be funny and everyone's best mate.

There's room for improvement that will hopefully come as the series goes on.

I hope that Noel carries on being normal and they dont go down the ' oh errr missus' thing that Mel and sue used to do with the innuendos. even when the lady had the bottle top that looked a bit phallic, noel just laughed and didnt go all funny about it!! (unless they cut it out, )but i cant imagine him being like that anyway. i like him though , he is a interesting character and a great raven shirt, he always looks different and a bit quirky. I can imagine a lot of people dont like him though!!

I liked it... close enough to the BBC version without the new cast trying to channel Mel, Sue, and Mary. Just a little different.

I can live with the adverts, it's better without, but not such a big deal really.

Hopefully we get to see some more personality from Noel and Sandi once there are fewer bakers and a little more time available to show more of those kind of moments where they're interacting with the bakers.