GBBO 2020!!

[5foot5]

I couldn't see a thread on this so apologies if there was one and I missed it.

Apparently this will be on before the end of the year, filming has just finished

GBBO

Yay!! Something good on the tele to look forward to for a change

@Caelano, I think a lot of people don't think of GBBO as 'reality tv', they think it's a sweet, good-natured, bunting-clad baking competition where the worst stress you'll face will be criticism of your fondant roses or a soggy bottom, so I genuinely don't think some potential applicants for GBBO think in terms of exposure, publicity and pressure in the way they would if they were applying for a different type of show.

I'd forgotten Dani the GBBO contestant's really interesting blog until a pp linked it, but she (freely admitting she wouldn't do it again) says

The production crew are funny, charming and extremely helpful. They make the experience the best they possibly can, as do Mel and Sue, but they all have jobs to do and the product is not us. We are the ingredients, to be taken out and used when required for filming, baking and interviewing.

She also says judging is

not nice. TV shows a highly edited version of the ‘feedback’ you will get. Some is very positive and encouraging, all is meant to improve your skills in some way. But this is TV land not the work environment, and methods of appraisal and feedback you may be used to will not be present here.

and

Seeing yourself on TV isn’t the problem: it’s seeing the disappointment on the faces of the people you care for when you don’t appear much in an episode or you’re portrayed in a way that they don’t recognise as fully you. You can rationalise it to them, but it doesn’t feel good to see them upset about online comments or unable to work out why your bake wasn’t shown and someone else’s was.

and

Over 6 million people saw this series and I’ve been approached many times. Those approaching me have been universally kind and generous [...]. Over the ether however, the comments will be much more personal and at times vituperative: people are willing to judge all aspects of your life and personality without knowing you when they don’t have to say it to your face.

bakingastherapy.wordpress.com/2012/10/21/bake-off-confidential-bittersweet-adventures-in-a-tv-show/

That entry should probably be compulsory reading for anyone applying.

@Caelano

‘Charming. Yes all these pesky people with mh issues getting in the way of entertainment!’

Interesting spin to put on it

My actual point being, National TV is the sort of pressure many people wouldn’t put themselves under, even if they’re pretty resilient types. Unless someone’s been living under a rock, they know what comes with it. Not just the pressure of the competition and being on TV but all the other stuff that goes along with it.

Of course, it’s up to individuals whether being on telly is enough to make up for that, it’s not about excluding anyone. But Christ, the downsides to it are pretty well publicised

Caelano I think you are now back-tracking with your "concern" for contestants, rather then admitting your original remark about Steph was unpleasant.

The Ronettes Thanks for that. On the whole IMO it's not kind or fair BUT if you put your head above the parapet it's likely to be shot off. T'internet esp. SM is a double edged sword, (sorry for the cliches) but they are truthful.

I do try to pleasant on here because since I wasn't kind about someone in another reality show and she was on the very thread that I'd say the things about her (not terrible things at all
but not nice). I have been much more careful about my mouth !!! I try to put myself in their place.

There was a rather good looking fellow in the first one ever, he had floppy dark hair I don't remember his name.

Rob? Or John? Or did a John come later...?

Intermittent Someone will remember

who on earth waves their arm like that in a crowded tent where everyone is carefully laying out their handiwork.

Hate to admit it Caelano, but I probably would. The sight of anything with more than four legs or less than two would throw me into a blind, arm-swinging panic.

@TheRonettes could not agree more.
GBBO is probably at the ‘softer’ end of reality TV but even so, I’m sure many people (wonderful bakers included) would prefer to keep their talents out of the limelight in that way. The tv crew have a job to do; it’s entertainment and inevitably there are going to be episodes where individuals feel they haven’t been shown enough, or have been shown too much, or there’s some aspect they aren’t happy with.

Matt and Noel not working for me at all. Don't mind either of them separately, but am not liking them together.

I was convinced I had posted this already, but it seems i didn't (probably typed it then didnt press send!)

I think the problem is the are both trying for the role of stupid side-kick.

We need on who is sensible with the contestants at times, some jokes.

Like Joe Lycett on the sewing bee (only ever seen a few episodes of that mind you.)

I liked Matt on episode 1 but he doesn’t seem to have the warm relationship with the contestants that Sandy had. I’ve always hated the ‘humorous set pieces’ - not funny at all. The real humour comes from the interaction between the hosts and the contestants and is spontaneous.

Like Joe Lycett on the sewing bee (only ever seen a few episodes of that mind you.)

Me too! Am rewatching the 2020 series as I missed some episodes first time round and Joe Is hilarious. So natural. The opposite of Matt and Noel.

I don't think it was self absorbed of Sura to have waved her arm to swat away the fly/wasp, I think it was pure reflex.

@IntermittentParps

There was a rather good looking fellow in the first one ever, he had floppy dark hair I don't remember his name.

Rob? Or John? Or did a John come later...?

This Rob?

Yes that's him ! Thank you DCIHops

Ref. Joe L. in Sewing Bee, he wsn't very natural in yesterday's. I quite like him though.

It's funny how differently we all see the programmes. IMO Matt has a nice way with the contestants.

I liked Sura on an Extra Slice yesterday, noticed that she's an architect. Even JA was better, maybe he's been 'twittered'.

I thought Sura was a Pharmacist (although she did say she was an architect on ES). I thought she came across well too.

Agree TA seemed "nicer" last night. I always find him funny though.

Overall the younger men feel more authentic, as if they’re genuinely there just for the baking and couldn’t give a shit about playing to the camera.

There was really young fairly good looking guy on , I think last years series who was awful at baking! We (me and DD) thought maybe he just wanted to be on tv, or get his face known to be on love island etc. I dont know how he got through the audition, it seemed like he'd never baked a cake in his life before!

Not Henry, surely? He was the good looking guy, got with Alice I think

Jamie?

@ageingdisgracefully

I thought Sura was a Pharmacist (although she did say she was an architect on ES). I thought she came across well too.

Agree TA seemed "nicer" last night. I always find him funny though.

She was introduced as a hospital pharmacist and then on ES last night when they were taking the mick about measurements she said something akin to 'you won't actually believe it but I'm a trained architect' so presumably she had a career change.

How interesting about Sura. In the clips on the show we definitely saw her going in to work in a hospital.
God, she must be smart! They are two careers I couldn't even begin to make a start at.

She must have spent a long time training to become both an architect and a pharmacist.

I thought she was a pharmacy assistant

Apparently she’s a pharmacy dispenser.

7 years training for architecture, I believe . . .

I know fewer trained architects who work as architects than who don’t, come to think of it!

Pharmacy dispenser training is pretty quick:

www.pharmacyregulation.org/education/support-staff/dispensing-assistant