MovieChat Forums > The Great British Bake Off (2014) Discussion > This show

This show

posted 9 years ago by ronricho-337-128165
5 replies | jump to latest

is, for my wife and me, totally addictive. I am an amateur cook but not a baker and yet I still find it very entertaining and informative. The one problem with it (and only an American would think this is a problem) is that I like everyone. All the contestants, the judges and the hosts. If this were produced in the US it would have to have some sort of contrived rivalry or "drama" as a subplot. Refreshing to see such a straight forward competition.

Can't wait to watch another episode later tonight.

[–] Bflogal11 9 years ago

I agree. There is never a contestant I "root against", I like them all. I have a favorite or two, but I don't wish for anyone to leave. And your are right, an American contest would have to have some sort of high drama, and personality conflict. I also like that the judges are not given to yelling at and belittling the contestants. When something fails, they generally try to be decent about their criticisms.

It's never too late, that's why they invented death.

[–] ronricho-337-128165 9 years ago

Exactly!

[–] dagr317 9 years ago

Last winter, they did do an American version of the show called the "Great Holiday Baking Show" that was filmed in the same location but was hosted by Nia Vardalos and her husband, Ian Gomez. They tried way too hard to be clever and amusing but had none of the humor of Mel and Sue. And the contestants did do a little of the trash-talking that's now expected on American shows... it wasn't excessive but it was still noticeable when compared to the British one. I've been over that kind of behavior for years now, which is one of the reasons I love the British version so much. The contestants genuinely want the other competitors to do well, are sad to see one of them get eliminated, and are happy for whoever is named Star Baker. There's just a gentility about the show that is so refreshing in this day and age. I love every single thing about this show and am so glad that PBS airs it.

[–] glasshull 9 years ago

Was happy to see it was on tonight. Discussed with my wife, trying to figure out why it is way, way better than any US cooking competitions. Someone mentioned gentility. Instead of trying to figure out why, I'll just enjoy it.

[–] maryrosenkranz 9 years ago

They had the American version several years ago with Jeff Foxworthy. Only lasted the one season, because quite frankly it was too gentile for American tv. I can do without the "crap-talk" myself. But it does get eaten up by viewers. As for the difference in hosts, well, it is actual comedians vs "acting" comedians. Mel & Sue are in their natural state as I like to call it. Whereas, with Nia & Ian I am sure they were partially told what to do & say. The Americanized way of filming is too much production. If they let people be themselves it would help. The Next Food Network Star judges push that, but they don't actually let any of the contestants be that. The only "gripe" I have is Paul needs to tone down his attitude when someone does something very different. Even when Mary is not too sure, she doesn't look like it is the worst mistake a contestant can make.