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

Beautiful show

posted 13 years ago by marcos_ho
28 replies | jump to latest

I just discovered this show and after having watched a few episodes, I have found it to be by far superior to all the other competitive cooking shows. These are the pluses I have detected:
- it offers very intriguing historical info which is presented in a proper, funny way;
- the contestants are chosen on the basis of their talent and not for their personality;
- the contestants are VERY likable;
- the two hosts are funny and overall very pleasant;
- the two judges are not trying to insult the contestants. they even give them advise during the baking. Paul even rolled up his sleeves and showed a contestant how to add oil in order to render the dough easier to work with;
- there is no fake drama on the show. We are given some info on each contestant's life and that's it: no screaming, no weeping, no bitching;

So I don't understand why Kitchen Nightmares has such spectacular ratings around here and TGBBO has such a lousy voting record. Are people that addicted to fake drama that they can't enjoy a light show?

[–] geoffrey-51 13 years ago

Im with you on that, great show.
Mel & Sue are brilliant presenters who should be on TV more.
At least there is no ridiculous egos, People sobbing that "Their life is over" when they are voted off or stupid sob stories like The X Factor!

[–] marcos_ho 13 years ago

Finally, someone with good taste! I was starting to get worried.

[–] Obbykins 12 years ago

I'd argue that there is a fair bit of melodramatics, although I didn't see the first series I have seen the last two.

However, the melodramatics is sweet in its way, and not overly annoying - you can kind of see that the tears are most likely genuine and there is definitely a lot of bonhomie between them all, which is nice!

- We could be men with ven!

[–] The_Toker 12 years ago

He had glove of blood!!!!

What's orange and sounds like a parrot?
A Carrot.

[–] Obbykins 12 years ago

Yes, and he should have had it looked at earlier, rather than going 'Oh I must go on...' like a melodramatic little bitch.

- We could be men with ven!

[–] fantasyescapist 13 years ago

I was worried when there were no posts when I visited this board before, but yes, I do really like this programme and it deserves a higher rating.
The judges in particular are very good - Paul in an analytical way and Mary in a more holistic way, both bringing years of experience.
It's just a more balanced show for it.

I just wish I watched more of series one when it was on last year

I enjoyed the masterclass programme last week as well as it was insightful and the judges and hosts have great chemistry.

America and Pakistan have gone from 'in a relationship' to 'its complicated'

[–] paul_86_uk 12 years ago

Yeh I love this programme, this is the first series I've seen but I'm hooked. I was disappointed to see Cathryn go, I loved watching her on the show, think I fell in love! I wish she'd bake me a cake!

Final next week and I can't see anyone other than Brendon winning, he's been so consistent throughout and always produces the goods

"champagne for my real friends, real pain for my sham friends"

[–] Je_suis_le_vampire_Lestat 12 years ago

Ditto for me its the best cooking show on TV at the moment. Brendan so should have won! ok the heaven and hell cake did look amazing and I wanted to grab it out of the TV and eat it. Brendans cake was good too and overall throughout the series he was the most consistant baker. It is such a lovely show though its not pretentious like other cooking shows and I've been a fan of Mel and Sue since the Late Lunch days.

[–] nutsberryfarm 10 years ago

it's very sassy.

🎄Season's Greetings!🎁🎅🎄

[–] marywa123 10 years ago

But such a wonderful and can i say peaceful show. It remind me so much of watching Childs back in the day. Its about the food and history and not so much of someone trying to be celebs, IMO.

[–] nutsberryfarm 10 years ago

very true. it's got a great mood.

🎄Season's Greetings!🎁🎅🎄

[–] belinda_k 12 years ago

I agree, it's definitely the best competitive cooking show on tv, no bitching or sob stories, no nasty judges. It's just about the cooking and the food.

[–] sandifay62 10 years ago

Yes, there's something very refreshing about normal people with normal emotional maturity cooking normal food with normal banter. It's relaxing and educational.

The judges aren't there to play up an image; they actually respect and like all the contestants. The hosts are funny and fun, without being in your face and obnoxious. The contestants are genuinely nice and polite people that like and support each other. They also care more about what they're cooking and how they cook it rather than getting a one-liner in to the cameras.

Who knew calm, civility could make for a great TV show about cooking? Lol

[–] wxyzabc123 10 years ago

Well I do think it wasn't quite the accident that Diana removed Iain's ice cream from the freezer and left it on the counter to melt causing him to be very upset, and rightfully so, during the Desserts episode last week (for us PBS American viewers). Then for her to be supposedly ill this week and unable to do the rest of the competition has me thinking that after reviewing the footage she was found to have been at fault and removed with a cover-up lie to not give the show a bad image or her a bad rap. Other than that, this type of show is a refreshing change from people with sob stories and attitude on just about every 'reality' show or competition out there.

[–] Cooly44 10 years ago

I was surprised that the producers didn't intervene after Iain's ice cream was left to melt.

Your idea is quite interesting.

[–] ms_sunshine 10 years ago

Well I do think it wasn't quite the accident that Diana removed Iain's ice cream from the freezer and left it on the counter to melt causing him to be very upset, and rightfully so, during the Desserts episode last week (for us PBS American viewers). Then for her to be supposedly ill this week and unable to do the rest of the competition has me thinking that after reviewing the footage she was found to have been at fault and removed with a cover-up lie to not give the show a bad image or her a bad rap.

Interesting idea  Iain was a gentleman and didn't blame anyone but himself, though she was clearly at fault.

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[–] eighteen_percent_gray 10 years ago

Check out this link on PBS. It was only out of the freezer for 40 seconds.

http://www.pbs.org/food/features/explaining-bingate-controversy-americ a/

[–] ms_sunshine 10 years ago

Thanks for posting the link. 

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[–] nutsberryfarm 10 years ago

i want some kugelhopf.

'The only mystery in life is why the kamikaze pilots wore helmets.'-Al McGuire ✈

[–] eighteen_percent_gray 10 years ago

Was that the first thing they made in muffin tins with the waves on top?

Everything looks good but too buttery. I never use butter, haven't for a long time. I substitute canola oil, which is why my delicacies are like little door stops.

The eclairs looked good but again, I would not have one more than once a year.

Your sig is a riot.

[–] nutsberryfarm 10 years ago

thanks for the sig compliment!

think it's more like a bundt cake. can't recall the last time i had an eclair...

'The only mystery in life is why the kamikaze pilots wore helmets.'-Al McGuire ✈

[–] eighteen_percent_gray 10 years ago

I've just had a wonderful 3 hours reinstalling my system and trying to find my bookmarks [/primal scream].

I bought some bread flour today so hopefully I'll be baking bread soon. I usually use all purpose but have been converted since watching this series.

Here's Paul making a stilton & grape flatbread--

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ylQ9SLVjcI

[–] nutsberryfarm 10 years ago

thanks for the link! 

hope all is working ok! did you bake anything yet?

'The only mystery in life is why the kamikaze pilots wore helmets.'-Al McGuire ✈

[–] eighteen_percent_gray 10 years ago

Yes, I made some wonderful scones with a baking powder biscuit recipe. Just added walnuts and raisins, sprayed the top with baking spray and sprinkled with sugar, cut into triangles instead of fooling around with circles. Best scones I ever baked, mainly because I didn't use whole wheat flour and bran.

I'm making some progress on the kitchen although it's still a wreak. I did some yard work today so don't have any energy to bake, hopefully tomorrow.

Hope all is well.

[–] nutsberryfarm 10 years ago

scones! that sounds delish!  thx for the tips too.

hope the weather isn't too bad where you are.

'The only mystery in life is why the kamikaze pilots wore helmets.'-Al McGuire ✈

[–] liscarkat (19427) 4 years ago

Diana was present at the big picnic during the final episode. If she had been "removed" I don't think she would have been asked back for the final festivities, or have wanted to come back. Iain was there, too.

[–] maryrosenkranz 10 years ago

Don't know if you remember but there was an American version with Mr Hollywood & Jeff Foxworthy as the host. Ratings were not that great. But I think the reason it wasn't renewed was because the only controversy was on behalf of Mr Hollywood himself having an affair with the other judge.

[–] ms_sunshine 10 years ago

Yes, there's something very refreshing about normal people with normal emotional maturity cooking normal food with normal banter. It's relaxing and educational.

I agree about the normal people with normal maturity and normal banter, but sometimes the food isn't something I'm really familiar with, though I find it very educational. 

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