Great British Bake Off - redux

[Gordonb]

I don't recall if there are any naysayers here on the board but I think it's safe to say that the new GBBO is nothing like as bad as some people were anticipating - in fact it's pretty identical in every way other than the 3 new faces, none of whom are new to British tv viewers (and the ad breaks of course, but isn't that why they invented the fast forward button?)

Prue is very different from Mary, less cosy perhaps but comes across as genuine and with warmth.

Sandi and Noel seem to have inherited in equal measures the quirkiness and annoying habits of Mel and Sue - innuendo continues to flourish.

2 episodes have been shown so far and we are slowly getting to "know" the bakers, so maybe the key to its success actually is the bakers rather than the hosts and judges.

[MartinG]

Angela's still solidly in the boycott camp, though I think life's too short for such trenchant prejudicial antipathy to anything which is meant to be entertainment. Colleagues initially of the same mind have all given in to curiosity and have generally agreed with @Gordonb that it's not so bad, as long as you can skip the ads.

[Leighton]

I like Sandi and Prue very much; Noel comes across as someone trying to impress the new in laws.  He's lost a lot of his charm (though was a little better in episode 2)

[Gordonb]

Noel comes across as someone trying to impress the new in laws.  He's lost a lot of his charm (though was a little better in episode 2)

I don't really know know much about him, so am unaware if his charms are on the up or the down.

[Gordonb]

Angela's still solidly in the boycott camp, though I think life's too short for such trenchant prejudicial antipathy to anything which is meant to be entertainment. Colleagues initially of the same mind have all given in to curiosity and have generally agreed with @Gordonb that it's not so bad, as long as you can skip the ads.

Persuade her to give it a try if only because there are some cracking bakers, and characters of course.

[MartinG]

Took some persuasion but we saw Episode 1 last night. As you say, the stars are really the bakers and of course the fruits of their labours - impressive or otherwise. The triumphs and disasters, the good-natured cameraderie and mutual support, the glee-inducing hubris of Mr Spreadsheet omitting to whip his egg whites...twice - all human life is here!

Angela can't abide Noel, but is prepared to stick with it as long as she can keep half an eye on Facebook at the same time.

[Gordonb]

Angela can't abide Noel, but is prepared to stick with it as long as she can keep half an eye on Facebook at the same time.

Before long she'll put her phone down and have both eyes on the telly! But DON'T make her eat humble pie (unless you happen to have made one of course!)

[fjlumia]

My family has watched several seasons of this show including the Master's shows where Paul and Mary bake.  We sometimes need translations for some of the terms but find it an interesting and very watchable show.  I am even tempted to make a Queen Victoria sandwich!

[Bobster]

I'll wait until it comes over here and plays on Public TV.  I'm afraid I will miss the ladies too much--I've been finding Mary's old 70's clips and also found her last series!  She always seemed to be more fair and balanced than Paul overall.

[DiveMilw]

ATTENTION!!!

Netflix has added another season of The Great British Baking Show.  It is the US season 4.