Great British Bake Off is back!

I love the show. I like the contestants, the hosts and the judges. Also it makes me want to try new things and buy new things like tiny tort pans.

I miss Mary Berry! I've been watching her older appearance over on Youtube, from back in the 70s.

Love it!

Ugh. More than half of the bakers are in their 20s. They're turning it into another kiddie show. Of all things, a baking show should give the older generation a chance to shine instead of shuffling them off in favor of more young people who are already all over every show. Just look at the people who've won in the past and the people who've crapped out early. The young people just don't have the lifetime of back knowledge to help on the challenges where they can't preplan their creation.

Why aren't all of their confections called "pudding"? I've watched this, and they generally call a cake a cake, a pie a pie, and so forth. Yet we had a virtual Britapalooza last week of shriek!ers insisting that all desserts must be called "pudding."

Why the fuck do they need TWO hosts for this dumb show????????????

I hadn't realized until reading a linked article what a complicated personal life Paul Hollywood has!

The Guardian has already ranked them, worst to best.

And the gay one is obviously Michael, the theatre manager/fitness instructor.

I want Paul to check my crumb for tenderness

I loved this show when Mary Berry was on it. Paul Hollywood is just an overweight version of Simon Cowell. The new woman, Pru, adds nothing to the production except some bland sarcasm and very bad clothing.

Pru is fabulous. She towers over that old cooze Mary Berry in every possible way. Pru kicks the old crone to the gutter.

I was afraid when the show was re-organized that it would not survive with three new cast members. The two new comics get by. They are not as tight as the women they replaced, but they get by. And Paul Hollywood is dripping with sex.

R5, really?

Pudding is a part of a meal or a class of foods. It is not a specific dish (as it is in America).

You might as well claim that because a cooking show refers to chicken, beef, and pork that proves that Americans do not use the word "meat" to describe them.

They need to dump that male host who looks like a gay vampire.

Just recognizing the stupidity of "pudding" one more time, r12.

What channel?

James Acaster from Celebrity Bake Off. The exact irreverence the show needs.

R15- I haven’t been able to find it anywhere.

R17 - Drops on Netflix on August 30th.

r18 I'm not sure about that. I think they all have to run in GB first before they land on Netflix.

I just got a notification from Netflix. A new show starts tomorrow (Friday) night.

R17 and R20 I stand corrected. They are releasing one a week. Huzzah!

[quote] Why aren't all of their confections called "pudding"?

Probably because they want the show to attract a more wide ranging audience than just British viewers so they need to use terms that aren't so stereotypically British.

So PBS will be broadcasting the new series?

Bummer.

I meant, "will NOT be..."

I still love the program, but I just can't get into those two new hosts. That guy looks like a vampire and I don't find the little squat lesbian funny in the slightest. I do like Prue, but not as much as I liked Mary Berry.

Just like the DL; it gets popular and the pay wall goes up and fucks the loyal viewers who got them there.

I won't be watching.

Paul Hollywood is a British Adonis. How he can maintain his muscular body while sampling all those baked good is a mystery. He needs to wear tighter clothing to show off his huge muscles.

r8 just the one, dear?

Paul Hollywood, a muscular body? Trust me, it's all table muscle. He's a hog. I'd hate to think what he looks like if he wore garments that weren't 3 sizes too small to squeeze all that blubber in.

Mary Berry is a tough act to follow because she was so kind and experienced and just wonderful to watch. Yet Pru is doing an excellent job and is a really fine choice as a successor. Paul seems kinder in these later seasons. The comedic hosts, both the original pair and now their successors, can be corny and tedious. I skip there awful introductory segments, where one will wear a silly costume or try to offer some clever malapropism. It’s just annoying. I did see a travel documentary feature if on of the first hosts, and she was excellent in that. The new male host seems non-binary in a way, a sweet but really odd character to watch. Is he like an off label Russel Brand?

How friggin' cute is Jamie? AND he has a twin brother.

I hate 'once a week' shows on Netflix. If I wanted to watch shows like I did in the 80s, before DVD sets or Netflix, I would watch regular tv.

I watch Mary Berry on Youtube all the time. I like her old segments on Thames TV from the 70s, but lately, I've been enjoying her 'Country House Secrets', which is wonderful social history.

Blonde twin twink Jamie should have been the one to go home, but I suppose they want to keep the gays watching.

[quote]How friggin' cute is Jamie? AND he has a twin brother.

I think he's hideous, but Henry is adorable, and David is cute, but seems like he's be high-maintenance.

he's = he'd

They need more shows like this one.

Not at all, R34. Useless gay hipster Dan had three rubbish bakes, while Jamie had one good bake, so it can't have been a hard choice at all.

Don't forget Extra Slice with Jo Brandt and hilarious bitchy gay guy who hosts Bake Off The Professionals. Love An Extra Slice lots

Noel Fielding of The Mighty Boosh. I think he would love being known an a vampire.

R40 Love Noel on The Big Fat Quiz On Everything, always off the wall fun

I should wait closer to the holidays to bring up Fanny....

I thought Steven was hot I wanted to try his hot buns.

I always like Season 3 contestant John

r43 Apparently Russell Tovey DID try his buns.

My favorites were Tamal, Andrew, and Prison Paul.

I wish Nadja would just bake and stop going on about her endless mental issues, fuck she is boring

Enjoying episode 2 of season 7. It’s well-produced and the cast is appealing. I think that one contestant, Priya , is a beautiful gal.

The two comedy hosts are less irritating this season. Noel has butched up a bit.

(Spoiler Alert): It was sad to see Jamie leave. He presented himself as a very nice young man.

Jamie was a doll, but he couldn't bake worth shit

I like the frumpy vet, the gay choir boy, and the very tense half Indian fitness instructor

The flaming gay guy is a well preserved 36, especially considering that he's British. TOTAL BOTTOM.

Jamie was sexy in a frat bro way but lawd, that boy couldn't bake. Michael and Henry are adorable.

Jamie has a horsey laugh that started to grate on my nerves.

At least they verified (as if it needed to be for anyone outside of Helen Keller) that David is gay. (They showed him with his "boyfriend.") I'm thinking Henry is innocent (despite all the double entendres about his organ this week) and closeted (and apparently quite religious) so we probably won't hear about him.

You know Henry is a dirty nasty slut who does things with glee that would make a normal person puke

Well if he isn't already, I volunteer to teach him how to become one.

Henry does have the look of a secret choirboy whore. He’s so cute. I also love Michael.

Except for the one older guy, all the men in this cast seem to be pole smokers.

Not that I object to pole smoking. Oh, no, indeed.

Phil and Dan are the only straight guys.

Is there a single straight organist? I have never met or heard of one.

Henry is adorable and a quick glance at his Instagram shows him crossing the line of a run singing (and very much acting out) 'Dancing Queen', which one of his friends then refers to him as. He's also into amateur dramatics, so I would suggest he's already ventured out of the closet at Uni, but perhaps not to his family?

He's straight, you bitches. Straight! Can't you see?

Just because he's a 20 year old Literature Major who bakes and sings in church when he's not making beautiful music on his organ... doesn't mean he's gay.

r60 Sure, sure....

Straight, I tell you! He's always had an eye for the ladies, even as a young lad.

Where's the Sure Jan gift it's appropriate now.

Flying free:

If he's not gay, he should seriously consider it.

100% Hetero! Just look at that masculine chest.

The ABBA quote is just a young man's cock teasing. Henry is all in for the girls.

How many gay men would come to America and go to New Hampshire? There you go.

Poor Jamie was in over his head. He seemed like such a nice guy too. It's a bit mean, at least by this show's standards, to put someone on who is obvious cannon fodder. Although it's not the first time.

Noel and Sandi are still an odd combo but it sort of works.

Jamie was cast for his looks, personality, and the fact that he is a twin

O/T: The episode of Perry Mason I just watched was sponsored by Florient....

I love you, R69. We have VERY similar thoughts.

He has a nice smooth little chest in R66.

Good legs:

With David on a London run that they did - posted along with the hashtags: #lgbt #lgbtqi+ #queer

I can't wait to see which one of these boys take the other.

On the Bake Off, I mean.

But if there is anything else going on here and any of you have the video... please post.

David’s boyfriend is very cute

You know they’ve had a three way with Henry

Noel Fielding is popular in Britain where they have a class of tv personalities called “presenters.” They’re usually comedians who also act, guest start on game shows (there are a lot of news-oriented game shows in Britain) and are hosts of game shows. Howie Mandel is the closest American equivalent I can think of. They have their schtick/personality/trademark kind of thing. Fielding’sc thing is dressing strangely, wearing makeup and being faux creepy.

[quote]Fielding’sc thing is dressing strangely, wearing makeup and being faux creepy.

Fielding’s thing is dressing strangely, wearing makeup and being creepy.

Looks like Henry and Michael may be a thing - Helena hosts a sleepover for the twp of them:

Michael also posted this pic of Henry on his Instagram, labelling it "Lady and the tramp" and further commenting that he's not sure which is which

My cockdar can't get a fix on Paul's cock size. I'm thinking about 6".

Thoughts?

I’m over it.

Just in case there's any doubt:

I want to fuck Henry while he wears just a necktie.

I liked it when it was a show about cooking, not all about the lives and personalities of the contestants..

It is a show about cooking. All the other stuff in from twitter, Instagram etc and not featured in the show. Plus, there was plenty of the same 'around the show' stuff, right from the start on the BBC.

Phil was robbed last night

Priya should have been sent home

But Priya and Michael’s relationship, along with their youth and good looks, are far more compelling to the producers of GBBO

Henry seemed VERY tense about Michael’s trouble on Dairy Week. Do you think they were already fucking? Who’s the top?

The technical re-set the ranking. Two in the top. And then the rest. Phil’s showstopper looked like food coloring on dog biscuits.

Priya was saved by the fact that her showstopper actually tasted good.

Phil was not robbed. HIs work product was not good. If you're fighting for last place because your work was so genuinely poor, "robbed" is just too strong a way to characterize the quality of the work. Someone has to go. That's the nature of the game.

Sometimes I disagree with who gets cut but not this time. His didnt look or taste as good as the others. Priya got better reviews in the showstopper.

Haven't they always shown segments of the competitors lives? It makes us as viewers care about how they do in the competition. Doesnt take away from the baking which is obviously what the majority is about.

[quote]I missed Sue and Mel much more than Mary Berry, to be honest. Their role on the show was not just to turn out baking puns, but to serve as guardians for the bakers, and for the show’s gentle warmth. Perkins told the Guardian in 2013 that when contestants cried out of frustration, they made a point of standing right next to them, swearing loudly, so the footage could not be used for juicing up the show’s drama

I miss those bitches. The new producers have definitely amped up the drama. Michael’s emotions, which are very apparent, were a factor in his staying another week.

No one, NO ONE could bite into a biscuit quite like Mary Berry.

He’s claiming to be straight! Although this girl has a sad, Grace Adler vibe.

Poor Russell Tovey, having to be on stage with Paul Allen on 'A Extra Slice'. You feel how uncomfortable he was being around a rampant effeminate homosexual, giving us a bad name

Love Henry and Michael too!

Any shirtless photos yet?

I love how Henry tries to bake in sweaters. That tent has got to be like a sauna.

What are your feelings on Michael's clear glasses. I feel they work, but maybe they are slightly too small for his face.

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I'm sorry, the Sun isn't a meaningful source for anything.

Alice seems like a bundle of perfectionist insecurity ready to blow. Her tics and eagerness to please are very concerning, but that may be catnip to closeted baby gays.

The straight guys were knocked out of the competition early, now it's just the baking queens and the girls.

How old is Alice? She seems older (or at least more mature) than Henry-- who I think is only 20.

Has Henry given Alice a soggy bottom yet?

Alice is 28 and Henry is 20, R102.

R94 you love him so much that you forgot his first name?

I want Jamie and his twin side-by-side doggy style........

Henry has been spending time with a number of his fellow contestants, Alice is just one such.

Paul's bulge

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This episode, Roaring ‘20s Week, David was holding Henry’s hand when the judges were ripping him a new one in the technical challenge. As Henry became aware that he was holding a man’s hand on international television, Henry crossed his arms and David moved his hand onto Henry’s bicep, and eventually, David hung his hand on Henry’s shoulder. Henry is very soothing to David...very soothing.

Priya got through, which was an injustice. The Welshwoman should have stayed, rather than Priya.

David is so fucking hot. I want dirty shirtess shots. And jackoff videos

The current crop of nancy boys on the Great British Bake Off are entirely disappointing. David is a little interesting, but only a little.

Bring back Tom Hetherington. That one had it all.

Henry is David's Emotional Support Human.

R112 I’m ashamed to say I that follow Tom Hetherington on Instagram. He’s so basic. I may unfollow him on my next Instagram cleaning, because he’s so unrewarding.

Watching Jamie bake was quite frustrating. After his first fail I thought, well, he has a good attitude about it and doesn't get too tensed. But he never changed his attitude. To me it looked like he just didn't care. He laughed everything off. I wonder if he had taken the challenge more seriously his baking could have been better.

Jamie cared a lot r115. He abruptly went out of the camera view while being interviewed when he teared up about his disastrous bake(s).

The men on this season are more emotional than the women.

The secret to this show is that they never give the contestants enough to time to do the assigned recipe. Not one extra minute is allotted. Most of the time, if any mistake is made, they product is not finished or is slapped together. Theirr skills have to be sure and ready or the time constraint will fuck them every time.

Have to admit Henry is a complete sweetheart.

Agree with you 100% R110. They keep giving Priya a free pass every week - clearly they have a plan of who they want to proceed, rather than basing it on how people perform. I think I'm going to stop watching it now.

This season, there’s no fairness nor clear standards in the judging r119. And the show runners just don’t care if the audience realizes that.

I’ve got the feeling that the “extract...and move on” phase in GBBO is now here. The producers will leave a dry husk of the show before its cancelled. It’s a shame.

Paul looks haggy, R120. What happened to the big muscle stud Paul with a flat stomach, huge biceps, and rock hard pecs?

LOL, R121. That never existed. He is a portly man growing more portly as he grows more aged.

The casting was weird this year. Super young and the men are all emotional and the women are mostly...incompetent and blend together.

Too many chicks with badly dyed black hair.

And, the double elimination was so dumb. Neither one of them should have gone home; should have been the boring Priya who, let's be frank, is only still around because she's the only brown person left.

They did a lousy job of diversity this year actually....other than lots of cry baby gay dudes.

They did a wonderful job of diversity this year! What could be more diverse than having a genuine Welsh person from Wales? I am from Wales.

As the Welsh are known to be a forgiving people, I forgive you for not knowing until just now that I’m from Wales, r123. I tried to tell everyone that I was from Wales, but they edited out 99% of the times I mentioned being from Wales. Come to think of it, maybe they didn’t do such a wonderful job after all.

I’m starting to think I was discriminated against because I’m Welsh, from Wales. They never let me talk about Wales!

Welsh people from Wales — like me, Michelle from Wales — would never treat anyone that way in Wales, whether they were from Wales or not. In fact, we would give them a big Welsh welcome with Welsh leeks and Welsh Red Dragon cheese from Wales; as much as they wanted.

That’s just how we do things in Wales!

Welsh men singing beautifully, but they need a new choreographer.

You needed to put a little more lilt in your voice, Michelle.

David is growing on me, but this is not exactly the most exciting batch of bakers we've seen.

I like Noel but his humor is getting repetitive. Paul beat him at his own game with the quip about a vampire's kiss.

Michelle doesn't actually live in Wales, which I only just realised.

Great British Fake Off!

Henry personifies the term "adorable." He looks like he goes to school at Hogwarts all week long before heading to the tent to bake for the weekend.

When Henry isn't banging Alice, he's shopping the Joan Rivers Collection on QVC.

Paul Hollywood has such an intense stare accentuated by his icy blue eyes. I bet he throws a mean fuck.

I bet that Paul smells like yeast under his balls

Oops. Henry’s brooch was a spider web, not a star. And it came from Helena, not Joan Rivers.

But he’s still banging Alice...HARD.

Henry is not banging any pussy, as much as he might wish to r133.

That choir boy, church organist, literature major, GBBO super fan since he was 10 year old, is gay gay gay.

He’s either sitting on David’s face, or doing bareback reverse cowboy on Michael’s subcontinental cock.

Again all the three gays survive-deservedly not.

Michael:

[quote]I was definitely flirting with the bottom there; giving the bottom a cheeky wink.

R134, let's not forget his passions for amateur dramatics, rollerblading. and ABBA.

What has happened to Noel's face? He's on the path to Pete Burns-dom!

I dunno r138. He seems to have the dewy freshness of Eva Gabor.

R135, the gays deserved to survive, because Priya was overall the worst.

When they had a celebratory dp, who do you think was the insertee?

[quote] looked like an 80s NYC working gal last night

On Extra Slice?

She would definitely win the Great British Backwards Write Off. Shame she picked the wrong show.

Not sure what extra slice is, but her look - that dress and sneakers ...... reminded me of the women in New York in the 80s who hoofed it from subway to office

I liked Helena. She was so strange. My money’s on David to win. Henry is adorable.

I got that all wrong. Extra Slice is a combination panel show/recap/interview with the last kicked off. Priya looked like a high-end '80's escort (in a good way) in a one-shouldered navy cocktail dress and she unveiled her hidden talent — writing backwards.

R144 Yes, WE know, we discussed it already

R143 despite her gothic/mecarbe niche in terms of design, yes I loved Helena. She didn't deserve to go since damn near all of them fucked up the technical and a few fucked up the first challenge. Priya's horrible performance in damn near every challenge before this demanded she went this week.

Also why a double elimination ?

None of these losers will be as hot as I am.

Another.

Helena had good skills, but awful taste. Everything she made was in that one narrow goth style. It was fine the first time and idiosyncratic the second time. But she did not push herself to stretch beyond it, so she really had to go.

Maybe because it's finally autumnal, but I thought David's spiced meringue would have been really good: clove, cinnamon, and (was it?) star anise.

I would eat David's spicy meringue. You betcha.

David and Henry are so sweet together.

The storm clouds are gathering...

[quote]The terrible new season of 'The Great British Baking Show' has chosen style over substance

If GBBO continues on their present path, there will be riots, and a well deserved cancellation

Despite the adorableness of Henry resting his head on David’s shoulder.

[quote] The Great British Baking Show’s Technical Challenges Are a Scourge

Doom. Euthanasia. Sweet, restful death.

[quote] 'I've never seen tent rage like it!' How Bake Off lost its way

I agree with some of the posts above. The one good thing about this show was how the contestants all helped each other out. It was a respite from those horrible reality shows where everyone tried to be the biggest bitch to get the most screen time.

Knock it off.

r156 the traditions of the GBBO, as well the likable, genuinely nice, and in some cases, goddamn adorable (like Henry) contestants, are being exploited by the no talent producers, who will drain the GBBO’s substance and life for their own bank accounts, until the all fans are pissed off and the show is cancelled.

I love GBBO, but, beyond bringing Mary, Sue and Mel back, and jettisoning the current show runners, GBBO inevitable “flushed down the shitter” fate is assured.

I've seen the 4 prior seasons and this new one seems about the same. Dont get the supposed drop in quality. I like the new hosts compared to the current duo and Prue and Mary while different are both good. I like Prue's good cop to Hollywood's bad.

Then your judgement is askew r158

Read the ton of opinion pieces about the slowly gathering rage at this season.

The bakers are much loved, like they were in the previous seasons. The bakers are being betrayed by the show.

It's the same fate that befalls every other show like it ( with maybe the exception being Top Chef). New show runners want something spicier, so they concoct ridiculous challenges or social statements, all the while upping the atmosphere of confrontation ( or promise of it).

How are they being betrayed? Seems like the weaker ones are getting cut. Stronger ones like Alice and Steph are continuing on and the challenges are still good.

r159, I think your judgmental statement is unwarranted. If somebody likes the show, why knock them down for that? Your previous opinion isn't any less valid because somebody feels differently. Lighten up. Not everybody must agree with you.

All those critics, crying foul are rather ridiculous. Unlike singing or dancing tv competitions, when it comes to cooking or baking ones, people watching them have no way to know what the actual quality of the contestants is.

Paul thinks he can't be replaced, hence the attitude.

But we all know he has tinydick and balls the size of nutmegs. It's sad.

Bring back the old lady and the lezzies.

Sandi is a dyke.

David is fucking hot, hope he beats that weak Stef

Henry was wearing a brooch this week. A BROOCH. What's next -- a caftan?

Henry is cute and can wear anything he wants.

No way that guy is straight.

Didn't he say he would "strip" if his meringues worked? We're waiting, Henry.

Apparently Henry was wearing that pin, as well as a small Welsh flag pin, to honor last week's eliminated contestants (Helena and Michelle.) I can't wait to see what he comes up with for Priya. Maybe he'll wear Mahatma Gandhi's diaper. Or a Nehru jacket.

A forehead dot?

Tom/Paul Allen is now hosting The Apprentice followup show, he is everywhere, and I love him

Paul Hollywood looks to me like the school yard bully everybody was afraid of. It's not that he appears authoritative. He just walks around, looking stern, wondering if je looks sufficiently intimidating. It's just silly. And then that stupid handshake everybody gets so out of shape about when they get one. So, the school bully gave you a pad on your shoulder. Why would that make anyone happy? It's not that that secures you winning the season. I like it when he shares some baking inside with the candidates. But that intimidation stick is ridiculously overdone.

Still love the show, even though the contestants this year do not seem as proficient as in past years, especially at the technical challenges.

Well, the techincals this years have been weird, especially the ones Prue cones up with.

There is no point in evaluating technical skills on projects that none of the bakers have ever seen, tasted, or even heard of. Technical skills build with practice. They can't be evaluated on projects wholly unfamiliar to the contestants.

I understand the producers' concern about repeating themselves, but it is misplaced. Every sporting event unfolds along well established lines. The drama comes from what can occur within those rules. This bad idea of springing unknown projects on the bakers creates a diffuse mess. Better to have them all gunning for the perfect pie crust. That alone is enough to bring a baker to tears.

Where are they now?

The technical have always been items that the bakers may well have never seen or heard of; that isn't new. Honestly, this week's looked fairly easy and they all did very well.

R174 I have to agree with you. This cast is likable but not a very high level of baking talent here. They're all very amateur where other seasons had a wider array of talents in the tent.

It's an entertainment show in the format of a baking contest. If you went for the best amateur bakers, you'd end up with 11 identical middle-aged women and one old queen churning out perfect Victoria sponges - who'd watch that?

The Great Australian and Canadian Bake Offs are also on. Ozzie one is bloody good, Maggie is such a total darling.

I hate that Dan Levy isn't hosting Great Canadian Bake Off anymore, R181 - I adore him. The new season is okay, but it's not as playful.

I just downloaded all 4 seasons (minus a single episode from S3) of Australian Bake Off on Friday. I'll watch those next. (I work from home 100% of the time, and so I need something distracting on one computer monitor while I work. It makes me more productive).

R182 Re Ozzie, the hosts are very annoying, but Maggie and hot judge are neat. I do not miss Levy, think he made it about him alot

We watched one episode of the Australian one and it was horrible, even worse than the American one. Hopefully it's better now.

Hope this is better, R 184.

Oh my, R185. Jessie Parahi is scrumptious.

“If you went for the best amateur bakers, you'd end up with 11 identical middle-aged women and one old queen churning out perfect Victoria sponges - who'd watch that?”

Everyone who watched the first few series?

R187, Two of the first three or four series were won by young gay men (Ed and John); and one of the finals final had two gay men (John and Brendan) and one young straight man (James), no stereotypical 'home bakers' to be seen. Right from the start they were very diverse in terms or race, age and sexuality in the casting.

R84 As they all follow exactly the same formula, what was so loathsome about the Oz version?

I just watched the first season of the Oz version, and it indeed has a different tone, similar to regular reality shows that The Great British baking show had moved away from. The Oz version (well the first season that I've watched) has cast more confrontational personalities, and a judge who openly seems to enjoy watching the contestants fail.

It feels sour, not cheerful and friendly like the British version, the Canadian version or even the American version.

R190 Really? I watched the first season ages ago and do not remember that. It is certainly not like that at all in the present season, is a total love in

"Dan and Kerry would love you to make two savory pies - one using kangaroo, the other using dingo. You have three hours. Ready, set, bake."

Please welcome to the stage: VICTORIA SPONGE

I so miss Mary Berry saying," Crisp."

GBBO has always strived for diverse seasons. They've never had "11 middle aged old biddies" and to suggest that only middle aged women are the only people into baking is beyond stupid.

R191, I just started watching season 2 of the Oz version and I see they replaced all hosts and judges, which I think was a good move. Even the preview for the season seems more kind/gentle/lovey, which is the vibe I've loved about the other versions. Maybe season one was just growing pains.

R196 Ahhh, yes Maggie Beard joined and she is the Oz Mary berry, fucking love her. And hot judge is hot

R108 that's not cock bulge. That's blubber spillage from his fat thigh.

Henry certainly didn't look very straight on the last show when they were all sitting on that couch at one point waiting for results and Henry was curled up next to David like they were lovers, with his head resting on David's shoulder.

Henry and David hold hands all the time in the last 3 episodes r199

I keep waiting for Tom/Paul Allen to bring up Henry being hot for Davids massive cock, but he ignores it. Come on Tom/Paul, call out Henry on his 'straight' shit

David is 16 yrs older than Henry. Cradle robber.

Where do they stay over the days they're filming?

Who gets hate fucked?

They all hate fuck Paul Hollywood and he hate fucks them all right back.

Do they stay in that country house or ship them off to a cheap motel?

According to the contestants, they go home for the week and practice for the upcoming week.

You can probably ask Dan on Twitter. He's pretty active in the "fandom" of the show, and knows how things go since he was a participant. He thinks Henry has it for David but is rooting for Henry/Michael.

R206 I think they are asking about where they stay for the weekend. I assume it takes at least 2 days to film the weekly challenges. They look like they are walking from that manor at the start of each episode.

This is what it's ACTUALLY like to go on the Great British Bake Off

They stay at local hotels — the bakers are together at one in Newbury and the cast and crew are scattered throughout the area.

The house is occupied by the owners but they do make certain rooms and a kitchen available for catering and production offices.

I quit watching the new bakeoff. Mary Berry was the only reason I watched it in the first place. She fascinated me by being of her age and still working. Also, I'm tired of competitions using food. I don't like shows that induce stress to me the viewer. Just cook and show me how to make it.

Is it me, or is this like the youngest group of contenders of all time? David is the oldest at 36, and the rest are all in their 20s - average age is 27.

And Henry saying, "Come here, darling," and pulling Michael into a hug just melted my heart.

Are you talking about the remaining contestants? Because Phil was probably in his 50s (or late 40s at least.)

Phil was the oldest at 56.

This was a VERY young season.

I'm so grossed out they have to wear the same clothes for 2 days in a row. I assumed the show probably had production assistants running around washing everyone's clothes that Saturday night to be ready for Sunday taping.

I meant from the last episode on, so Michael, Henry, David, and the other few remaining women. Their collective age averages to 27.

Needs some older guys. I liked Paul the prison guard. He was good looking and made the fabulous bread lion.

Henry, David, and Michael are cute, though.

R215 I assume they can change their undies, I hope.

Yes, R218. And shower, too.

I'm sure in the BBC version they wore different clothes on the two days.

No. They've always worn the same clothes for both days, or at least the same tops. I suppose it's done for continuity sake but...gross. Under hot lights for 12 hours a day you're gonna get stinky.

These productions always have a Wardrobe department. You arrive, change into ‘work’ clothes, do that day’s shoot, change back into your own clothes, and leave. The Wardrobe people launder and press the ‘work’ clothes overnight, and they are clean and ready for the start of day 2.

Competent productions also photograph you to make sure things like watches, jewellery and the like are consistent across both days.

Don't know why they have to do this, since everyone knows that the contest is two days. They don't try to make everyone believe that it is all done in one day.

Wonder if any of the bakers have "shared their beds" over the course of the contest.

R223, they do it so that in editing, reactions and chatter from either day can be cut and pasted to create more drama. So Pru pulling a face at Paul Hollywood on day 1 can be edited and used to make it look like it’s directed to a contestant on day2. What you see is the result of editing, not a simple linear series of real-time filming.

I'd love to see the outtakes and bloopers these are usually more entertaining than the finished show.

The cameras homed in on David’s face when they were congratulating Henry in this episode. The editors are not even trying to conceal their manipulation.

Did anyone else notice that David's apron was tied particularly taut and tight across his toned torso?

Henry is still adorable as hell.

Shut up!!

David wore two different shirts. WHY??????

Because the first shirt was covered with Henry’s spooge r231

And why did Michael wear a shirt at all? That boy is seriously cute.

I 💟 This Show !

I 💟 This Show !

R222 I guess you didn't watch the video up above where a former contestant reveals they didn't have anyone washing their clothes over night from day one to day two...

So happy Henry won star baker! He's certainly a fan favorite (not sure he'll win though).

Thanks for letting us all know, r237.

R237 has done nothing wrong. The episode is available to be seen in the US, R238. Get off your ass and see it. Those of us who got our homework done have no obligation to wait for you.

Rosebud is a sled. Peter Pan is a woman swinging on a wire. Catherine Trammell did it.

Michael on Extra Slice was a delight.....and looked fucking hot

Where can you see Extra Slice? It's not on Netflix.

R241 Not sure about platforms, I download it from torrent sites

Did I dream it or did Henry say "come here darling" before embracing and comforting Michael in last weeks episode?

....

No, you heard it, R243.

It's just a British thing.

Wouldn't read too much into the darling comment.

Let's be real. Henry may have Bambi eyes, but he's a mess. "Dating" a woman, but snuggling up to David for the camera. The brooches. The ties.

The boy likes attention. A LOT of it.

Danger. Beware.

R246 I'm British myself and I have never, in my entire life, heard a young straight guy refer to another guy as darling in a sincere/heart-felt way. It was a moment of Henry being paternal/maternal/protective towards a man 5 years older than himself. I guess the emotionally gruelling process of going through Bake Off together will create very powerful bonds between the contestants.

Henry has a nice man purse in r244 photo

Nobody, no nobody, is gonna rain on my pa-ah-raaaaaaaaaade!

R249, Yes, I thought that too - it's a look, to be sure.

one thing I particularly like about the series is how simple they crown the winner, everyone went outside, family and friends waiting, winner announced, hugging and congratulations, roll the credit!

If this is in the US, you know the network will not allow a rating gold like this to be concluded in 5 mins, it has to be 3 part 2 hours finale, with ryan seacrest interviewing guests, celebrity chefs, fans, fluff clips of your favorite bakers...and of course tons of commercial breaks, winner will be declared on stage with lighting, confetti and a live audience screaming!

God, British desserts are so awful.

1. Make a sponge or meringue

2. Make some jam. Include whole berries.

3. Whip some cream

Paste it all together in a creative way.

R253 You would be thinking of this:

spoilers!

Well that sucks. Henry is my favorite from Series 10, so him going home this week is discouraging. Still.

Good riddance to him. He is young for his years and too full of himself.

He did a 'darling' to camera which will please the Queens in here.

His goodbye hug with David was extra tight and enduring.

[quote] ...extra tight....

Not for long!

[quote] . He is young for his years

That doesn’t make any sense

Is she still pretending to be straight?

Extreme cake icing....

Yes, r260. Anal, DP, fisting, massage tables and disco lights....all of it.

Henry’s got me walking side to side.

Alice is a basic bitch

R254 Isn't that a variation of a Pavlova?

No. A pavlova is meringue. R254's photo is fruit plopped down on whipped cream.

R254’s photo is Eton Mess, which also contains meringue.

Pru is lovely.

a funny moment from the last episode, I am sure the producers are just waiting for exchanges like this, lol

the link to the clip if you cannot watch it, that's the chrome browser for you!

imgur.com/s8OLkye

R268 / R269 Oh god yes, I laughed out loud at that one.

David's "beard". What are your thoughts on David's hardly there stubble beard? Should he just shave it off?

It's been a fun season of GBBO, mainly for the twinks, but quality wise, the bakers are all pretty weak this year.

And, if David gets the boot next week and the final 3 are those three chicks, I'm not watching the final.

Good bye, Henry. I'm not going to miss you hanging all over David.

So sad. Wanted him to make finals. He was adorable to the end. Hoped that Rosie would go. Steph is going to win, obviously.

Steph gives them the best story. She has so little self-esteem, but gobs of skill with the bakes.

David exudes confidence. If he won, there would be no drama. Alice, too.

But Steph. It would be Nadiya Hussain all over again. If they can give it to her, I think they will.

Stef's now won four star bakers. If she wins, it will seem very predictable. On the other hand, David's the only other baker who's been at all consistent. My guess is that they would have preferred to give the win to someone else this week, but Stef baked the only edible showstopper. David didn't make top crusts, which bugged Paul and his filling was too salty.

They had no older women and only one older man this year, which was a mistake. The mix of ages made it more dynamic.

It is the older women who always make each episode so interesting. One expects a certain creativity and dynamism from the younger members, so when they deliver it, there is no surprise. But those older gals with lots of years of experience in the kitchen get right to it and power through. They are almost always the most interesting contestants. Even when they are listening to the food bake.

Love the older contestants - they should have had a better mix this season, though I'm not arguing with the twink squad.

David, Michael, and Henry should do a nude calendar for charity.

Why are all the Bake Offs on at the same time? The UK started late August, the Canadian show began in September and the Australian show started three weeks ago. I wish they were staggered throughout the year. I’m going to suffer from withdrawals in January...I’m quite aware of the other Bake Off shows around the world, but I only watch the English language Bake Offs.

I agree that the bakers are weak this year. Steff will probably win, but it's not guaranteed. There was a contestant in one of the early seasons, an elderly Irishman whose name escapes me, who won star baker multiple times and still lost to the cute twink at the end. David could still come out the winner.

Maybe I'm over saturated, but I don't think any of the bakers stands out this year. Steph and David have been solid consistently. But I don't recall that they ever did anything that others couldn't replicate. Just remember Rahul's whimsical designs last year. [Love David though. He is like Obi Bake Kenobi. He is so composed, self secure and together. He just goes in and bakes.]

I like Steff bus she's indicative of how weak this season is...she's the best one for Series 10 but on most of the other series, she would have struggled to make it to the final five.

In my opinion, Series 5 and 6 (the seasons where Nancy and then Nadiya were the winners) were the best cast seasons...perfect mix of talents, temperments, types and with many strong bakers.

R280 New Zealand Bake Off starts November, a cheap train wreck with awful houses

Single men are w8ing for u here -> www.lovegay.club

Add your own caption:

Michael posted this one too:

"It is the older women who always make each episode so interesting."

Fuckin' right!

Henry reneged on his promise to "get naked" if anyone knew what warqa was. We're waiting, darling.

How big is Paul's cock?

I think it's small to medium.

Short, stubby, a bit thick. Like Paul.

The bakers, plus Sandi, are wearing ties this week for Henry.

Henry looks huge in this pic for some reason

Henry is quite tall and David is quite short

Wonder how their height difference works for them in bed?

I hope my David wins, and his tight t shirts. And arms. And dreamy visage

R293 As David says: " Everyone deserves a bit of Henry in them"

Henry discussing all the many dick pics he's been sent (at 6:18)

I don't know how more official it can get.

Yeah...that photo is so sweet

Since Henry towers over the other male bakers, he’s really making an effort to put his head on their shoulders

And he does it all the time

Henry is a slut for the camera. To be avoided.

Henry! I snub you!!!

It Looks Like 'British Bake Off's Favorite Twinks Are Dating

Out Magazine is calling them a couple as well.... whilst Alice has confirmed that she and Henry are not dating, but previously posted the pic of Alice/David/Henry/Michael in which she identified that there definitely was a couple. Given that David has a long term partner and Alice is not with any of them, then Henry & Michael are official.

Awwwww, that is very sweet, but Henry will be a handful

HENRY is handful r303?

Michael is very emotional, to say the least

If Henry fucks up the choux dough...one...more...time...

R304 I found Henry on Extra Slice seemed thirsty as fuck, and really liked the fame game

Henry is an attention whore.

won't be surprised that Henry has hired an agent and pitch himself for all kinds of tv gigs and trashy reality shows

"It Looks Like 'British Bake Off's Favorite Twinks Are Dating"

Which one is the soggy bottom?

R305 can you publish a link to that Extra Slice that featured Henry?

I wasn’t aware of this show until you brought it up and Netflix doesn’t have it and Google search didn’t bring any videos of Extra Slice up.

R305 can you publish a link to that Extra Slice that featured Henry?

I wasn’t aware of this show until you brought it up and Netflix doesn’t have it and Google search didn’t bring any videos of Extra Slice up.

R310 Downloading it now, for you, and then will post. I really like it, great guests and Paul/Tom Allen (a homosexualist) is as funny as tits

R310 Only for you . Do you want the latest episode with

The semi-finals felt a little flat (and kinda boring) without Henry.

I thought Rosie made a noble effort at drama, with her multiple rounds of pate choux. (Though, come on, it's not that hard to make that stuff--it's like making play-doh.)

Here is her farewell on Xtra slice

R312 you need to change the video to "unlisted" on youtube, or it will be taken down very fast.

I'm so glad that cunt Frau Rosie finally got kicked off. She always in a bitchy mood and her awful voice no doubt deflated many a souffle.

R316 Doh true thanks honey

There's a bunch of Xtra Slice videos on YouTube, I'm gonna binge watch them later.

Which of the three gays will be in porn first? Maybe all of them with one lucky baker DPd?

Henry is so twee that I never noticed how tall he is. I just assumed he was four feet tall and lived in a tree.

Thanks - now if someone can repost Henry’s content from OnlyFans it would be most appreciated

Thank you r312. You are a gentleman.

Henry on Extra Slice was exactly the same as he was on GBBO. Charming, twee and very British.

There was never any indication of “thirstiness” or “attention whoring” in his appearance on Extra Slice.

Henry knows his way around an organ. Michael’s very lucky.

I called this Henry/Michael thing back in R78. Instagram often holds the answers.

EW R324

Anyways, stopped watching after Mary Berry left. The show is for suckers now, and SJWs of course.

R325 Baking is so political

Has Henry heard of Sean Cody? Englishlads?

Henry is Helix Studios material

Well, now we know where Steph received her eyeliner training.

Congrats to creepy David for winning. Personally I preferred any of the other ladies.

LOL Nobody wanted to hang out with Frau Rosie after the show ended! David's boyfriend is so embarrassingly flaming .

Congrats To David for taking the title.

His inspired Jeff Stryker recreation pounding cake was amazing. Even had sound effects!

Very happy, David is cool and hot. His bf seems tiresome

I think David is handsome but his proportions are weird he look like his head is too big for his body.

R334 David’s maybe 5’7”, at the most. Of course his head looks out of proportion to his body, because he is a gnome.

A gnome with a hot, right body....but, still, a gnome.

I think Prue in particular enjoyed David's showstopper.

I knew this was going to happen. It's Season 3 (or however you number it all over again), three-time star baker Brendan losing to hot twink John.

Hey lay off John Whaite. No soggy bottom here.

Wow, is that photo real, R338?

Yep it is. And since you are so nice, here's another.

And another.

John is an eager slut

A tasty bon bon, indeed!

Thank you very much, R338/340. John has a great ass for someone who likes to bake that much. He must not eat many of his creations.

With his fiance, Paul Atkins.

He looks better from the back. And by that, I mean ass.

Maybe some of this year's male contestants will follow his lead.

Let's hope Homely Henry keeps his pants up.

R348 Your comment doesn't really make sense.

You apparently think Henry is homely (that's your opinion; many would disagree) but what would supposed "homeliness" have to do with what's in his pants? He could have a huge dick and a really cute and/or hot ass. There's at least one photo I've seen that suggests he might be decently hung.

Also: you're an idiot.

Henry wrote an article in the Times (where he was an intern this summer) saying he’s not dating Michael and acting all outraged that the press would assume that “just because of one photo of us hugging.”

Henry wrote an article in the Times (where he was an intern this summer) saying he’s not dating Michael and acting all outraged that the press would assume that “just because of one photo of us hugging.”

Anyone who’s not a cunt would have put a link r351

I don’t think the Times is viewable to non-subscribers.

Besides I didn’t read it online.

I don’t think the Times is viewable to non-subscribers.

Besides I didn’t read it online.

I'm shocked at the photo at R294. David is a lot smaller than I thought he would be, and Henry is a lot bigger than I thought he would be.

Am I the only one who screams at that brat in the intro to get her grubby paws offa that fucking bread?!

[quote] RIP The Great British Bake Off (2010-2019): You used to be so good

Yep

I still love the bakers, but GBBO is circling the drain

The show has been " Project Runwayed."

I agree that this season was meh. The show hasn't been as good since they lost Mary, Sue, and Mel, but the new team was doing okay. The real problem was a bad mix of bakers this year. Not enough talent or personality.

the article R357 linked, Mary Berry was missing, Mel and Sue were gone too, and there was no "baked Alaska" drama... I do feel this season is a bit lacking on the baking department, but the author for that article is a reality trash tv fan, she is not really talking about baking in her grief.

Prue is an improvement over that withered old hag Mary Berry. To Mary's credit, she made the whole thing British. Oh, so British. Too British by half, for my tastes. Your mileage may differ.

The most evident problem is that Sandi and Noel are too glib, too slick. They are pushing too hard. The producers of the show are relying on them to be the glue to hold the parts together and they don't do that. They are comics and they are calling attention to themselves. Not to the bakers. Not to the bakes. A strong director could rein them in, but they don't seem to have a strong director. If they did, all those coarse jokes about Henry's balls, etc., etc., would not have made it to air. But they did and brings things down. It's as if the person who had the vision is gone. Or, perhaps, that person is still there, but has become burned out and is not trusting the inherent sweetness of the original seasons.

The comics are the most obvious element that has gotten labored. But they are not precisely alone in that.

Endless “dyke in bag” jokes

Give it up

R361 I watch it for the baking part only, I usually skipped those comic elements, but you are right, Sandi/Noel are too forced, especially Sandi, she is the weaker one between the current two. Mel/Sue have better chemistry and they come as more natural, I have a feeling Mary/Sue might write their own lines or contribute a lot, Sandi/Noel are following scripts written by others.

1) I like David's shy personality, he was adorable start to finish. I think he's very handsome and would be even better looking with a haircut that doesn't bring to mind the visage of young Nazis.

2) I miss Mary Berry and her best compliment, "Scrummy!" I can just see her in a pastel cardigan walking through the garden with 'her set' at school, looking forward to a particular treat at teatime because Friday is 'scrummy scones day!' An exclamation of, "Scrummy" from Mary Berry is 100 times better than a sweaty handshake from Paul. Blerg.

3) Sue and Mel were great because they were always lurking in the background ready to greedily eat crumbly bits, pan leavings and the contestants' bakes after Mary and Paul tested them. Sometimes it seemed like they were working just for cake. The two they have now, Goth Bee and Lil Ol Gal Sandi, never seem to care to try anything, and they sure don't chase each other gleefully trying to snatch back spatulas covered with frosting.

4) I want more age diversity in the show, too. They have enough contestants to be able to mix up the demographics of each cast racially, economically, sex/gender/whatever, ages, etc. The older people know how to make obscure olde timey things and that's interesting to me.

well I don't miss Mary Berry, she is too old timer, too rigid and too "british", if she is still on, we will just have to endure the same old the same old (think about another game pie for the week or dutch pastry for the challenge) . Prue is a fresh air to the show, she is more open to new ideas, and I like her warm and funny personality.

Your comments are very interesting. I started watching the show only last year, so have no idea what the show was like before all the changes. I like it the way it is, last more than this season. I like Prue with Paul, think the hosts' comedy is right on. I have a feeling a lot of the comments come from the point of view that everything was better in the good ole days. I'm actually tempted to find some early seasons too see if they are better ore merely different.

I think Prue is a great replacement for Mary Berry. I don't mind Sandy but Noel gets on my nerves, and the comedy routines are cringworthy. But I enjoed the season anyway, especially the three gay boys.

R366 I just finished watching the third season, the one that was filmed in 2012. The old shows are much better than when Prue and the wretched comedians came aboard.

Oh well, it was good while is lasted. Everything goes down the shitter eventually.

I think the new hosts/judge have all settled nicely -- I enjoy them all.

I find the whole handshake thing to be creepy.

[quote] Given their choices here and throughout the season, it’s hard to escape the conclusion that the producers are now more interested in milking drama from their contestants than preserving the unique and supportive tone that has made Baking Show an international sensation

Watching the finals just now. Not the best trio of finalists but still worth watching.

The clear success in this series is Pru, in the unenviable task of filling the role originated by Mary. Yet Pru is nearly as telegenic in a very different way. She’s expressive, and friendly but also honest and serious in the right moments.

The two comedic hosts are pretty awful and amateurish, fresh out of ideas. Blech.

R371, it looks like shit on a cake.

I'm not one to be rude but it really does.

So is Henry with David, Michael, or both? I think he and Michael would make a sweet couple.

David’s in a relationship with Nik The Bulgarian. We learned from the final show that they moved in together.

Henry and Michael’s relationship is quite close, whether it’s be platonic friends or boyfriends, who can say.

David and Henry are close too. David gushes over Henry on his Instragram a lot.

Henry is bearding with Alice and probably dating Michael.

Watched this final just now, and feel that the judging was fair in the end. David is a gentleman. One telling thing about him was his easy smile and the kind way he responded to the odd humor during the announcement of challenges by Noel and Sandi. He was just so composed and sweet. Someone raised the young man right.

Stef was very sweet but shaken in the toughest challenges. Alice, for all her parents’ sterile emphasis on “good management”, was actually the messiest baker in the tent. How did they manage to avoid getting hair into the batter and frosting? The tearful conflict over her parents’ travel complexity felt staged, but that’s a production thing.

Sandi and Noel are a big letdown. Some of the more prurient humor fails pretty miserably. Paul was fine.

Pru remained, to me, a really benevolent presence. She’s telegenic and colorful, kind but honest. I’m a huge fan of Mary Berry, so I really admire Pru for doing so well in the tough role of coming after her. Great casting!

The closing shot of David and his partner embracing was respectful. The program overall is uneven but sincere in presenting contestants as they are. That’s good media.

Those cut off Daisy Duke shorts on David’s Bulgararian boyfriend though.....

I agree that Sandy and Noel are the weakest links. Paul is what Paul has always been, and Pru is just fine. They need a stronger mix of contestants and two new hosts, and the show would be fine. Or maybe they could beg Mel and Sue to come back.

Prue obviously knows her stuff, but she's too much like that stern high school English teacher we all had. She'd smile at you and give you a look of disapproval at the same time. And she made you scared to death to go to her about anything on your own.

Mary Berry is a baking goddess. She makes you fell all warm and fuzzy and you'd be so excited if you baked something for her and she raved about it. Her gnarled arthritic hands you just want to hold and make all better.

Paul Hollywood I simply can't abide. Way too full of himself.

The two new hosts are okay, but they have no chemistry. Mel and Sue were fixtures, and when you take well loved fixtures out and try to replace them with something updated you never win.

Mary Berry is a cunt. I'm still not over how condescendingly she treated that idiot many seasons back who brought store bought fondant into the tent. Of course it was a stupid thing to do, but the sneering was just mean.

I know you'll all want to make this Mary Berry favorite for your holiday entertaining.

[quote] I'm still not over how condescendingly she treated that idiot many seasons back who brought store bought fondant into the tent.

Idiots deserve to be treated condescendingly.

I don't think that's true, R383. But even if it were, it doesn't make Mary Berry nice or sweet or charming. It makes her condescending.

I agree with R359. The problem this season was there wasn't enough talent. When Pru, Noel and Sandi started in their first season, it was still good because the bakers were still talented. I think Rahul's winning season was very good. This season, Steph was the most consistent, but she completely fell apart in the finale making it uninteresting. David won but he's the first contestant to win without ever winning Star Baker. I think David mainly won because Steph fell apart. The challenges aren't as interesting either. Some are too ridiculously hard, while others seem bland, especially some of the showstoppers. A faux/trick picnic basket? Yawn.

I don't get the - unease - about the hosts. I love them and their special sense of humor. Would hate to lose them. I think this season had two weaknesses: 1. The challenges were over the top. Fix it: Nothing wrong with repeating a challenge from the past. 2. The cast wasn't that capable and diverse. I wouldn't mind a better variety in terms of age and personality. Steph was good, but the display of her personality and her work was very vanilla. Some better editing could have fixed the personality depiction. Still love the show. A reality show with a competition where nobody acts like an ass. Love it! Wish I could have watched it right from the beginning.

R86 the current hosts are disruptive to the bakers and they repeat the same tired jokes over and over: “Sandy is so short!” “Dyke in a bag!” Lame.

Face it, GBBO is ruined by the new producers. Exploitive drama is the main focus since they took over.

GBBO does not have new producers. Love Productions owns GBBO. When its contract with BBC expired, it was able to sell the show for more money to Channel 4. The show changed networks, but the producers are the same.

David deserved his win, but the competition really wasn't up to snuff this year. I mean how could you be in the finale and not know the ins and outs of whipping egg whites and what constitutes a stiff v. overwhipped egg white? That really is baking 101. It's the sort of thing that used to be taught in home ec.

The two hosts do nothing for me, Pru is fine, but the two hosts are just kind of lame. I don't hate them, per se, but the dorky humor is just kind of intrusive. But I could live with the hosts if they got a better range of contestants. One of the things I liked about the show is that nontelegenic types were on it and sometimes even won.

To which "nontelegenic "winner are you referring?

So what happened to Steph before she appeared on the show. Her mom and grandmother were crying in the interviews and saying “how far she had come” and how “ she pulled herself up.” Was it drugs?

Steph was the best baker but crumbled under pressure.

David did the classic slow and steady wins the race.

I suppose for your big birthday party you'd go with David because he will be reliable.

Steph will promise the most spectacular but you will be terrified she will be a no show because she fell to pieces on the second tier malfunction.

The problem with Noel and Sandy--especially Noel--is that they don't seem to really connect with the contestants. Mel and Sue seemed to really care about the bakers and their interactions had a natural quality that is lacking a bit with Sandy and a lot with Noel. Mel and Sue's comedy arose naturally out of what they knew about the personalities of the bakers, while the new hosts seem to mostly be relying on prescripted bits. It makes a huge difference in the atmosphere of the tent.

Very perceptive, R393. Brava!

[quote]The problem with Noel and Sandy--especially Noel--is that they don't seem to really connect with the contestants.

I don’t get that impression at all r393.

They are not warm. The interact with the bakers, but there is very little closeness to be had from either of them.

And why did the producers of the show think Noel would connect? His whole shtick is to be alienating.

Noel was a big mistake, casting-wise. I like his shtick, but not in this context.

[quote] The problem with Noel and Sandy--especially Noel--is that they don't seem to really connect with the contestants.

I know I sound very apologetic, defending the hosts for the third time. But some of it could be poor editing again. I do recall some (albeit rare) moments where they handled candidates in crisis, where they showed them connecting, even Noel.

In your post at r366 DE2US, you said that you had not watched the early seasons, the one that had Mel and Sue as the hosts.

Go and watch the earlier seasons before defending the current hosts again R399 for the fourth time.

Otherwise, you have no basis on which to make an informed opinion.

I've seen both sets of hosts and while they are obviously different I dont see much difference in quality. I know this is DL and different opinions exist but seems like a bunch of bitching and moaning.

Then your opinion is different than the majority.

Stop commenting if you don’t want to get push back about the Noel and Sandy being crap hosts.

Your point, R401? The purpose of DL is bitching and moaning.

Hey, you bitched about it...not us.

Sandy, and particularly Noel, are crap hosts and the detract from the GBBO.

R400 no one is required to watch old episodes or compare anything, I know quite a few people only started to watch in recent years and enjoyed it a lot, they have no idea Mary Berry or Mel or Sue, do they need to? No I don't think so. I think it's great the show while evolving keeps bringing in new audience along the way. It's a baking competition on tv, for 2 months only. When it's over, look forward to next year, not revisit the past.

Oh, fuck this Prue praise! That old hag isn't even a real cook...she's a corporate food person.

There's a reason they don't do the Masterclass shows or holiday cooking specials like Paul and Mary used to do, which were great...Prue can't cook.

All she can do is play "kooky old rich auntie with the annoying Tinker Toy jewelry.

And, don't get me started on Noel and Sandi...they have NO connection with the bakers. It's just one inane joke and stupid little bit after another.

I wanna use Prue's clunky jewelry to choke all of them.

David has an identical twin which was revealed in the back stories in the last episode. When one twin is gay does that mean both are gay?

Google it, you lazy whore ^

The weird kid who got cut very early is also a twin. What is going on over there???

That would be sex r409.

Must be that time of the month for R408, is it a heavy flow day?

David's twin was obviously NOT an identical twin.

You guys are not going to be happy about David's hair.

But it is interesting to learn from the article linked below that David and Alice were both last minute replacements when two other bakers dropped out shortly before the competition began. I had not considered that obvious possibility. The original cast might have had the greater diversity that people here have noted correctly was missing,.

This article about David makes even more charming ^

Also, what did David do for Henry as Henry practiced David’s Aperol cake for him, hmmm? Loud anal sex smacking followed by two bakers shooting their loads every which way?

Looking forward to the twink drama. The season before is on Netflix. The new cast is awful--Prue is dull. I miss Mary and her unself-conscious refinement. there was much better rapport and a good contrast (and respect) between her and Paul. The big queen with the bad hair and the Prue look alike seem to be on different shows---the queen tries too hard to be funny and the schlumpy woman seems to have no personality. They seemed to try in that season to get a bunch of odd looking people who have little chemistry with each other and little wit.

I’m with you R386. I really enjoy everything about the new series. Not a great season, as others have said, but any reality show where the prize is a glass cake stand is my cup of tea.

R414, did you catch this part of the article?

“I’m not that clean and tidy. I don’t like showering. I never wear shoes. I’ve not washed my hair in more than 15 years. I didn’t go to a hairdresser until I was about 28. I think these things are healthy.

“I’m very hippy and outdoorsy. I love talking about my bowels and anything disgusting and medical.”

I’m choosing to ignore those two paragraphs R417

Noel is exceedingly intrusive and annoying to the bakers this year. I have never laughed at anything he's said or done. I do like Sandy though and I think Pru is a big improvement over Mary Berry who was humorless and pretty feeble by the end of her run.

Finally watched the finale and it was indicative of the whole series: less capable bakers than previous seasons, too much Noel and not enough Henry!

Felt sorry for Steff during her meltdowns. Mel and Sue would have been all over her to provide support but there was not much from Noel or Sandy (and yes, it could have been edited that way).

Why support her? It was the final competition. The gloves are off. Any help thrown to one competitor disadvantages the other two.

As one of the competitors stated several seasons back, "To stay in the tent, you only have to be better than one other person." That's true up until the final. Early on, you only have to be Not The Worst. In the final, you have to be The Best.

The hosts should stay out of it and let the bakers prove themselves.

I want to feel Paul Hollywood's buff, hot, strong muscle man body all over me.

David finished his bakes an hour early

Pretty much every time

[quote]I want to feel Paul Hollywood's buff, hot, strong muscle man body all over me.

Been there, done that.

I think David's nursing background was a huge plus for him in this competition. A good nurse has to be calm, efficient and to the point. You have to get a lot of things done very quickly and often simultaneously and not freak out.

A good nurse is "brisk".

[quote]David finished his bakes an hour early.

Oh, that can't be true . All bakers are finishing right at the last minute. It's always the same: "Bakers, you have minute left, one minute!" - That's when everything comes out of the oven, and bakers start preparing everything that's left. They're always half way done at 2:59 hours, and get the second half done by 3:00. All the time.

He frequently finished early and he never won Star Baker. Maybe those two facts are related.

Bette is a fan!

Just watched GBBO Holidays (2 episodes) with former contestants. Looks like Tamal put on about 30 lbs. But it was great to see him along with some of my old favorites.

David's early finishes might have sunk him a bit with producers: Another contestant said in an interview that they don't like it when people finish early, as it kills the drama. I'm sure they didn't like giving him the win, but the other two contestants melted down that weekend so they had to.

J'adore Tamal. I thought he was just DREAMY.

If a contestant finishes early they just make up for it in the editing. It's TV, hun.

Watching this on Netflix. It's really been a disappointing season. Noel is toned down but still annoying--he doesn't really know how to engage with the contestants, although he's clearly gotten a lot of coaching. Sandi---she of the shot arms adds even less than in past seasons. Paul just seems annoyed much of the time--Pru really lacks chemistry with him and lacks the plummy charm of Mary, as well as her banter with Paul. Mary was a much better foil.

The women are an odd bunch--all that ugly black hair dye. The bakers really aren't very skilled or particularly daring. They seem to all screw-up the technicals. Past seasons usually had a couple older women--usually one wacky and one no-nonsense who gave the show a different tone. the show usually has someone who seems one anxiety attack short of a straight jacket (usually female with Rahul being the first male) and they added some character to the show, as well. The themes do seem lame--the 20s show was just awful in terms of the assignments. They do repeat themes, though---I think the next show had the kind of stacked meringues that were done in the early seasons.

The American version is back!

The American version is back.

Yeah, no.

Sandi quits.Who should replace her?

Whoever they get needs to have more ability to actually interact and connect with the contestants. Sandy and Noel are both terrible at it.

[quote]Richard Ayoade

Pray it's not him - though it probably will be, because he's all over everything in England right now.

Nothing stresses me out like unfunny funny people.

Wow, I'm surprised that Toksvig quit. I always got the impression she really enjoyed being on the show.

Bring back Mel and Sue!

I like Fielding in other projects but he's a weird fit on this show. And he just gets weirder if you pair him up with someone he can really play off like Simon Amstell or Richard Ayoade or Julian Barratt.

That said I wouldn't be surprised if they keep Fielding and add Jo Brand.

My bonkers suggestion is The Kates since they ought to be hosting Australian Bake-Off but inexplicably are not.

Miriam Margolyes.

It will surely be Jo Brand, she's already a presenter of the Extra Bite spin-off show and replacing one female comedienne with another is the safe/easy option.

You're forgetting something, R442.

☞

Multicultural

How about this guy?

R443 This is ITV, though, multiculturalism isn't expected to arrive there until 2030,

I thought it was on Channel 4 now.

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

Nadiya would be a good choice: It puts a person of color in the main cast, and as a former contestant and winner, she'd be well-placed to give advice and support. She's also a warmer person than Sandy or Noel, and her presence might put something of a damper on the worst of the cringey comedy schtick they've been doing the last couple of seasons.

Noel will Nadiya’s veil off by “accident”

A fatwa will be issued for him.

All of Britain descend into chaos.

I wish Sandy would take Noel Pancake Face with her. He’s gross.