“Great British Bake Off” bakes my cares away
Sara Javerbaum, Staff Writer
It was 1:59 a.m. on a cold, 2017 night. My fourth grade self hadn’t slept for days and even my treasured, over-the-counter melatonin pills were no help. My mother, tired of me waking her up each night, desperately moved an old TV in my room and told me to watch something until I passed out. So, I turned to Netflix and shuffled through the usual suspects: “The Office,” “Parks and Recreation” and “Gilmore Girls.” Though classics, they didn’t ease my anxiety. I took a chance on a show called “The Great British Baking Show.” The wide array of British accents coupled with an utter lack of conflict enthralled me. Two episodes in and I found myself completely relaxed and was finally able to fall asleep. I have been a fan ever since.
For those who don’t know, the Great British Baking Show — or the Great British Bake Off (GBBO) to long-time fans — is a 10-week long competition series where amateur bakers participate in three challenges per episode: a signature, technical and showstopper challenge. GBBO is known as “The Great British Baking Show” in America, as Pillsbury owns the rights to the term “bake off”. The competition is set in a cheerful tent in the British countryside. The winner doesn’t receive a massive cash prize or a baking mentorship. Instead, they win a simple engraved cake stand and lots of exposure. The lack of a “real” prize makes it all the more impressive that the bakers on GBBO are so motivated to win. The contestants are driven by their own love for baking and the passion for creativity makes the show that much more entertaining.
Fans of competitive/reality shows are probably used to the classic “I’m not here to make friends” trope. One of the notable differences found in GBBO is that the bakers seem to put the needs of others before their own desire to win, allowing them to become genuine friends by the end of filming. Take this year’s seventh episode, for example. Contestant Lizzie, with just minutes remaining in the final challenge of the episode, saw that her fellow baker Crystelle was struggling with a crucial part of her bake, an isomalt dome. Lizzie taught Crystelle a new method of making the dome and helped Crystelle save her Showstopper. In almost every episode, bakers can be found helping their fellow bakers with challenges, consoling bakers who did poorly or celebrating each week’s “Star Baker,” even if they themselves were just eliminated.
After the show was sold back in 2016, it lost three critical members of its cast: co-judge Mary Barry and comedians/hosts Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins. Since then, production has cycled through a few hosts, each one less charismatic. The current pair of comedians, Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas, are more bothersome than funny. Paul Hollywood, the long-time judge of GBBO, constantly talks over new co-judge Prue Leith, and editing makes her seem much less important to the cast.
While the show isn’t for everyone (it’s far from macho or thrilling), it’s arguably one of the most comforting shows. The high-definition shots of nature, array of British accents and extravagant challenges make GBBO an incredible watch.
GBBO’s title card hasn’t changed over its long run.
