Just about everyone we know is buzzing about The Great British Baking Show. So, what’s the hype all about?
Prior to this series, I was never one to watch any type of reality food competition show. As far as I was concerned, if I couldn’t smell and taste the goodies, what’s the point?
Then came The Great British Baking Show (aka, The Great British Bake Off, if you’re in the home country).
It was our annual holiday baking day of 2017. Friends had gathered to make various holiday-themed confections from scratch. In the background, someone put on Netflix and set it to GBBS. That was it. We must have binged all of GBBS that Netflix had to offer in a matter of a week, two at the most.
Now, we stalk the program, anxious for any new seasons or content that pop up, and we dive right in. Since we love it so much, we purposefully pace ourselves and refuse to binge too fast. We want to savor every episode.
What makes GBBS so great? Is it the baking? Is it the competition?
I would say it’s the charm!
There’s something about its British-ness, the delightful music, the kindness and care that the competitors show one another, and of course the hosts and the judges.
The Great British Baking Show began in 2010 as The Great British Bake Off. Hosts Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood led the charge with co-hosts Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins.
Since then, the cast shifted a bit in 2017 when the show moved from the BBC to Channel 4. Mary Berry was replaced with Prue Leith, and both hosts were replaced with Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig.
Many worried that the cast change would bring an end to the show, losing the chemistry that originally made it so great. I’m happy to report that I don’t mind it, really. The new cast members are certainly different than their predecessors, but not in a bad way at all. I like each one for different reasons, especially Prue. Don’t even get me started on her statement necklaces!
The syndication to the U.S. can be a bit confusing, so let me simplify it:
U.K. Original |
Netflix Syndication |
| Series 1 & 2 | Not yet available |
| Series 3 | “GBBS Beginnings” Season 1 |
| Series 4-9 | “GBBS” Seasons 1-6 |
Additionally, you can also catch Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry in The Great British Baking Show Masterclass, where they teach some their famous recipes. Just in time for the season, there is now The Great British Baking Show Holidays, which includes 2 Christmas/Festive episodes. Each episode features 4 bakers from various seasons and is a simplified, one-episode competition.
All of this means that there is a strong batch (pun intended) of content available on Netflix now, so don’t hesitate to jump in!
The Great American Baking Show
This has been running. I had no clue. Have you been watching?
Season 4 is set to premiere on December 6th on ABC with Paul Hollywood and Sherry Yard judging, and Spice Girl Emma Bunton and Anthony Adams co-hosting.
The question is, will the American version bring the same charm as its British counterpart? Perhaps not, if I haven’t even heard of it before and it’s going into its 4th season already. What do you think? Will you be watching?
🎶 Today’s Jam 🎶
Obviously, this post wouldn’t be complete without the opening sequence from The Great British Baking Show. It puts you in just the right mood from the start.
Dilly Dabbler 
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