I don't get this bake-off thing

I watch it and enjoy it, doesn't make me crave cake. If I didn't like the programme I would reach for the off button (seems the sensible thing to do).

Somehow I think people with an obesity problem would still be stuffing themselves with or without GBBO

Well, I really enjoy the GBBO and for light entertainment it fits the bill. I wouldn't dismiss all reality TV programmes out of hand - some are apalling, some mediocre, some very good.

Like the Great British Sewing Bee, I enjoy watching people demonstrate their skills and I can pick up a few tips and ideas.

Baked goods are fine in moderation and as part of a varied diet. What's not to like?

And have you tried the Picnic Pie? Really healthy and utterly delicious.

As someone said yesterday on R4, "cookery programmes on TV are like ventriloquists on the radio."

jing come on ... ! How can a fairly innocuous programme on home baking be responsible for contributing to the age of obesity. I don't slavishly watch it, but it falls under "light entertainment" in my books so I'm happy for my licence money to be spent on that.

However I agree too many reality shows generally and some are a helluva lot worse than GBBO. At least it promotes making food from scratch at home.

I've noticed that on BBC3 they've got new 'introductory graphics' IYKWIM.
All pink and black and 'op arty'.

I can't think of the right word to describe them, but they are totally unnecessary and probably cost a fortune!

How can the Beeb justify this sort of expenditure?

I'm not keen on the bake off either because it makes me lust for cake and if I'm lusting so are others who may well have even less control than me. I suppose you can pick up tips about cake baking but its not good prime time TV. AA Gill did an hilarious review of the Bake off in the Sunday Times yesterday which rather expressed my view of the presenters. And by the way I don't enjoy close ups of people chewing however illustrious they may be.

What I'm actually saying here is that the Beeb shouldn't be showing it at all. Not in this age of obesity.

Nothing to do with my viewing habits.

And I object to my licence fee being used on it.

Lona

Yes jings. Another good one was Melvyn Bargs on the life of Thomas Paine. You should be able to get it on iPlayer.
www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2014/32/melvyn-braggs-radical-lives

I do like the history things they have on BBC4.

Oh, I'm glad to have my 'puter Jane - newspapers, Twitter, and GN.

Seem to watch less and less tv these days.

Sorry, all of a fluster, I meant Andrew!

janeainsworth I'm with you there....... and I don't care much for Chinese Art! [leering emo]
I love men that have a lot of knowledge interesting knowledge!

The series in Italy with that Italian chef and Graham is on again, what more could you want?

With you jingl, not just GBBO but all cheap reality TV.

But you don't have to watch it. Try BBC4 - my heart-throb Andrew Graham-Dixon has been on recently, discussing Chinese Art.

They should find something more sensible to be clever at.

It encourages the audience. emoticon here

I don't think anyone on GBBO is advocating eating only cake jings and the contestants show a lot of skill and flair.