GBBO - What the Actual Heck?

I've been watching some of the old Bake-Offs (I know, sad or what, but they are on when I'm doing things like ironing) and definitely preferred it when there was a wider spread of ages/sexes, although I am very glad to be rid of the annoying Mel/Sue. I thought the latest lot of contestants were very dull, and the challenges were too OTT.

Having said that. I shall be tuning in to the next series in the hope that C4 might learn from the mistakes of this one.

I didn't find his booze-soaked cake in the least bit boring.

However, I have quite a low bar...

Impeccable but boring with a booze soaked cake. I never warmed to him somehow.

Oh I felt sorry for her! I was rooting for her to recover and come good but she’d lost it. What a shame, she’s a wonderful baker but was too upset and emotional to cope that day. I know how this would feel, I would have been in tears every time! It didn’t seem fair for David to just come along and win it on the day but he was impeccable that day.

It seems that Star Baker more than once is the kiss of death! We did find it odd though that Steph went from super talented to pretty pathetic in the most important episode of all. It's not the first time I've suspected that format dictates it's the 'one from behind' who romps home.

I was beginning to feel sorry for her until the whining, sulking and tears got on my nerves.

I enjoyed it in the end. I didn't think David would win, but I'm glad he did in the end.

I was convinced Steph would win, as she'd done so well getting Star Baker throughout.

But I think she was out of her depth last night. I think she's talented, but limited. She had a nightmare with the souffles, but common sense surely should have told her that you DON'T cook something in a bain marie of cold water?

I don't get the idea that she struggles with everyday life either. People who struggle with everyday life do not enter themselves into a primetime telly competition, knowing that they could well be ripped to shreds, in my view.

She knew what she was doing but was outclassed by a baker who was cool, calm, competent and learned from his errors.

Once David had nailed his flavours, he was unbeatable. His attention to detail was stunning.

I'm still mourning the loss of Rosie the vet though. And Phil the lorry driver.

Shame! It used to be good entertaining tv but has lost its way. Paul Hollywood makes me cringe now flirting with girls young enough to be his daughter. Not good when he thinks he has the power to make their career. If the show gets canned PH is going to have to think up a new chat up line next time he fancies the gullible barmaid.

Poor Steph totally lost her nerve. Does seem, according to her mother, that she struggles with every day life. Hope she will be ok. David seems to have a strong sense of self and a well rounded character. Not sure if he will settle for being a minor tv celebrity when he has a more worthwhile career already.

Watched it because there didn’t seem to be much else on and we now seem to be able to record 6 programmes so we’ll have to live to be 120 to watch them all.

I think that the right person won based on their performance in the final.

Can't say I've enjoyed the series though. I think that the challenges, especially the technical challenges, have become too difficult. Actually, difficult isn't quite the word I want but the right one won't come to me right now!
I don't really see the point of asking them to bake things that frequently, neither the contestants nor the viewers have even heard of. They don't even know what the finished bake is meant to look like!

The times allowed seem to be too short too. Pure or Paul will often tell us at the start of the technical challenge that time will be tight - but why. It should be about finding the person with the best baking skills, not the one who can bake fastest.

I enjoyed the final and thought the winner was worthy of the success. His baking and his calm demeanour made it a pleasure to watch him.
I agree with others that Paul Hollywood and his macho stances and cringeworthy ‘handshakes’ are well past their sell by date.
I very much like and admire Sandi Toksvig and Prue Leith and Noel has grown on me hugely (so to speak ...)

Well I enjoy GGBO and especially Extra Slice. Poor Steph. She had appalling bad luck in the final. As star baker so often she must have been easily the best overall baker out of the whole series.

I didn't watch the end because we switched over to "Dublin Murders" at 9, I know who won though. I thought they were all pretty good candidates, I was rooting for a certain somebody who mucked up the technical challenge, but so many times "The Star Baker".

I think on balance I prefer the line up now with Prue at the helm, I have a soft spot for Noel, my son introduced me to him via" The Mighty Boosh", he's very off the wall and can be extremely funny imo, unlike Sue and Mel, God knows why they pop up as often as they do

The best thing about this programme is Prue Leith. The skill level seems to have been watered down in this last series and most of the showstoppers have been underwhelming.

I agree with Hurdygurdy, we used to really enjoy it, great source of conversation the next morning at work, but haven’t watched since the channel four take over, and from what I hear, we haven’t missed much.

I have been watching this series and thought the winner was the right one based on their attitude, cooking and ideas.

This thread hasn’t been updated for over a month, so pretty obvious GBBO is not foremost on everyone’s mind anymore.

I watched the final, thought the best person won judging by their bakes on the night, but nothing like the excitement or interest when Nadiya won a few years ago.

Time the show was consigned to the history bread bin methinks,

I agree Phil should not have gone. he was bad, but not as bad as Priya imho. She didn't even finish ffs.

Interesting about the contestants only being chosen for the social media profile.

I suppose it makes sense really (sighs). It's not about how good a baker you are, but how sellable you are to advertisers.

I don't think Phil's face fits. Not "Instagram" enough. Hence he went.

Welsh woman's green tart mishti thing looked like vomit very unappetising.

I'm quite liking the vet who sounds as though she's been at the helium balloons.

I read somewhere they the contestants were chosen for a high social media presence - instagram etc. not good.

I don't think it should have been Phil that left. I lost interest with all that Indian sweet stuff.

I have had enough of this show now. The judging is ridiculous. Two contestants make a complete Horlicks of a task and they vote off a man who actually does have some baking skills on the grounds that his show stopper was unimaginative.
It has lost any credibility for me now.

I’m finding it hard to connect with this series. I think Bake Off has run its course for me.

We no longer get it here but I recently watched the last series on Dutch TV, awful. Quite like the presentation but what the h**l did it have to do with baking.
The final was awful, Paul Hollywood needs to get his a**e back on the ground.
Not sure if I will bother next year.

Calendargirl I totally agree about programmes being dragged out for an hour, particularly Gardeners World (I don't watch Bakeoff) ... so I just record it and fast forward through the tedious bits I don't wish to watch!

oldgimmer1

Put it like this. Didn’t look much else on between 8 and 9, so watched GBBO, turned over at 9 to watch The Capture on BBC1, the switched over at 10 to Channel 4 plus 1 to see who was eliminated. It’s a pleasant way to spend an hour or so, but cannot pretend I am riveted to watch the bakes or to see who is eliminated.

I missed it. Worth catching up?

Just been watching tonight’s bread bakes. Made me feel quite hungry. Still don’t warm to any of the contestants, and all seems very predictable.