Fear the Soggy Bottom
Attention: This email, an updated version of a previous Obsession article, contains spoilers from previous seasons.
The Great British Bake Off (or The Great British Baking Show for American and Canadian viewers) is back for its 14th season, offering audiences around the world a delectable display of laminated, glazed, and piped perfection.
Anna Beattie, the show’s creator, spent four years generating enough interest before striking a deal with BBC Two. Since then, GBBO has soared in popularity, surpassing reality shows like Big Brother, Love Island, and The Bachelor. Even the less successful seasons of GBBO outrank its competitors.
Although beloved by most viewers in the early seasons, GBBO has faced criticism in recent years, leaving some wondering if the show has lost its luster.
The latest season features a new presenter, Allison Hammond. Will she breathe new life into the show? Only time will tell.
By the Numbers:
– 14: Total number of seasons
– 167: Number of contestants to date
– $0: Prize money for the winner
– Over 16 million: Viewers for the Season 7 finale, the highest-rated episode to date. Netflix keeps its viewership numbers under wraps, so the global reach of the show is hard to determine since it started streaming.
– Up to 13: Hours spent shooting one episode, over the course of two days
– 9: Contestants who have been crowned star baker at least three times
– 1,000+: The number of times Paul Hollywood has reminded us what a good crumb structure looks like.
The Little Show That Defied the Odds
It’s important to note that the seasons mentioned here adhere to the British broadcast schedule. If you’re confused, refer to this helpful guide.
The Great British Bake Off has become a symbol of the streaming age in many ways. While the show maintains its British identity, with Paul Hollywood’s disdain for American fruit pies, it has generated a fanbase from around the globe who find its universal themes highly addictive.
The show started on BBC Two and quickly became the network’s most popular program. It then made its way to BBC One and was introduced to American audiences through PBS, further solidifying its rise in popularity. However, contract disputes between the BBC and Love Productions, the show’s production company, led to the show’s move to Channel 4.
The move to Channel 4 resulted in a drop in viewership, but the show also gained a new audience through Netflix.
The Million-Dollar Question:
What makes watching Brits bake so great?
The Great British Bake Off offers a refreshing take on competitive reality television. With low stakes and likable contestants, the show promotes support and camaraderie rather than cutthroat competition. As Annaliese Griffin writes in Quartz, “Their earnest exuberance and the seriousness with which they glaze a cake or shape a pizza is what carries the show.”
The show’s lighthearted innuendos and controversy only add to its charm. While the show’s aggressive Britishness can be overwhelming, it serves as a delightful escape from the often polarizing issues of the world. Every problem within the sweet little world of the show can be solved with a cake.
Pop Quiz:
Which of the following is NOT a real GBBO spinoff?
A. Junior Bake Off
B. The Great British Bake Off Musical
C. The Great British Stand Up to Cancer Bake Off
D. Senior Bake Off
Scroll to the bottom of this email for the answer.
Department of Jargon:
GBBO vs. GBBS
The show’s naming conventions are slightly confusing due to Pillsbury and trademark laws. British audiences know it as The Great British Bake Off, while Americans watch The Great British Baking Show. This naming distinction stems from the trademarked Pillsbury Bake-Off, which conflicted with the British competition’s title.
Brief History:
– 2010: The Great British Bake Off premieres on BBC Two, with Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry as judges, and Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc as hosts.
– 2014: The show moves to BBC One and is introduced to American audiences as The Great British Baking Show through PBS.
– 2016: The show reaches its peak with 16 million viewers.
– 2017: Channel 4 takes over production, bringing on Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, Noel Fielding, and Sandi Toksvig.
– 2018: The show starts streaming on Netflix.
– 2020: The show continues production amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and introduces host Matt Lucas.
– 2022: Season 13 airs as planned following the death of Queen Elizabeth, sparking controversy, comfort, and indifference among viewers.
– 2023: Allison Hammond, a familiar face on UK television, becomes the show’s first presenter of color.
Fun Fact:
Every episode of GBBO is illustrated by the same artist, Tom Hovey, who creates his designs based solely on the contestants’ descriptions of their aspirational baked goods.
Take a Trip Down the Rabbit Hole:
#JusticeForIain
In 2014, the hashtag #Bingate trended on Twitter when a contestant named Iain, frustrated with a melted cake, threw his baked Alaska in the trash and presented the bin to the judges. The incident went viral as viewers speculated whether another contestant had caused the mishap. PBS provides a hilariously detailed explanation of the show’s most infamous controversy.
Since then, the show has been involved in more serious controversies. For instance, a Japanese-themed week received criticism for setting challenges that were not authentically Japanese. Furthermore, contestants used ingredients and flavors from other Asian cultures rather than sticking to Japanese cuisine. Similar criticism arose after the airing of “Mexican Week” in 2022. As a result, the show has decided to move away from country-based themes, opting for more specific baking techniques or categories.
Quartz’s Favorite GBBO Moment:
Quartz staff members Nate DiCamillo, Sudie Simmons, and Susan Howson posing with GBBO’s Prue Leith in 2022.
During a fortuitous encounter, GBBO host Prue Leith happened to visit our New York City office while Sudie Simmons was working on her trompe l’oeil cakes for an Obsession article. We seized the opportunity to get Prue’s opinion on the tricky cakes and showered her with compliments. Her charm, graciousness, and no-nonsense attitude confirmed our admiration. The encounter even caused our co-founder, Zach Seward, to do a spit take, highlighting the remarkable power of GBBO.
Poll:
Who are your favorite GBBO presenters?
A. Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig
B. Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins
C. Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas
D. None of the above, I still miss Mary Berry
Cast your vote for the star baker presenter duo. Let’s discuss in the comments!
Answer to the Pop Quiz:
B. The Great British Bake Off Musical
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