halopub

I've been giving some thought about what I'd like to see in future episodes. To make each show a little more organized, I'd appreciate some overarching themes that tie together separate segments. Some other ideas: A serious road trip across Mongolia Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman made an impression on me when they did it ten years ago. I'd avoid the subsequent Russian Road of Bones part of the trip, though. James May building a vehicle for the folks at Wasteland Weekend. Jay Leno's got his own car show but I'd like to see more of David Letterman's collection. TPTB could close some roads and race the famous Newman Volvo. The growing popularity of unrestored classic cars If not full interaction, have celebrity car enthusiasts make silent cameos in the background

Teaser I've been looking forward to this one since the TV critics raved about the footage from the Game of Thrones set.

Looks like Candace (Series 7) was on episode one, making chocolate, orange and cardamon shortbread. Mary made a fish pie.

The BBC posted a short Graham Norton clip of Nadiya talking about an awkward encounter with a Bake Off fan. Props to Sandi Toksvig for the quip at the end.

Folks on another forum were suggesting Nico Rosberg or Jensen Button. According to The Radio Times there will be a travel episode to Namibia after Christmas. I think TGT are just not going to call it, or the previous show a Grand Tour or Christmas "special."

Another meh episode not worth repeat viewings but there were a few things I liked: The seagull taking out the drone and pooping on it Germy Clarkson the bit may not work but I do like that celebrities are game for being "killed" on screen the visual of Richard Hammond in the TT and later, looking through the bumper one of the "yobbos" kind of resembled Matt LeBlanc I didn't love the intro for Conversation Street and I don't get X-Ray's reference to The American and Arby's. Edited to add: Good on them for their tough review of the GT3 & M4 RS.

Trailer

I missed that one.

While I'm over the gimmick of "killing off" the celebrity guests, having Simon Pegg film in what appears to be Whitby made me wonder if they actually had Charlize Theron on the Joburg episode. I doubt it, because the person was quite out of focus, but they did have silent Carol Vorderman and Jeremy Renner on episode one. Since this is one of the segments that has been less successful, I wonder if the GT team will think of some other way to poke at the reported BBC ban on celebrity interviews. Would it be sufficient for their legal department if the celebrities made some other kind of silent appearance? Notably, the Grand Tour is so far enlisting more impressive guests than Top Gear for this throwaway segment. I think the crashed drone is another regular element that could easily go but I did like the closeup of the lobster. And that view of Whitby was lovely. I didn't miss the track test at all. If other viewers really want to get lap times and have a speaking test driver, then the show should hire a racer who will give the cars a chance. What's Tanner Foust up to these days? I thought he and May got along well during that academic discussion of rallying strategy. I think we probably all started twitching after a couple minutes of Hammond revving up the Hellcat. I could see how the Rolls Royce Dream might be an enjoyable driving experience but I'm not a fan of the shape. It was good to see the contrast of the DB11 on the picturesque road versus the track and I suspect that ribbing about the orange vs. brown was probably genuine. I remember Clarkson inexplicably posting a bunch of annoyed tweets at the time about orange things. I think they actually did film different introductions for Conversation Street. I caught Clarkson wearing stiletto heels in this one. While I can't blame Clarkson for using the demolition of his old house as a storyline, I don't know that it fit with the rest of the episode. I continue to enjoy the bits of commentary on X-Ray: The official name of this colour is actually Cinnabar Orange. Other colours available on the DB11 include Silver Fox, Yellow Tang, Silver Blonde and Hardly Green. We're not making this up. As on all modern Rolls-Royces, the Dawn's Spirit of Ecstasy radiator mascot electrically retracts. This stops people stealing it when you're parked and means if you run over someone, it won't stab them in the kidney. Richard Hammond went to art college. Not that you'd know. Edited to add: Was the "Jane May" on the welcome sign a genuine typo or someone purposely trying to irritate May?

I've been wondering how gamers and war flick fans view the episode. As neither, I get what they were trying to do with that whole film but just didn't think it worked. Then again, I've been streaming these eps multiple times in the background while I'm doing chores, etc. and weirdly the Jordan segment began to suck a lot less after the fourth viewing. I actually chuckled at that scripted Fortnum & Mason bit. I do agree, though, that the spontaneous moments that happen despite the scripts are the best. I usually can tell by Clarkson's laugh when there's a naturally entertaining moment. If I recall correctly, drinking is legal in Jordan but that there is local consumption etiquette. Edited to add: I forgot to mention that I'm impressed with whoever writes the X-Ray notes for Amazon. This episode I especially liked this bit: “If you ever wonder whether Jeremy is pretending to be an arthritic elephant, please remember that he is quite old, he has been in several deliberate accidents, and he thinks reading a newspaper is exercise.” I also liked: "True fact. The Cradle of Humankind is not a cradle."

EW: Season 4 promotional pics

I'm more of a Family Mart person but I believe Lawson still is more prevalent than 7-Eleven in places like Okinawa and Shikoku. The chawanmushi take on an egg custard can be found in Taiwan as well. I assume it's one of the many cultural holdovers from Japanese rule. I did a quick internet search and while I'm not going to attempt to read the page, the Taipei 7-Elevens appear to have their own branded chawanmushi for about a $1. I liked this episode. It didn't showcase the Kanazawa or Ishikawa I know but by making the show about Takayama and having Bourdain be quietly deferential, there was a lovely relaxed rhythm to the cohesive piece. I liked getting to see the duo eat right at the fish market vendors; Masa's friend hinting her pour wasn't reciprocated; the sculptor with the enviable retreat at Yamanaka Onsen making soba by hand; the funny proprietor at Ginza Sushi-Ko telling stories about Masa's saxophone playing; getting to see the mom and pastry chef daughter interact; mom's house with the awesomely ancient toaster oven; and how his older brother surprised everyone by admitting he'd have liked trying fashion design. Throw in some kendo and it was a nice mix of places across Japan, including the chef's hometown.

I haven't caught the Nosey XL episode yet, but Sandi's contributions do seem much shorter in the regular episodes. There was that detailed segment on the aurora borealis, for example, that was excluded from North Norse. I was wondering about the sweater as well. The colors, at least, are appropriate for all the Danish questions.

I do hope you will. I like the different dynamic between Sandi and Alan. So far Sandi lets the comedians' tangents go on a little too long but does know how to rein in the crazy without making it about her superior knowledge. Plus she'll casually ad-lib sly callbacks to previous comments. Alan is still doing those unnecessarily manic impressions but has also been ditching the extreme part of his dunce act and seems to offer more intelligent musings without needling Sandi. North Norse It may be all the rage in Europe right now, but I enjoyed hearing about hygge for the first time. Without knowing Hull or her standup work, it’s hard to know where Lucy Beaumont’s daffy character ends and she begins. Was Rhod purposely messing with Sandi to keep repeating the winter hours assertion? Heh: “Generic Danish interlocking children’s building set.” Fartplan. Nosey Noisey It was entertaining to see what a blast Slipknot’s lead singer had on the show. I wonder how the giddy superfan first came across the show – does Corey Taylor binge on British shows like I do? Best Sandi quip: “You have the look of a woman trying to unwrap a toffee with her bottom.”

Sweet! I love how Bourdain is open to showcasing different regions of Japan and I hope he does well by Kanazawa. Tokyoites often think I've mispronounced Kanagawa when I rave about how terrific the lifestyle is in Kanazawa. The surrounding prefecture has worked hard to attract international student programs and so I have often gotten the impression than non-Japanese know the place much more than say, Tokyoites. The seafood there really is excellent and I have fond memories of a summer spent eating kaga ryori, barbecue eel and occasionally drinking the novelty gold leaf tea. In addition to other regional cooking like robata, it would be fun if Bourdain spent one of these trips to Japan sampling the yummy offerings at the different convenience store chains. Or walking through one of those department store food courts (depachika).

I'd have to rewatch but I think Alvin was the only missing contestant. I also just cracked up at Tamal not remembering that the Bake Off tent had peaks.

I did learn that (malt?) vinegar is White's key component to a chip butty and mushy peas.

This bonus episode does highlight how much more memorable last year's group of contestants were compared to this season's. I even remembered Stu. I chuckled at some of the new interviews, including how contestant Paul had anticipated the physical comparisons to the judge but was convinced by his wife not to change up his existing look. Where was Alvin, though? It's wonderful to see Nadiya so much more comfortable in her own skin and taking on all these projects like the books and TV appearances. To think, last year she suffered from such anxiety that she couldn't take mass transit by herself. In her case, it's not hyperbole to say that Bake Off really has been life changing. I'm still on the fashion fence with regards to Nadia's turban-style hijab. On one hand, it complements her growing self-confidence with a touch of sophistication. In my mind, though, I associate that look with old school Hollywood glam and wonder if the turban style ages her a bit. I do love the variety of colorful scarves she's been choosing for her different TV appearances. They help reflect her vibrant personality.

Since we're more than a year out from the next season, I suspect there's an accounting issue with how the broadcasting deal was structured. I would think prospective product placement brands would want more certainty on the cast. The Telegraph is reporting that the BBC will continue to control global distribution of the UK show. The Beebs also holds format rights over all regional variants besides the US. Last laugh for BBC as it retains rights to sell Great British Bake Off format abroad

Channel 4 to start sponsorship bids at £8m for Great British Bake Off

What I remember is that the producers didn't get the song they originally wanted and instead had a composer create an original theme with a message hidden in morse code. The plunky melody spells out a URL. It's comforting to have the show back for the N season. Sandi was a solid host and great at interacting with the panel. I was a bit thrown off by the glasses, though. I was amused by how the 'B' in CBT is 'biscuit' across the pond.

You can get a sense of the timeline by looking at Vivian's Twitter account. I expect next fall's episodes to cover the book media tour. That was a tough episode to watch and I chose to mostly listen to the episode in the background. On one hand, I can understand why the two chefs argue for the popularization of rabbits as a more sustainable, environmentally meat. But rabbits are so much more than just 'cute.' I know a lot of bunny people and their rabbits are incredibly personable, intelligent companions. Rabbits who own their "hoomans" more than the other way around. I already feel some measure of guilt for enjoying beef, pork and poultry. Why popularize another awesome animal into the American diet when the chefs' ultimate objective is for us to cut down on our overall meat consumption? So I respect Vivian for taking a potentially unpopular stand but I have to disagree with her position. Fingers crossed the experiments to create healthier, affordable lab-meat work out. Regarding the other story line, I was sorry to see John preparing to leave the restaurant. He and Justise were a fun pair in the kitchen. I'm curious how long Vivian had to work the line before they found another suitable sous chef. Dishing With Executive Chef John May of Piedmont Restaurant

He has said this before, including to non-adventurous eater Anderson Cooper. Bourdain's argument is that street vendors and neighborhood restaurants have to worry more about dealing with irate customers. I agree that variety is preferable over cohesion here. I could have done without the performer flashbacks, though, that they used to simulate Ripert's discomfort. Heh. The "owl" restaurant. Too bad the burgers don't get great reviews.

Preview clip of the Marco Pierre White section on CNN.com. One of these days I'll have to carefully compare these episodes with The Layover, but it's great that Bourdain will be visiting some old friends in Henderson and White. During The Layover episode I was surprised by how approachable and relateable White was. Edited to add: there is a second promo clip that includes Jay Rayner.

I was surprised that John neglected to mention her controversial views on Putin and US-Russia relations. Those trouble me just as much as her unprofessional waffling on vaccines.