If You Like GBBO: Other Bake Off Series And Show Recommendations

[ElectricBoogaloo]

I watched the first episode when it aired and although I wanted to like it, I barely got through the hour. I'm a history buff so in theory, it should have been really interesting to see them make bread the old fashioned way without the modern amenities but it didn't do anything for me so I didn't bother watching the rest of the episodes.

Edited January 24, 2016 by ElectricBoogaloo

[sum]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03qgyqf

The Great Sport Relief Bake Off Series 3 has just started. There will be 4 episodes.

 

Episode 1: Mel Giedroyc hosts this first episode featuring comedian Jason Manford, EastEnders actor Maddy Hill, former England goalkeeper David James and businesswoman Samantha Cameron
 

I haven't seen any from the previous Comic/Sport Relief series though, this first episode was as lovely as I imagined. With no worries of someone going to be dropped at the end of the show it was really good fun.

[Badger]

Samantha Cameron is also the wife of the Prime Minister.  

[MissLulu]

I just discovered "The Great Interior Design Challenge" and am almost through season 2 via Youtube! Love it. They have 3 amateur interior designers take on a project and the winner moves onto a finals, I guess... have not gotten to that part. Each show is an hour, very detailed, not just about the challenge process but they go into the history of the buildings and the backgrounds of the contestants. I binged on about 5 eps yesterday.

 

Just note they numbers in the order sequence do not always make sense but at the end of each they tell you where they will be next week. I was able to pair my youtube to my TV to watch it there and the quality is not bad at all. 

[Athena]

The professional version of Bake off premiered this week. It does not have the same judges or hosts, has a team format, and does not have the same light feel. However, it features lots of pastry porn and still has some familiar elements. I'm enjoying the intensity of it. Head over to the forum for the episode threads.

[hkalex]

The formula for creating a successful baking show is keeping it similar in format to the British version, but making it about said country. I.e - the first season of the Aussie one wasn't liked very much as Kerry Vincent was pretty much about as far as you could get from Mary Berry, and the contestants swore their way through challenges because they were so competetive. The second season was better - Maggie Beer and Matt Moran are great judges, and it's similar to the British version but with hints of Australian (it takes place in a shed, they often incorporate pavlovas).

 

The American one just didn't really work. It was overtly competetive (i.e - if a contestant does well in GBBO, the others applaud them) and the contestants were overtly confident. They added unnecessary drama, and the people at CBS were probably sat there thinking "why isn't this working?" The challenges weren't very "American" and the judges weren't necessarily a counterpart of Mary and Paul - it was just Paul with someone who they obviously wanted to have chemistry with.

 

Even though we have the worst cuisine, us Brits know how to do cookery shows. Bake Off, Masterchef, Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, etc.

Edited April 16, 2016 by hkalex

[ElectricBoogaloo]

FYI - S4 of the Great British Sewing Bee began last week! If you're watching, come over to the forum and join us!

[mlp]

Quote

S4 of the Great British Sewing Bee

Is this available in the U.S.?

[Athena]

Quick Reminder that PTV forums does not allow posts on Methods of Flying to England or Other Places. Please use Google or other means to find out more. Thank you.

[RealityCheck]

The Great South African Bake Off Returns For A Second Season

Quote

Filming of the second season of The Great South African Bake Off will take place in Johannesburg and will be broadcast on BBC Lifestyle towards the end of 2016.

Apply here.

[Writing Wrongs]

Are any of the Great Baking Shows airing new episodes? I need my fix.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

On 6/5/2016 at 2:24 AM, RealityCheck said:

The Great South African Bake Off Returns For A Second Season

Apply here.

I know there were a few of us watching this show during S1 and since it got renewed for a second season, I requested a separate forum for it so we can discuss the episodes when S2 begins! It's here!

[SirOsisOfLiver]

For the Mary Berry fans: In 2015, BBC did a 6-part series called "Back In Time For Dinner". They took a family back to the 1950s, remodelled their home and furnishings to the period, then took them through the decades a year every day, using food as the driver, but delving more into the social and cultural changes. Mary is on a couple of episodes, including a brief stint of her as a TV presenter from the 1970s, advising housewives on how to best deal with this newfangled appliance called a deep freeze.

The show was so successful that BBC did it again in 2016 with a new 6-part series called "Back In Time For The Weekend". Same idea. They took a lovely family back in time from the 1950s up to the modern age, focusing on the social and technological changes.

They're both  very entertaining and educational, particularly to us in North America. The cultural differences between us and Britain are very obvious. especially back in the 50s-60s. I can't remember a time when we didn't have a fridge, but apparently very few homes had one in the early 1960s in Britain, for example.

Lovely families, particularly interesting to see the moms and daughters and the cultural changes. You can't tell much from looking at the guys, but a quick glimpse at the hair and clothing of the women tells you exactly what decade they're in.

Highly, highly recommended. Depending on  your age, you'll have lots of deja vu moments and plenty of genuine amusement. You can find them on a certain video site, but beware, you'll end up wanting to binge-watch all the episodes. BBC does this stuff so well, and it's mostly about the casting. Again.

[biakbiak]

Mary also shows up a few times on Supersizers Go, Sue's show that was a forerunner to the Back in Time shows where Sue and Giles Coren go back to various time periods and live and eat that way for the week. It's not necessarily always historically accurate but it's hilarious and very food centric. It's currently available on Hulu.

[Mabinogia]

6 hours ago, SirOsisOfLiver said:

For the Mary Berry fans: In 2015, BBC did a 6-part series called "Back In Time For Dinner". They took a family back to the 1950s, remodelled their home and furnishings to the period, then took them through the decades a year every day, using food as the driver, but delving more into the social and cultural changes. Mary is on a couple of episodes, including a brief stint of her as a TV presenter from the 1970s, advising housewives on how to best deal with this newfangled appliance called a deep freeze.

Thank you so much for the recommendation. What an excellent program that was. Just watched the entire series (except the last ep because GBBO rerun is on and that takes precedence. I get all nostalgic for those who have since been voted off.

Seeing Mary Berry as a young woman was a treat. She is clearly adorable at any age.

[SirOsisOfLiver]

For what it's worth, I thought "Back In Time For The Weekend" was even better. If you liked the first, you'll love the sequel. Not so foody, but very entertaining and informative.

[Christina]

For those of you who enjoy cooking shows and have the ability to watch British shows, The Great British Menu is airing right now. The first three episodes are only 30 minutes, and there is one episode a day, five days a week. We also have a forum here. The chefs always seem supportive of each other, and there is never that fake drama like on other shows. 

[RealityCheck]

Some news about the American version.  According to this article, Johnny Iuzzini returns to co-judge with Mary and Nia Vardalos and Ian Gomez return as the hosts.  I'm disappointed that Nia Vardalos and Ian Gomez return as the hosts since I thought they did a poor job.

The show is renamed "The American Baking Show" and will air in eight episodes.

[dubbel zout]

 “We are once again looking for America’s best amateur bakers, and we want to show that bakers come in all shapes, sizes and backgrounds.”

(Emphasis mine.) Oh, FFS. This is so incredibly condescending.

I thought Gomez and Vandalos were mostly harmless. They seemed a little at sea with the idea of their role in the show, but I expect they'll be more comfortable this time around. I think as a pair they have good chemistry (and being married to each other doesn't always translate onscreen).

[SirOsisOfLiver]

I totally agree, dubbel zout. It sounds like code for, "diversity will be more important than quality". It already sounds like it's doomed to be eye-rollingly bad. And I was not a fan of the hosts. At all.

[mlp]

The article doesn't say when the GABS will be aired.  I never watch anything on ABC so I hope someone here will post the info when it's released.  I don't want to miss it.

[tenativelyyours]

So they are keeping Mary as a judge?  Well that right there means this should be treated like a left out ice cream cake in the tent.  In the bin it goes.  Seriously, I love Mary.  But other than a hoped ratings grab she does not belong here in my opinion for two glaring reasons.  First, she does not have an American palate that she herself as commented on and the GBBO in particular has a history of making huge general sweeping assertions as well as almost getting them wrong as they do right.  That's the problem with sweeping general assertions.

But even more disappointing is that how good a show can be done if you are restricted to those who can hop over to the UK to film a show?  to bake? 

Not thrilled about yuckles and chuckles as hosts again.  Johnny was the only thing they should keep.  Too sad they handicap themselves so much before they even start.  I actually think the marriage thing works against the hosts as well.  they should have found a pair who have at least worked together in improv to have a sense of each other, but not basically in each other's pocket if that makes sense.  Though I would love to see Riki Lindhome and Katie Micucci take a stab.  Though, if the American version ever did a comic relief type of short set throw Natasha Legero in the mix because I find when she is funny she is side achingly so. 

[ae2]

32 minutes ago, tenativelyyours said:

First, she does not have an American palate that she herself as commented on and the GBBO in particular has a history of making huge general sweeping assertions as well as almost getting them wrong as they do right.  That's the problem with sweeping general assertions.

What do you mean about the sweeping general assertions? (Genuine question, not sure what you're referring to here.)

[Athena]

There is a forum for The Great Holiday Baking Show which we will probably rename to The American Baking Show. Please move the discussion over if you want to talk about the new show further. Thank you.

[windsprints]

Quote

For the Mary Berry fans: In 2015, BBC did a 6-part series called "Back In Time For Dinner". They took a family back to the 1950s, remodelled their home and furnishings to the period, then took them through the decades a year every day, using food as the driver, but delving more into the social and cultural changes. Mary is on a couple of episodes, including a brief stint of her as a TV presenter from the 1970s, advising housewives on how to best deal with this newfangled appliance called a deep freeze.

I just want to add my thanks for posting the recommendation.  I just finished watching and really enjoyed it. The family was very likable and it was informative yet really fun.  I saw the same family has a Back in Time For Christmas series too. I haven't watched it yet but I think its a mix of food and Christmas traditions.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

On 8/14/2016 at 6:48 AM, SirOsisOfLiver said:

For the Mary Berry fans: In 2015, BBC did a 6-part series called "Back In Time For Dinner". They took a family back to the 1950s, remodelled their home and furnishings to the period, then took them through the decades a year every day, using food as the driver, but delving more into the social and cultural changes. Mary is on a couple of episodes, including a brief stint of her as a TV presenter from the 1970s, advising housewives on how to best deal with this newfangled appliance called a deep freeze.

The show was so successful that BBC did it again in 2016 with a new 6-part series called "Back In Time For The Weekend". Same idea. They took a lovely family back in time from the 1950s up to the modern age, focusing on the social and technological changes.

They're both  very entertaining and educational, particularly to us in North America. The cultural differences between us and Britain are very obvious. especially back in the 50s-60s. I can't remember a time when we didn't have a fridge, but apparently very few homes had one in the early 1960s in Britain, for example.

Lovely families, particularly interesting to see the moms and daughters and the cultural changes. You can't tell much from looking at the guys, but a quick glimpse at the hair and clothing of the women tells you exactly what decade they're in.

Highly, highly recommended. Depending on  your age, you'll have lots of deja vu moments and plenty of genuine amusement. You can find them on a certain video site, but beware, you'll end up wanting to binge-watch all the episodes. BBC does this stuff so well, and it's mostly about the casting. Again.

 

On 8/14/2016 at 1:36 PM, Mabinogia said:

Thank you so much for the recommendation. What an excellent program that was. Just watched the entire series (except the last ep because GBBO rerun is on and that takes precedence. I get all nostalgic for those who have since been voted off.

Seeing Mary Berry as a young woman was a treat. She is clearly adorable at any age.

 

On 8/16/2016 at 1:22 PM, SirOsisOfLiver said:

For what it's worth, I thought "Back In Time For The Weekend" was even better. If you liked the first, you'll love the sequel. Not so foody, but very entertaining and informative.

 

On 9/6/2016 at 2:29 PM, windsprints said:

I just want to add my thanks for posting the recommendation.  I just finished watching and really enjoyed it. The family was very likable and it was informative yet really fun.  I saw the same family has a Back in Time For Christmas series too. I haven't watched it yet but I think its a mix of food and Christmas traditions.

First, thanks to @SirOsisOfLiver for recommending Back in Time! I've only watched the first episode of the dinner series but I am really enjoying it. I also wanted to let everyone know that I requested a forum for the show so you can now discuss the various Back in Time (for Dinner, for the Weekend, for Christmas) shows. The internet says that there will be another two part special called Back in Time for Brixton and it will "focus on a black British family through 60 years of cultural and social shifts, charting the story of how African-Caribbean immigration has changed British culture and society."

[Mabinogia]

7 hours ago, ElectricBoogaloo said:

The internet says that there will be another two part special called Back in Time for Brixton and it will "focus on a black British family through 60 years of cultural and social shifts, charting the story of how African-Caribbean immigration has changed British culture and society."

OMG that sounds fascinating. Thanks for the heads up

[ElectricBoogaloo]

FYI - S3 of The Great Australian Bake Off started this week so come on over to the GABO forum!

[tenativelyyours]

I forgot the start date for that.  Thank you!  I just wish the Aussie versions of shows that I like as much as the original would start when the other just ended.  The overlap gives me a wonderful rich viewing period followed by too much "dearth".   You know, have Commonwealth television cater specifically to my needs.  Because... well, Me.

But thanks again for the heads up!

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Ha, I totally understand! Last year the Australian and South African bake off shows aired simultaneously so I got two baking shows each week which ws great. When they were both over, there was a huge hole in my bake off soul and I found myself wishing they had aired separately so that I could stretch out my bake off enjoyment!

[OoogleEyes]

On 8/14/2016 at 9:48 AM, SirOsisOfLiver said:

Back in Time for Dinner 

Highly, highly recommended. Depending on  your age, you'll have lots of deja vu moments and plenty of genuine amusement. You can find them on a certain video site, but beware, you'll end up wanting to binge-watch all the episodes. BBC does this stuff so well, and it's mostly about the casting. Again.

I spent much of this snowy Sunday enjoying this show on YouTube.   Thanks for the recommendation!

[toodles]

On 11/20/2016 at 3:28 PM, OoogleEyes said:

I spent much of this snowy Sunday enjoying this show on YouTube.   Thanks for the recommendation!

I started watching this.  Thanks for the tip.

[PaulaO]

I watched Back in Time for Dinner, 50s, 60s, and 70s.  The 50s food rationing was so sad.  One egg for a family of 4?  And 5 ounces of meat per week?  There must have been much malnutrition in the 50s.  And in 1962 only 1 household in 3 had a fridge?  Those were not the good old days.  Seems like much of GB was about 10 years behind the USA.

I found the mother on BiTfD to be rather depressed and peaky looking.  She was very pale with bags under her eyes and such a sad affect.  Hopefully she feels better by the 80s and 90s.

[dubbel zout]

20 minutes ago, PaulaO said:

There must have been much malnutrition in the 50s.

All that rationing (starting even earlier) helps explain the terrible teeth of that generation.

[DHDancer]

Bad teeth the result of rationing?  Really?  I don't think so.  It's much more to do with access to and prioritizing dental care.  I always remember a line in an otherwise forgettable movie where the British aristos said "Americans, you can always spot them: Beautiful teeth and terrible skin" (of course another dreadful generalization but as with all generalizations, a smidgen of truth)

If you've watched Supersizers Go episode about the 50s you will have learned that people were actually healthier than they had been previously as a result of rationing.  Even in just a week Sue and Coran experienced improvements in their health. 

[dubbel zout]

3 minutes ago, DHDancer said:

 It's much more to do with access to and prioritizing dental care.

That's important, yes, but good prenatal nutrition can give you a head start. And please note, I didn't say rationing was entirely responsible for bad teeth.

[DHDancer]

Anyone aware there's now "The Great American Baking Show" that's just started?  http://forums.previously.tv/forum/2156-the-great-american-baking-show/

Looks like they have got competent cooks and Mary Berry!

[Badger]

BBC2 just started a new "Back In Time For Dinner" series.  This one is called "Further Back In Time For Dinner" and begins in1900.  The family is now supposed to an "aspirational" middle class family, so there's a maid of all work who does the cooking.  In real life, she's a caterer.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Two awesome things!

(1) The second season of The Great Pottery Throw Down begins tonight so come on over to the GPTD forum!

(2) I just discovered Den Store Strikkedyst aka The Great Knit Off! TV SYD (the Danish channel that airs this show) has all the episodes on their official youtube channel. Unfortunately, they have only provided English subtitles for two episodes (S1.E9 and S2.E2). But don't let that deter you! You can get started on the first season here. The format is similar to other Bake Off/spin off shows. There are three challenges. Whoever wins the first challenge gets a little knitted trophy that they get to wear. One person is knitter of the week at the end of the episode. In the episode that I watched, the first challenge was speed knitting. It was straight up how many rows can you knit in thirty minutes. In the second challenge, the knitters were given a photo of a knitted Christmas ornament and they had to recreate it without receiving a pattern or any other information. For the third challenge, the knitters had to make a tie for someone they know.

ETA: @Badger, there is a Back in Time forum if you want to discuss the new series!

Edited February 2, 2017 by ElectricBoogaloo

[Badger]

Thanks, ElectricBoogaloo.  I'll check it out.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Has anyone else watched The Big Painting Challenge on BBC One? The second season just started (I didn't know about it when the first season aired) so I am thinking about giving it a try!

Here's the official website if you want to check it out.

[beata]

I watched season one (two years ago) and liked it. It had the same format as the GBBO (three tasks per show). Season 2 has a new format - very different to Bake Off. Some info about season 2 vs. season 1 can be found here and here

[sum]

Old new though, there will be a Canadian spin off. 'The Great Canadian Baking Show' 
In a way it's surprising it took so long to happen. Wonder what's the reason for them to use Baking Show instead of Bake Off.


Bake Off Creme de la Creme is back for the 2nd season this Tuesday on BBC2 with a new host Angus Deayton and a new judge Benoit Blin replacing Claire Clark. Plus, a little tweak in the format. 
"... with two groups of five teams each competing across three* heats, followed by two semi-finals and the final. The tweaks, producers explain, will allow the audience "more time to get to know the chefs taking part".

*Slightly different description on the official page. 

Quote

The teams are put through two testing challenges in just 36 hours, presided over by returning judges Benoit Blin and Cherish Finden. The first challenge demands that the teams make 36 identical moka au cafe slices and 36 identical napoleons in just three hours.

The second challenge demands that they each make an extraordinary showpiece dessert by reinventing the classic peach melba in just four hours. The team with the lowest total score at the end of the final challenge leaves the competition.

Edited April 2, 2017 by sum

[SirOsisOfLiver]

I will be cautiously optimistic, but as noted, the curious choice to use Baking Show vs Bake Off makes me suspect an Americanized version might be coming rather than the British version,  which would be unfortunate.

[ABay]

Pillsbury's trademark on the phrase Bake Off probably applies in Canada as well as the U.S.

[GaT]

I found a show on Netflix that is definitely using GBBO as it's model, it's called Zumbo's Just Desserts. It's an Australian show based on the desserts of Adriano Zumbo. The contestants have to make a dessert for a theme they are given, & then the bottom two have to recreate one of Adriano Zumbo's desserts in a "Zumbo Test", & boy, are those things complicated. The loser of that contest is then eliminated. The contestants are all very talented amateurs & it's  been interesting so far even though I don't like Gigi whose job I'm not really sure of.

Edited November 6, 2017 by GaT

[Eliza422]

On 11/6/2017 at 3:20 AM, GaT said:

I found a show on Netflix that is definitely using GBBO as it's model, it's called Zumbo's Just Desserts. It's an Australian show based on the desserts of Adriano Zumbo. The contestants have to make a dessert for a theme they are given, & then the bottom two have to recreate one of Adriano Zumbo's desserts in a "Zumbo Test", & boy, are those things complicated. The loser of that contest is then eliminated. The contestants are all very talented amateurs & it's  been interesting so far even though I don't like Gigi whose job I'm not really sure of.

Omg I’m loving that show!

[Rammchick]

Just came on to recommend the same show.  Zumbo's desserts are amazing!  I think we should have a US knockoff with Ron Ben Israel.

[GaT]

I found another show on Netflix. This one isn't baking, it's cooking & it's called The Big Family Cooking Showdown. GBBO winner Nadiya Hussain is one of the hosts. It's 2 teams of 3 family members each cooking against each other, the first challenge is in the show's kitchen, the second is in the family's home, & the third is back in the show's kitchen. It's better than I thought it would be, I didn't realize it was a British show before I saw it, so it was nice that it wasn't a bunch of people trash talking each other.

[Rammchick]

Glad to hear, GaT.  I considered watching that one but the premise didn't seem all that interesting from the brief description I saw on the screen.

Speaking of Zumbo, are those multi-flavored, multi-layered desserts really a thing?  I've never seen one, although I don't generally frequent fancy restaurants.

Edited November 14, 2017 by Rammchick