Great British Bake Off 2023

[Jelly Bean]

Honestly I dont see why not. Its like saying they can't do the same dances every year on Strictly. It's the variety of contestants and their approaches/varying degrees of success that keep it interesting.
I do think it helps to include things from other countries and cultures though. I hope they haven't thrown the baby out with the bathwater by getting rid of themed weeks in some misguided attempt at wokeness only to make it an exclusively British affair. Presumably they'll have some non-British bakes but without the dressing up and forced theme.

This is it it. Before now Bake off ramped up the odds every series seeming to forget for each contestant it was entirely new and they were just skilled novices. So by the last series they were expected to do ridiculous things compared to earlier series, even though they were all at the same starting point.
It was like expecting Strictly contestants to be into show dance mode from day one. Plus took away the relatabilty from the viewer - which was always key in the early years.

 

[themuffinwoman]

Why is everyone getting so worked ip about the themes? It’s week 2, complain at the end of the show.

 

[MakeDamnSure]

It’s always cake, biscuit, pastry and bread week for the first few weeks though isn’t it? I think it’s too soon to say whether it’s boring to go back to basics. Even if they did only do classically British themed weeks, the contestants can bring their own cultures to the bakes. I’ve been really enjoying it so far this season.

 

[anniemouse]

I just got caught up today, I didn’t watch last year but I’m really enjoying it so far. Alison comes across quite well on it. I’m getting irritated by Abbi already.

 

[unidentified]

I just got caught up today, I didn’t watch last year but I’m really enjoying it so far. Alison comes across quite well on it. I’m getting irritated by Abbi already.

Aw noo. She’s a fellow Cumbrian and is the epitome of the Eden district

 

[mee43]

I think it’s been ok so far. I still think the format of two presenters seems tired and unnecessary - it was only done in the first place because Mel and Sue were a double act, so could have been changed when they left.
Alison has been fine though. I’ve liked the challenges.
The trouble with me is, for the first few weeks when there are so many bakers in the tent, I forget who they all are

 

[DCICassieStuart]

Are we all set for bread week? Here's a useless fact for you all. With the exception of one year, whoever has got Star Baker in bread week has always gone on to the final.

 

[Odb3011]

Are we all set for bread week? Here's a useless fact for you all. With the exception of one year, whoever has got Star Baker in bread week has always gone on to the final.

It's probably gonna be Daniel I reckon, at least he'll be in top 3 this week.

 

[meredgrave]

The Twitter gays are gonna make hay with Paul's quips about Matty's 'balls'

 

[stardust1]

The breadsthat would be me

 

[Redline]

I love Alison so much

 

[bellinibobble]

Still can’t remember half these contestants the camera just panned to someone named Cristy who I swear to god I’ve never seen before!

On the other hand, I feel more settled as a viewer as some of them are really starting to piss me off and I enjoy watching so much more when I can actively snark. Abbi and the Essex one are getting right on my nerves!

ETA I’ve just seen it’s on on Wednesday next week, not Tuesday. I’m gonna miss watching on the night as we’re going to watch Off Menu live instead! Not sure why it’s on a day later?

These Devonshire splits look banging! They remind me of Italian maritozzi

 

[SarahGard83]

This is all I can see

 

[EvilJigglypuff]

I was not prepared for the montage of dough being fingered

 

[Giggling Squid]

So far, I don’t hate Alison. I can’t believe I just wrote that

 

[Redline]

Prue and Alison with the "it turns you on a little bit, doesn't it?"

 

[anniemouse]

Horrins

 

[Giggling Squid]

“I’ve managed to get it up and keep it up”

 

[bellinibobble]

Sorry that Cristy has made two plaited circles and they had nothing but praise for her, but Abbi’s tree is only a “rudimentary design”

Can’t believe how Dan has bombed this week.. I wonder if he’ll get away with it or will be sent home?

 

[Rogue-rats]

Don't like Alison. She annoys me no end. In particular that bloody laugh and I also imagine that she spews spit when she's talking. (Like Gary Oldman when he guest starred in friends and tried to show Joey how to be a good actor)
Also, why was she playing with Sakus hair during the technical when Noel was asking her about jam flavours? I would hate anybody touching my hair like that!
The Scottish one (Nikki?) is also annoying me. If I hear "Oh deary me" one more time...