I like to watch something on TV while I knit in the evenings. It doesn't have to be new or exciting, in fact, when it comes to knitting-appropriate shows, it's better if I don't have to pay close attention. I had read that the first two seasons of The Great British Bake Off (the originals that aired in Britain but not on Netflix in the US) were available on the Roku channel, so I decided to give them a try.
A younger and slightly less pretentious Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry are the hosts. (This season aired in 2010 so we were all younger then.) Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins are the presenters and I really enjoyed them.
I've only watched several episodes in the first season (Cakes and Biscuits) but it was interesting to see what they did differently and what they still do. The first thing that surprised me was that they move the baking tent to different locations around the UK! Cakes were made in the Cotswolds, biscuits in Scotland, and bread in Sandwich. Stephen Noonan does a voiceover, but that only lasted for the first season. Mel and Sue do several interesting history pieces, such as the ties between religion and cake, the rise of women as bakers, the connection between railway travel and biscuits, and the history of shortbread. "Food historian" must have been a career choice for many in the UK a decade ago as they seem to consult a different food historian or food history expert at least two or three times in each episode. They've kept the same introduction and much of the same music so that was familiar. The hosts and the contestants seem more relaxed which I thought was refreshing. I've always wondered about the illustrations on TGBBO and was happy to find this bit about Tom Hovey. The illustrations in the first season are black and white and fairly rudimentary compared to later seasons. In the later seasons, the illustrations can oftentimes look better than the real baked creations!
Yes, there are interruptions by commercials, but I didn't mind them too much. For me, it was interesting to see how this show originated and has grown. I haven't felt the need to bake anything (yet) but there may be some scones in my oven if I watch more episodes.
I hope you had a lovely weekend and your week is off to a good start, possibly with some baked goodies of your choice!
Oh scones! One would taste perfect right now with my coffee. The Great British Bake Off is a show I have never watched!! Not sure why as I really enjoy cooking shows. I might need to check that out on Netflix or Roku!
ReplyDeleteBake Off is my go-to comfort watch. It's so wholesome and fun, even when there are disasters. I shall have to see if I have access to the Roku channel, because I know someone else in my house who would love to have two more seasons to watch!
ReplyDeleteThanks for calling my attention to the availability on Roku. We have watched most of the seasons multiple times. It's just relaxing to watch. The Canadian Baking Show is running on Sunday evenings right now, so we watched that last night. Not sure if it streams anywhere in the US, but we get reception from Canada here in Michigan.
ReplyDeleteI really liked the early years of the show better than the more recent seasons. . . but it's still one of my favorite comfort-shows (whatever the season). Thanks for the tip-off that the early seasons are available on Roku. Tom's going to be away most of this week . . . so that will give me something fun to watch! XO
ReplyDeleteI have never watched this show, but you have piqued my interest. I usually love watching cooking shows, but I am often put off by the competition aspects of reality TV. I will look it up! Happy Monday, Bonny! An apple pie for my husband is on the baking agenda today.
ReplyDeleteWhen we aren't watching football or baseball, I like watching the cooking shows. I've always liked the TGBBO because it always seemed more "friendly" and not as cut-throat as some of the American shows.
ReplyDeleteBakeoff is something I have never watched, I rather suspect it would entice me to eat more cake and I don't need any of that!!
ReplyDeleteJillxo
I watch tv while I knit as well :) I have never watched that series but I'm all for PBS mysteries or anything on Masterpiece Theater!!
ReplyDeleteI watched an episode or two of this show and never got hooked. So many people I know love it, I really should give it another chance.
ReplyDeleteI've been watching the current season on Netflix and while I have been enjoying it, I am finding it quite predictable as far as who the top bakers will be. I'm going to have to check out those early shows!
ReplyDeleteThe current season is enjoyable but I personally like the earlier seasons better. Someday this week I'm going to have to get into the kitchen and make something myself!
DeleteI'm glad you found something knitting appropriate to watch. Baked goods in any form are always nice.
ReplyDeletehappy sigh. Thanks to Sara's time in England, I think we've seen ALL the seasons of the baking show. I still miss Mel & Sue. Paul & Mary Berry made some holiday episodes with just them and they were fun - I can't remember what channel they were on (or when we saw them ... silly COVID time warp and all that ;-)
ReplyDeleteI feel like scones (and perhaps yeast bread) is the area I could manage not getting booted out of the tent. lol
ReplyDeleteI think those would be my strengths also. I would probably get kicked out when it came to pastries and tarts.
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