I'd like to start by saying that this article, which calls the current season of The Great British Baking Show the worst one yet, is wrong. Not only is the current season not the worst one yet, but it's one of my personal favorites of the show's entire run.
Season 10 spoilers to follow.
Season 10 is the third season since GBBS moved from BBC to Channel 4 in Britain, and it's now airing on Netflix instead of PBS in the US. When this move was made, the show famously changed out original judge Mary Berry for Prue Leith and original hosts Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins for Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig. Many die-hard fans were not thrilled about these changes, but guess what? The show was still as delightful as ever — even more so, in my opinion — after the cast switch-up.
I understand that Mary Berry is a legend in the baking world, but if I'm being honest, I enjoy watching Prue even more. As a judge, I think her technical challenges are more unique and interesting, and her commentary on contestants' bakes is always substantive and specific. And while there is a sweet charm in Mary's insistence on "style over substance" and simplicity, I think Prue brings a greater appreciation of the delicate balance between taste and style, and she rewards risky flavor combinations and stylistic innovation more than Mary did. Even though she isn't as meek as Mary, she's still a good foil for the often-merciless Paul Hollywood.
Try out this line next time you hit on someone.
Even more than I like Prue, I like the change in hosts. Listen, I really liked Mel and Sue. I thought they performed well together, and I liked how they really fit in seamlessly with the bakers and seemed to become friends with them. However, I love Noel and and Sandi. Noel in particular is the best thing to happen to GBBS ever. With Sandi, he's even better. Sandi brings a bubbly energy to the tent that I think really lifts up the bakers. They're such an unexpected combination, and they are much funnier and more charming than Mel and Sue. I like a good pun as much as the next person, but Mel and Sue were pretty much only bringing puns to the table. I prefer the absurd skits of Noel and Sandi. I think the pair have really hit their stride this season, and Prue no longer feels like a new addition.
When Noel and Sandi drop the baking knowledge
As for other reasons I'm loving Season 10, the main one is that I have really enjoyed the entire field of contestants. Some favorites of mine include Helena (the one who made every bake a spooky theme), Phil (a truck driver by day), Steff (the adorable four-time (so far) Star Baker), Michael (the sweetheart who sometimes seemed to be winging it but usually came up with strong bakes), Henry (the stylish young one in a tie), and Alice (the geography teacher who is also a total spaz but in a cute and familiar way). The USA Today article referenced above argues that the bakers this season are weaker than in seasons past and that the producers chose people with bigger personalities in lieu of skills. I disagree. While I enjoy these bakers' personalities, they're also great bakers who have mostly come up with exciting and well-made bakes each week.
David and Steff
One thing I'll agree with in the USA Today article is that the eliminations this season haven't always made much sense. In the dreaded double-elimination week, I was certain Priya and Rosie were headed out the door, but instead, Helena, who placed first in technical challenge, and Michelle, who performed in the middle of the pack that week, were surprisingly sent home. The Helena elimination in particular felt like it had more to do with personal aesthetic tastes of the judges than actual performance. The judges also kept Rosie around in a couple of later weeks when I was certain she was headed out the door. While these eliminations surprised me at the time, I do like that the show is less predictable than it used to be. It's not always so obvious who is Star Baker and who's leaving, so there's a little more suspense this go-round.
Another thing I like about this season is the difficulty and sometimes obscurity of the technical challenge bakes. The Dairy Week technical asked the bakers to make maids of honour, a tart dating back to Tudor times. Everyone failed miserably. And I'm not saying I like watching people fail. But I do like when the bakers have to pull from their raw skills and baking knowledge to make something they've never made before (and sometimes never even heard of). This is an unpopular opinion, from what I can gather on the Internet. GBBS purists prefer the simpler technical challenges of yore, but I'm like, bring on these weird King Henry VIII thangs, please.
Michael with a fantastic technical explanation of one of Paul’s recipes
The thing I love most about this show is still true this season: it's so darn comforting. I love the gentle sportsmanship of these British bakers. They helped each other get their bakes on the trays when time was running out. They hugged and comforted one another when someone freaked out and cried. They all wore ties to honor young Henry after his sad elimination. Along with Sandi and Noel, they tossed around limes while they waited for bakes to finish. They seemed genuinely happy for one another's achievements and sad for one another's failures. I want to be their friend, please.
We're down to three bakers: Alice, Steff and David. For a while, I thought it was abundantly clear that Steff would take the crown, but now I really do think it's still anyone's game. I'm trying so hard to make sure I don't spoil the ending for myself between the Channel 4 airing and when we get to see it on Netflix here in the States.
Are you watching Season 10? What do you think?
Bonus gif of Noel eating a whole marigold because Prue said it wasn’t edible