Bake Off

[anneed]

Never mind Brexit and such like, let's get down to what really matters - The Great British Bake Off and its defection from the Beeb to Channel 4.

Will they keep the same format? Will Paul and Mary and Mel and Sue sign up? Ooh the worry is enough to give anyone a soggy bottom!

Actually I quite admire the BBC for refusing to shell out £25m for a programme they were previously paying £5m for. I suspect the Fab Four will stay with the programme but wouldn't it be good if they refused? They could make a new programme for the BBC under a different title - Fake Off or Take Off perhaps?

[towny44]

Never mind Brexit and such like, let's get down to what really matters - The Great British Bake Off and its defection from the Beeb to Channel 4.

Will they keep the same format? Will Paul and Mary and Mel and Sue sign up? Ooh the worry is enough to give anyone a soggy bottom!

Actually I quite admire the BBC for refusing to shell out £25m for a programme they were previously paying £5m for. I suspect the Fab Four will stay with the programme but wouldn't it be good if they refused? They could make a new programme for the BBC under a different title - Fake Off or Take Off perhaps?

I suspect that the fab four will be very much part of the company that produces Bake off and will be getting big pay rises, and I doubt Channel 4 would be signing it up without its star presenters.

[anneed]

Breaking news - Mel and Sue stepping down and NOT going to Channel 4. Oh my - this is huge!

(Keeping in the spirit of the famous Bake Off innuendos).

[Frank Manning]

We haven't watched it this year, we found Sue Perkins humour a bit school playground. Ch 4 do some good programmes, and the production company isn't changing so apart from wearing with time we cant see that it will be any less worth watching.

[Mervyn and Trish]

But if Paul and Mary follow suit, then what have Channel 4 have?

[Not so ancient mariner]

Rumour has it that they are going to run a 'Groundbreaking' programme showing the very beginning of the construction of a two new buildings from the cutting of the first sods onwards. I'm not sure the mods would allow the suggested title.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Rumour has it that they are going to run a 'Groundbreaking' programme showing the very beginning of the construction of a two new buildings from the cutting of the first sods onwards. I'm not sure the mods would allow the suggested title.

[oldbluefox]

I presume part of the package will include Mary and Paul otherwise it could be a record price paid for two tents.

[david63]

Personally I think that the format has become a bit stale and needs re-vitalising - there have even been several "spin-offs" using basically the same format. This happened several years ago with Masterchef and that has gone from strength to strength.

I don't think that this year's contestants have nearly as much personality and character as previous years - but is is still relatively early days and they may "develop".

One interesting suggestion I heard today was that last year's winner, Nadiya, could/should be a judge if Mary was to throw the towel in as well - and after seeing her recent mini documentary I thick she would be brilliant at the job. (Does anyone else think that Mary is somewhat patronising at times?)

[CaroleF]

Personally I think if Mary Berry were to leave then some of her professionalism, authority and experience will go with her. I don't think Nadiya would be a good judge - she's too new with very little experience. I must say I wasn't sure what that cake for the Queen was all about - it looked rather odd to me. I have no doubt she's a good baker but I think someone with more experience would be needed for a professional judge - and not one of the 'young' tv cooks either. I would be surprised if Mary decamps to Chanel 4, especially after Mel and Sue have gone - but I may be wrong.

Carole

[qbman1]

I see that tit Jamie Oliver is pitching for the judge's job

[Mervyn and Trish]

I see that tit Jamie Oliver is pitching for the judge's job

Come on Cubie. It's not like you to sit on the fence. Tell us what you really think.

[JillAF]

Well there will now be plenty of opportunity to put the kettle on for a cuppa and do other odd jobs throughout the show during the prolonged and frequent advert breaks! Guess if I do watch it then it will be another record and then fast forward job.

[Mervyn and Trish]

And unless Channel 4 extend the slot the actual programme will be 45 minutes instead of 57-58.

[qbman1]

And unless Channel 4 extend the slot the actual programme will be 45 minutes instead of 57-58.

Ah well, everything has it's bright side !

[Frank Manning]

I cant see it being any good without Berry Mary. Actually we haven't watched it this year, preferring the Joe Brand spin off program where you see the contestant who has been thrown off. Some quite amusing characters so far.

[Mervyn and Trish]

With the team split I don't think there are any winners.

Daft thing is Jezzer is saying the BBC should be forced to make all its own programmes so the good ones can't be cherry picked at auction by other channels. But that is precisely what it used to do until the government forced it to give a percentage of its money to independent producers!

[Frank Manning]

Yes well we know that the Daily Mail et al hate the BBC, and are constantly urging the government right wingers (should that be whingers?) to stuff them. For me their programmes are light years ahead of everyone else; except the news which is far too left wing and needs to lighten up a bit. imho.

Anyway back to GBBO, perhaps they will team James Martin with Mary for a spin off programme. Trouble is, he is so much fun that they wouldn't need Sue Perkins' puerile humour.

[anneed]

One wag has suggested dumping Mary, Mel and Sue on a remote island with a bunch of contestants and calling it Dessert Island Whisks. Or how about teaming them up with Kit Harrington for Game of Scones?

Any more suggestions?

[towny44]

Yes well we know that the Daily Mail et al hate the BBC, and are constantly urging the government right wingers (should that be whingers?) to stuff them. For me their programmes are light years ahead of everyone else; except the news which is far too left wing and needs to lighten up a bit. imho.

Anyway back to GBBO, perhaps they will team James Martin with Mary for a spin off programme. Trouble is, he is so much fun that they wouldn't need Sue Perkins' puerile humour.

You may have a point Frank, some of their rubbish is so far ahead of it's time it's virtually unwatchable, but I do agree with you about the news programmes, I think rather than publishing high salaries they should pin party favours on all their news presenters.

[oldbluefox]

One wag has suggested dumping Mary, Mel and Sue on a remote island with a bunch of contestants and calling it Dessert Island Whisks. Or how about teaming them up with Kit Harrington for Game of Scones?

Any more suggestions?