Channel 4 Bake Off: New recipe wins over critics
The new show features great chemistry, lashings of wit and plenty of soggy bottoms, say reviews
Fans feared the worst when Channel 4 snapped up the Great British Bake Off from its old home on the BBC, but early reviews suggest the new show has lost none of its magic.
Here's what you need to know:
When is it on?
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The new series returns on 29 August at 8pm. It has moved from its traditional Wednesday night slot and now goes head-to-head with rival BBC Two show The Big Family Cooking Showdown.
Who are the judges?
Paul Hollywood is the only judge from the original BBC series to stay with the Channel 4 show. Mary Berry (who's been rewarded with her own cooking programme Britain's Best Cook) has been replaced by the food writer and restaurateur Prue Leith, star of the Great British Menu. Meanwhile, popular hosting duo Mel and Sue have been replaced by Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding.
Who are the 12 contestants?
They are: Tom, 29, an architect from Edinburgh, Kate, 29, a safety inspector from Merseyside, Julia, 32, from West Sussex via Siberia, James, 46, a baker from Essex, Stacey, 42, a former schoolteacher, Yan, an NHS molecular biologist, Steven, 34, who works in marketing, Chris, a software developer, Sophie, a former army officer and psychology graduate, and Peter, an IT programmer. Flo is the oldest-ever contestant at 71. The youngest is Liam, 19, from North London.
What else is new?
Unlike the BBC version, Channel 4's Bake Off includes commercial breaks. There's one immediately after the first challenge, before it's judged. Then another after the judging of the technical work. And another between the showstopper and the judging
The show is 75 minutes long, so viewers still get a full hour-long programme once the ads are deducted.
The Times says that the ads are crucial to help Channel 4 pay for the £75m cost of poaching the series from the BBC. But The Times reports that Prue Leith didn't seem to "get the message" and told viewers they could skip the ads. Speaking at the launch, Leith, said: "You don't have to watch it in real time, do you?"
What do the critics think?
The new series has received almost unanimous praise from critics who've seen the first episode.
Mark Lawson in The Guardian called the new Bake Off "exceedingly good". On the evidence of the first episode, says the critic, Channel 4 and Love Productions appear to be "having their cake and eating it", with a show that is "both exactly the same but also just subtly different enough".
Sarah Rainey in the Daily Mail agrees, saying that the people, with the exception of "steely-eyed Paul Hollywood", are different but "if you squint a little, they could be the same old familiar faces", making the "same innuendo-laden jokes about 'soggy bottoms' and 'firm buns'". All this, she says, makes the show "impossible to hate".
"All the ingredients are still there", says Michael Hogan in the Daily Telegraph. Hogan praises the chemistry between Fielding and Toksvig but says "Fielding stole the show with his impish wit and sheer cheek".
Frances Taylor in the Radio Times says "we'll always mourn the BBC era of the baking behemoth" but she too has to admit that Channel 4 hasn't ruined the show. If anything, Taylor says, what they did is "stick a sponge Ladyfinger up to the critics".
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Stormy Monday for Don'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
6 queer poets to read whenever but especially now
The Week Recommends April is National Poetry Month
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
How women's pain is often ignored in health care
the explainer The gap in care is especially glaring compared to how men are treated
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
The Westbury Hotel review: stunning suites in charming Dublin
The Week Recommends This hotel is the perfect spot to while away a weekend in Ireland's capital
By Kaye O'Doherty Published
-
Drama movies 2024: new films out this year
In Depth Latest reviews include The Boys in the Boat, One Life and Tchaikovsky's Wife
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Best new hotels and places to stay in 2024
The Week Recommends Featuring stylish island resorts, historical properties and wilderness retreats
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Albums of the year: best music of 2023
The Week Recommends A look back at the best pop, rap, jazz, dance, classical and rock releases
By The Week UK Published
-
Savoy Grill by Gordon Ramsay review: an institution reinvented
The Week Recommends Traditions are maintained and the tweaks are clever and modern
By Neil Davey Published
-
Tulum: a Mexican beach town of 'two halves'
The Week Recommends With the 'pueblo' and 'Zona Hotelera', Tulum is home to great hotels, restaurants and beach clubs
By William Leigh Published
-
La Zebra review: beach chic, perfect tacos and secret cenotes
The Week Recommends Enjoy a stylish stay in Mexico at this family-friendly beach hotel and restaurant
By William Leigh Published
-
Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas review: a mythical beachside resort
The Week Recommends Combine the classically simple pleasures of sun, sea and sand with upmarket fun and food
By Adrienne Wyper Published