Bake going off
Ahead of her new More4 makeover show Prue’s Great Garden Plot, Prue Leith revealed her golden rule for a happy life.
“I really believe that every 25 years you should have a revolution in your life,” Prue said. “Do something completely different.”
It’s an interesting approach, for sure. Although, after sitting through the first month of the latest series of The Great British Bake Off, I am tempted to advise Prue to cut the revolution cycle down to five years. I’m sorry to report that the baking show that once captivated the nation has begun to look – and feel – a little flat and stodgy.
We’re four episodes into the fifth series since Bake Off’s big-money transfer to Channel 4, and while I wouldn’t say the fun has entirely gone from the tent, I am sensing an air of going through the motions.
Not that you can blame anyone. After 11 years, even I find it a little difficult from time to time to get excited about cakes and biscuits – so you can only imagine how the judges, hosts and social media account managers feel.
No wonder the viewing figures are now tailing off.
The only person who seemed to be enjoying themselves with any consistency was retired midwife Maggie.
And she got booted off on Tuesday, which means we are now left facing two months of Paul and Prue trying to make the inevitable crowning of one of our European friends appear less of a foregone conclusion. A friendlier couple of guys than Jurgen, originally from Germany, or Giuseppe, originally from Italy, you could not meet. Jurgen certainly has something of the deadpan comedy genius about him. Should they even be in this contest though?
If Channel 4 is going to let such technically proficient bakers into the amateurs’ tent, what’s the point of making any more series of Bake Off: The Professionals?
Still, let’s remain optimistic.
You never know, there may be some encouraging news for the other contestants just around the corner. Oh, hang on. I’ve just been told that next Tuesday’s theme is German Week. I can’t see that unduly favouring anyone in that tent, can you? P.S. Interestingly, Jurgen only took up baking after he discovered he could not buy his favourite bread in British shops. So the way things are going, we could all be applying for Bake Off by next year.