‘Great American Baking Show’ returns
She’s back! Again! Mary Berry returned to American television Thursday with the season premiere of “The Great American Baking Show” on ABC. It’s so nice to see the grande dame on this side of the pond.
“[Bundt] seems very simple, but we will have a beady eye on every one of them to see how well they can bake,” she said, as the contestants began their first signature bake.
Ten amateur bakers got to work in the big white tent, with episodes on holiday cake and cookies. Ms. Berry and Johnny Iuzzini judge, with Nia Vardalos and husband Ian Gomez providing the comedic patter. The couple still aren’t Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc, but then who are?
Given that they, as well as Ms. Berry, recently quit “The Great British BakeOff” when it left the BBC for Channel 4, perhaps they can be persuaded to come Stateside some time?
Happily, the bakers this season seem to be a tad more accomplished than the crew last December. The group includes a surgeon, a landscape designer and a professional opera singer.
Also on reality TV
• It’s not quite “The Running Man,” but a new CBS reality series has its contestants on the lam.
“Hunted” debuts Jan. 22 after the AFC championship game, then moves to Wednesdays three days later. Based on a British series of the same name, “Hunted” sends nine teams of two people out into the world (well, a 100,000-square-feet chunk of the United States), where they try to elude detection for up to 28 days.
Left behind are the Hunted’s digital devices such as laptops or cell phones. These will be examined by professional trackers who then try to find the off-the-grid runners. Top prize of $250,000 goes to the team that eludes detection the longest.
“Hunted” is from producers Endemol Shine North America. The names of the participants are expected to be announced shortly.
• NBC’s “World of Dance” competition just added two more judges. Jennifer Lopez will be joined by the veterans of two NBC musicals. Derek Hough (“Hairspray”) and Ne-Yo ( “The Wiz”) will help decide who wins the ultimate $1 million prize.
Casting is underway in three categories by age and group size. For more information, go to worldofdancecasting.com.