tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2718701145803848252.post8202234199821778583..comments2024-02-17T13:23:22.306+00:00Comments on Recipe Junkie and the attack of the custard creams: 'The Psychopath Test', car crash TV and the Great British Bake Off?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11838426651793558151noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2718701145803848252.post-13007537030253142252014-08-31T08:37:31.322+01:002014-08-31T08:37:31.322+01:00I feel compelled to comment on this year-old post ...I feel compelled to comment on this year-old post because I too applied for GBBO and (obviously) didn't get on. I made it to the first audition, showed off my bakes and had a filmed interview but it didn't go any further. I don't regret applying and I don't feel at all bitter for not getting on the show. Because when it comes down to it it is a SHOW and the people who are chosen to go on it tick certain boxes (demographics, skills, interesting background story etc etc). When thousands of people apply of course the majority of them don't get on the show even if, in some cases, they might be more deserving that those on it.<br />I didn't apply to GBBO for 15 minutes of fame or because I have a burning desire to be on TV (far from it) but because I love baking and part of the reason I am so immersed in it is due to the show. <br />I am baking along to the latest series and had found it rather boring and dull until the sensational bingate episode. That episode was definitely contrived and the challenge designed to bring out drama and tension. But this is TV and I expect nothing less.<br />I think GBBO has unquestionably inspired more people to bake - just look at the thousands of bake clubs, blogs, sales of bakeware etc.etc.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10056162219317549127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2718701145803848252.post-56735857265036493472013-02-05T18:58:20.485+00:002013-02-05T18:58:20.485+00:00:-) I think I would have found it fascinating too,...:-) I think I would have found it fascinating too, but I would probably have got far to het up about it all in the end. I'm not sure these programmes really do get people cooking though. I think alot of the competition format makes people feel that it's only for the skilled to attempt - for fear of ridicule, and of being compared with what's being produced on TV - I don't know. It's like all this celeb chef stuff - I don't know how much it actually makes people who haven't cooked in the past actually pick up a pan and cook...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11838426651793558151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2718701145803848252.post-21864517695751034072013-02-05T18:55:12.194+00:002013-02-05T18:55:12.194+00:00Hi! GBBo doesn't quite hit 'unbearable and...Hi! GBBo doesn't quite hit 'unbearable and obnoxious' but I certainly think these shows trade on the 'sensationalist' elements rather than concentrating on the bakingAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11838426651793558151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2718701145803848252.post-89498283447183005002013-02-05T18:29:13.082+00:002013-02-05T18:29:13.082+00:00It's sad that ever since I started food bloggi...It's sad that ever since I started food blogging, I can't stand to watch any food shows. The hosts are unbearable and obnoxious.yummychunklethttp://yummychunklet.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2718701145803848252.post-46846139568766901022013-02-05T09:36:08.943+00:002013-02-05T09:36:08.943+00:00Great read R, and interesting comments - obviously...Great read R, and interesting comments - obviously something that stirs up a lot of strong feeling. My mediocre baking skills mean there's no 'could I should I' dilemma for me! so never something I'd spend time pondering. There's little doubt reality type shows can be uncomfortable to watch, but everyone pretty much knows the score now don't they? - it is all about the drama, certainly at the start. But the GBBO format also gives the show broader appeal and draws in people who wouldn't normally give cooking programmes the time of day. A good thing I think.<br />I can understand why you say you feel a little relieved not to have been selected, but I can also understand why you applied in the first place, because I know you'd have been under no illusions, and it would have been an amazing challenge. Fascinating too. Maybe because of my background I wonder mad things like how many cameras they use, and if they'd make you take something out of the oven again to get a shot.. There'd be so much more going on besides the baking.<br /> Jumble Treehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18178572046978666630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2718701145803848252.post-19243762832277021842013-02-04T14:08:45.829+00:002013-02-04T14:08:45.829+00:00:-) thank you Barnes! I hope your CCC member stays...:-) thank you Barnes! I hope your CCC member stays sane through it all - wish him all the best. And yes, Fred has 3 legs. He broke one of his back legs when he was a pup (fell off a quarry edge chasing pheasants) and it wouldn't heal. You wouldn't be able to tell much watching him streaking across a field in hot pursuit of game, it's one less leg to clean mud off and he can't jump up - so don't feel too sorry for him!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11838426651793558151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2718701145803848252.post-25617859067496016922013-02-04T13:47:04.458+00:002013-02-04T13:47:04.458+00:00I don't think you should be disappointed in th...I don't think you should be disappointed in the slightest about not getting on it. Of all the reality shows, GBBO seems to be the gentlest, but I still think the results are contrived to an extent. As with most things, them's that really want it (I imagine 'it' is different things to different people) will always be more likely to succeed. And to want 'it' so much is a scary thing! I love baking and cooking in general, but not so much that I want to be humiliated on national tele! You strike me as a very level headed and sane cove RJ, and your food, like your writing, is a delight. By the by, a chap who came to our bake club is in the running for GBBO. He seemed lovely and not mad in the slightest - suspect he wants a career in baking like the guy who won it last year. Finally, I didn't realise that Fred has 3 legs. I love him even more now!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11404558391436770975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2718701145803848252.post-26125343334986739312013-02-04T11:18:48.834+00:002013-02-04T11:18:48.834+00:00Hey Georgia - you're in good company, not gett...Hey Georgia - you're in good company, not getting through - I wouldn't be too down hearted. As you say, if you know you can bake, you should be confident in that. I think what Danny says in her post is esepcially telling. Keep baking xxAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11838426651793558151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2718701145803848252.post-80983986015854545452013-02-04T11:06:51.088+00:002013-02-04T11:06:51.088+00:00Hi there. I just found this blog after searching &...Hi there. I just found this blog after searching 'GBBO' on twitter (in desperation to see if they really have finished selections and I could be expecting a call any time now!) and it's great.<br />I applied for series 3 & 4 of the bake off (first year, a telephone interview which I nailed, this year, not a whiff) and found myself being wholeheartedly devastated not to have gotten further. I couldn't understand why (it's the only area of my life where I won't be modest) but your post, many of the replies and Dannys blog post have made me feel much better about not getting through.<br />If I'm as good as I like to think I am, then surely I can make it without a television programme that will surely crush my spirit and not end up the way I wish, after all, who wants to see a not very attractive fatty baking cakes...<br /><br />Thank you, GeorgiaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2718701145803848252.post-55859754587458149402013-02-04T10:32:22.693+00:002013-02-04T10:32:22.693+00:00Great post! GBBO is the one reality show I do watc...Great post! GBBO is the one reality show I do watch, simply for the baking itself. You would have walked it!! A xAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09453268654818719494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2718701145803848252.post-15443936906941766072013-02-04T10:08:58.650+00:002013-02-04T10:08:58.650+00:00That's good then. I would just hate to be unde...That's good then. I would just hate to be under that much scrutiny! Plus, I can't make pastry - or rather I wouldn't want anyone to see me making pastry. It's not pretty. Will read the book next. Loved The Men Who Stare at Goats xThe Middle Ageshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13682832660828950160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2718701145803848252.post-92116253260373594072013-02-04T10:03:08.066+00:002013-02-04T10:03:08.066+00:00Funnily enough, I'm really not disappointed - ...Funnily enough, I'm really not disappointed - I had no interest or intention of applying and literally just saw a thing on the last day and did it in a moment of folly... It's a great book. really really interesting read.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11838426651793558151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2718701145803848252.post-13837719515998303772013-02-04T10:00:37.077+00:002013-02-04T10:00:37.077+00:00Ah RJ, I agree, I don't get my entertainment b...Ah RJ, I agree, I don't get my entertainment by watching other people's dreams and confidence being shot down in flames. I think it's an appalling reflection of our nation that this has become prime time fodder. I dip in and out of GBBO but once you start really looking you do see how contrived it ALL is. I have the Jon Ronson book on the pile.. Sorry, that you were disappointed though. x The Middle Ageshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13682832660828950160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2718701145803848252.post-12678321575684813682013-02-03T19:46:58.108+00:002013-02-03T19:46:58.108+00:00I'm not really sure why I did apply, because l...I'm not really sure why I did apply, because like you, I get enough positive feedback from the people who eat what I bake to know that it's pretty good. I am rubbish with presentation though - and those cakes with shapes in them when you cut through and stuff - way beyond me. I think it would have been a really interesting experience, but as you say, very stressful - and if I had a thesis to write, i certainly wouldn't have been contemplating it - Good luck with that!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11838426651793558151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2718701145803848252.post-69779267225210594532013-02-03T19:45:04.684+00:002013-02-03T19:45:04.684+00:00I think that's the question we all need to ask...I think that's the question we all need to ask ourselves, Pat! Thanks for commenting!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11838426651793558151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2718701145803848252.post-60206297162428974822013-02-03T19:44:35.326+00:002013-02-03T19:44:35.326+00:00Interesting to hear about your friend's experi...Interesting to hear about your friend's experience. I had a friend who got to the 'quarter final' of one of those SAS are You Tough Enough programmes, and she said the same - in the end there was always the feeling that it was the people who would make the best TV whop kept getting through. She got to the quarters - but actually was probably too calm and together to get through to the semis - not enough drama... Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11838426651793558151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2718701145803848252.post-1065162213459314982013-02-03T19:42:27.015+00:002013-02-03T19:42:27.015+00:00:-) - you're right, of course and I am NOT say...:-) - you're right, of course and I am NOT saying that the people who eventually get on the programme (especially not GBBO) are necessarily psychopathic at all (not even a little bit), but it's 'of that type' of programme, and there's certainly an element of exploitation which is what makes me uncomfortable. But as you say. I too would rather with GBBO than 'Enders, which I have a total horror of, and I'm sure I will watch the next series.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11838426651793558151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2718701145803848252.post-11878035778703879112013-02-03T17:34:30.001+00:002013-02-03T17:34:30.001+00:00I have to confess to being a total wimp about such...I have to confess to being a total wimp about such shows. I always root for the underdog in any competition and I hate anything cringe-making. I don't even watch them.<br /><br />Perhaps I'm not mad enough - or maybe too mad!Pat Machinhttp://ayorkshirecook.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2718701145803848252.post-78025703508375117192013-02-03T14:55:11.281+00:002013-02-03T14:55:11.281+00:00First thing, amazing post. Secondly, don't reg...First thing, amazing post. Secondly, don't regret applying. With these kinds of things people often think what they hope to get out of it (professional critique, publicity for their blog etc - none of which are bad things) will outweigh the humiliation and lack of fairness. I had a friend who went on masterchef who said it was clear from the word go he "ticked the right boxes". He was one of the youngest to go on, and even more vulnerable as he was on certain meds (unsurprisingly). He wasn't treated the same as other contestants and as a result ended up as the car crash for that particular show and left the same episode. Despite this he was offered work exp as they genuinely thought he had what it takes to be a chef. Because he wasn't going to entertaining long term on the show he was forced out! <br /><br />Sounds like you may have had a lucky escape, but to me these programmes are like bad relationships. You always think you can make them change. Sometimes people succeed! So maybe sane people should keep applying :)Emmyw @ kitchen goddess (in training!)http://kitchengoddessintraining.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2718701145803848252.post-39786940280941619802013-02-03T14:30:08.409+00:002013-02-03T14:30:08.409+00:00I guess it depends what you want and how much you ...I guess it depends what you want and how much you are prepared to put up with to get it - oh yes, typical psychopath behaviour! Ruth Clemens seems to have made a nice career for herself, and would Holly Bell have got a job on local radio without GBBO? Jo Wheatly also seems genuine and quite sane, but inevitably as these programmes progress they change as do the people who apply. I won't be applying, I simply don't have the time or energy to go through all that, but I'd rather watch Bake Off than Eastenders, so bring on Bedlam ;-)Janicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04854564777269577428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2718701145803848252.post-658462219041069652013-02-03T14:08:21.965+00:002013-02-03T14:08:21.965+00:00Excellent post. Have to say I agree with you when ...Excellent post. Have to say I agree with you when it comes to reality TV shows. I make a point of avoiding these type of programmes although I do have a weakness for GBBO and Master Chef. <br /><br />After the last series of GBBO ended both my boyfriend and Mum said I should apply for the next series. I didn't mainly because I don't have time this year, I have a massive thesis to write! But also because I realised that it's not the sort of thing I want to do. I don't really feel the need to having my baking judged by 'the experts' as I know from the feedback I get from family and friends and my own tastebuds that I'm a pretty good baker. Yes the presentation might not always be perfect and I would probably lose points for it, but I'm happy with the things I bake. I also read Danny's blog post after the series ended and it helped to reconfirm what I already knew, that I didn't really want to put myself through all of that stress just for 5 minutes on the telly. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10948956773400066219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2718701145803848252.post-72267105736515893502013-02-03T12:25:17.155+00:002013-02-03T12:25:17.155+00:00You are kind to say so, but I think mad (although ...You are kind to say so, but I think mad (although not mad enough, perhaps) describes it better than brave. Curtains are my staple - your stuff is so much more beautiful, you'd be wasted on them!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11838426651793558151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2718701145803848252.post-75912277279177026622013-02-03T12:07:36.164+00:002013-02-03T12:07:36.164+00:00You are so brave! How disappointing you didn't...You are so brave! How disappointing you didn't get on :( <br />Did you know they are having a Great British Sew Off this year too? Mr Myrtle threatened to apply for me - but I can't stand making curtains....Truly Myrtlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11546389402524629209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2718701145803848252.post-46651607110589400562013-02-03T11:49:02.196+00:002013-02-03T11:49:02.196+00:00Isn't that the truth though - it's food so...Isn't that the truth though - it's food so we all think it's OK...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11838426651793558151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2718701145803848252.post-7748776428632695822013-02-03T11:46:40.772+00:002013-02-03T11:46:40.772+00:00:-) you see - I wish - genuinely - that I could sa...:-) you see - I wish - genuinely - that I could say that I had been above applying - but I wasn't. I haven't applied to be on anything else, and having done it once (with such inauspicious results i.e. total and utter silence) I am fairly sure I will stick to my principles from now on and not apply again. Your cakes are totally wonderful anyway (not that I've tasted them but I can pretty much smell and taste them through my laptop...)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11838426651793558151noreply@blogger.com