The Great British Bake-Off (2010-2013)

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I have watched this programme from the beginning and I have loved this programme from the beginning. There is much tension in creating the perfect cakes, bakes and oh so many mistakes! It's funny and light-hearted but you can also see how clearly people care about what they are doing and that is nice to see because often shows like this seem to be for people who want fame or money and these contestants just want to bake.

The basic format of the show is good because in every episode there are three challenges so we get to see an array of deliciousness. There is also a historical portion when a baked good's origins is explained and that is actually often fairly interesting (though unnecessary). The challenges also get more and more difficult so anyone believes they could be a contestant at the start and slowly begin to realise that baking is much harder than just making Victoria sponges.

There are two hosts and two judges. The judges are nice but I think they do take it a little too seriously. It's quite good because they are the straight people in the brilliance that is the Bake-Off, so while everything else is crumbling around them they remain obstinately serious. Mel and Sue, the hosts, make a complete mockery of the show in the best way. They make puns and tell awful jokes, they help people with their bakes but also help to destroy some people's work accidentally. The four as a group work well to balance each other out.

Possibly the strongest aspect of the Bake-Off is the integrity of the contestants. TV programmes like Come Dine With Me have slowly descended into a freak show where eccentric people go to display their eccentricities. Bake-Off doesn't do that, instead they get completely normal people who have too much time on their hands to bake ridiculously wonderful things. The contestants all seem to genuinely like each other and enjoy the competition. Although there are a few tears occasionally it is generally due to stress than anything else.

It is one of the best TV shows ever. It's funny, dramatic, riveting, slightly educational and either inspires you to make or eat more cake. It's best to watch it in a group and then you can discuss the bakes and compare your opinions. But even if you are watching it alone it's just amazing and I hope it never ends.