I am not usually one to write topical blogs, but I felt
implored to add my opinion to all of the furore that has emerged concerning the
outcome to this year’s season of The Great British Bake-Off.
My opinion stems from the fact that there really shouldn’t be
any controversy to begin with: the Great British Bake-Off is a harmless and
inoffensive television show about baking. It makes for an enjoyable hour of
television, but I think it’s ridiculous to get up in arms about whoever wins or
loses. I understand that people like to view the programme as a piece of
reality TV, but it really isn’t designed to create hate figures amongst its
contestants. Each year the participants form a diverse range of hopefuls (of
varying ages, ethnicities and social backgrounds) who all share a common
interest in baking. It is a pleasant occupation for anyone to have, whether it
be in a professional or recreational capacity.
It is enjoyable to watch the show and playfully make fun of
the contestants, whenever they make foolish decisions, or throw out a rather
naff one liner. It is one of the things I enjoy about the show whenever I watch
it. There is an excellent blog written by an author known as “Monk Seal” who
delightfully pokes fun of the show and its contestants in a very witty manner, and
it works because it is clearly written with a great deal of affection for the
source material.
However, due to the show’s continuing surge in popularity,
it seems that the viewing audience feel the need to create drama where it isn’t
needed. The show is a very well meaning programme, which is clearly enjoyed by
all involved (even if they don’t win, or last very long) and it sets its
contestants off on a positive pathway going forward, as the ending montage
showed.
Of course people may take a dislike to certain contestants (with
this year’s biggest target being Ruby) for whatever reason; whether it be an
aversion to their personality, or a by-product of the ingenious way in which
the show is edited to over-emphasize character flaws; but people need to stop
taking the politics of the show so seriously. It is, after all, a well-meaning
television show, which is made to be enjoyed – rather like a cake. I am
probably not the only person who has watched the show and done some baking of
their own as a consequence – it’s a fun thing to do, and a constructive way to
spend the time.
Ultimately this is my opinion, but I hope that people can
see the sense in it. At the end of the day it really doesn’t matter who wins
the Bake Off, because all of the contestants learn a great deal from it, and
take that knowledge with them for the rest of their lives. They are normal,
everyday people, the sort of people we all encounter during our everyday lives,
and they all seem to be dedicating their time to something positive. For that
reason I don’t see why the Bake Off is (indirectly) creating hate-figures for the general
public to attack with blind vitriol. It is a nice programme, which should
simply be enjoyed and not taken too seriously.
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