Ah, but when Brendan was rendered speechless talking about how winning would prove that all his efforts over the years would be validated, it got me choked up. And the other two much taller young men hugging him out in the field was adorable. He’s been visiting retirement homes trying to use baking as therapy for Alzheimer’s patients. And due to illness, he has to abstain from eating cake! https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/great-british-bake-off-previous-winners-where-are-they-now/brendan-lynch-runner-up-series-three/
I am happy with the winner as well and am glad that the win gave him the confidence to follow his passion. Agree with above posters that Brendan appeared rigid. I found his overconfidence a little off-putting.
It sounds like Netflix, not PBS, will be our new source going forward. http://www.vulture.com/2018/08/netflix-is-getting-3-new-seasons-of-gbbo-and-1-old-one.html?utm_medium=s1&utm_source=fb&utm_campaign=vulture
I wasn’t sure how the show would be without Mary Berry, Mel and Sue, but I’m loving the new season (on Netflix). The challenges are incredibly difficult (I’ve watched the first two episodes and I can’t imagine what they’re going to throw at them next). The new hosts are not as funny as Mel and Sue, but I think Noel is very sweet to everyone. I wish they hadn’t made them “copy” everything from the previous shows (ready, set, baaaake) but I think they want us to feel comfortable that the show hasn’t really changed.
Surprisingly, I don’t think the contestants are as strong as in previous seasons.
I wonder if the hosts are really hovering around all the time. I would find it very annoying having to talk and goof around with someone when I was running behind on something. I often want to swat Noah and tell him to buzz off when watching the show.
I’ve watched the whole season. IMO the challenges in general are harder this season, and the bakers better. (I hope that doesn’t count as a spoiler.)
I love Sandi, but Noel gets on my nerves. That cute act gets old quickly.
We are in binge mode watching the newly released season and I am so glad the familiar touches still there and they didn’t go and mess it all up - even down to the music in the background. Yes miss the regulars but it’s still just as sweet (lol pardon me there, feeling british)
Thx for the info about Netflix. I binged on Season 5 last night. I miss Mary. The young man leaves me cold.
I like Noel. I still prefer this kind of show to any kind of American “reality” show with fake drama and arguments.
I love the wholesomeness and don’t mind if it is a little corny sometimes.
One thing I have wondered. If they deliberately pick bakers that they know won’t do as well -just so it isn’t boring. I was watching a netflix episode last night and one of the bakers said she had never done a rough puff pastry. I was thinking “surely at this point you would know to practice that?”
I think they may skip over some of the applicants that seem too polished and practiced
@veruca, there seems to be nearly archetypes of bakers at this point: there’s the Gran, the student, the Mum, the guy with the unconventional day job (SAH, builder, etc), some 20/30 somethings. They also seem to try and have some range of British ethnicities (SE Asian, Caribbean, etc). The current season has a young woman who is French & living in London, which seems a bit of a stretch though!
Also, according to interviews with past bakers, there is a lot more teaching / feedback that is cut out- a couple have said that was one of the best parts of doing the show.
Thanks @collegemom3717. Now that you point it out -it seems obvious.
I still love it .
me, too @veruca! I forgot to mention accent diversity, which is a big deal in Britain, ofc. There is no accent mocking at all. I think that the producers (Love Productions) are a part of having bakers that are representative of the country- I watched the Brazilian version to work on my rusty Portuguese, and the types were very Brazilian (and the range of regional accents nearly did me in!).
I’m still binging on season5. One of my favs was eliminated. I suspect S… will win.
The 2 extras have a sense of humor, but don’t seem to know anything about baking no. So why were they chosen?
Season 5 - US? Not saying a word!
UK shows have a tradition of having comedian hosts. Mel & Sue used to protect the contestants who were having melt downs by standing beside them and saying so many rude words that the video couldn’t be used 
Thank God, British Bake Off Hosts Mel and Sue Are Coming Back
https://www.thecut.com/2018/09/after-bake-off-mel-giedroyc-sue-perkins-get-own-sitcom.html
Yay! Thanks for the great news, @oldmom4896.
They’re not coming back to the British Bake Off. They’re getting a sitcom.
For those of you who are fans of cooking contest shows, this looks promising:
https://www.eater.com/2018/10/16/17983984/the-final-table-show-netflix
Definitely flashier than The Great British Baking Show, though!
Season 6 is now available on Netflix!
Just binge watched season 6 on Netflix. The new comedians add very little to the show, I didn’t find them funny. Pru is no Mary Berry, who always balanced out Paul with her kindness. I thought some of the challenges were stupid - make pita on an outdoor fire. Too many of them were artistic in a silly way, make a self-portrait. There were one or two challenges where everybody did poorly - not sure if the bakers weren’t good enough, or the challenges were too had? Overall, I did enjoy it, but they aren’t the gems that the original seasons were.