I love the Great British baking show, as well as the other spin-offs. I don't know if the idea is to hold the professionals up to a whole new standard but it seems that no one ever gets good reviews. The two judges have over the top personalities and I always feel it's like they're trying to prove that they know so much about baking, which I'm sure that they do. But it just feels like they're both trying to perfect their own version of snarkiness. To my American sensibilities, it seems very unkind. And what I love the most about the Great British baking show is that there is always a sense of class and civility among the contestants and the judges. I find this sorely missing in this version. By contrast, Paul Hollywood can be critical but he is always lovable or at least likable. The two judges on the show are just a plain old no. That said, I am sure that they make some of the best pastry in Great Britain. I would love to eat what they make but I certainly wouldn't want to cross paths with them at a cocktail party.
