Bake On: Week 10 (Final)

We've made it friends. The final! It's all come down to this!
themcelroy.family/

[@warmhorizon]

I would LOVE you guys to bake onwards and go back over old seasons, that's such a good idea!

[@TheKingsPride]

I literally said this to my mom last week when Hermine lost: “she did have a terrible week but the final will be much less interesting with Laura in them because I can’t imagine a scenario in which the other two mess up enough for her to win.” I was always a bit irritated that she was just kind of skating by on other people’s mistakes, but I’m appalled to learn that people have been harassing her online. This is my only source of Bake Off “social media” and I hate to think that people would be so negative about such a wholesome show.

[@sams9688]

I do feel like they need to start formally judging by multiple weeks, at least when the contestants have a clear pattern. Because it feels like they did judge Rowan by his pattern of over promising and under delivering, yet Laura’s consistent issues with timing weren’t seen as a reason to send her home. No hate to her or any other baker, I just think the way they judge might need tweaking.

[@januarymilk9347]

When Peter won I heard Travis' voice in my head say 'my son!'

[@TiaSprengel]

I feel so bad for Laura because she was trying her best, but I absolutely agree - she shouldn't have been in the final because she wasn't at the same level as Peter and Dave. I obviously do not agree with all the hate that's been directed to her, though. She's not the judge of the show, so what do these bullies think she should/can do? I think Hermine would have at least given Peter and Dave a run for their money and made for a more interesting final, so I wish there was some amount of retrospective judging when the situation calls for it (e.g. a great baker has one incredibly bad week v. an average baker who has had multiple moderately bad weeks). With all that said, would you guys consider doing a rewatch of previous seasons and doing a similar show? I would absolutely love, love, love to do a rewatch and follow along with your commentary!

[@Dom380]

I'd love for you to go back to older seasons

[@thepudgyninja]

You guys should definitely go back and do a rewatch commentary on the earlier seasons. I don't really need an excuse to go back and watch them again, but I'd be happy to have an excuse.

[@Haedox]

I really think there needs to be more retrospective judging. Hermine would have def gave Peter and Dave a run for the crown. At least Dave and Peter gave a good show, it was a fun watch regardless.

[@jackalackb17]

I dont think there should be retrospective judging, but the judges should keep in mind what they themselves have said in the past and make a note on improvement. So rather than judge the bakers on past bakes, judge them on how much advice they've taken on board and how many mistakes they repeat. In fairness to this season of the show, I dont think Hermine would have been much better than Laura in this particular final. Peter and Dave have shown a standard that no one else kept up with for the entire show.

[@OnlyInThisLight]

Laura is a reminder that taste matters, and that there will always be discrepancy for us viewers because we can only see, we can’t taste. I loved her personality and while I was gunning hard for Hermine, honestly... all three bakers were kind of lackluster for the finals, even with an easy showstopper given to them. A lot have said that this group is especially talented but I feel overall this has been one of the weaker showings for bake off as a group start to finish.

[@coryfurlong5918]

Part of me wonders if people’s inability/unwillingness to enter the bubble for weeks on end produced a not quite as talented crop this time around because I totally agree

[@Thirrin73]

Now hang on, in defense of Laura's showstopper, the only bad thing the judges had to say was that the elements of her tower weren't separated because she didn't finish her stand. Prue called her cake heavenly, Paul said it was a beautiful flavor and a perfect texture. They really liked her key lime tarts, again, and the cinnamon rolls had a fantastic flavor (Paul) and were more close to underdone than overdone from what Prue said (but that was her preference anyways). And the macarons were delicate with great flavor (Paul). She was actually the only one of the finalists where every element of her showstopper was a hit, it just didn't look perfect because they weren't separated. Still though, she definitely didn't do enough in the other two rounds to be considered for a winner. But ya gotta at least give her credit for her showstopper 😭 (Also, loved this podcast! Can't WAIT until next season!!)

[@bbace87]

I think the fact that Laura’s flavors were always so good is what got her by. Which I guess I get, but as a viewer it’s hard to factor that in when all we see is a disaster lol

[@flowerheit4512]

I feel like Laura almost had a pattern of doing just ok in the signature and technical and then coming out with showstoppers that the judges loved, especially for her flavors.

[@maychorian]

I came down here to say that exact thing. Laura's downfall was always looks, not flavors. They said specifically that her baking was good, she just never had quite the finish and panache as Dave and Peter.

[@melhinojos7540]

i ..i mean...her credit is that she got all the way to the final

[@alec3919]

These episodes deserve so many more likes, they’ve been very good for calming my anxieties and stress. Never watched a single episode of the great British bake-off in my life but love these good good vibes!

[@boudicathebrave]

I feel like I'm a little bit in the minority, but I do think Laura earned her place in the final. Now, I do think it's bad luck that Hermine had an off week last week that sent her home, because I think she would've had a really good chance of winning (and I was really rooting for her) and she was a more consistent baker than Laura. But, I'll point out that Laura's flavors are almost always really good, which I think is a big factor in her doing so well (along with luck in when she had bad weeks versus good). And while she's had some disastrous bakes, she always fights hard to stay in the competition. Is she maybe the best all around baker? No. But she worked so hard in bake off and I really admire her determination and unwillingness to give up even when she's certain she's going home. It's something that a lot of the bakers on this show aren't able to do (and something I probably wouldn't be able to do, in her shoes).

[@boudicathebrave]

Also I would love for you guys to go over past seasons after you take some time off!

[@emmabennet888]

completely agree

[@nataliejones9310]

Please please please do more of this for previous/future seasons! During the pandemic there have been very few things to look forward to day-to-day and I really looked forward to watching the new episode of GBBO each weekend on Netflix and listening to Bake On the following week.

[@stefanwiebe24]

PSA for bake off fans who are itching to watch more competitive baking in tents, there's a Great Canadian baking show and an Australian bake off, very similar and available on Dailymotion for people in the US who can't access it anywhere else.

[@SamiKelsh]

The best thing about this season of Bake Off for me has honest to goodness been watching it and wondering what y'all are going to have opinions on. I super hope you do more of these now that this series of the show is done!

[@LiaaaaaaaaAAAAAHH]

Halfway through they should really start judging over all, not just week to week. When they judge it this way there are bound to be flukes likes this season (btw, I have a lot of love for Laura this is not a sh** post).

[@shockofthenew]

I would 100% listen to this as an ongoing podcast if you went back and watched the previous seasons!! This whole series has been a joy

[@kinitstuff]

I need more Bake On!! Especially with the new season coming out this week; I didn't realize I was watching the first ep of an ongoing series and I need more to get me through to next week!!

[@malloryr4883]

Please do more episodes!!! This show makes everything better!

[@Thehouseoffail]

This podcast got me to watch the Bake Off for the first time. Baking is my happy place but I haven't been able to do it lately. The podcast also helped me cope while trying to finish my finish my final semester of grad school while several of my internal organs went on strike. During 2020 no less. Not a lot of people are listening to Bake On, but it's meant the world to me. Thank you both for making it.

[@Zandalorscat]

I would love to hear you do previous seasons! Also, does the US seriously have all of the Bake Off seasons and spinoff shows? You're not kidding? Wow. That's like a whole new world. Netflix has been getting better at recognising VPNs lately so I can only watch old seasons with extreme difficulty. 😭

[@emmabennet888]

I have listened through this one "season" of Bake On more times than I have watched certain seasons of Bake Off. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE record more episodes covering past seasons. PLEASEEE. I need this soothing comedic commentary to supplement my soothing Netflix comfort food watching (pun intended). I used to listen to a Terrace House commentary podcast (No Script At All), but that ended following the death of Hana Kimura (understandably), and now this is all I have. I don't even listen on KZbin, I just came her to comment my praise and plead you make more. PLEASE bake onwards.

[@music4life813]

This is my favorite piece of media I consume in a week! I would LOVE if you guys reviewed other seasons ❤️

[@WisemanxSmash]

I think that thinking back on this season in the years to come the only thing I will be thinking about is how everyone was rooting for Peter and openly hoping he would win. I think Dave was more consistent with his bakes, based on Wikipedia he only had Bread week where he was in the bottom group, and everything else being equal in the finale I thought he should have won. I think Peter did a wonderful job this season but I think judges bias had something to do with his win. Just my opinion, not as a fan of Dave but as someone not head-over-heels in love with Peter.

[@Readera]

I would love to see more bake on. I will def be going back to watch older seasons. 💖💖

[@PeterHaderlein]

These were fun to listen to each week as I watched the new season. Thanks!

[@Scrumpuscat]

Please do old seasons! I would love to listen to you guys discuss them. Also--please do an episode for the holiday special that starts this week!

[@Laerasyn]

Yes please! Please do the other seasons! I am also due for a rewatch and I'd love to watch along with you! What else are we all doing???

[@mediocreboi]

YES YES YES go over past seasons, I got into the show by watching the podcast first (cause I love me some McElroy content) I cried at the end. I will somehow be able to hold myself back from binging them all if we get a weekly podcast of the previous seasons.

[@taramoran7864]

dave stressed me out so bad bc he had several weeks where he was like “the caramel just doesn’t wanna work w me” and then for the last three weeks did caramel for every. single. bake. i genuinely think if he had played to his strengths in the showstopper he would’ve won. i love peter but i kinda think dave should’ve won anyway. peter being star baker week 1 i think put a lot of spotlight on him early and made him memorable where dave was consistent as well just more in the background. also laura’s showstopper went over really well and peter and david’s were 50/50 i just think everyone forgot bc she was already written off lmao

[@zigzagzoom369]

As much as Noel & Matt's humour isn't for me and I find them obnoxious, it was really nice seeing them be supportive and sincere when a contestant was having a breakdown. Edit to add: I would also love to see you two rewatch old seasons!

[@fishsamurai4827]

You both completely reflected my thoughts on this season’s finale

[@bronwyngarrison9501]

I’ve loved these recaps, you both are awesome and I would love to hear your takes on prior seasons and the one off specials. Goes without saying we will see Bake on 🥓recaps for next season...right? 😃Even spend an episode telling us your dream ‘best of the best’ episode (give Peter a chance to show his stuff!) thank you!!

[@Luna3141592]

Getting to hear Travis start to interrupt Teresa and her basically go "wait let me finish" *and then he does.* That just added a full year to my life. My skin is clear. my crops are watered. the McElroy's respect their partners.

[@phantomflame03]

I also got into GBBO when I was pregnant but I also couldnt eat carbs (I had Gestational Diabetes) and it was so wonderful

[@Musicgirlcm]

The third dish in the previous technical you were talking about was the Victoria Sponge btw :-)

[@reneerodgers2784]

Great job with these streams

[@InspiredByPri]

Delicious! I will definately give this one a try on my Channel. Thanks!

[@taramoran7864]

also you mentioning holiday bake off- PLEASE tell me you’re derry girls stans and will make an ep about the derry girls holiday bake off. it’s everything to me.

[@cloudgoose]

my dream final would’ve been Marc, Hermine, and Peter. it would’ve been so good to see those three talented and quite different types of bakers compete.

[@melhinojos7540]

Laura's showstopper was actually 'flawless' in terms of taste, she just didnt seperate any of her elements and it was pretty sloppy

[@freetalkn657]

I heard there were Great Canadian Bake Off seasons? Is this a thing you guys would podcast about?

[@TheBmweed]

Did you guys watch the Extra Slice? I feel like you would have loved it - esp a little extra surprise from Dave!

[@kaycem]

i would strongly disagree that this was a "good season" tho i understand you're trying to be nice. there is absolutely no comparison to the caliber of competitor and i think it's only partially quarantine. some is also because of the show moving channels as the contestants have been going downhill for a few years. also, i am rewatching the seasons on u.s. netflix, which start with the bingate season. remember when paul hollywood wasn't soooo entrenched in his heel role?

[@listofromantics]

Agreed. The "Golden Age" of Bake Off was back on BBC One. Bake Off moving to Channel 4 (for money) has not done Bake Off any favors. "remember when paul hollywood wasn't soooo entrenched in his heel role?" 100% that's some Executive Producer(s) from Love Productions / Channel 4 / Netflix trying to "Gordon Ramsey" Paul for US / North American audiences, because American "reality" TV is hot dog sh*t that focuses on manufactured drama, strife, and conflict; basically everything that BBC Bake Off is / was not.

[@kierantobin4553]

Please do previous seasons

[@CaroGo]

Let's start on a positive note: There is a great thing that came from the whole covid thing. Namely the bakers and much of their families spending these weeks together and growing into one big family. Seeing all the bakers and the children hang out together and even after they went back to their lives...That is my FAVORITE part of the whole show. Not the baking, but seeing people stay in contact. And the kids from Mark and Hermine are such close friends, aaaaah. That had my heart grow three sizes. Precious beans. To address the Laura thing: the digs against Laura are terrible and unfair. Like, I agree, that she did not belong in the finale, it should have been Hermine. BUT that is not her fault??? Like, it was the decision of Pru and Paul and the result of their judging. Also, Louie being dead fucking shook me. Like. Fuck.

[@Ohmydumbledear]

US peeps are so lucky to have the GBBO backlog on Netflix ahahah Impossible to find here in Belgium D:

[@listofromantics]

Frankly, BBC One Bake Off is vastly superior to what we've gotten from Channel 4 Bake Off. In my opinion, the bakes were harder, more complex, and the bakers were of an overall higher caliber. I've come to accept Prue, Noel, Sandi, and Matt, but I miss Mary, Mel, and Sue. This was just an OK season of Bake Off.

[@ghoulsarefree]

Peter bored the hell out of me from day 1. I was underwhelmed to see him win. Not to say he isn't a great baker (like I would know), but he feels like a regurgitation of the GBBO TV show as a person. He has that limited perspective and inspiration of someone who has yet to leave home. From the jelly cakes on I felt like Dave surely had it.

[@cryingaboutbooks]

💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

[@cassieellison3459]

Please go back and talk about nadia's season!!!

[@minnellemontemayor8264]

Where's mbmbam

[@bbace87]

There shouldn’t be someone in the final that the judges just have to “be nice” to because they suck so bad. Regardless of how they judge it makes no sense that she got as far as she did, let alone the final. Anyway happy for Peter, he was hands down the most talented of the season.

[@teachingisdifficult]

Ummm HELLO EVERYONE....BREAKING NEWS!! TRAVIS MCELROY MAKES A SNEAKY APPEARANCE IN DISNEY+ MARVEL 616!

[@shizucheese]

I'm just going to go ahead and say it: people are overvaluing how good Hermine was in relation to the other bakers. It was always between Peter and David since week one and whoever it was that was lucky enough to be the third person lucky enough to make it to the final was just kinda going to be there to fill that slot but not actually be any kind of real competition for the other two.

[@sinenomine2681]

You're so brave.

[@MaskofFayt]

Laura was literally a waste on the final, she knew it and I'm glad Dave kept pushing her to try but she had given up before she even started but she never should have made it that far.