The move to Channel 4 was always going to be a gamble for 'The Great British Bake Off.' While there were many changes in last night's season eight premiere episode, the old staples of tears and trauma over baked goods, just as permanent as Paul Hollywood's tan, made sure that it was still the show we know and love.
The choice of Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig as the new presenters raised some eyebrows when it was announced and while we'll all always miss Mel and Sue, they proved they were up to the task last night alongside Mary Berry's replacement Prue Leith, who proved to be just as capable and compassionate as her forebearer.
Of course, Twitter was all over it as always, providing plenty of laughs as well as offering lightning fast takes on the new show but overall it was generally positive.
I can accept the new channel and line up. But peppermint in a mini roll? Fuck off #GBBO
— Jimmy (@hi_jimmy) August 29, 2017
you vs the girl he told you not to worry about #GBBO pic.twitter.com/Gf0u2VHINO
— sara (@saraadaviess) August 29, 2017
Just imagine the group chat between Mary, Mel and Sue right now...#GBBO pic.twitter.com/0ujswMGR5C
— Charlotte Briggs (@missb_teach) August 29, 2017
When you give out two handshakes in the first challenge because your desperate to win the general publics approval back #GBBO pic.twitter.com/SrjBifPak7
— Sophie Piggott (@SophieCPiggott) August 29, 2017
Mini Rolls.
Episode 2’s technical challenge will presumably be fucking Freddos. #GBBO
— Sweary Berry (@SwearyBerry_) August 29, 2017
Well @sanditoksvig & @noelfielding11 have set up a little campsite in my heart and they don't look like they're moving out #GBBO
— Aisling Bea (@WeeMissBea) August 29, 2017
Noel walking into the tent #GBBO pic.twitter.com/1kqWIXJvsw
— Michael Kelly (@mjkkelly1973) August 29, 2017
Noel Fielding on #GBBO is like seeing your mate who's always off their head at their day job at the bank trying to act professional.
— Jonathan Guy (@JonnySomething) August 29, 2017
i'm sorry, the old sue can't come to the phone right now. why? oh, cause she's dead #GBBO pic.twitter.com/IErOsVcB5o
— joe ? (@joeisbored) August 29, 2017
There should be a special edition of Gogglebox where Mary, Mel and Sue watch new bake off, judging everything. #GBBO
— Paula Duffy (@Paula_94x) August 29, 2017
When you get emotionally invested in the baking, and then... ad break *mic drop* #GBBO pic.twitter.com/k7tNBc9yYq
— Natalie Butler (@NatalieButkins) August 29, 2017
Christ, Mel and Sue have let themselves go a bit. #GBBO pic.twitter.com/fFG1dxUHv9
— Prince Charles (@Charles_HRH) August 29, 2017
Tinder vs Real life ? #GBBO pic.twitter.com/BMCn5D12ZH
— Bake Off Reactions (@GBBOReactions) August 29, 2017
Now I've seen this, I can't un see it ??? #GBBO pic.twitter.com/wbwbJTlXNa
— B E C K A (@becka_quantick) August 29, 2017
Noel on #GBBO is like watching a mate who lied about everything on their CV trying to act like they know what they're doing, but I love it.
— ✨caitríona✨ (@utterlyshook) August 29, 2017
Thanks to Flo #GBBO still has "Melon Sue" ? #TeamRB pic.twitter.com/J6CuVdP36v
— Raymond Blanc (@raymond_blanc) August 29, 2017
When they cut open Steven's bread cake #GBBO pic.twitter.com/t6ko0z9m0m
— Sophie Hall (@SophLouiseHall) August 29, 2017
MY #GBBO REVIEW.
It did feel a bit like hanging out with your ex. It's fun, everything's cool. But we both know it's not the same anymore.— Daniel J. Layton (@DanielJLayton) August 29, 2017
Although Mel and Sue will always have my heart, Sandi and Noel are doing brilliantly. #gbbo
— Rav Bansal (@RavSBansal) August 29, 2017
Advertised
I would pay good money for a podcast of Mel, Sue and Mary getting drunk and doing commentary of the entire episode #GBBO
— TechnicallyRon (@TechnicallyRon) August 29, 2017
"Little bit basic?" laughs Chris as he slides a knife into his abdomen, spilling sponge guts everywhere. "I was the cake all along!" #GBBO
— Arena Flowers (@ArenaFlowers) August 29, 2017
Baking = Life. #GBBO pic.twitter.com/dyTFfOXn1I
— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) August 29, 2017
Didn't really expect to but loved the return of #GBBO. Noel and Sandy brilliant. So glad they kept the familiar format. I'm hooked.
— Wendy Corbishley (@Corbishley63) August 29, 2017
Now I'm confused about whether I want cake, a BLT or some chicken katsu? All I know is that I'm now extremely hungry ? #GBBO pic.twitter.com/CfI35bQyHQ
— Laura - StyleBuzz UK (@Laura_StyleBuzz) August 29, 2017
BBC? Channel 4? Who cares. People are making delicious cake for Paul. All is still well in the world #GBBO
— Aoife Kent (@Aoifekent) August 29, 2017
Except, however, when it came to the ads.
I wonder how many people around the UK just shouted "ANOTHER BREAK?" #GBBO
— Sophie Flynn (@sophielflynn) August 29, 2017
The biggest surprise so far is the amount of people who didn't know Channel 4 had adverts #gbbo
— Ed Gamble (@EdGambleComedy) August 29, 2017
I feel like Channel 4 are trying to make the ads less obnoxious but it's like when Homer tried to get Frank Grimes to like him #GBBO
— Rachael Stott (@RachaelAtWork) August 29, 2017
The one thing I really do hate about the new #gbbo is all the ads pic.twitter.com/6VOqfvbsf0
— Gemma Inglis (@GemmaInglis26) August 29, 2017
*ad break*
A collective groan is heard across Britain. #GBBO pic.twitter.com/bGzle6oIa6— Liam Beattie (@Liam_Beattie) August 29, 2017
I don't know the history of mini rolls I need the history of mini rolls ?I don't need adverts #GBBO
— Ben Rowbottom (@Emo_nerd70) August 29, 2017
Just realised that to make room for adverts, C4 have cut all the external shots. No more sheeps and squirrels. That's GBBO done for me #GBBO
— Charlotte K Bartle (@CKBartle) August 29, 2017
So #GBBO is back, always going to like Noel Fielding BUT adverts in bake off is just wrong and weird
— Sarah Regan (@SarahR_PR) August 29, 2017
Not everyone hated them though.
#GBBO Ads? So what? Not as if we haven't got them on other progs. Go to the loo. Make a cuppa. Unload the dishwasher. Have a snog!
— Susannah Bean (@FemmeDomestique) August 29, 2017
I don't even mind the adverts... it gives you a chance to debrief in between segments #gbbo
— Vicky Chandler (@VickyChandler) August 29, 2017
Glad #gbbo is back. Note to self record rest of series to avoid the ads. Miss Mary, Sue and Mel- adjusting to new line up - loving #flo ? pic.twitter.com/1gHi5DVL3M
— Dee Coxon (@DeeCoxon) August 29, 2017
Believe it or not, this is a chocolate cake. ??? #GBBO pic.twitter.com/GnSKXipsr7
— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) August 29, 2017
Advertised
Loving #GBBO I made a cake in the adverts! pic.twitter.com/ISCxagV5nl
— Helen Shilton (@helenshilts) August 29, 2017
