How different is the American version of Bake Off?
There are a number of American versions of British series, from the disastrous Inbetweeners to the beloved Office.
But perhaps one of the most unlikely adaptations of a British TV show is The Great British Bake Off.
Set in a tent on an English country estate, with quintessentially British judges and an atmosphere unlike most American cooking shows, it’s hard to imagine a similar format being made on the other side of the Atlantic.
And at first, it seemed like American audiences would agree, with only one season of The American Baking Competition produced in 2013. However, there would be redemption in 2015 when The Great American Baking Show began airing on ABC .
If you’re curious about what an American Bake Off would look like, look no further. We’ve got everything you need to know.
Great American Baking Show Judges
With Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, the dynamic duo behind the series, followed by Hollywood and Prue Leith, who is formidable herself, the American series had some big boots to fill.
So who better to enlist than Dame Mary Berry herself? During the first two seasons of The Great American Baking Show, Berry would examine pies for soggy bottoms and rate the moisture level of American bakers’ cakes.
Once Berry left, Paul Hollywood stepped in to replace her. He was no stranger to the American version of the tent, having also been a judge on the failed first series.
Their fellow judge was New York pastry chef Johnny Iuzzini. He was a co-judge on three series of the show, but was accused of sexual harassment by four former employees, leading to the withdrawal of the third season and the firing of Iuzzini. Iuzzini then denied the accusations, saying they were “simply false.”
After the unaired episodes, Hollywood took over judging, joined by chef and restaurateur Sherry Yard for series four and five. And then, from series 6, Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith find themselves on American television.
Who hosts the Great American Baking Show?
For the first two series, The Great American Baking was hosted by then-husband and wife duo Nia Vardalos and Ian Gomez. Vardalos is a Canadian actress, director and producer best known for My Big Fat Greek Wedding, while Gomez is known for her work on various comedy television shows.
Starting in season 3, television personality and former American football player Anthony Adams began hosting the show alongside cookbook author Ayesha Curry who hosted the series, which was not the case.
However, when the third series was pulled from the schedule, Curry withdrew from the show, making way for Spice Girl Emma Bunton to host it.
Bunton would host the fourth and fifth series alongside Adams, but when Prue Leith joined them as a judge, the two were replaced by actor and comedian Zach Cherry and actress Ellie Kemper, best known for her roles in The Office (United States) and The Unbreakable Kimmy. Schmidt.
How is the show going?
For starters, ABC released its equivalent of The Great British Bake Off as The Great Holiday Baking Show, first broadcast in November 2015.
There were only six contestants and the series took place over just four episodes, each following the same structure as the British series.
In 2016, a second series, this time taking the name The Great American Baking Show, was released in a structure more similar to the original Bake Off with ten competing bakers.
However, due to the time of year the show airs, the fourth and fifth series were named The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition, with only the sixth series reverting to the standard name while Hollywood and Leith resumed their functions as judges.
Is there a celebrity edition?
Yes, The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Edition happened in 2022 with Liza Koshy, Mashawn Lynch, Nat Faxon, Chloe Fineman and Joel Kim Booster, with The Good Place actress D’Arcy Carden winning Star Baker.
Can you watch the Great American Baking Show in the UK?
Yes, you can stream The Great American Baking Show in the UK on The Roku Channel. It’s worth watching, if only to appreciate how different the series is despite many of the same elements.
