The hit TV show ‘Great British Bake Off’ has been a staple of British television for over a decade, but following harsh criticism of the 2020 season, the show is making some big changes. Viewers and critics alike slammed the show for its lack of diversity and inclusivity, calling for more representation in front of and behind the camera. In this article, we will explore the changes that are being made to the show and what this means for the future of one of the most beloved shows on TV.
Introduction
The Great British Bake Off has been entertaining audiences for over a decade with its wonderful mixture of baking skills, warm personalities, and feel-good moments. The show has become a staple of British television, and its influence has spread far beyond the small screen. However, the showrunners have faced harsh criticism in recent years for their lack of diversity and representation in terms of both contestants and hosts. With the current backlash, the Great British Bake Off is making some big changes.
Why is there criticism?
There has been a lot of criticism leveled at the Great British Bake Off in recent years for several reasons. In the eyes of many, the show suffers from a lack of diversity in its contestants and judging panel. Historically, the show has skewed heavily towards white, middle-class contestants, with very few people of color represented.
Moreover, despite featuring male and female contestants, the show has never had an openly LGBTQ+ contestant, which has come under scrutiny. The lack of diversity in terms of contestants has also led to criticism of the show’s casting process, which some say is too restrictive and limits the pool of potential applicants.
Changes being made
The Great British Bake Off producers have responded to the criticism by making some significant changes to the show. The most notable change was the replacement of the show’s current co-hosts, Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding. There has been a mixed response to this new choice of presenter. The show has replaced them with two new presenters, Matt Lucas and QI host, Jo Brand, hoping to bring a new energy and representation in terms of diversity.
Additionally, the producing team is said to be working on improving the diversity of the casting process to ensure that more people from different backgrounds are given an opportunity to participate in the show. The showrunners are also looking at creating more representative judging panels and casting more diverse hosts.
The changes in the season have been a big eye-catcher. Many people who were critical of the show’s lack of diversity have cheered the changes to the show. While the changes have by no means solved all of the issues with the show’s representation, they have sent a message that the producers are listening to feedback and are willing to make changes.
Critics’ response to the changes
The response to the changes has been mixed, and there is a group of people who feel that the changes are unnecessary. Some people feel that the criticisms of the show are overblown and that it is just a lighthearted baking competition, and that the focus should be on the baking skills rather than diversity in representation.
Others support changes but were disappointed with the decision to replace the current hosts. When the changes were announced, many speculated as to whether the show had faced an internal issue, making the current hosts leave. However, it was confirmed that the current hosts have simply decided to leave the show of their own accord.
Conclusion
The Great British Bake Off has long been a favorite of British television, and the changes made recently to address the lack of diversity and representation in the show have been well received. While the changes made cannot erase the past shortcomings of the show, they are a step in the right direction, showing that it is possible to create a more inclusive program while maintaining the same level of entertainment as the show has always offered. These changes bring hope to show enthusiasts that diversity in representation in shows is being taken seriously, and it could serve as a positive change in other areas too. We hope the changes made in the show would inspire many other showrunners to make their own changes for the better.
