The Great British Bake Off, an unreasonably gorgeous baking competition show that has possibly done more for the world’s anxiety than the pharmaceutical industry, has been “torn apart” over a decision to leave the BBC for Channel 4, the New York Times reports. Bake Off’s beloved hosts, Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc, have quit in the fallout from the move.
Bake Off, or The Great British Baking Show, as it’s known in the U.S., is like a shot of delicious morphine to the brain. Do you enjoy hearing British people say the word “sponge” in a worried tone? (Spohnge.) Do you like the idea of watching a gruff elderly Scotsman named Norman push his no-nonsense baking skills to the absolute limit? Do you prefer your reality tv competitions interspersed with shots of baby lambs sitting on the grass? Then this show is for you! Unfortunately, its cheesy, wonderfully over-the-top blazer-wearing hosts are a big part of what made the Bake Off recipe sing.
“We were very shocked and saddened to learn yesterday evening that Bake Off will be moving from its home,” Sue and Mel said in a joint statement. “We’re not going with the dough.”
According to the Guardian, negotiations between BBC and the show’s production company fell apart when BBC couldn’t meet its financial demands. Neither the hosts nor the judges, Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, were consulted during negotiations; no word as of yet on whether Paul and Mary will stick around.
I am personally devastated, but I’m not taking it quite as hard as this guy: