TV: The Great British Bake Off and Farscape

[thistle_chaser]

It's no secret that I enjoy reality TV. Maybe a whole lot less than I used to, but I still watch the cooking shows and a couple others. So, when our US PBS station started showing The Great British Bake Off, I checked it out. I fell in love from the first episode

Comments

[pax_athena]

I'm currently watching Farscape, too (although I am much slower and further behind that you; I'm on episode 16 in, oh, last 6 months or so). But anyway: I am also always amazed on how dark and realistic in its psychology the show is. Especially for a sf show with crappy effects and often even more crappy "danger of the week". But it's one of the few shows ever that pulled people throwing up realistically, on screen and not just hidden in some corner. It's not pleasant, but it's good storytelling and I like a show that takes risks.

[thistle_chaser]

Yeah! I just had a throwing up scene (I suspect we must be about the same place) and I was impressed with how realistically it was done. I'm not watching it as quickly as I'd like to, maybe two or three eps a week, but I'm really enjoying it, especially now that I'm not noticing the masks/puppet element so much. (Except when they introduce some wacky new alien...)

[voidmagus]

On the puppets...Farscape is Jim Henson's studio, so you're talking about pretty much peak mastery of Puppeteering. Especially given this was a TV show (funded better than many, but still TV show), in an era predating character-oriented CGI, I'd say they did a damn good job. Also, given this was made by Henson's studio, everything about the show tends to have a different feel than most scifi shows (which many had a strong Star Trek feel and structure), especially at that time.

I won't spoil it, but when I sometimes go back to watch Farscape, I typically stop after the first season. If I recall, some of the best episodes are after the first season, but the overall average quality falls.

Claudia Black always confuses me -- I find her both very attractive, and rather unattractive.

[liedra]

I found her like that in SG:SG1 too! But I like her as Morrigan's voice... :)

[beauty_forashes]

I really enjoy cooking shows, I might have to check that one out. Just have to suspend disbelief and convince myself the British have an idea on how to prepare decent food. :P

[liedra]

As a non-Brit living in the UK I can tell you that the stereotype is unfounded.

[beauty_forashes]

I'm sure it is, like most stereotypes. Though when I go to London, I like the ethnic restaurants better. ;)

[liedra]

Well, you're missing out! :) Loads of great British food in London. Just gotta know where to look. Your average chain pub isn't going to give you a great culinary experience ;)

[fbhjr]

I had the "muppet problem" with Farscape at the start too.
But, it worked out well in the end.

[thistle_chaser]

It's finally working out for me, I'm finally starting to see them as characters instead of puppets/foam masks. I suspect it's to my benefit that I'm watching more than one episode a week.

[bacchuslives]

Love Farscape! I think Rigel was a Jim Henson studios creation, but I could be remembering wrong. Farscape had a lot of faults, but it also had a lot of new and unique going on...

[thistle_chaser]

I think you're right, I think everything (all the puppets, masks, and aliens) were done by Henson studios.

From what I've seen thus far, I can fully agree with you!

[thistle_chaser]

Hahahah Burger King Nigel aliens are the best aliens!

But seriously, agreed with you on EVERYTHING. It's so depressing about American reality TV -- normal TV and movies are bad enough when it comes to making everyone beautiful, but reality TV too? Really? Blah.