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The Great British Baking Show

Mary Berry replaced by Paul Hollywood on ABC’s Baking Show

Ayesha Curry, Anthony “Spice” Adams, The Great American Baking Show
Ayesha Curry and Anthony “Spice” Adams, the new hosts of ABC's Great American Baking Show. (Photo by Mark Bourdillon/ABC)

by Andy Dehnart 27 Oct. 2017 | 11:15 am

ABC announced its third season of The Great American Baking Show this morning, including new judge Paul Hollywood, who judges the original UK series The Great British Bake-Off, and returning ABC judge Johnny Iuzzini.

As I reported in August, Paul Hollywood is effectively replacing Mary Berry, though back then—before production began—there was a possibility she’d make a guest appearance. However, she’s not mentioned in the press release at all. (I’ve asked ABC if she will make any appearance this season.)

This is a disappointing change. For one, it may have been our last chance to see Mary Berry on a baking show, after she left the UK series.

Mary’s charm is a significant part of the appeal of the original and ABC series, and she and Iuzzini worked well together—or at least, she softened his harder edges. By contrast, Paul Hollywood was the judge CBS hired for its version of Bake-Off, 2013’s The American Baking Competition, which did not work at all. He wasn’t the only reason, but he is also not the reason why Bake-Off is so wonderful.

As part of its press release this morning, ABC announced what I also reported two months ago: that Ayesha Curry and Anthony “Spice” Adams are the show’s new hosts, replacing Nia Vardalos and Ian Gomez, who each have new TV roles.

The new season premiers Dec. 7, airing three two-hour episodes only. Its challenges will entirely be “holiday-themed,” according to ABC.

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about Andy Dehnart

Andy Dehnart’s writing and criticism about television, culture, and media has appeared on NPR and in Vulture, Pacific Standard, The Los Angeles Times, and other publications. He has covered reality television for more than 18 years, and created reality blurred in 2000.

A member of the Television Critics Association who serves on its board of directors, Andy, 41, also directs the journalism program at Stetson University in Florida, where he teaches creative nonfiction and journalism. He has an M.F.A. in nonfiction writing and literature from Bennington College. Learn more about reality blurred and Andy.

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reality blurred is your guide to the world of reality TV and unscripted entertainment, with reality show reviews, news, and analysis. It was created in 2000 by Andy Dehnart. He's still writing and publishing it today.

reality blurred is regularly updated with highlights from the world of reality TV: news and analysis; behind-the-scenes reports; interviews with reality TV show cast members and producers; and recaps and reviews of these reality TV shows, including Survivor, Big Brother, The Great British Baking Show, Shark Tank, The Amazing Race, The Bachelor, Project Runway, Dancing with the Stars, Top Chef, and many more.

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