A Suspiciously Pleasant Paul Hollywood Kicks Off A New Season of Bake Off

Noel loves teasing him and Alison loves making cheeky remarks

SPOILERS LIE AHEAD. READ NO FURTHER IF YOU PREFER TO AVOID THEM.

Like pumpkin spice lattes and colorful squash, each fall brings the return of the Great British Bake Off. This is Season 15 for GBBO in England, but Season 13 for Americans, who did not get to see the first two series.

Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith are back as the judges. Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond have returned as the co-hosts. The first episode opens with a Barbie parody, which seems a little stale a year on from the movie’s blockbuster success, but it’s done with a jolly air.

There are twelve bakers, evenly divided between men and women, from a variety of backgrounds including — surprise — an American! Jeff was born in the Bronx, but has lived in England since 1979, when he emigrated with his English girlfriend, now his wife.