That The Great British Bake Off, the series that sees amateur bakers compete to see who's the best in Britain, has become a part of the cultural zestiest is indisputable. Everyone knows exactly what you're talking about when you mention a “Hollywood Handshake” or a “Soggy Bottom.”
However, that level of success hasn't always translated to versions of the show in other countries, especially in the United States. While The Great British Baking Show (as the series is called here in the states) has been a huge hit, The Great American Baking Show, not so much.
After a handful of Christmas editions that aired on ABC were met with indifference, low ratings and, in one case, a scandal involving one of the judges, it appeared that folks had given up on an American version of the show.
That was, until Roku stepped up to the plate.
Season 2 of the Great American Baking Show arrives on Roku on May 24.
In May 2023 The Great American Baking Show moved to the streaming Roku Channel with a six-episode season that saw nine bakers enter the iconic tent. Paul Hollywood was joined by fellow Bake Off judge Prue Leith with hosts Ellie Kemper and Zach Cherry.
That was a big enough hit that it was followed up with a Christmas edition called The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Holiday. Casey Wilson replaced Kemper and it followed a similar format to The Great Celebrity Bake Off that airs in England.
And now the series returns for a full second season on Roku, or the seventh overall depending how you count these things. Hollywood and Leith return as do Cherry and Wilson as hosts. It will feature eight new American bakers in a six-episode season.
Paul Hollywood spoke to People and mentioned that due to the size of America when compared to England, you never quite know what you're going to be tasting.
"The standard last year was so good, so I'm expecting the same this year. America's such a large country that you can have such an eclectic mix of bakers."Paul Hollywood
All six episodes of the new season of The Great American Baking Show arrives on Roku on Friday, May 24 and are free to watch with any Roku compatible device.
What do you think Banterers? Are you excited for a new season of The Great American Baking Show? If you are join the conversation on our Facebook and other social media pages.