I have long had a love/hate relationship with Noel Fielding on The Great British Baking Show. Now, let me be clear: I have been a huge Noel Fielding fan for years. I adored him in The Mighty Boosh, obsess over his version of Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights, and always welcome him on a panel show. But since Noel became one of the two hosts of The Great British Baking Show in 2017, I’ve struggled with his approach to the gig. He has been known to stand in front of the bakers’ ovens and distract contestants with his antics. Worse, at times he seems completely bored to be there.
So I’m honestly thrilled to say that Noel Fielding has never been better on Netflix’s The Great British Baking Show than he is now. I first noticed a slight energy change in last week’s Collection 10 premiere, but Noel truly hit it out of the park in this week’s episode, “Biscuit Week.” Noel’s jokes were soft, but silly. His banter friendly and supportive. Heck, he came to Carole’s side when she started crying and helped her calm down! Noel Fielding has finally become The Great British Baking Show host I always wanted him to be.
When The Great British Baking Show finally immigrated to American shores in the mid-2010s, it felt like a welcome antidote to the catty and cutthroat reality competition shows we were used to. The stakes were blessedly low: who can bake the best, for a zero dollar, er, pound cash prize. Contestants didn’t sabotage each other; rather they hugged and helped one another. The tent itself transported you from your living room to a tranquil garden on a sprawling English estate. It was the epitome of comfort viewing.
Part of the show’s initial success was thanks to the alchemy of original judges Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry and co-hosts/long-time besties Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc. Sue and Mel were chipper, silly, and completely in the bakers’ corner. When a production deal change moved The Great British Bake Off from its original British home, the BBC, to Channel 4, three of its four stars declined to make the exodus to the rival station. (Thanks to the Channel 4 deal, The Great British Baking Show also found a new American streaming home on Netflix.)
Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig were tasked with taking over for Mel and Sue, and well, let’s just say that while Noel and Sandi had their moments, they couldn’t replicate the chemistry of two life-long friends. Toksvig left the show after a few seasons to be replaced with Matt Lucas. Together, Matt and Noel brought a zany energy to the tent. They were often less like silly adults maintaining a positive mental health environment than two mad court jesters bringing chaos to an already stressful situation.
However, something seems to have shifted in Noel’s approach. In just the last episode, he commiserated with Maxy over missing your children even when you’re “knackered,” told Janusz and Sandro he would hook them up with some original art for their flats, and complimented risk-taking Sybira on being “bonkers in the best possible way.” This — this — is the energy I have always wanted Noel to bring to the tent. That of a comedian putting empathy ahead of the punchlines for once. (Also I dearly loved when he was able to recognize the London apartment building Will made for the premiere! Noel is connecting with the bakers as people!)
But Noel’s coup de grace this week was when Carole began to cry over her broken biscuit mask. “Is she alright?” Noel asked someone off-camera, before beelining to the baker. “Carole, don’t panic…But it’s still beautiful and it still looks amazing. What you don’t want to do is panic. Have a minute to just…calm.” Is this the same man who once stood in front of a baker’s oven as a joke?!? Noel, I could hug you. You’ve come so far!!
Noel Fielding seems plugged into his gig as a Great British Baking Show host like never before. He is attuned to the bakers’ moods, quick to help, and invested in the competition itself. He’s still silly, but he knows when to rein it in and be a person first, comic second. Noel Fielding, please, keep this up! I believe in you!!!