Of "Niceness" and Cake Plates

Millions enjoy the pleasures of watching "The Great British Baking Show."    Cakes and "Bread Week" and biscuits and technical challenges - it's relaxing entertainment and hence, it is great television.

Let me point to the obvious, because it's worth noting (especially in this age).

This is one reality show (and a competition reality show, no less) in which everyone is really nice to each other.   The hosts are sympathetic and help the contestants, the contestants are more focused on their own successes (or lack thereof) than on their peer's failures.    Even the judges, facing the most catastrophic of creations find something nice to say ("But, it has a really great flavor. . .")

Is this why we like "The Great British Baking Show" so much?  Proof that people can create and compete and be not only civil to each other, but build bonds and friendship?  I think in recent decades we've ignored "nice."   We've downgraded it to a middling compliment.  And in recent years, let's face it, there are popular forces that decree that "nice" does not make for watchable television or, for that matter, electable politicians.

In its own way, "The Great British Baking Show" demonstrates the power of "niceness" and elevates it  to "greatness."

And there's one more thing. . .that prize.    When most reality shows are upping the ante ("You're competing for ONE MILLION DOLLARS!!!" - and then the contestants jump up and down with excitement!). . .what's the big prize on "The Great British Baking Show?"

A cakeplate.

And the recognition and the satisfaction of a job well-done.

Let's just let that sink in.

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