Fans of The Great American Baking Show will be excited to know that ABC has confirmed the show’s return for Season 4! Judge Paul Hollywood and host Anthony ‘Spice’ Adams will also be returning with each getting a new sidekick.
The show first debuted in the U.S. in 2015 with it’s inaugural season tapped under the name The Great Holiday Baking Show. The 4-episode season was a way for ABC to test America’s reaction to a spin-off of the British mega-hit The Great British Bake Off. Ratings were mediocre but apparently ABC saw the potential for the baking competition with.
The show returned for a full 8-episode season in 2016 with Johnny Iuzzini and Mary Berry at the helms once again. Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) and her acting hubby Ian Gomez took on hosting duties for the second time. Ratings slightly improved despite little publicity.
In 2017, The Great American Baking Show underwent changes that could have destroyed what ABC and Love Productions had worked so hard to build. Beloved baker and host Mary Berry exited the U.S. version when UK-based Love Productions took The Great British Bake Off away from BBC. Original GBBO star Paul Hollywood replaced Berry to judge alongside Iuzzini.
Both Nia Vardalos and Ian Gomez also exited the show to take advantage of acting opportunities. They were replaced by NFL great Anthony ‘Spice’ Adams and Ayesha Curry, celebrity cook and wife of NBA player Stephen Curry.
Just two episodes into Season 3, allegations against Johnny Iuzzini were made public and ABC pulled all remaining episodes. The backlash was fierce, especially from some of the season’s contestants who felt jilted by the network.
That brings us to Season 4. Paul Hollywood confirmed that The Great American Baking Show would be returning along with two new cast members. Celebrity cook and Food Network personality Sherry Yard will be taking on a judges role alongside Hollywood. In a somewhat ironic (or possibly intentional) twist, a Spice Girl will be sharing hosting duties with Spice Adams.
Emma also shared some behind-the-scenes photos of what she called her “dream job.”
Emma Bunton, aka Baby Spice, spoke out about her new gig on Thursday morning following the announcement.
“Just being in the famous tent – honestly it took me a week to get used to being in the tent,” she said before sharing her thoughts about Paul Hollywood. “I had lots of fun with Paul. He’s got a great sense of humor. I did watch out for him. He can be trouble. He’s got those eyes. Don’t look in his eyes!”
According to Reality Blurred, Season 4 of The Great American Baking Show will feature only six hour-long episodes and will premiere December 6 on ABC.
Few know that the first few seasons of The Great British Bake Off floundered in the ratings, but the show eventually found it’s footing and became one of the most successful shows in UK television history. Here’s to hoping The Great American Baking Show meets the same fate.