Great British Sewing Bee - Revisited

Oh well, it's still the only show on TV that has a bit of sewing in it I guess.  Series 6 is on the way, so here's what I thought of series 5.

The biggest problem with the current iteration of GBSB was highlighted in week 6 during the made to measure challenge when Patrick told Esme Young one of the sewers was using a Hong Kong Finish, she replied derisively, "Never heard of that before."  What the heck BBC?  You have a judge on a sewing show not knowing what one of the most common types of seam finishes is?  Damn it, we need May Martin back.

I guess the show runners heard the complaints from some that the winners are (with the exception of Series 3) too often white women, because this season they went out of their way to torpedo the skilled white woman.  When they tanked Jen, the demonstrably best sewer in the contest by miles, at the end of episode 6 it became clear this season was all about... I don't know.. big stupid bows and not at all about sewing skill.  After Jen put together a garment in made to measure that was probably the second best of that contest, and having won the pattern contest, the only issue the judges could find with her made to measure was that it wasn't fully pressed.  That was the excuse to send her home.  Keeping in mind one of the other garments, the one by the eventual sewing bee winner btw, had a freaking hole in it, that had to be covered from behind because the material wasn't gathered properly.

But really the sewing skills demonstrated have gotten progressively worse since May has left.  I kind of feel sorry for Patrick having to talk about how great garments are that would have been bottom tier on the first three seasons.

The presenter quality has dropped as well with the loss of Claudia Winkleman.  Joe, the new presenter who tries hard, annoyingly hard at times, just isn't in the same league.  With Claudia you always felt she was learning stuff as the sewers were.  She was the every man.  Joe just seems to be looking for the next cringe inducing  joke every time he opens his mouth.

Still, until we get something else I guess this is the best show on TV that shows some sewing.  I just wished it actually focused on the sewing and not have to fall back on the 'overall effect' because the sewing knowledge of the judges is not up to the task of rating actual sewing skill.