i want more tv like The Great British Sewing Bee

i used to say that I wished TV would do more public service- that rather than nasty new pizza invention commercials, a friendly person would announce things like "it's stone fruit season! cherries, nectarines, peaches and plums are in season now for the next 6 weeks or so - go enjoy them!" or "do you remember how tornadoes form? check this out:..."

overdone meme. but what if?!!?

The Great British Sewing Bee is taking reality competitions, unreasonable timelines, discriminating judges and a wacky host, and making it Dream TV. Here's why:

The contestants hang out and support one another. For REAL. Over tea and salumi (just guessing about the salumi).
The producers are not creating excessive bitchy drama. They are watching nice people deal with stress from a somewhat shortened distance. When sweet Jenni started crying at her station, we didn't cut away to her in a confessional set, crying for us to stare, the camera actually PULLED AWAY. Instead it focused on Lynda, who saw that her competitor was suffering, and put down her work to check on her.

"it's ok luv. There's not time (pats back)"

The contestants TEACH EACH OTHER how to do the challenges!!!

"lets discuss nap, Mr Handsometailorsmith"

But what is most unique is that it's educational. For viewers AND contestants. The judges say what they're looking for. They say why they want what they want. They teach us how to sew a bit, and teach us what to look for in our own work/clothing. And then the wacky cool-haired host goes out and Does Real Research, like With Historians and Such. Capital letters are fun. That's so great. Rather than creating BS drama by recruiting crazy people for the Bee, the producers leave the nice, and diverse, group behind to go out and teach their audience. I love it.

Koolhairhost is So Sweet Too!

I've been switching back and forth between Project Runway and TGSB (to make the Bee last longer, honestly) and the differences are so stark. The ProRun contestants are bratty, the judges are very critical, praising a nice garment when they see it, but we never learn what they're looking for until a designer has already done (or not done) it. (did you see this Marchesa semi-doc? I loved it), And then rather than hearing how they made their things or what made them want to do what they did, we watch them squirm on that stupid runway while Heidi says "susie.......you.................................are.........................................in." Boring. Show me the sewing and the clothes!!

"we'll miss you, luv!!"

On the other hand, the "you're out" part on TGSB is so fucking sweet. Coolhairhost says "this is the dreadful/horrid part" and the person's name. Then everyone says how great that person is/was to hang around with and the show is over. Quick plug to check out some sewing tips at bbc.co.uk/sewingbee and we'll see you next week.

SHOW ME THAT, PRO RUN. More clothes, less suspenseful pausing. In fact, I'm really looking forward to reading Suzanne's "what did we learn this week" series when Pro Run comes back. Does sharing the watch with other sewists does make it more educational and inspiring?

Are you watching? What do you love?

xoxox bex
thanks to Jenniffer Taylor for sharing her images
read her story here http://www.jenniffertaylor.co.uk/blog/episode-5-the-great-british-sewing-bee-jennis-story