The Great British Bake Off has inspired a "soft-core" reality trend

Esquire

The British reality sensation has ushered in a new genre of reality TV, including shows like Nailed It! and Making It. "You don’t need villains, or people to ridicule, or drama," says Justin Kirkland. "The Great British Bake Off relies on a rotating cast of amateur bakers who are not only good at their craft but also capable of recognizing the good within everyone else in the room. In a TV genre that doesn’t seem to have much use for skill or camaraderie, it’s a refreshing surprise."