In this episode we review the Great British Baking Show (GBBO) "Stand Up to Cancer" Celebrities edition Season 7, E1. The contestants are John Lithgow (actor), Jon Richardson (comedian), Russell Brand (activist and actor), and Hannah Cockroft (paralympian). We start off with our own antics. Sheldon's salted butter shortbreads were a hit, and this week he tackles macarOOns - this is a super easy cookie that is great for family time. He went "chocolate" variety and had a little trick to make sure he got a decent bake. Alison - she had an adventure! it was off to oklahoma City for a lovely macaron class that her husband gifted her for her anniversary. first - we hear about how OKC is a bit of a mess for driving. This story is fun in itself. When she gets to the class, alison had some goals to learn about certain parts of the macaron making process. She did achieve these goals and I just have to say that the product she produced looked AMAZING!! there were stories though - this is why Alison is so fun when telling stories. The teacher ... well... she maybe took things a bit TOO basic in some of the discussion. She also asked if anyone had ever heard of "The Great British Baking Show".... uh... yes ma'am. Alsion talks about some of the key things she wanted to learn and why they are important. Then to the episode! John Lithgow was a delight as we had hoped. We discuss some comments he made in an interview after the show... joking "it was one of the great traumas of my lifetime" hahahah. First bake - the simple "Brownies". They wanted gooey centers - Alison and Sheldon discuss the merits of a gooey brownie - surprise they have differing opinions. They ask them to be decorated though... we both kind of agree that we don't take the frosted brownie approach. Jon r goes the vegan route - because if he doesn't win "at least he has the moral high ground. We really liked his dry humor. John's were decent - but his icing led to his mouth and hands to be stained in a crazy town looking way. Jon heard his were claggy... that's never good. Russell's were delicious, and Hannah's were decent as well. The technical was a swiss roll - but it was a striped one. Very interesting. it was obvious that some had not whipped the batter enough as it was thin. Also...A lot of food coloring was used. Jon's was the best by far - he was meticulous with instruction. Russell and Hannah's were decent but a little wonky with fillings. John Lithgow's.. was a mess. The showstopper was 3d biscuit scene of your proudest moment. Hannah chose shortbread and her olympic victories, Jon went with savory vegan biscuits and his grad school play, John Lithgow went gingerbread 9how very American) and his performance as Churchill in The Crown (which Alison says is AMAZING) and then there was Russell. We had both been skeptical of his participation ... he can be a bit wild and controversial. We were concerned he would make it too much about him and to "shock". The first 2 events had been good - he was part of the fun and baking well. In the showstopper... he just made it awkward. He could have laid out the birth of his child in a lot of fun ways... he went way to the "shock factor" way. We just didn't dig it. But it tasted good and the judges went with it, scoring him the overall victory. We weren't super excited about it... but overall the episode was a lot of fun until that part. Next week is a bit up in the air due to some work schedule stuff - but the plan is either Celebrities S8 E4 which featured the new Host Alison Hammond, or Sheldon will fly solo and take on a technical challenge. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate your support! Tell your friends :-)