I’m looking for recommendations for reality competition shows that are based purely (or at least mostly) on skill. I love watching people who are passionate about something complete against each other. But I loathe manufactured drama.
Some of my favorites for context:
Forged in Fire - knifesmiths completing against each other and the clock. Think Chopped for blacksmiths.
Alone - Just people trying to survive on their own in the wilderness. No camera crews, no backstabbing, no tribal councils, no voting, just people versus the elements and their own minds.
The Great British Bake Off - my comfort watch. I love how everyone supports each other.
I also enjoyed A Cut Above and Blown. I tried to watch the Pottery one on HBO, but couldn’t get into it.
The Great British Bake Off - that’s full of drama, the sob stories of how its their grannies recipe and she would be overjoyed to see me win with it. Puts me right off, stick to the cakes and pies, we don’t need to know your life other than a few brief details.
The sewing bee has started it too, otherwise that was pretty decent the earlier series. I have also noticed on these shows its becoming more and more about the docile supposedly comical presenters.
I am watching the suggestions added as I also like this skill based shows…just not the drama or the silly humor, nor product placements. I do like ones that explain the processes.
Threre was a BBC pottery one a few years ago but it didn’t get past a series or 2, it was quite chill, i likes how they brought a guest craftsperson/s on to demo paint techniques etc.
Lego Masters was pretty decent too.
I didn’t enjoy Lego Masters simply because of the host. I love Will Arnett, but he treated the whole thing like it was a joke and like he didn’t want to be there. I don’t know who told him to act like Lego was just a dumb, childish hobby, but it was insulting to the people working hard to make such amazing builds.
Oh i watched the aus one