The Great British Bake Off spoilers follow.
It's no secret that Bake Off's Paul Hollywood has become extremely generous with his once-elusive handshakes.
Over the years, the judge's favourite expression of praise has gone from sparing to enthusiastically doled out at every opportunity, and this latest season is no different.
Only two episodes in, and already Hollywood has given not one but two handshakes.
The lucky recipients of the Hollywood shake were Tasha for her "delicate, pretty" after-school treat marshmallow biscuits and Josh, who, after a dramatic delay, went palm-to-palm with Hollywood for his showstopper 'illusion biscuits'.
No doubt many fans rolled their eyes with a 'here we go again', seeing Hollywood's signature move.
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The master baker has repeatedly been called out by fans for overdoing the shake, with one fan stating: "Hollywood handshakes are not the thing they were. He gives out far too many now. Used to be like one a series. #GBBO"
They're not wrong. It has strayed away from the original intent.
Not even Paul's attempts to subvert expectations by waiting until Josh had reached his bench before meeting him to bestow the coveted handshake could bring back the magic it used to hold.
It's difficult to imagine the extraordinary happening multiple times a season, so we're forced to accept that the Hollywood shake has lost its meaning.
But that doesn't make it meaningless.
Instead of being this elusive, almost unattainable prize that pitted baker against baker, it has morphed into something more wholesome.
Within the meeting of the hands (and the excitement that follows), there's still acknowledgement and praise for baking something that highly exceeds expectations.
However, there's something spirited about knowing there's more than one chance to obtain one.
It inspires the baking peers in the tent, challenges and motivates them — but also gives hope that there could be a shake waiting in the wings for any one of them.
Though a competition, Bake Off has always cultivated a warm and encouraging environment where bakers support one another, and this new intent behind the shake suits that much better.
New episodes of The Great British Bake Off stream every Tuesday on Channel 4 in the UK. In the US, it's known as The Great British Baking Show and streams on Netflix.
TV writer, Digital Spy Janet completed her Masters degree in Magazine Journalism in 2013 and has continued to grow professionally within the industry ever since. For six years she honed her analytical reviewing skills at the Good Housekeeping institute eventually becoming Acting Head of Food testing. She also freelanced in the field of film and TV journalism from 2013-2020, when she interviewed A-List stars such as Samuel L Jackson, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. In 2021 she joined Digital Spy as TV writer where she gets to delve into more of what she loves, watching copious amounts of telly all in the name of work. Since taking on the role she has conducted red carpet interviews with the cast of Bridgerton, covered the BAFTAs and been interviewed by BBC Radio and London Live. In her spare time she also moonlights as a published author, the book Gothic Angel.
