I honestly prefer the insanity of the original series. But this is a nice idea. I like getting to know the baker's more since it is a weekly elimination format. Everyone has such a wonderful personality. Some of the bakers are way better than the others. So some of the casting is definitely to keep the comic relief and not to win. I love the coaches giving tips. Definitely learning stuff to try out not under the gun of a clock. But with the higher time limit the final products aren't always a complete disaster. Still a mess though. So that's a missing element from the original series. I haven't finished, but so far I haven't belly laughed like I do when watching the original. Plus one star for the prize you get for losing. A really fun way to send people off!
