I Investigated Whether Paul Hollywood Gives Out More Hollywood Handshakes Now Than Before And My Mind Melted (2023)

So I did.

The Hollywood Handshake, if you are not familiar, was a super-rare achievement in Bake Off. It was when you could have done no better, when Paul had absolutely no pointers to give. It was at one point as rare as a solar eclipse.

I feel that I should make three points before I reveal my findings:

1. My method included watching every episode. Not all 80 hours, but the Signature challenge judgment of each episode, as that is when the handshake is given. This changed in the most recent series. (Trust me, it's madness.)

2. If you are thinking, Scott, investigating this is a massive waste of time, may I respond with this: And here we are — you clicked on the article.

3. And if you are wondering whether I got paid for writing this article: I did.

The "Hollywood Handshake" had not yet been born. Every time that Paul dished out a compliment, I gazed up at the screen with a sense of anticipation, only to see him with his hands firmly in his pockets.

Remember this was the era when the history section took up half the show and Mary Berry did not say soggy bottom until Episode 5. A different, cold, isolating time in our nation's history.

Oh, thank goodness. The first ever Hollywood Handshake was given to Ryan for his impressive sweet dough Signature. Paul was impressed and reached out his hand spontaneously. When it happened, there was no applause. Nobody had truly appreciated the effect that his handshake has on people.

Given to: Ryan (Sweet Dough Week)

I was starting to get concerned that there was NOBODY with a Hollywood Handshake in Series 4, but Frances got one in the penultimate episode for her choux pastry tomato, carrots, and cheese scones. It was also the first time that we all heard the term "Hollywood Handshake."

Given to: Frances (French Pastry)

Straight out of the gate, we're receiving handshakes in Week Two and Week Three. I was expecting there to be eight or nine by the end of the series, but alas no, that appears to be it. I have so far watched more than 30 episodes of Bake Off. The first series looked like it was filmed in a carpark and someone had smeared the lens with butter. We have come a long way.

Handshakes given to: Norman (Biscuit Week), Luis (Bread Week).

May I just say that it is absolute madness, absolute MADNESS, that Paul (the baker on the right in the top picture) did not get a handshake from Paul (the judge, on the left) for his fantastical bread lion during Bread Week. But he did get a special commendation, and he got a handshake in that week's Signature.

Handshakes given to: Paul (Bread Week), Tamal (Victorian), Nadiya (Chocolate).

For the first time, we receive two handshakes within a single episode: Candice and Jane, but this is the final episode of the series. Selasi was also given a handshake so quick I had to rewind three times to catch it and I nearly debated whether it was a proper Hollywood Handshake because the camera barely caught it.

Oh yes, I'm single by the way, in case you were wondering.

Handshakes given to: Tom (Biscuit Week), Selasi (Batter Week), Candice and Jane (Final)

Absolute scenes! Absolute s-c-e-n-e-s!!! In the first challenge in the first Channel 4 episode we have two Hollywood Handshakes. Then in Episode 5, we have three handshakes dished out in a single episode —this matches the total handshakes given out during the series with Tamal and Nadiya.

Handshakes given to: Sophie and Steven (Cake Week), Liam (Caramel Week), Steven, Yan, and Liam (Pudding Week), Stacey (Forgotten Bakes)

And remember, we are only halfway through Series 9. If trends continue, we will be at 16 handshakes by the end of this season, which is more than the first seven seasons combined.

Handshakes given to: Dan, Rahul, and Ruby (Cake Week), Dan (Bread Week), Dan and Jon (Dessert Week), Rahul, Kim-Joy, and Mahon (Spice Week)

Now of course, the rise in Hollywood Handshakes could be because the bakers have got considerably better with each season. (I am not the right person to make a judgment on this.)

But it could also be because once Hollywood dishes out one, he just has to dish out another if somebody else's bake is of the same standard.

Paul Curry @cr3

@scottygb According to data and algorithms, by Series 38 we'll be approaching 830 handshakes per series

12:42 PM - 27 Sep 2018

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This is not posed, by the way. This is how I genuinely felt.

Channel 4 and Love Productions and have been contacted for comment. I am going for a lie down.

Paul Hollywood @PaulHollywood

@scottygb What you’re forgetting which is crucial is the general standard of baking/bakers has risen year on year.. this is reflected in any praise given🙄

03:25 PM - 27 Sep 2018

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