Taskmaster
British comedy is still going strong
What You Need to Know
Taskmaster is a British comedy game show created by Alex Horne. It is presented by Horne and the “Taskmaster” Greg Davies. During the show, a group of five celebrities attempt to complete a series of challenges. Horne acts as umpire and Davies judges the performances and awards points.
The programme has completed sixteen seasons as well as several specials, and is planned to continue for at least five more seasons until 2026. It has also been replicated internationally in a number of countries.
Why it’s a Recommendation
Taskmaster is fantastic for a number of reasons.
It works really well as a full 45-minute TV episode, but it can also be enjoyed piecemeal by just watching the 8-10 minute clips of individual tasks. Taking a look at the Taskmaster YouTube channel (pretty much all content is fully available there!) you’ll see that there are videos of whole episodes, individual tasks, and also compilations based on themes or specific contestants. I started watching clips of tasks during ten minute breaks and I got completely hooked.
The format itself is also pretty unique - the tasks are often absurd and bizarre, and they regularly leave room for people to complete the tasks by thinking outside of the box. This formula allows the contestants’ approaches to differ significantly, showcasing their creativity, wit, and sometimes complete lack of common sense. This combined with great commentary and judgement from the Taskmaster himself, creates a perfect blend of humor and absurdity.
The lineup of contestants is also a really strong showcase of British comedy (as well as occasional international guests as well). Previous seasons have featured many Very Funny People, including Frank Skinner, Noel Fielding, James Acaster, Jo Brand, Dara Ó Briain, and Sarah Millican. The regulars Davies and Horne are also legends in their own right, and I’ve been very impressed with the consistency of the show despite the massive volume of episodes and output.
The sixteenth season of the show just finished airing a couple of weeks ago, and it is without doubt one of the best seasons - the cast of contestants is one of the best ever with a great variety and camaraderie that leads to constant hilarity. This series is a great place to start if you’re never seen the show before as all ten episodes are published and available.
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