Taskmaster |OT| - Your time starts... now.

[William]

I really like Taskmaster, but I feel they're pumping them out a bit too quickly. The show's quality depends on the chemistry between the contestants and some of the more recent series have been a little flat in that regard.

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I worry that it could turn out to be too much of a good thing, but I dont think it has got there yet, I have faith they can keep the quality up because I have really enjoyed all the series, but I do agree that the group dynamics havent been as good recently as they were in the past, perhaps because they are spreading the net wider for contestants.

I think my favourite series was 5, with Nish Kumar, Mark Watson who went together perfectly, and Sally Phillips, Aisling Bea and Bob Mortimer who were all hilarious throughout - I think that season was the highlight for the chemistry maybe?

But then the last two seasons have had my absolute favourite "characters" with James Acaster and Joe Thomas, both of whom got the time to shine and kept me entertained even if the whole group wasn't as great.

I think its such a good show idea that it can feel like a great series/episode even with the weaker groups. I just love watching these fun and funny people solve ridiculous problems.

 

[mclem]

I really like Taskmaster, but I feel they're pumping them out a bit too quickly. The show's quality depends on the chemistry between the contestants and some of the more recent series have been a little flat in that regard.

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I was starting to worry about that for the series that I opened this thread with - in the end it felt a bit flat - but I think the series after that have been very, very good so I'm less concerned.

 

[Ortix]

I wasn't a big fan of the previous one, but the Gilbert/Acaster/Wang/Knappett/Godliman season is probably my favourite. Need some crazy wildcards to do crazy stuff.

 

[MrKlaw]

I dropped off after the series with Bob Mortimer and sally Philips - soo good. Need to catch up. I think the fact they're on a catch-up app makes me less inclined to watch as they're so available. Not sure why I even have a TiVo anymore as i spend more time deleting things to make space for more stuff I won't watch.

 

[Don Draper's Hat]

Good to see a thread for this. One of my favourite shows. Everything about it just works. Favourite series is a toss up between 5 and 7.

If I had to choose the perfect line-up from previous episode I think I'd go Bob Mortimer, Paul Chowdhry, Tim Key, James Acaster and Sally Phillips.
Honourable mention to Jessica Knappet and Rhod Gilbert.

Can't say I'm overly keen on the newest contestants but if I'm being honest this show has turned me into a fan of a few people I didn't particularly like beforehand. Romesh Ranganathan, Paul Chowdhry, Rob Beckett, Rhod Gilbert, Mark Watson.

 

[William]

Clip from the first episode has been released:



It looks good! - fun task, funny people, I think this bodes well!

 

[Sleepyhead86]

I've been on a British TV panel/game show binge the last few years, can't get enough of them.

Biggest difference I've had issues with is the short list of episodes compared to American TV. I want more but I'm aware the shorter seasons improve quality.

Give me more please.

 

[mclem]

I've been on a British TV panel/game show binge the last few years, can't get enough of them.

Biggest difference I've had issues with is the short list of episodes compared to American TV. I want more but I'm aware the shorter seasons improve quality.

Give me more please.

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Would I Lie To You's the current king in my book after TM, it's consistently extremely funny and one of those shows where the format itself can elevate the guests. That's something I'm noticing about panel games; sometimes they're just vessels for comedians to roll out their usual schtick, but the very best ones the format is so intrinsic that it brings something *new* out of the participants.

Of course, if you want quantity then take a look at radio, with the likes of I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue a couple of years away from making it to fifty years, and Just A Minute - absurdly - having gone past that with the same host.

 

[Mosse]

I've been on a British TV panel/game show binge the last few years, can't get enough of them.

Biggest difference I've had issues with is the short list of episodes compared to American TV. I want more but I'm aware the shorter seasons improve quality.

Give me more please.

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8 out of 10 cats does countdown is also great if you haven't seen it already

 

[Blue Lou]

I await with eagerness.

 

[William]

Well that was bloody good. Great set of contestants this series.

EDit: This part was awesome:

 

[mclem]

Really really promising start. Aubergine task an excellent starter, and the lolly/dodo one also a nice variation on the classic Pie Whisperer. Liking the onstage chat, too; there seems to be rather more - at least for now - joking about other peoples' performances, but not - at least for now - in the form of rants about how scores are awarded.

 

[mclem]

The phone number works.

 

[7aged]

The phone number works.

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Noyce.
I wanted to test it out when he shouted out his number, but too lazy

 

[Don Draper's Hat]

Disappointed Alex didn't correct Greg when he called an aubergine a vegetable.

Decent opener. Never seen Rose Matafeo before but I like her. She's my early favourite.

 

[Gowans]

Love this new crew, so glad a new ep is up.

 

[William]

Choose your own adventure task was great fun on tonights ep

 

[mclem]

This is shaping up to be a very good series.

Is anyone in this thread or thread-adjacent planning to attempt Task #185 from the book?

Spoiler

It's a picnic and meetup this weekend

 

[JonathanEx]

Considered going to it - but last minute got tickets to the equally nerdy Rule of Three podcast recording on the same day. If you're going, enjoy it - should be good fun from the look of it.

 

[Don Draper's Hat]

Very good couple of episodes.

I've got a huge crush on Rose Matafeo.

 

[Gowans]

Loved the 'old people music' bit.

 

[mclem]

This is somewhat bigger that people were anticipating.

But then, I think 'endearing shambles' is very Taskmaster!

 

[William]

Tonight's episode was great, that Water features task was brilliant. Poor Alex.

This is somewhat bigger that people were anticipating.

But then, I think 'endearing shambles' is very Taskmaster!

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That looks like it was a lot of fun, wish I could have gone.
Apparently they went to the football ground used in the show but there was too large a group to let them all in. Alex Horne

 

[William]

Final episode of this series starts in a few.

It's been a great set of contestants this year, everyone has had some brilliant moments. If the rumors are true that it is the last year on Dave it is a good one to go out on. Hopefully channel 4 won't change it too much. Or at all, fingers crossed.

 

[DumbNameD]

Thought this series was another successful romp, but that red green must be cursed or something.

And although language-censored, Series 1 is finally officially available in the US (and other places where the show is not on TV) via YouTube.

 

[Gamer @ Heart]

Thought this series was another successful romp, but that red green must be cursed or something.

And although language-censored, Series 1 is finally officially available in the US (and other places where the show is not on TV) via YouTube.

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That's awesome. God bless those Dailymotion uploads for giving me my fixes early on though

 

[Stinkles]

OP, Lisa Lampanelli is the American comedian most likely to appear on late night early oughts tv shows where five white comedians and one black one, REALLY wanted to say the n word.

Her schtick was that she should be allowed to on account of fake stories about banging black guys.

 

[Blue Lou]

 

[whatsinaname]

Jumped onto this, a random episode popped up in my recommendations list. Hilarious show, super well done.

 

[Godfather]

Jumped onto this, a random episode popped up in my recommendations list. Hilarious show, super well done.

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Same here. An episode showed up in my recommendations on youtube and whatever task it was sounded entertaining. Now I'm going back through season 1 and it's pretty good. I love the rules lawyering/cheating aspect of it.

 

[Stinkles]

. I keep meaning to check this out.

 

[Deleted member 5853]

I've been catching up on the show since it isn't coming back till later this year, and man, it is absolutely hilarious.

I do think there are some series that are clearly way better than others (Series 7 is definitely one of the best), and I hope Series 10 is amazing. It's a shame they don't broadcast this in the US, though.

 

[Tregard]

Having some thoughts on who they might get as the heavy hitters for their first outing on Channel 4:

- Richard Ayoade (good relationship with Channel 4 re: The Crystal Maze, a much wanted name by Alex in the past)
- Adam Buxton (similar to Richard, appears on Crystal Maze a lot and seems perfect)
- Sean Locke (Cats does Countdown regular, fills the grumpy man role, not really my bag but he is popular)
- Harry Hill (Big Channel 4 talent at the moment, but has a really frosty past with Avalon)
- Adam Hills (Last Leg host, seems like a shoe-in, honestly)
- David O'Doherty (Countdown regular, would be a great get)
- Sandi Toksvig (Would be fun, but now she's dropped Bake Off I wonder if she's done on Channel 4, honestly)
- Victoria Coren Mitchell (she's mostly BBC, but she appears on C4 stuff such as the Last Leg, and is someone I'd love to see)
- Zoe Lyons (Hosting a BBC Two quiz later this year)
- Suzi Ruffell (Clubnite appearance recently)
- Bridget Christie (Clubnite appearance recently)
- Sophie Willan (Current voiceover for 'The Circle')

Potentially some of E4's comedy talent, such as people who were on 'Pants On Fire', like Donna Preston and Bobby Mair are worth considering too.

 

[whatsinaname]

I've been catching up on the show since it isn't coming back till later this year, and man, it is absolutely hilarious.

I do think there are some series that are clearly way better than others (Series 7 is definitely one of the best), and I hope Series 10 is amazing. It's a shame they don't broadcast this in the US, though.

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Any idea what the best way to watch the old episodes in the US is? I've caught up with their official youtube channel and I need more!

 

[mclem]

Any idea what the best way to watch the old episodes in the US is? I've caught up with their official youtube channel and I need more!

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If you have a UK-friendly VPN, you can probably watch them directly streamed from Dave. http://dave.uktv.co.uk/. If not, it's a very popular posting on the PanelShow subreddit, a bit of searching on there should find you some useful links.

 

[Gowans]

. I keep meaning to check this out.

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Do it!

 

[basic_text]

One of my faves. They always seem to assemble a brilliant cast!

 

[Weegian]

Just discovered this show, and this one damn near killed me dead

 

[Five Venoms]

Aw, Joe Wilkinson was great that season. I've binged this entire show since going into stay-at-home mode, it's so good.
In fact, speaking of Mr. Wilkinson, watch a man's dreams die before your eyes:

 

[MrKlaw]

Aw, Joe Wilkinson was great that season. I've binged this entire show since going into stay-at-home mode, it's so good.
In fact, speaking of Mr. Wilkinson, watch a man's dreams die before your eyes:

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odd;y blocked in the uk so here is a poor quality vimeo version

 

[KillstealWolf]

5 years of Taskmaster, with something being teased for a reveal tomorrow...

 

[Memento Mori]

Season 10 cast I'd guess, if they're still planning on airing it this year.

 

[Chopper]

Season 10 cast I'd guess, if they're still planning on airing it this year.

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They certainly are. Studio recordings have been happening over the last few days, so they're nearly ready to go!

 

[Deleted member 5853]

They certainly are. Studio recordings have been happening over the last few days, so they're nearly ready to go!

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YEAH BOY.

Very excited to see who they have this time. Fingers crossed for Richard Aoyade.

 

[Don Draper's Hat]

Richard Herring will be one of the contestants I bet.

While we are waiting for a new series they should put together an "Unseen Footage" episode. There must be a ton of stuff that's been cut from previous series. Tasks that didn't quite work, tie-breakers that didn't need to be used, and so on.

 

[DumbNameD]

Is it immature to want to have Richard Ayoade and Richard Herring in the same series and to be put together for team tasks? Just for confusion's sake and for the inevitable jokes (you know, about how they are a pair of Rich guys and how much money they must have because of their common first name).

 

[Gawge]

They certainly are. Studio recordings have been happening over the last few days, so they're nearly ready to go!

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I'm guessing they filmed the tasks pre-lockdown and just need to bag the studio recordings now?

I suppose following series will be delayed though.

 

[KillstealWolf]

Here it is, season 10 teaser



Contestants this season are:

Daisy May Cooper
Johnny Vegas
Katherine Parkinson
Mawaan Rizwan
And Richard Herring

No confirmed air date yet.

 

[Don Draper's Hat]

Daisy May Cooper? That's a bit out of left field but she could be excellent.

Looks like it could be a decent line up.

 

[weekev]

Not the strongest line up ever. Never heard of Mawaan Rizwan and then i googled him and recognised none of his work apart from the fact he wrote one episode of Sex Education which was a great show. Cautiously optimistic. Johnny Vegas will be the butt of many a joke, good to see Katherine Parkinson back on TV, not sure if she has done much since the IT crowd but she was great in that so again cautiously optimistic. Cant see it beating Bob Mortimer and Sally Phillips year though. The song they sang to that poor woman will always be in my top 5 tv moments of all time, I genuinely thought I might die laughing cos i couldn't breathe for about 30 seconds.