Taskmaster
 

One of the most consistently entertaining shows on television

I have managed to watch a number of episodes on YouTube and it has never fails to make me laugh

Anyway... filming has just started on the 18th series, and the initials of the contestants have been leaked:

A.Z.
B.A.
E.S.
J.D.
R.J.

People are suggesting that they stand for:

Andy Zaltzman
Babatunde Aleshe
Emma Sidi
Jack Dee
Rosie Jones

Alex Horne to guest host Have I Got News For You / British Comedy Guide


"Taskmaster star Alex Horne is to make his debut on Have I Got News For You on Friday 7th June, guest hosting the final episode in the panel show's latest series.

Joining Alex as guests on the panel will be broadcaster Carol Vorderman, making her 5th appearance on the programme, and comedian Jack Dee, his 21st time on the show.

On hosting HIGNFY for the first time, Little Alex Horne says: "Although I suspect it's an admin error and they actually want me to pass the request on to my boss, I'm very excited to be hosting an episode of Have I Got News For You. I am rarely in charge, whether at work, at home or by myself, so I'm hoping a hitherto undiscovered domineering side of my personality will be unleashed all over Paul and Ian."

Episode 10 of Series 67 will be on BBC One on Friday 7th June at 9pm."

I'd be very happy with Andy Zaltzman and Jack Dee, who are both very quickwitted and entertaining. Including Rosie Jones would be a creative challenge because the series would have to have challenges that would not discriminate against someone who might be limited because of her cerebral palsy.

Although the only contestant in the current series I knew before was Steve Pemberton (and I am still unfamiliar with the other contestants beyond Taskmaster), I still find it great fun to watch and surprisingly engrossing.

It's a show with a brilliant concept that works because of the range of tasks, the relationship between Greg Davies and Alex Horne, and the rapport between the two presenters and the contestants.

It's good to know that, even after so many seasons, it can still be linked with fairly high profile celebrities who are willing to risk their reputations for public entertainment!

This should be interesting / entertaining

Taskmaster to go behind-the-scenes with new specials / British Comedy Guide

"Channel 4 is to air a series of Taskmaster specials in which Greg Davies and Alex Horne lift the lid on the "best, worst and somewhat middling tasks" from their hit show Taskmaster.

Due to start on Thursday 6th June at 9pm on Channel 4, the week after Series 17 of the show has concluded, Taskmasterclass will be a nod to the brains behind the tasks, and feature interviews with former contestants about their time on the programme. Greg Davies and Little Alex Horne narrate the hour-long episodes.

In the first episode, the hosts will discuss "whether there is any point to the seemingly pointless tasks on Taskmaster", looking in the process at tasks that featured contestants including Guz Khan, Ed Gamble, Jo Brand, Paul Chowdhry and Morgana Robinson."

In addition to that, a new Taskmaster VR game launches on June 13th...


...and the long awaited 'Junior Taskmaster', which features 9 to 11 year-old contestants and has Rose Matafeo as the Taskmaster with Mike Wozniak as her assistant, is set to air on TV later this year

The official line-up announcement for the 18th series


I went to the same school as Jack Dee - Montgomery Of Alamein in Winchester. Colin Firth was also there but they were both a few years above me because they are old and I was young !

This is going to be worth watching just for Jack Dee's weary reaction to each task as he almost certainly regrets signing up for many silly and potentially humiliating challenges, and the banter between him and Greg Davies will be brilliant.

If only they had kept Dara O Briain for this series as well

Extortionate! Fans' fury at Taskmaster Live ticket prices / Chortle

"...65-minute immersive experience costs up to UK$100 a head"

The 5th series of 'Taskmaster: New Zealand' has just started. I'm not sure how UK viewers can watch it on television, but episodes 1 & 2 are currently available on YouTube


The contestants, all of which are unknown to me, are Abby Howells, Ben Hurley, Hayley Sproull, Tofiga Fepulea'i, and Tom Sainsbury although (for reasons I am not sure about) Tofiga was not in the studio for the live segments and the final game for these two episodes. Instead he was represented by Madeleine Sami

Every modern Doctor Who episode described by Taskmaster clips

It's been announced that the 18th series will air on Channel 4 from September 12 until November 14 November 2024.

Apparently this series will have a 'nautical theme'

Poor Joe - you can feel his pain

The long awaited 'Junior Taskmaster', hosted by Taskmaster Rose Matafeo and 'little' Mike Wozniak as the assistant, starts on CH4 on November 8th 2024 at 8pm

I just hope the hosts are as evil with the children as they are with the adults - we need more kids crying on television !


I'm not sure if this will be a one-off or a full series

Never heard of her what has she done before ?

She's a Kiwi comedienne who was the runner-up on series 9 of the show

Cheers I remember her now .

She brought a poster of fish so she's a winner in my eye :skull:

They've both been on Taskmaster, so they know what it's like to be challenged, fail, succeed and then see someone do a task better/faster than you, and watch how other people approach the tasks.

I also hope that no prisoners are taken and Rose Matafeo is as authoritarian as Greg Davies is on the regular show. Speaking of which, I've been enjoying the most recent series and, as with previous series, it's been a case of knowing very little or nothing about most of the contestants (particularly Babatunde Alshese, Rosie Jones, and Emma Sidi), but being thoroughly entertained by them and the two I knew before the series began.

I think Rosie and Jack Dee make a great team together

They are a great double act because of the contrasting characters: Rosie Jones is so willing and passionate, whereas Jack Dee often doesn't even bothered to hide his lack of enthusiasm and bored of the task. I can?t remember which one it was, but I thought it was hilarious when he gave up and didn?t even try to solve a puzzle that was set.

The first trailer for 'Junior Taskmaster'


Rose Matafeo and Mike Wozniak Junior Askmaster Q&A

During the opening banter section of the episode 'The Nexus Of Truth', Alex was shown to have an e-mail address on the back of his jacket - FEG.JM.MB.RR.SM@alexhornemedia.com - so obviously I wrote to it

I received an automated response stating "Thanks for your message to alexhornemedia.com. We take your interest seriously. But we are currently working on Series 19 of Taskmaster so we have to go now bye."

Anyway, it seems that the 5 sets of letters at the starts of the address - FEG / JM / MB / RR / SM - *could* be the initials of the contestants who will either be in the 2025 edition of 'The New Year Treat' or in the upcoming 19th Series of the show

Top of my head, I cannot think of any comedians with those initials tho !!

I didn't pay any attention to that email address, but you're probably right that those initials are those of the contestants in the next series. Like you, I can't think of who they could be either. Mind you, if it's like the last few series, I'll have only heard of a couple of contestants beforehand anyway.

Lucy Mangan at The Guardian is very impressed with Junior Taskmaster:

The contestants obviously came from acting schools and were able to play to the camera and audience without getting angry when they didn't win the tasks.

I also liked the fact that Rose and Mike didn't 'go easy' on them, and the contestants were disqualified if they broken the rules - stepping on the 'Red Green'

The line-up for the 2025 edition of New Year's Treat has been announced:

"The fifth annual edition of Taskmaster's New Year Treat will once again see an eclectic mix of celebrities battle it out, with the contestants this time including Money Saving Expert and ITV host Martin Lewis and Royle Family star Sue Johnston - who at the age of 80 becomes the oldest star in the show's history.

Also in the line-up are former England and Liverpool goalkeeper David James, mathematician, science presenter and academic Professor Hannah Fry and singer-songwriter and All Saints star Melanie Blatt."

That?s a good lineup for a one off special, though I'd be happier if they were unveiled as the contestants for the next full series.

I have just watched the last episode in the 18th series and am sad it's over, but happy to have been so thoroughly entertained over the last 10 weeks. Ill probably watch the first Junior Taskmaster episode tomorrow.

The Taskmaster 'New Year Treat' is scheduled to be broadcast on CH4 on Sunday 29th December at 9pm

The line-up for series 19 has been announced. Joining Greg and Alex are:

Matthew Baynton (Ghosts and Horrible Histories)
Jason Mantzoukas (American comedian)
Rosie Ramsey (co-host of the podcast Shagged, Married, Annoyed,)
Fatiha El-Ghorri (Comedian)
Stevie Martin (Comedian)

Channel 4 has confirmed that the new series will be airing soon

I only know a couple of those contestants so, as usual, will be emotionally invested in those I know while enjoying the escapades of those I don't as I get to know them better.

This is a useful discussion about the contestants in the new series in terms of why you might know them and who is likely to do well

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHsu7d6ngj4

It's been confirmed that the new series will start in April

Although an actual date hasn't been given, it's thought that it will be on the 10th