The nineteenth series of the popular British game show Taskmaster premiered today on Channel 4, introducing a new lineup of comedians set to tackle unusual challenges. For the first time, an American contestant traveled overseas to participate, joining the ranks competing under the watchful eye of Taskmaster Greg Davies and his assistant, Little Alex Horne.
The cast for the new season features Fatiha El-Ghorri, Jason Mantzoukas, Mathew Baynton, Rosie Ramsey, and Stevie Martin. They will undertake tasks designed by Horne, with their performances judged and scored by Davies.
Jason Mantzoukas, known for his roles in shows like The League and The Good Place, is the first American participant. He reportedly reached out to the show himself to join after becoming a fan.
Greg Davies described Mantzoukas as "a consistently destructive presence" on the show. He added that the comedian brought "a certain energy...we've not previously dealt with."
Alex Horne noted the show's increasing profile, including trips to New York for premieres, as indicators of its growth. He commented on positive experiences in the United States tied to the show's rising popularity.
Contestants perform tasks at the Taskmaster house. Alex Horne confirmed there is only one main bathroom facility used during filming, a detail Jason Mantzoukas also noted.
Greg Davies addressed criticism of his scoring methods, stating the show operates as a dictatorship where he awards points as he sees fit.
Speaking about potential future participants, Jason Mantzoukas expressed a desire for a "full American invasion" of the show. He suggested comedians from the Comedy Bang! Bang! group, including Jon Gabrus, Lisa Gilroy, Paul F. Thompkins, and Gil Ozeri, as candidates he would like to see compete.
Mathew Baynton has indicated the challenges prompted participants to make decisions quickly. He told one news outlet that he did something during the series he may regret later.
The show streams on YouTube, offering full episodes and clips. This platform has become a way for fans, particularly in America, to discover the show and specific contestants. Greg Davies mentioned recommending the show by highlighting examples of contestants like Romesh Ranganathan and how they approach tasks.
Greg Davies commented on Alex Horne's ability to generate a continuous stream of unique challenges for each season.
