Taskmaster | Taskmaster (U.S.) | Taskmaster New Zealand | Taskmaster Australia | Other Global Versions
Taskmaster is a global franchise that grew out of a live show put together by Alex Horne for the Edinburgh Fringe. Since the first iteration in 2010, it's grown to encompass TV series in multiple countries, books, board games, a podcast, and a host of home-brewed versions.
The Taskmaster
Conceived by Alex Horne — who was inspired by shows like The Crystal Maze and Big Brother and driven by envy over Tim Key, his close friend, winning the Edinburgh Comedy Award — The Taskmaster (note the The) was a live show staged during the Edinburgh Fringe.
Over the course of a year, Alex e-mailed tasks to fellow comedians who had to record their attempts and send them back. Once Alex compiled all the footage, he brought everyone on stage and played the video in front of a live audience during a night of drunken revelry. Each task attempt was then scored and a champion was crowned.
The success of the original show led to a second staging, titled Taskmaster II, followed by Alex pitching this concept as an ongoing TV show.
Taskmaster
The best-known iteration is a British comedy game show that first aired on Dave in 2015 before switching to Channel 4 in 2020. In each series, five contestants are assigned a series of odd tasks that seem simple on the surface but are actually challenging to complete. Many involve some kind of creative or lateral thinking and there is an ongoing arms race between contestants and the task writers to see who can outthink the other.
Each attempt is judged by the almighty Taskmaster, who hands out scores on both objective and subjective grounds. At the end of each series, the points are tallied up and the contestant with the highest score is crowned Taskmaster Champion and given a trophy of the Taskmaster's Golden Head.
International Adaptations
Het Grootste Lichtnote (Belgium)
The first international adaptation, which ran for a single season on VTM in 2016. Instead of five contestants, it featured four regular contestants who competed for the grand prize while a rotating fifth contestant got to compete for each episode's prize pot. This format would be adopted by some other adaptations.
Bäst i Testnote (Sweden)
This adaptation debuted on SVT1 in 2018 and is ongoing. Like Het Grootste Licht, it features four regular contestants competing for the grand prize — in this case a giant golden bust of Babben Larsson — and a fifth guest contestant competing for the prize pot of the episode they're appearing in.
In the event that the guest contestants' cumulative point total is higher than that of the regular panel, the guest on the final episode receives the grand prize.
Team tasks are accomplished by dividing the regular contestants into teams of two while the guest contestant has the chance to earn points by guessing which team will come out on top.
Also, this adaptation runs for a full hour without breaks. To fill out the time, David conducts a brief interview with the guest contestant at each episode's midpoint. This segues into an in-studio task separate from the traditional end-of-show live task.
A number of rotating contestants have gone onto become regular contestants while regular contestants have returned as rotating contestants.
Season 1
- Bianca Kronlöf
- Kodjo Akolor
- Claes Malmberg
- Pia Johansson
- Rotating Contestant (in order of appearance): Kalle Zackari Wahlström, Eva Röse, Parisa Amiri and Marko "Markoolio" Lehtosalo
Season 2
- Ola Forssmed
- Marika Carlsson
- Erik Ekstrand
- Ellen Bergström
- Rotating Contestant (in order of appearance): Ann Westin, Al Pitcher, Nisse Hallberg, Claes Malmberg, Emma Knyckare, Moa Lundqvist, Clara Henry and Thomas Petersson
Season 3
- Anders Jansson
- Annika Andersson
- Nassim al Fakir
- Clara Henry
- Rotating Contestant (in order of appearance): Kristina "Keyyo" Petrushina, Marika Carlsson, Måns Nathanaelson, Per Andersson, Fab Freddie, Emma Molin and Oscar Zia
Season 4
- Anders "Ankan" Johansson
- Carin da Silva
- Kristina "Keyyo" Petrushina
- Kristoffer Appelquis
- Rotating Contestant (in order of appearance): Johan Glans, Josefin Johansson, Peter Apelgren, Farah Abadi, Kayo, Lina Hedlund, Özz Nûjen and Henrik Dorsin
Season 5
- Johanna Nordström
- Olof Wretling
- Morgan Alling
- Arantxa Alvarez
- Rotating Contestant (in order of appearance): Jesper Rönndahl, Christine Meltzer, Anis Don Demina, Kristina "Keyyo" Petrushina, Fredrik Lindström, Niklas Andersson, Pernilla Wahlgren, David Batra and Nour El Refai
Season 6
- Marcus Berggren
- Sussie Eriksson
- Anis Don Demina
- Sofia Dalén
- Rotating Contestant (in order of appearance): Erik "Järka" Johansson, Danny Saucedonote , Annika Lantz, Lotta Engberg, Fredde Granberg, Vanna Rosenberg, Tareq Taylor, Johanna Nordström and Petrina Solange
Season 7
- Marko "Markoolio" Lehtosalo
- Nikki Amini
- Henrik Nyblom
- Linnéa Wikblad
- Rotating Contestant (in order of appearance): Måns Möller, Janne Andersson, Carina Berg, Edvin Törnblom, Amie Bramme Sey, Marcus Berggren, Evelyn Mok, Johar Bendjelloul and Anne Lundberg
Stormester note (Denmark)
The first adaptation to largely transplant the original UK format. Like most other versions, it features a mix of recycled and original tasks. The most notable change to the format is that only one contestant offers up a prize entry (this role cycles through all of the contestants) in each episode, which the winner of the episode gets to keep. Prior to season 7, no tasks in the Danish iteration were team-based. If there is a tie at the end of an episode, the winner is determined based on who has received the most number of 5 points (i.e. who won the most tasks in that episode).
Season 1
- Christian Fuhlendorff (132 points, Winner)
- Lina Rafn (129 points)
- Nikolaj Stokholm (86 points)
- Ruben Søltoft (115 points)
- Julie Ølgaard (107 points)
Season 2
- Sofie Linde (122 points, Winner)
- Thomas Warberg (101 points)
- Melvin Kakooza (98 points)
- Stephania Potalivo (99 points)
- Jacob Taarnhøj (85 points)
Season 3
- Lise Baastrup (112 points)
- Victor Lander (119 points, Winner)
- Sarah Grünewald (91 points)
- Jesper Groth (111 points)
- Heino Hansen (90 points)
Season 4
- Annika Aakjær (118 points, Winner)
- Neel Rønholt (115 points)
- Mahamad Habane (88 points)
- Jakob Thrane (97 points)
- Anders Breinholt (86 points)
Season 5
- Linda P. (79 points)
- Jonas Mogensen (125 point, Winner)
- Tobias Rahim (95 points)
- Simon Talbot (108 points)
- Sofie Jo Kaufmanas (78 points)
Season 6
- Sebastian Klein
- Julie Rudbæk
- Eva Jin
- Martin Johannes Larsen
- Simon Julnote
Season 7
- Jesper Ole Feit Andersen
- Kathrine Abrahamsen
- Hadi Ka-koush
- Petra Nagel
- Anders Lund Madsen
Dicho y hecho note (Spain)
This adaptation ran for a single season in 2018 on La 1. It put its own spin on the Taskmaster format by running two-hour episodes and featuring a panel of six contestants rather than the usual five.
Due to low ratings, Dicho y hecho did not even get to have a full first season, with tapings being halted after the first episode underperformed and the other five that had already been recorded quietly shuffled into a late-night time slot.
- David Fernández (147 points)
- Secun de la Rosa (146 points)
- Leonor Lavado (141 points)
- Elena Furiase (131 points)
- Pablo Carbonell (131 points)
- Goizalde Núñez (129 points)
Taskmaster (U.S.) (United States)
The first English-language adaptation and somewhat of a contentious one due to changes to the format forced onto it by Executive Meddling. It ran for a single season of eight 30-minute episodes on Comedy Central in 2018.
Because of the shortened running time, team tasks were abandoned and the prize task was cut down so that each contestant took turns submitting a prize for each episode. It also featured Alex Horne reprising his role as the Taskmaster's Assistant.
A second attempt was made to introduce Americans to Taskmaster — by rebroadcasting Series 8 on The CW — but was yanked from the air and put on a streaming platform after just one episode due to rock-bottom ratings.
Kongen befalernote (Norway)
An ongoing adaptation that's been airing on TVNorge and discovery+ since 2019. It largely takes its format from the UK original and features a mix of recycled and original tasks, but strikes a slightly different tone thanks to the Assistant joining on putting down the contestants rather than being a Servile Snarker. Additionally, it doesn't feature any team tasks even though it uses a permanent five-member panel. If two or more people tie for first at the end of an episode, they share the prizes among themselves.
This adaptation's second series is unusual within the Taskmaster universe in that two contestants from Series 1 — Maria Stavang and Calle Hellevang-Larsen — returned as regulars for another chance at winning Atle's golden head.
The entire first season was uploaded on the main YouTube channel on 29 April 2022.
Season 1
- Vegard Ylvisåker (160 points, Winner)
- Maria Stavang (136 points)
- Calle Hellevang-Larsen (155 points)
- Bård Ylvisåker (149 points)
- Siri Kristiansen (143 points)
Season 2
- Magnus Devold (150 points)
- Mia Hundvin (160 points)
- Jon Almaas (167 points)
- Calle Hellevang-Larsen (170 points, Winner)
- Maria Stavang (123 points)
Season 3
- Erik Follestad (113 points)
- Jenny Skavlan (126 points, Winner)
- Trond Fausa (125 points)
- Linn Skåber (113 points)
- Egil Hegerberg (110 points)
Season 4
- Steinar Sagen (180 points)
- Ida Fladen (180 points)
- Amir Asgharnejad (173 points)
- Einar Tørnquist (185 points, Winner)
- Solveig Kloppen (166 points)
Season 5
- Harald Eia (172 points, Winner)
- Janne Formoe (133 points)
- Henrik Elvestad (143 points)
- Kristine Grændsen (144 points)
- Martin Lepperød (136 points)
Season 6
- Live Nelvik (139 points)
- Espen Eckbo (143 points)
- Martha Leivestad (133 points)
- Kristoffer Olsen (166 points, Winner)
- Henriette Steenstrup (133 points)
Season 7
- Hani Hussein
- Karin Klouman
- Lars Berrum
- Leo Ajkic
- Vidar Magnussen
Suurmestarinote (Finland)
This adaptation debuted in 2020 on MTV3 in Finland. It takes its name from the Danish adaptation (Stormester/Suurmestari) while adopting Het Grootste Licht's format of featuring four regular contestants who compete for the grand prize while a fifth rotating contestant competes for their episode's prize pot. Because of the rotating nature of the panel, this adaptation features no team tasks.
Season 1
- Janne Kataja
- Roni Bäck
- Jenni Poikelus
- Jukka Hildén (Winner)
- Rotating Contestant (in order of appearance): Mikko Leppilampi, Miitta Sorvali, Jorma Uotinen, Minka Kuustonennote , Mikko Penttilä, Paula Noronen, Minttu Mustakallio, Pekka Pouta, Juha Perälä and Hjallis Harkimo
Season 2
- Miika Nousiainen
- Minka Kuustonen (Winner)
- Aku Hirviniemi
- Kiti Kokkonen
- Rotating Contestant: Christoffer Strandberg, Kalle Lamberg, Mikko Töyssy, Eija Vilpas, Kirsi Alm-Siira, Joonas Nordman, Maria Veitola, Kari Aihinen, Veronica Verho and Tuomas Kyrö
Taskmaster New Zealandnote
The second English-language adaptation. It debuted on TVNZ2 in 2020 and is ongoing. While maintaining the format of the UK original, it immediately set itself apart from other adaptations by relying on entirely original tasks rather than recycling tasks from past iterations.
The second season of this adaptation is considered particularly noteworthy — thanks to a madcap panel that seemed to lack all inhibitions — and is regarded as one of the finest editions of Taskmaster of all time.
Direktor Svemiranote (Croatia)
This adaptation debuted in 2021 on RTL in Croatia. The format largely follows the original UK version.
Season 1
- Igor Drljo (175 points)
- Ante Travizi (160 points)
- Lidija Bačić (165 points)
- Ana Begić Tahiri (179 points, Winner)
- Enio Meštrović (161 points)
Taskmaster Portugal (Portugal)
- Taskmaster: Vasco PalmeirimTaskmaster's Assistant: Nuno Markl
This adaptation debuted in 2022 on RTP1 in Portugal. It uses the four-regular-one-guest panel format and largely took its tasks from the British original. It also features some unique spins on the format by airing 90-minute episodes and bringing back its entire regular Season 1 lineup for Season 2. Additionally, Vasco Palmeirim sits in what is probably the most-ornate throne within the global franchise.
- Jéssica Athayde
- Inês Aires Pereira
- Gilmário Vemba
- Toy
- Rotating contestant: Fernando Mendes, António Zambujo, Pedro Torchas, Carla Andrino, Inês Castel-Branco, Rita Salema, Manuel Marques, Jorge Mourato
Le Maître du Jeunote (Quebec, Canada)
- Taskmaster: Louis MorissetteTaskmaster's Assistant: Antoine Vézina
This is the first French language, first Canadian, and second North American iteration of Taskmaster, now retitled Le Maître du Jeu ("The Master of the Game). It premiered on Noovo in late 2022.
Season 1
- Christine Morency (199 points)
- Ève Côté (204 points)
- Jo Cormier (189 points)
- Matthieu Pepper (161 points)
- Mehdi Bousaidan (182 points)
Season 2
- Kevin Raphaël (183 points)
- Marie-Lyne Joncas (196 points)
- Mona de Grenoble (215 points)
- Phil Roy (182 points)
- Tammy Verge (193 points)
Christmas Special 2023
- Mélissa Bédard (18 points)
- Patrice Bélanger (16 points)
- Pier-Luc Funk (17 points)
- Pierre Hébert (15 points)
- Virginie Fortin (19 points)
Taskmaster Australia
- Taskmaster: Tom GleesonTaskmaster's Assistant: Tom Cashman
The first English-language adaptation to localise its title and second antipodean edition. Additionally, pre-taped tasks were shot on the same location used on Taskmaster (NZ) (though calling it the "Taskmaster Retreat" rather than "Taskmaster Ranch").
Podcasts
Taskmaster: The Podcast
Hosted by Series 9's Ed Gamble, the podcast features Ed interviewing a special guest as they recap and review an episode of the show. Guests are usually contestants (both past and present) of the British series, although Alex, Greg, notable superfans, and members of the New Zealand version have also been featured.Taskmaster: The People's Podcast
Currently hosted by Series 15's Jenny Eclair and unofficial TM statistician Jack Bernhardt. It highlights everyday Taskmaster fans (affectionately referred to as Taskmaster Freaks) from around the world as well as members of the show's production staff and from international spin-offs. It also features the Two Andys (producer Andy Cartwright and director Andy Devonshire) answering listener-submitted questions to provide behind-the-scenes trivia.Books
Taskmaster — 200 Extraordinary Tasks for Ordinary People was published in 2018. Written by Alex Horne, the book features tasks for fans to enjoy on their own. It included a task that instructed readers to meet at a park at a specific date and time to enjoy a special live event hosted by Alex himself. A paperback version was released in 2019 with additional tasks and with the original tasks edited to remove real-world deadlines.
Bring Me the Head of the Taskmaster — 101 Next-Level Tasks (and Clues) that Will Lead One Ordinary Person to Some Extraordinary Taskmaster Treasure was released in 2021 and offered readers the chance to win actual Taskmaster merchandise.
Board game
Released in 2019, the board game version gives home players the chance to try their hands at tasks devised by Alex. It features 200 task cards as well as secret tasks. It also includes special videos where Alex presents tasks to the players.
#HomeTasking
During the COVID-19 Pandemic and subsequent lock-downs across Britain and other parts of the world, the YouTube channel ran a "Hometasking" web video series (starring both Alex and Greg) that saw people from all over the world complete tasks that are "isolation-friendly", and submit them to Alex Horne's Twitter
for immortal bragging rights. The series gained a popular following (and was even reported on in global media). Alex and Greg enjoyed it so much the series returned with hometaskers being given the opportunity to make their own attempts at tasks previously shown on television with the winners receiving official Taskmaster merchandise.
Video game
Edinburgh Television Festival
A novelty live episode staged for the Edinburgh Television Festival featuring TV executives as contestants. They were: Alan Tylernote , Clair Zolkwernote , Jeff Fordnote , Nerys Evansnote ,and Zai Bennettnote . Winner
You can watch it here.
