Taskmaster (TV series)

Taskmaster was the brainchild of comedian Alex Horne, whose idea was inspired by The Crystal Maze, his work on Big Brother,{{Cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/big-brother/interviews/a659463/alex-horne-taskmaster-was-inspired-by-the-crystal-maze-and-big-brother/|title=Alex Horne: Big Brother inspired Taskmaster|date=21 July 2015|work=Digital Spy|access-date=26 September 2017|language=en}} and his envy of his close friend Tim Key winning the Edinburgh Comedy Award in 2009. The original concept of the programme took place over the course of two years. Starting in September 2009, Horne sent 20 comedians monthly tasks by email over the course of a year. He then presented their efforts as part of a two-hour show at the 2010 Edinburgh Festival Fringe titled The Task Master,{{Cite news|url=http://tv.bt.com/tv/tv-from-bt/5-things-to-know-about-daves-original-comedy-show-taskmaster-11364175361015|title=5 things to know about Dave's original comedy show Taskmaster|work=BT.com|access-date=26 September 2017|language=en}} which focused on demonstrating the differing attempts by the contestants before revealing who won based on their performances.

Mike Wozniak was announced as the winner of The Task Master.{{cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/essentials/culture/television/taskmaster-alex-horne-interview-dave/|title=Taskmaster: how Alex Horne's Fringe show became a transatlantic comedy hit|work=i|last=Nelson|first=Alex|date=11 September 2017|access-date=13 September 2017}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjofqJ6XaHA|title=Taskmaster I (Edinburgh Festival Fringe, 2010)|via=www.youtube.com}} Six participants in the original Edinburgh show have gone on to appear in a televised version of Taskmaster as of 2024: Key in series 1; Joe Wilkinson in series 2; Mark Watson in series 5; Wozniak in series 11; Lloyd Langford in series 2 of the Australian version; and Al Pitcher as a guest contestant in series 2 of the Swedish version. Other Edinburgh contestants included Tom Basden, Henning Wehn, Rick Edwards, Josie Long, Stuart Goldsmith, Mark Olver, Tim FitzHigham, Tom Wrigglesworth, Jarred Christmas, Lloyd Woolf, and James Dowdeswell.{{cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/fringe/2010/alex_horne_the_taskmaster/20160711|title=Alex Horne: The Taskmaster – Edinburgh Fringe 2010 |website=British Comedy Guide|language=en-GB|access-date=26 September 2017}}

For the 2011 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Horne conducted another stage show titled Taskmaster{{nbsp}}II at the Gilded Balloon with a similar format. This time there were ten contestants: nine comedians returning from the previous year, and critic Bruce Dessau. Josie Long was announced as the winner of Taskmaster{{nbsp}}II.{{Cite news|url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/edinburgh-theatre/reviews/08-2011/alex-horne-taskmaster-ii_7224.html|title=Alex Horne: Taskmaster II|work=WhatsOnStage.com|access-date=26 September 2017}}{{Cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/taskmaster-new-series-channel-4-719248|title=What going on Taskmaster taught me about comedians|first=Bruce|last=Dessau|date=14 October 2020|website=inews.co.uk}}

Both stage shows proved a success with their audiences, leading Horne to recruit production company Avalon (who were also his agency at the time) to help produce an adaptation of his concept for television, before pitching his idea to several different broadcasters. Channel 4 reportedly paid for the production of a pilot episode, marking the first use of the house in Chiswick which would go on to become the Taskmaster House, but chose not to commission it at the time.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/dec/24/alex-horne-secret-to-cult-show-taskmaster-offbeat-but-not-wacky-off-kilter-but-not-bonkers|title=Alex Horne on the secret to his cult show Taskmaster: 'It must be offbeat but not wacky, off-kilter but not bonkers'|first=Simon|last=Parkin|date=24 December 2022|newspaper=The Guardian}}

British television channel Dave took interest in the idea and bought the rights to it, with comedian Greg Davies recruited to help present the programme alongside Horne. However, the channel's Deputy Director of Commissioning at the time, Hilary Rosen, was concerned with the structure of the show. Horne assured Rosen that the programme was not like a traditional panel show but "more like a sitcom", to account for the involvement of the same group of contestants who would appear across a series. Another problem with the format of Horne's concept was that shooting a traditional pilot became implausible; however, the aspects of the show filmed before a studio audience were tested in a pilot.

A series of six hour-long episodes was commissioned by Dave in September 2014 with Davies and Horne attached,{{Cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/news/1610/taskmaster_starring_alex_horne_and_greg_davies/|title=Alex Horne and Greg Davies star in new show Taskmaster|first=British Comedy|last=Guide|date=19 September 2014|website=British Comedy Guide}} initially with the episodes intended to be shown in any order. Rosen later determined the show should be arranged in an order, pointing out that "this was a show you record and transmit in the same order".{{cite web|url=http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2017/11/09/38372/why_taskmaster_was_a_hard_sell|title=Why Taskmaster was a hard sell...|work=Chortle|date=9 November 2017|access-date=7 December 2017}} In February 2015, the first cast of five contestants for the first series was announced, and the studio-based segments of the programme — where footage of the contestants' attempts at completing tasks at the Taskmaster House was screened, and prize tasks and live tasks were conducted, in front of a studio audience — were filmed at the Clapham Grand.{{Cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/news/1713/taskmaster_guest_line_up_revealed/|title=Line-up revealed for new Greg Davies show Taskmaster|first=British Comedy|last=Guide|date=10 February 2015|website=British Comedy Guide}} The involvement of veteran comedian Frank Skinner, who agreed to join after meeting Horne for lunch,{{Cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/taskmaster/special/10_facts_about_taskmaster/|title=10 things you probably didn't know about Taskmaster|first=British Comedy|last=Guide|date=10 December 2017|website=British Comedy Guide}} helped to entice the other contestants to take part in the programme.

The first series, which started airing in July 2015, proved a success, leading to additional series being commissioned on Dave over the course of five years.{{cite web|date=24 September 2015|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/news/1897/taskmaster_return_dave_series_2_and_3/|title=Taskmaster to return for two new series|publisher=British Comedy Guide|access-date=24 September 2015}}{{cite web|date=3 October 2016|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/news/2246/taskmaster_series_4_and_5/|title=Dave orders Taskmaster Series 4 and Series 5|publisher=British Comedy Guide|access-date=3 October 2016}} The filming location for the studio-based segments of the show was changed to Fountain Studios for series two,{{cite web |url=http://www.tvrecordings.com/shows/view/24 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208210323/http://www.tvrecordings.com/shows/view/24 | archive-date=8 February 2016 | title=Shows }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/news/2080/taskmaster_series_3_lineup/|title=Taskmaster Series 3 line-up revealed|first=British Comedy|last=Guide|date=16 April 2016|website=British Comedy Guide}} and again to Pinewood Studios from series five onwards,{{Cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/news/2649/taskmaster_series_5_line_up/|title=Taskmaster Series 5 line-up confirmed|first=British Comedy|last=Guide|date=13 June 2017|website=British Comedy Guide}} using a studio set resembling the interior of the Clapham Grand theatre that was used for the first series.

In November 2019, rumours arose that Taskmaster was being moved to another channel; Channel{{nbsp}}4 had secured the rights to the programme, renewing it for six series over the course of three years.{{cite web|url=https://www.channel4.com/press/news/taskmaster-snapped-channel-4|title=Taskmaster snapped up by Channel 4|publisher=Channel 4|access-date=22 November 2019}} In March 2023, Channel{{nbsp}}4 committed to six more series, airing two series of the programme annually up until at least 2026 (i.e. series{{nbsp}}21).

Channel{{nbsp}}4 also announced a spin-off called Junior Taskmaster with contestants aged between 9 and 11, consisting of eight episodes{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/03/channel-4-taskmaster-junior-version-six-season-renewal-avalon-1235297833/|title=Channel 4 Expands 'Taskmaster' Universe With Six-Season Renewal & Junior Version|work=Deadline Hollywood|last=Goldbart|first=Max|date=15 March 2023|accessdate=15 March 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/news/7243/junior-taskmaster-plus-six-more-series/|title=Taskmaster to return for six more series, plus new kids version|publisher=British Comedy Guide|date=15 March 2023|accessdate=15 March 2023}} with 9th series contestant Rose Matafeo as the Taskmaster and 11th series contestant Mike Wozniak as her assistant.{{cite web |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/news/7335/junior-taskmaster-hosts-rose-matafeo-mike-wozniak/ | title=Rose Matafeo and Mike Wozniak to host Junior Taskmaster | website=British Comedy Guide | date=16 May 2023 }} Junior Taskmaster follows similar children-oriented spin-off programmes on Channel{{nbsp}}4 such as Junior Bake Off and Teen First Dates. Another spin-off of Taskmaster, titled Foodmaster, is centred around food. Former contestant Ed Gamble hosted a non-broadcast pilot in July 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/news/7441/ed-gamble-pilots-foodmaster/|title=Ed Gamble pilots culinary Taskmaster spin-off Foodmaster|publisher=British Comedy Guide|last=Richardson|first=Jay|date=11 July 2023|accessdate=17 July 2023}}

File:Taskmaster house.png

Taskmaster is a comedic game show, in which a group of five contestants – mainly comedians, but sometimes including other well-known television personalities – compete against each other by completing tasks assigned to them. In each episode, contestants are shown tackling a series of tasks, supervised and sometimes assisted by Horne. Davies then judges each contestant's performance in each task to determine how many points they receive, generally ranking them from one to five points. The contestant with the highest score in each episode wins a collection of prizes submitted by the contestants themselves as one of the tasks; the one with the highest cumulative score at the end of a series wins a trophy. In the main series, the trophy is a golden bust of Davies. Series winners also qualify for future "Champion of Champions" episodes, where the trophy is the golden statue of the rest of Davies' body. A series of "New Year Treat" episodes featuring celebrities other than comedians has as its trophy a golden statue of Davies' eyebrows.

Tasks are typically given to the contestants by Horne in his role as the Taskmaster's assistant, who hands them a tri-folded page sealed with red wax and the "TM" branding. The contestants must read the task out loud. Tasks given to contestants range from simple physical challenges, such as "eat as much watermelon as you can in one minute", to more complex or artistic tasks, such as "make a stop-motion video featuring a potato". Some tasks may consist of multiple stages or mini-tasks. In some cases, contestants conduct tasks as a team with one or two other contestants; in most such cases, all members of a team receive the same score. To complete tasks, contestants often have to apply a level of logic, creativity, or lateral thinking in order to achieve the end goal. Contestants can be disqualified and awarded no points for a task if they fail to achieve the task's objective, inadvertently break one of the task's rules, or cheat. Conversely, they can be given bonus points, either at Davies's discretion or based on criteria described in a task's instructions. Occasionally, prank tasks are given to one contestant alone, who is led to believe the others are performing the same task; Davies may award bonus points for these.

Tasks are mostly pre-recorded before an episode's broadcast; the majority are usually conducted in or around the Taskmaster house, a former groundskeepers' cottage located on the outskirts of a golf course in Dukes Meadows, Chiswick.{{cite web|last=Taylor|first=Frances|title=9 questions you've always had about Taskmaster – answered|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-05-02/9-questions-youve-always-had-about-taskmaster-answered/|website=Radio Times|access-date=16 May 2020|date=2 May 2018}}{{cite web|title=Take a tour of the house used on comedy show Taskmaster|url=https://www.rightmove.co.uk/news/articles/dream-properties/take-a-tour-of-the-house-used-on-comedy-show-taskmaster/|website=Rightmove|access-date=16 May 2020|date=30 March 2020}} Other pre-recorded tasks are filmed at a specific location that changes each series, with previous locations including Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Chesham United's stadium, Gatwick Airport's South Terminal and Frogmore Paper Mill. Two tasks are usually conducted during studio segments: an introductory Prize task, in which each contestant supplies an object they possess that conforms to a set theme, all of which will be awarded to the winner of the episode; and a final "Live" task, which the contestants perform onstage in the studio. In the event of a tie in the top score at the end of the episode, either a pre-recorded tiebreaker task between the tied contestants is shown, or a quick live task is performed to determine the winner. Beginning with Series 8, each series is assigned with a theme{{cn|date=June 2024}} that influences the design of the house, most notably the portrait of Greg Davies in the living room, as well as the music during transitions between tasks. Themes for each series include Japanese, western, art deco, Victorian, and steampunk.

Most tasks are recorded with each contestant separately in a house in Chiswick, London. However, Alex Horne's initial plan was to carry out the tasks in the comedians' houses, saying in an interview: "I didn't realise how impractical that would be both in terms of cost – and their lives." Filming tasks takes roughly one day per contestant per episode, filming around eight tasks a day, with the days of filming spread out across several months. Before the studio filming, at Pinewood Studios, contestants are forbidden to discuss their tasks and are not shown any footage from the tasks, so that studio reactions are genuine.{{cite web|url=http://www.denofgeek.com/uk/tv/taskmaster/51891/taskmaster-alex-horne-on-series-5-casting-remakes-the-future|title=Taskmaster: Alex Horne on series 5, casting, remakes, the future|work=Den of Geek!|last=Mellor|first=Louisa|date=13 September 2017}}

Horne designs the tasks to avoid the need for any specialist equipment, so that "people at home [are] able to do the same things". Initially, they planned to have Horne show the right way to complete the task after showing the contestants' attempts, but this was abandoned as "it supposed there was a right way". He also notes that some tasks in the first series involved the general public, but later series avoided this in order to prevent coming across as a "prank show". Some tasks are vetoed by producers for pragmatic reasons, such as "paint the biggest thing red". Others do not turn out as expected, such as "burst all these bubbles [on a massive roll of bubble wrap] – fastest wins", which had been attempted in three different series but not shown in any of them, as "it always ends with people jumping on it for hours".

When asked why he did not present the show, Horne has said that "that was never the plan [...] My role as sidekick is to be sneaky and you can run it from the sides in a really funny way." Horne and Greg Davies had never worked together before Taskmaster;{{cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/taskmaster/special/10_facts_about_taskmaster/|title=10 things you probably didn't know about Taskmaster|last=Beadle|first=Craig|publisher=British Comedy Guide|date=10 December 2017|access-date=11 December 2017}} Davies was chosen "because of his authority", Horne says in an interview. He adds that in the pilot, Davies acted as a "dictator figure cross with everyone", but his tone in the show is more relaxed, as "if someone doesn't do something well we really enjoy it so he can be himself".{{cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/taskmaster/interview/alex_horne/|title= Alex Horne interview|publisher=British Comedy Guide|date=24 April 2017|access-date=11 December 2017}}

The series director for Taskmaster is Andy Devonshire, who was previously series director on The Apprentice and the BBC versions of The Great British Bake Off. Peter Orton was director for three episodes in 2016.{{cite web |title=Peter Orton |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0651369/ |publisher=IMDb}} Production designer James Dillon is responsible for the studio and filming locations as well as the caravan featured from series four onwards, having been past known for designing the original set for The Crystal Maze.{{cite web|url=http://tv.bt.com/tv/tv-from-bt/5-things-to-know-about-daves-original-comedy-show-taskmaster-11364175361015|title=5 things to know about Dave's original comedy show Taskmaster|publisher=BT Group|date=25 April 2017|access-date=7 December 2017}} Taskmaster's theme music was written and performed by The Horne Section, a jazz band led by Horne.{{cite web|date=3 December 2016|url=http://greatcentral.org.uk/interview-alex-horne/|title=Interview: Alex Horne|publisher=Great Central|access-date=20 January 2017}}

In the studio, other than while attempting the live task, the contestants sit on a row of chairs in alphabetical order of forename from left to right.

Key

• {{color box|Gold|{{asterisk}}}} Series champion
• NYT = New Year Treat
• CoC = Champion of Champions

{{Main|List of Taskmaster episodes|l1=List of Taskmaster episodes}}

{{:List of Taskmaster episodes}}

The British show is also broadcast in Belgium, Sweden, South Africa, Norway, Finland, Australia, Denmark, New Zealand, Croatia{{Cite web|url=https://www.rtl.hr/tv/programi/zabava/17682/direktor-svemira/|title = Direktor svemira}} and Portugal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rtp.pt/programa/episodios/tv/p43718 |title=Episódios - Taskmaster - Entretenimento - RTP |date=7 May 2023 }} In Australia, SBS Viceland started to air Taskmaster episodes on 27 July 2020.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/idents/status/1280331093648891905|title=I'm very very excited to have finally acquired this show! @Taskmaster starts July 27th on @SBSVICELAND and @SBSOnDemand .|date=7 July 2020|author=Beohm, John}} The most recently broadcast series is available on SBS on Demand.

In the United States, The CW acquired series 8 and 9 of Taskmaster for a late-Summer run premiering on 2 August 2020. However, the series opened to extremely low viewership (in comparison to the Canadian import, Fridge Wars, which premiered the same day), and was consequently pulled from the network's schedule on 5 August. The CW added the entirety of Series 8 to its "CW Seed" streaming library on 10 August.{{cite web|title=There Can Only Be One "Taskmaster" – Stream Free Now on CW Seed|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2020/08/10/there-can-only-be-one-taskmaster-stream-free-now-on-cw-seed-606311/20200810cw01/|work=The Futon Critic|date=10 August 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/taskmaster-dropped-cw-schedule-only-one-episode-1234726719/|title='Taskmaster' Tossed From CW Schedule After Only One Episode|work=Variety|date=5 August 2020|access-date=6 August 2020|author=Thorne, Will}}{{cite web|last=Petski|first=Denisel|date=6 August 2020|title=British Game Show 'Taskmaster' Pulled By The CW After One Episode|url=https://deadline.com/2020/08/british-game-show-taskmaster-pulled-the-cw-after-one-episode-1203005589/|access-date=6 August 2020|website=Deadline Hollywood|language=en}}{{cite web|date=17 June 2020|title=Taskmaster UK heads to America|url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2020/06/17/46334/taskmaster_uk_heads_to_america|access-date=10 July 2020|work=Chortle}}{{cite web|last=Thorne|first=Will|date=11 August 2020|title='Taskmaster' Moved to CW Seed Streaming Service|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/taskmaster-moved-cw-seed-streaming-service-1234731613/|access-date=26 August 2020|website=Variety|language=en}}

A subscription streaming service, Taskmaster SuperMax+, debuted in March 2022. It allows worldwide access to the British version of Taskmaster, free from ads. It followed the show's cult popularity in America, despite little streaming availability; a U.S. version of Taskmaster and broadcast of the British version on The CW were not successful.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/mar/05/taskmaster-launches-own-streaming-service-supermax|title='We've no idea if it will work': Taskmaster launches own streaming service|work=The Guardian|last=Heritage|first=Stuart|date=5 March 2022|access-date=5 March 2022}} Horne stated that adding international versions to the service may occur at a later date.{{Cite web |title=And yes, the plan is that EVERYTHING will go there eventually – Taskmaster New Zealand, Sweden, Norway, Croatia etc etc. That's the plan. All in one place. But will also be on YouTube etc. It's for those who want an ad-free Taskmaster home.|url=https://twitter.com/alexhorne/status/1499793883554795524 |last=Horne |first=Alex |date=4 March 2022 |access-date=5 March 2022 |website=Twitter |language=en}}

Starting from series 16, new episodes are available on YouTube worldwide one day after their broadcast in the UK.{{Cite web |title=Taskmaster on Instagram: Hey North America, huge news in the group chat! (and lots of other places.) |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CxdO_vEMa1V/ |access-date=23 September 2023 |website=Instagram}}

International versions of the programme have been made in Belgium (as {{lang|nl|Het Grootste Licht}}) (literally "The Greatest Light", but meaning "The Brightest Bulb"),{{cite web|url=https://vtm.be/het-grootste-licht|title=Het Grootste Licht|publisher=VTM|language=nl|access-date=7 December 2017}} Sweden (as {{lang|sv|Bäst i test}}) ("Best in Test"),{{cite web|url=https://www.svtplay.se/bast-i-test|title=Bäst i test|publisher=Sveriges Television|language=sv|access-date=7 December 2017}} Norway (as Kongen befaler) (literally "The King Commands", Norwegian for Simon Says){{cite web|url=https://tvguide.vg.no/program/kongen-befaler|title=Kongen befaler|website=VG TV-guide|language=no|access-date=25 November 2019}} and Spain (as {{lang|es|Dicho y hecho}}) ("Said and Done").{{Citation|title=Dicho y hecho – 13/04/18 – RTVE.es|date=13 April 2018|url=https://www.rtve.es/alacarta/videos/dicho-y-hecho/dicho-hecho-13-04-18/4565558/|language=es|access-date=23 September 2020}} In Denmark the programme is titled {{lang|da|Stormester}} ("Grandmaster") and premiered on 25 August 2018.{{cite web|url=http://tv.tv2.dk/stormester|title=Stormester|website=tv.tv2.dk|language=da-DK|access-date=27 September 2018}} In April 2017, a US version with Reggie Watts as the Taskmaster and Horne as the assistant was announced, made by Avalon, the same production company for the UK version and originally aired on Comedy Central on 27 April 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/news/2535/taskmaster_usa/|title=Comedy Central USA buys Taskmaster format|publisher=British Comedy Guide|date=18 April 2017|access-date=20 April 2017}}

In 2019 it was announced a New Zealand version would be produced, hosted by Jeremy Wells and Paul Williams. Five series have been broadcast in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/116150568/tvnz-to-produce-local-version-of-taskmaster-mean-mums-and-golden-boy-back-for-second-season|title=TVNZ to produce local version of Taskmaster, Mean Mums and Golden Boy back for second season|website=Stuff|date=27 September 2019|language=en|access-date=7 February 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/300066945/jeremy-wells-gets-a-new-job-named-as-taskmaster-new-zealand-host |title=Jeremy Wells gets a new job, named as Taskmaster New Zealand host |work=Stuff (company) |date=28 July 2020 |access-date=20 September 2020}}{{Cite web |last=Jack |first=Amberleigh |date=27 May 2023 |title=Taskmaster NZ's upcoming cast includes Dai Henwood and Melanie Bracewell |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/300890644/taskmaster-nzs-upcoming-cast-includes-dai-henwood-and-melanie-bracewell |access-date=7 September 2023 |website=Stuff |language=en}} Finnish network MTV3 aired a local version Suurmestari [Grandmaster] starting on 12 April 2020.{{cite web|title=Suurmestari – MTV|url=https://www.mtv.fi/sarja/suurmestari-10000722|publisher=MTV|language=fi|access-date=5 May 2020}} An international adaptation, Direktor svemira [Director of the Universe], by Croatian broadcaster RTL, began to air on 24 November 2021.{{Cite web|last=RTL.hr|title=Neobični zadaci, poznati gosti i puno smijeha uz Ivana Šarića i Luku Petrušića u novom showu 'Direktor svemira'!|url=https://www.rtl.hr/tv/tv-novosti/4138488/neobicni-zadaci-poznati-gosti-i-puno-smijeha-uz-ivana-sarica-i-luku-petrusica-u-novom-showu-direktor-svemira/|access-date=13 November 2021|website=Show|date=12 November 2021 |language=hr}}{{Cite web|last=Show|title=Direktor svemira|url=https://www.rtl.hr/tv/programi/zabava/17682/direktor-svemira/|access-date=13 November 2021|website=Show|language=hr}} Portugal's RTP1 announced in 2021 that a Portuguese version would start broadcasting in early 2022, hosted by Vasco Palmeirim and Nuno Markl.{{Cite web|last=SAPO|title=Vem aí o primeiro programa de televisão de Nuno Markl e Vasco Palmeirim|url=https://magg.sapo.pt/televisao/artigos/vem-ai-o-primeiro-programa-de-televisao-de-nuno-markl-e-vasco-palmeirim|access-date=22 December 2021|website=MAGG|language=pt}} Network 10's Australian version debuted in February 2023, hosted by Tom Gleeson and Tom Cashman.{{cite web |last1=Knox |first1=David |title=Tom Gleeson debuts as 10's Taskmaster against MAFS |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2023/02/tom-gleeson-debuts-as-10s-taskmaster-against-mafs.html |website=TVTonight.com.au |access-date=8 February 2023 |date=3 February 2023}}

A German version featuring Atze Schröder as the Taskmaster and {{ill|Carsten van Ryssen|de}} was commissioned by RTL in 2017; two episodes were recorded but not broadcast.{{cite web |last=Pohlig |first=Marcel |date=25 May 2017 |title=Atze Schröder bekommt neue Comedyshow bei RTL |url=https://www.dwdl.de/nachrichten/61654/atze_schrder_bekommt_neue_comedyshow_bei_rtl/ |access-date=18 March 2019 |website=DWDL.de |language=de}}{{cite web |last=Schering |first=Sidney |date=30 May 2018 |title=Atze Schröders "Taskmaster" gelangt nicht auf die Schirme |url=http://www.quotenmeter.de/n/101333/atze-schroeders-taskmaster-gelangt-nicht-auf-die-schirme |access-date=18 March 2019 |website=Quotenmeter |language=de-DE}}

A tie-in book, Taskmaster — 200 Extraordinary Tasks for Ordinary People, was written by Alex Horne and published by Penguin Random House on 6{{nbsp}}September 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/shop/news/3055/taskmaster_book/|title=Alex Horne pens Taskmaster book|work=British Comedy Guide|date=24 April 2018|access-date=28 October 2018}}

Task 185 in the book provided the latitude and longitude of a Buckinghamshire park, with instructions to meet there at midday on 14{{nbsp}}September 2019 for a picnic and Taskmaster tour. The event was attended by around 1,800 people, with Horne himself present to show attendees filming locations from the show.{{cite web|url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2019/09/16/44324/the_taskmaster_army|title=The Taskmaster Army|work=Chortle|date=16 September 2019|access-date=4 October 2019}}

In September 2019, a paperback edition was published, with 20 new tasks.{{cite book|title=220 Extraordinary Tasks For Ordinary People|date=5 September 2019|id={{ASIN|1785943588|country=uk}}}} As well as writing additional tasks, Horne removed the expiration date of 31{{nbsp}}December 2019 where it appeared, and replaced tasks that had a set completion date.

In September 2021, a new book titled 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. It offered readers the chance to win a real-world Taskmaster prize.{{Cite web|title=Taskmaster on Twitter: "Start your search for the silver Taskmaster trophy with the Bring me the Head of the Taskmaster book. To celebrate the book hitting shelves, we want to see your attempts at tasks from the book. Share using #TaskmasterTreasureHunt for a chance to appear on our YouTube channel"|url=https://twitter.com/taskmaster/status/1438443440480653313|access-date=3 October 2021|website=Twitter}}

Horne co-wrote An Absolute Casserole: The Taskmaster Compendium alongside Jack Bernhardt, who co-hosts Taskmaster: The People's Podcast. The book was released in November 2024 and was intended to provide "statistics, tidbits, and secrets" associated with the show in anticipation of its 10-year anniversary.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thebookseller.com/rights/quercus-buys-celebration-of-10-years-of-taskmaster|title=Quercus buys celebration of 10 years of Taskmaster|date=21 August 2024|access-date=17 April 2025}}

The board game Taskmaster was released in autumn 2019, initially selling out. It contains 200 task cards, along with secret tasks that individual players must perform, and video tasks featuring Alex Horne.{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a29202830/taskmaster-board-game-buy/|title=Taskmaster's board game lets you take part at home|work=Digital Spy|last=Goodacre|first=Kate|date=8 April 2020|access-date=10 July 2020}}

On 29 November 2023, Taskmaster VR was announced. Taskmaster VR, the first project of game studio Scallywag Arcade, released on Meta and Steam on 19 June 2024.{{Cite news |author1=Harvey Randall |date=29 November 2023 |title=Comedy TV show Taskmaster is getting its own VR game, and I can't stop thinking about how Greg Davies looks like he should be a tank hero in Overwatch 2 |language=en |work=PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/comedy-tv-show-taskmaster-is-getting-its-own-vr-game-and-i-cant-stop-thinking-about-how-greg-davies-looks-like-he-should-be-a-tank-hero-in-overwatch-2/ |access-date=30 November 2023}}

From March to June 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic and a period of lockdown in the UK, Alex Horne organised a series of tasks in the style of Taskmaster for the public to perform and record in their own homes. Entries were submitted on Twitter and compilation videos, including scoring of the ten best entries by Greg Davies, were published by the Taskmaster YouTube channel. The first task was "Throw a piece of A4 paper into a bin. Most spectacular throw wins." There were 20 tasks in total.{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-teleprompter-interview-alex-horne-id-describe-myself-as-barney-rubble/|title=The Teleprompter Interview: Alex Horne 'I'd Describe Myself as Barney Rubble'|work=Den of Geek|last=Mellor|first=Louisa|date=18 June 2020|access-date=10 July 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/culture/taskmaster-alex-horne-twitter-tasks-home-hometasking-challenges-youtube-how-enter-411516|title=Taskmaster: Alex Horne is using Twitter to bring tasks to your home – here's how to enter the 'HomeTasking' challenges|work=iNews|last=Finnis|first=Alex|date=24 March 2020|access-date=10 July 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a31939567/taskmaster-tasks/|title=Taskmaster's latest announcement is bringing us new and uplifting content|work=Digital Spy|last=Turner|first=Laura Jane|date=26 March 2020|access-date=10 July 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/parenting/article/how-to-play-taskmaster-at-home-bfx662kl5|title=How to play Taskmaster at home|last=Horne|first=Alex|author-link=Alex Horne|work=The Times|date=29 March 2020|access-date=11 July 2020}}

A new series of Hometasking, started during another lockdown in the UK, began on 14 January 2021, featuring tasks previously performed on the TV show.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eSvLEqWgYw|title=#Hometasking Returns! – Task Number 1|work=Taskmaster|date=14 January 2021|access-date=14 January 2021}}

{{See also|List of Taskmaster episodes#Podcasts}}

On 15 October 2020, an official podcast began. It is hosted by Ed Gamble, the winner of Series 9, who comments on each featured episode with a special guest. Initially it focused on Series 10, with each podcast released immediately after each Taskmaster episode was broadcast.{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2020-10-12/taskmaster-podcast/|title=Official Taskmaster podcast to dissect the antics of series 10 on Channel 4|work=Radio Times|last=Craig|first=David|date=12 October 2020|access-date=12 October 2020}} Episode 12 of the podcast focused on the 2021 "New Year Treat", and then from episode 13 onwards it returned to the very beginning starting with Taskmaster Series 1 Episode 1, returned to "real-time" episodes during the broadcast run of series 11, 12 and NYT 2022 before returning to the older series after the newer series concluded.

A second official podcast, called Taskmaster: The People's Podcast, was launched in April 2022. It was initially hosted by Series 8 champion Lou Sanders and comedy writer Jack Bernhardt. In September 2023 it was announced that series 15 contestant Jenny Eclair would be replacing Lou Sanders' role as host of the podcast. The hosts chat with Taskmaster fans as well as with cast and crew members.{{cite web |title=Taskmaster Podcasts {{!}} Taskmaster |url=https://www.taskmaster.tv/podcast |access-date=19 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220919012203/https://www.taskmaster.tv/podcast |archive-date=19 September 2022 |url-status=live}}

Taskmaster: The Live Experience is a public attraction running from September 2024 - February 2025 at Dock X, Canada Water, London.

{{cite web|title=Taskmaster: The Live Experience |url=https://taskmasterliveexperience.com/ |access-date=31 December 2024 }}

The main event consisted of a series of tasks recreating the rooms of the Taskmaster house; hallway, lounge, shed, lab, and the filming studio/theatre. Two routes/tickets were sold, titled Absolute Casserole and Melon Buffet.

Participants competed for a token prize, led by pre-recorded segments from Greg Davies and Alex Horne, and a live assistant playing the role of Little Little Alex Horne.

The venue featured memorabilia drawn from the various TV series.

Andrew Billen of The Times gave a five-star review of the show's first episode, "Melon Buffet", calling it "funny, revealing, and glorious" and comparing it to The Generation Game.{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/tv-review-taskmaster-brits-behind-bars-k5sxh082s2p|title=TV review: Taskmaster; Brits Behind Bars|work=The Times|last=Billen|first=Andrew|date=29 July 2015|access-date=8 January 2018}} In another review of the first episode, Filipa Jodelka of The Guardian described Taskmaster as a panel show with an "edgy parlour-game twist". Jodelka praised the "molten-hot banter" between contestants and Davies, and compared the arbitrary awarding of points to QI and Numberwang.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jul/28/dave-game-show-taskmaster|title=Taskmaster: 'Nato should be informed of its molten-hot banter'|work=The Guardian|last=Jodelka|first=Filipa|date=28 July 2015|access-date=8 January 2018}} Also reviewing "Melon Buffet", Ellen Jones of The Independent praised the show as entertaining despite its "informal and cheap-looking" style.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/taskmaster-dave-tv-review-as-informal-and-cheap-looking-as-an-evening-at-your-local-pub-10421823.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220526/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/taskmaster-dave-tv-review-as-informal-and-cheap-looking-as-an-evening-at-your-local-pub-10421823.html |archive-date=26 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Taskmaster, Dave – TV review: As informal and cheap-looking as an evening at your local pub|work=The Independent|last=Jones|first=Ellen E|date=28 July 2015|access-date=8 January 2018}}

Wesley Mead of Den of Geek wrote a positive review in 2016, praising the show as the "crowning jewel" of original programming on Dave, and approving of the design of the tasks and the range of approaches that contestants demonstrate. Mead believed that the second series was an improvement on the first, but criticised that the first three series had only one female contestant apiece.{{cite web|url=http://www.denofgeek.com/uk/tv/taskmaster/44706/taskmaster-one-of-tvs-funniest-most-unexpected-comedies|title=Taskmaster: one of TV's funniest, most unexpected comedies|work=Den of Geek|publisher=Dennis Publishing|last=Mead|first=Wesley|date=25 April 2017|access-date=8 January 2018}}

{{Notelist}}

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• {{Official website}}
• {{British Comedy Guide|tv|taskmaster}}
• {{UKGameshow|Taskmaster}}
• {{IMDb title}}
• {{Epguides|Taskmaster}}
• {{YouTube|c=UCT5C7yaO3RVuOgwP8JVAujQ|Taskmaster}}

{{Taskmaster}}

{{Dave original programming}}

{{BAFTA TV Award for Best Comedy (Programme or Series)}}

Category:Television series produced at Pinewood Studios

Category:Channel 4 game shows

Category:British English-language television shows

Category:2015 British television series debuts