Taskmaster. Image shows from L to R: Greg Davies, Alex Horne. Copyright: Avalon Television
Taskmaster

Taskmaster

  • TV comedy
  • Channel 4 / Dave
  • 2015 - 2024
  • 160 episodes (17 series)

TV format in which Greg Davies and Alex Horne set a group of comedians various outlandish challenges. Also features Romesh Ranganathan, Frank Skinner, Roisin Conaty, Josh Widdicombe, Tim Key and more.

Taskmaster. Image shows from L to R: Greg Davies, Alex Horne. Copyright: Avalon Television

Key details

Genre
Comedy
Broadcast
2015 - 2024
Channels
Channel 4, Dave
Episodes
160 (17 series)
Creator
Alex Horne
Stars
Greg Davies, Alex Horne, Romesh Ranganathan, Frank Skinner, Roisin Conaty, Josh Widdicombe, Tim Key, Jon Richardson and more
Writers
Alex Horne and Tim Key
Directors
Andy Devonshire and Peter Orton
Producers
Andy Cartwright, Alex Horne, Richard Allen-Turner, James Taylor, Jon Thoday, Hilary Rosen, Rob Aslett, Richard Watsham and more
Company

Taskmaster sees Greg Davies take the title role of 'The Taskmaster'; setting a group of well-known comedians challenges and then ultimately deciding who wins.

Whether trying to paint the best picture of a horse while riding a horse, filling an egg cup with tears or trying to high-five a 55-year-old, one thing is for sure: Comedians have never been so competitive.

But it's much more than just a test of skill, wit and guile. They're risking more than their reputations, because in order to take part, they must put something personal into the prize pot... anything from valuable art to favourite items of clothing, even a wedding ring is on offer! Not only that, but at the end of each series the person who has scored the most points over the entire run will win the greatest prize in all television: a golden trophy of the Taskmaster's head.

The comedians do these tasks individually, under the careful gaze of (Little) Alex Horne. When they are brought together for the Taskmaster to judge their efforts, none of them know how they've done or, even more crucially, how the others did.

Here they must try and convince the Taskmaster to reward their efforts. The results are sometimes up for debate but the Taskmaster's word is always final. With their personal possessions up for grabs, they have everything to play for - especially their dignity.

Rivalry is encouraged, dodgy tactics rewarded and bribes accepted in what is set to be the most the most dogged, hard-fought and ridiculous comedy show on TV.

Taskmaster started out as a critically acclaimed live show, also devised by Alex Horne, which ran at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2010 and 2011.

Stream and download

Additional details

Also known as
  • TM (Acronym)
  • Taskmaster's New Year Treat (Special episodes starring celebrities)
  • Taskmaster: Champion Of Champions (Special episodes starring past winners)
  • Taskmaster Bleeped (Family-friendly repeat title)
Production
Studio
Camera set-up
Multi-camera
Picture
Colour
Soundtrack
Title music by The Horne Section.

Website links

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Tuesday 28th July 2015 at 10pm on Dave
Next repeats
  1. Series 6, Episode 3: Wednesday at 11pm on Dave
  2. Champion Of Champions 3, Special: Friday at 8pm on E4
  3. Series 6, Episode 4: Friday at 11:05pm on Dave
  4. Series 6, Episode 5: Wednesday 27th March at 11pm on Dave
  5. Series 17, Episode 1: Friday 29th March at 12:05am on 4seven
  6. Taskmaster's New Year Treat 2024, New Year Special: Friday 29th March at 8pm on E4
  7. Series 6, Episode 6: Saturday 30th March at 1:20am on Dave
  8. Series 17, Episode 1: Saturday 30th March at 3:30am on 4seven
Most recent repeats

Recording details

  • The Clapham Grand - Series 1
  • Fountain Studios - Series 2 and 3
  • Pinewood Studios - Series 4 onwards
  • Quainton Road Station - Series 8 railway location filming
  • The Curzon Cinema - Series 10-12 screenings
  • White Waltham Airfield - Series 11 airfield location filming
  • Gatwick Airport - Series 14 location filming (South Terminal)
  • Frogmore Paper Mill - Series 15 location filming

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