What is Taskmaster about?
Taskmaster is a comedy panel show where five comedians compete to complete a series of creative tasks set by Greg Davies. Points are awarded by the hosts, and the contestant with the most points wins the gold head trophy.
How many contestants participate?
Each series features five regular contestants who rotate through all the tasks. The same five return for the champion specials and occasional specials.
Who hosts Taskmaster?
Greg Davies is the titular Taskmaster, while Alex Horne acts as his assistant and task umpire, providing commentary and keeping the show moving.
How many episodes are in a series?
A standard series usually runs between 10 and 12 episodes, each about 45 minutes long on Channel 4. Earlier runs on Dave had similar episode counts.
What is a task?
A task is a challenge that contestants must complete within a set time limit. Tasks can be physical, creative, or purely absurd, and they are designed to test wit, resourcefulness, and humour.
Do contestants win money?
Contestants do not receive a cash prize. Instead, they aim to earn the gold head trophy, a symbolic reward for the season’s best performance.
How is scoring decided?
Greg Davies and Alex Horne award points based on the contestants’ performance, creativity, and effort. Some tasks also allow audience voting or external input to influence the score.
Are tasks pre‑tested before filming?
Most tasks are designed by the production team and tested in a controlled setting to ensure they are safe and workable. However, the final execution is often spontaneous to capture genuine reactions.
Can contestants skip tasks?
Contestants can choose not to attempt a task, but this typically results in a zero score for that round, making it difficult to win the series.
Do tasks involve the audience?
In some episodes, audience members are invited to help or judge certain tasks, adding a layer of interaction and unpredictability to the show.
Where is Taskmaster filmed?
Most episodes are filmed at a house located in a golf course in Chiswick, London, which doubles as the Taskmaster House. Location tasks are shot elsewhere as required.
How long does filming take?
Filming a series typically spans several weeks, with each episode’s tasks recorded over one to two days, depending on the complexity and location requirements.
Is there a live audience?
Earlier series had a live studio audience. Recent series have a smaller audience or none at all due to production changes, but audience reactions are often included in post‑production.
Are there any age restrictions to watch?
Taskmaster is generally suitable for older teens and adults. The humour is mild and there is no graphic content, but occasional strong language may be present.
What is the Taskmaster House?
The Taskmaster House is a converted cottage that serves as the central location for many tasks. Its quirky décor and layout are part of the show's charm and atmosphere.
Can viewers participate in tasks?
Viewers cannot directly participate in tasks, but some episodes allow audience voting or online interaction to influence certain elements of the show.
What makes a task successful?
A successful task is one that is clear, safe, and encourages creative thinking. It should also produce entertaining moments that capture both the contestants’ humour and the audience’s laughter.
Why is Greg Davies called Taskmaster?
Greg Davies earned the nickname after his role as the master of the tasks. His authoritative yet comedic presence defines the show's identity.
What is the history of Taskmaster?
Taskmaster began as a live show in 2010 at the Edinburgh Fringe. It was adapted for television in 2015 on Dave, then moved to Channel 4, where it continues to air new series.
Are the tasks designed by the contestants?
While the contestants provide input and suggestions, the production team, led by Alex Horne, designs the majority of tasks to ensure consistency and safety.
How are winners announced?
At the end of each episode, the host tallies the points and declares the contestant with the highest score as the winner for that episode. The overall series winner is announced at the final episode.
Is there any behind‑the‑scenes footage?
Occasionally, the show includes behind‑the‑scenes clips or a short documentary segment that gives viewers insight into task creation and production challenges.
Do contestants receive any prizes apart from the trophy?
The only prize is the gold head trophy. Some episodes feature additional quirky prizes, but these are optional and vary by series.
What is the typical tone of the show?
Taskmaster has a light, playful tone with quick wit. The humour is primarily verbal, with occasional slapstick, and the show maintains a family‑friendly vibe overall.