Taskmaster Returns: Get Ready for Series 21 with a New Batch of Comedians
A much-loved comedy panel show is set to grace our screens once again, with Channel 4 confirming the highly anticipated return of Taskmaster for its 21st series. Fans can mark their calendars, as the show, helmed by the formidable Greg Davies and the meticulous Alex Horne, is gearing up to welcome five new celebrity contestants eager to battle it out for the coveted Taskmaster trophy.
This fresh line-up promises a delightful mix of talent and potential chaos. Joining the fray are comedian Amy Gledhill, acclaimed writer and director Armando Iannucci, actress Joanna Page, comedian Joel Dommett, and the incredibly popular actor and comedian Kumail Nanjiani. Viewers won’t have to wait long to witness their comedic prowess and often bizarre attempts at completing tasks, with series 21 launching on Thursday, April 9th at 9:00 PM on Channel 4. For those watching from across the globe, the adventure will also be available to stream on the official Taskmaster YouTube channel, kicking off at 10:00 PM.
Over the years, Taskmaster has cemented its status as a comedy powerhouse, with a roster of past winners including such luminaries as Bob Mortimer, Katherine Ryan, Rob Beckett, and Noel Fielding, to name just a few. Each series brings a unique blend of ingenuity, frustration, and outright silliness as contestants tackle challenges designed to test their creativity, logic, and often, their patience.
Behind-the-Scenes Sneak Peeks and Surprises
Alex Horne, the mastermind behind the show’s ingenious tasks and co-host, recently offered some tantalising insights into what viewers can expect from the upcoming series. Speaking about the contestants, Horne hinted at some particularly memorable moments.
“There is a moment involving Kumail Nanjiani,” Horne revealed. “I don’t want to give too much away, but he reveals a significant amount about what he gets up to in his hotel room when he’s by himself. That’s definitely something to tune in for.” He further elaborated on the unexpected nature of this revelation: “He actually surprised himself with what he disclosed, and sitting next to him, it was a truly big moment. It’s a Taskmaster moment we’ve never seen before.”
Horne also spoke about how one particular contestant from series 21 managed to defy expectations. Armando Iannucci, a figure widely recognised for his sharp intellect and comedic genius, proved to be a surprising entrant in the Taskmaster arena. “He’s a comedy legend and a very clever man, you would think,” Horne mused. “But not on Taskmaster! It turns out Armando is an idiot, which is quite nice to know. I initially found him quite daunting to meet and work with, but within five minutes, you realise he’s just like everyone else. He crumbles under pressure.” This candid admission suggests that even the most experienced comedians can find themselves flustered by the show’s unique challenges.
A Look Back at Series 20’s Most Controversial Task
While anticipation builds for the new season, it’s worth recalling the memorable and, for some, deeply unsettling moments from the previous series. Series 20 featured contestants Ania Magliano, Maisie Adam, Phil Ellis, Reece Shearsmith, and Sanjeev Bhaskar. During this run, one particular task left viewers utterly aghast, with many branding it “the most disgusting and disturbing thing they’ve ever seen on TV.”
The bizarre challenge involved the celebrities identifying hidden objects using only one of their senses. The instructions read: “Identify Alex’s things. You may only use one sense. If you choose hearing, you get five points per item. Smell – you get four points, taste is three points, touch is two points, sight is one point. The highest total score wins. You have a maximum of 10 minutes. Your time starts as soon as you have decided which sense you will be using. I am looking for an adjective and a noun.”
The contestants’ choices varied: Sanjeev opted for hearing, Ania for smell, Maisie and Reece chose taste, and Phil went with touch.
This led to a particularly queasy scenario for Maisie and Reece, who were tasked with using their sense of taste. This involved putting their tongues through a hole in a cardboard wall and having to identify items such as a frozen sock, wet teeth, and yogurt placed in their mouths.
The reactions on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) were immediate and widespread. Many viewers expressed their shock and disgust:
- “Reece and Maisie licking wet human teeth in a bowl is one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever seen on #Taskmaster – and that’s saying something!”
- “That task was the most disturbing thing I’ve ever seen #taskmaster.”
- “Just watched someone lick a bowl of human teeth. Ah yes taskmaster the silly game show #taskmaster.”
- “This is so gross but Reece saying fury hole has me cackling.”
- “Gross…”
- “My god watching Maisie and Reece doing that task was horrifying.”
- “I was going to take it back but no… this is STILL the round they should have deleted.”
Despite the controversy, it was Maisie Adam, now also appearing in series two of Last One Laughing, who ultimately emerged victorious from series 20, triumphing over Ania Magliano and Phil Ellis in a nail-biting tie-breaker.
As Taskmaster prepares for its new season, fans can be assured of more outrageous challenges, unexpected revelations, and plenty of laughs. The show continues to be a staple of Channel 4’s programming and is also available for streaming on channel4.com.
