By Jon Donnis
It's hard to believe Taskmaster has been on our screens for ten years now, but here we are celebrating the twentieth series of the show that turns everyday objects into instruments of chaos. Greg Davies is still towering over the proceedings as the Taskmaster, and Alex Horne remains the calm force quietly orchestrating every absurd challenge. This year they've roped in five very different comedians to battle for the coveted title. Ania Magliano arrives fresh from rave reviews on Live at the Apollo, wielding razor-sharp observations. Maisie Adam brings a laid‑back confidence honed on A League Of Their Own, ready to improvise under pressure. Phil Ellis, whose comedy often feels like joyous sabotage, could upend every rule in play. Reece Shearsmith, best known for his twisted brilliance on Inside No.9, might either plot the perfect strategy or spectacularly overthink each task. And Sanjeev Bhaskar, ever affable and astute, could quietly outwit them all.
The format remains beautifully simple. Five comedians face a series of bizarre assignments, filmed in advance and then judged in front of a live audience. Part of the fun is watching them wrestle with instructions designed to make sense only once complete, an approach that often pulls contestants apart (not physically, although that has happened in past series) in terms of how they think, panic, cheat and improvise. From coffin‑sized containers to mountains of loose change, nothing is off limits. Behind the scenes, Alex Horne and a seasoned production team keep the pace brisk without letting things become formulaic, and Channel 4's commitment shows no sign of waning. You can catch the new series later this year on Channel 4 and stream past episodes on Channel4.com, ready yourself for more gloriously ridiculous creativity, and perhaps even learn a new way to weigh a melon.
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