Taskmaster Series 19: Creator Alex Horne and Greg Davies on American Fans and Jason Mantzoukas
The popular British comedy panel game show Taskmaster is set to return with its 19th series, and this time, it’s bringing a special treat for its growing American fan base. American comedian Jason Mantzoukas, known for his roles in Brooklyn Nine-Nine and The League, has joined the show as a contestant, marking the first time a professionally based U.S. comedian has participated in the series.
Polygon recently had the opportunity to catch up with Taskmaster’s creator, Alex Horne, and the Taskmaster himself, Greg Davies, about their U.S. tour, dealing with “more intense” American fans, and what they’ve learned from the franchise’s expansion.
According to Horne, Mantzoukas directly reached out to be on the show, and the Channel 4 program was more than happy to add the Brooklyn Nine-Nine and The League star. “He got in touch and I knew him from Brooklyn Nine-Nine and The Good Place and also every other program, because he’s in everything,” Horne explained. “But yeah, Brooklyn Nine-Nine I liked, and that same intenseness of that character, he brought that to the show in spades. He knew the show inside and out.”
Davies also shared his experience working with Mantzoukas, saying, “He hit the ground running. You may not know this about Jason, but he has a bag, and in that bag are tools, tools I think would mean that he would survive any global event. That’s very useful for a series of Taskmaster.”
The show’s U.S. tour has been a significant experience for Horne and Davies, with the pair attending various events and meeting fans. “We’ve been confounded by being recognized by people in this incredible city,” Davies said. “We went on Seth Meyers, we had a lovely old time.”
When asked about the differences in fan reactions between the U.K. and the U.S., Horne noted that American fans seem to know the show “really well” and are “quite proud of telling us.” Davies added that the fans in the U.S. are “slightly more intense,” but it’s been a pleasant experience overall.
The Taskmaster series 19 debuts on May 1 on Channel 4 and May 2 on YouTube, with new episodes each week through early July. With Mantzoukas joining the show, fans can expect a fresh dynamic and exciting challenges.
In an interview with Polygon, Horne and Davies also participated in a word association game, reacting to the names of contestants and other words. Their responses provided insight into their thoughts on the contestants and the show.
The expansion of Taskmaster has also led to international versions, including Taskmaster New Zealand. However, Horne and Davies have mentioned that they don’t watch the international versions, preferring not to take ideas from other adaptations.
When constructing an episode, Horne explained that the team uses a spreadsheet to plan the tasks, considering factors such as location and energy levels. “There’s a spreadsheet which me and the director and the producer constantly play with as we’re recording ’em, thinking, ‘OK, that could be an opener for the series, that could be a closer for the series,'” he said.
Taskmaster series 19 promises to bring new excitement and challenges, with Jason Mantzoukas joining the show as a contestant. With its growing American fan base and international expansions, the show continues to evolve and entertain audiences worldwide.
Polygon reported that Taskmaster’s U.S. tour has been a success, with fans showing their enthusiasm for the show. The show’s creator and star have expressed their gratitude for the support and excitement, with Horne stating, “It constantly surprises us, nothing more than this trip to America.”
The show’s second promotional visit to the U.S. has been a valuable experience for Horne and Davies, who have enjoyed meeting fans and participating in events. With Taskmaster series 19 set to premiere soon, fans can look forward to more hilarious challenges and entertaining moments.
Davies also shared that he has a favorite question that he’s tired of being asked, which is “What’s your favorite task?”
Taskmaster series 19 will be premiering in early 2025 on YouTube, with previous seasons available to watch on YouTube.
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