The smash hit Channel 4 show Taskmaster returns for its 20th series, marking a full decade since the show first hit our screens. Since 2015, the show has wormed its way into the nation’s hearts and screens, and has even been replicated across the world, from the long-running Swedish adaptation to the internationally acclaimed New Zealand iteration.

…the pair are a striking duo that is one of the main pulls of the show.

From the mind of Alex Horne, or ‘Little Alex Horne’ to fans of the show, Taskmaster follows five comedians as they undertake truly absurd tasks and are mercilessly judged by the formidable Greg Davies. At 6’2, Horne is anything but little, but next to his 6’7 co-host Davies, the pair are a striking duo that is one of the main pulls of the show.

Boasting a whole host of past comedians, introducing the general public to the work of younger comedians like Sophie Duker and Sam Campbell, or showing national treasures in a new light such as Julian Clary and Steve Pemberton, the show has grown from the first series being full of Davies’ and Horne’s professional contacts and friends to most recently Jason Mantzoukas paying his own way from the US just to take part.

This cast was dynamic in their interactions with each other and seem to have actively liked each other; as seen with other friendly casts such as season 9, they all dressed up in a coordinated costume for the finale.

This series has a mix of all the show has to offer; the prestigious Reece Shearsmith who is best known for Inside No. 9, the up-and-coming star Ania Magliano, the esteemed Sanjeev Baskar who you may remember from Goodness Gracious Me, the fabulous Maisie Adams who has been a regular on shows like Would I Lie to You for years and the Fringe Award Winning Phil Ellis. 

This cast was dynamic in their interactions with each other and seem to have actively liked each other; as seen with other friendly casts such as season 9, they all dressed up in a coordinated costume for the finale. The group combinations were excellent, with Reece Shearsmith’s frustration scaring Maisie Adams and Phil Ellis being babysat by Magliano and Baskar, the fans tend to favour groupings that feel like a family, and this series certainly delivered on one of the most charmingly dysfunctional.

Phil Ellis brought a somewhat jarring presence to the show due to his reliance on catchphrases and playing directly to the audience. This does jar with the format of the show, where the purpose is to impress the Taskmaster primarily, but his physical comedy was incredibly well-suited to the often-ridiculous tasks Horne concocted. However, I will not dwell as that is one of my only criticisms of what is still, after 20 series, an incredibly entertaining and thoughtfully curated show.

What other show could pull off such a character driven and believable love-hate relationship between two grown men, with separate careers, to such a remarkable degree?

Horne and Davies have such a fanbase for their relationship alone that they have started to play it up, their fervently declared friendship is as much a part of the show as Davies’ alleged hatred for Horne. Their discovery, which many fans of the show believe, to varying degrees of seriousness, that they are in a romantic relationship has become more and more played upon. This series had Horne sitting on Davies’ lap, biting the shoulder pad of his blazer.

So, though I will always defend the importance of cast dynamics, what has kept the show going through 20 series, with the 21st recently announced, is the unique hosting dynamic of Horne and Davies. What other show could pull off such a character driven and believable love-hate relationship between two grown men, with separate careers, to such a remarkable degree?

Rating: 4/5

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