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Taskmaster Australia
Also known asTaskmaster
GenreComedy
Panel game
Created byAlex Horne
Developed byCam Bakker
Written by
Directed by
  • Tom Furniss
  • Andy Devonshire
Presented byTom Gleeson
StarringTom Cashman
Theme music composerThe Horne Section
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of series3
No. of episodes30
Production
Executive producers
  • Alex Horne
  • Richard Allen-Turner
  • Rob Aslett
  • James Taylor
  • Jon Thoday
  • Andy Devonshire[1]
  • Sarah Thornton[2]
ProducerCam Bakker
Production locationsSydney, Australia (S1, S2, S4 studio filming)
Melbourne, Australia (S3, studio filming)
New Zealand (task filming)
Running time47 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkNetwork 10
Release2 February 2023 (2023-02-02) –
present
Related
Taskmaster (British TV series)
Taskmaster New Zealand

Taskmaster Australia is an Australian comedy panel game show first broadcast on Network 10 on 2 February 2023.[3] Based on the British show Taskmaster created by comedian Alex Horne, the program revolves around a group of five celebrities – mainly comedians – attempting to complete a series of challenges, judged by the "Taskmaster", Tom Gleeson, and accompanied by his assistant, comedian Tom Cashman, frequently referred to as "Lesser Tom".[4]

The show's first season was broadcast in early 2023, with a second broadcast in mid-2024.[5] Season three started airing in late 2024,[6][7] with a fourth filming in late 2024 and due for broadcast in 2025.[8]

Format

[edit]

Taskmaster is a comedic panel show wherein five contestants compete in the completion of tasks set by "The Taskmaster" (Tom Gleeson) and umpired by the "Taskmaster's Assistant" (Tom Cashman). The tasks can involve physical, creative and lateral thinking skills.

Following the format of the British version, in each episode contestants compete for five prizes that they have brought in, along a theme that they are ranked against for points. Three pre-recorded tasks—completed separately by each contestant (or occasionally in teams)—are shown and judged in the studio by The Taskmaster. Tasks are filmed within the Taskmaster Retreat, with the areas including The Lounge, The Kitchen, The Lab and The Caravan. A final live task takes place in the studio. As well as winners within each episode, one contestant becomes the winner of the series and takes home a trophy modelled after The Taskmaster's head.

Cast

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In the studio, other than while attempting the live task, the contestants sit on a row of chairs in alphabetical order of forename from left to right.

Key
  •  *  Series champion
Series Year Seating
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
1 2023 Danielle Walker * Jimmy Rees Julia Morris Luke McGregor Nina Oyama
2 2024 Anne Edmonds Jenny Tian Josh Thomas Lloyd Langford * Wil Anderson
3 Aaron Chen * Concetta Caristo Mel Buttle Peter Helliar Rhys Nicholson
4 2025 Dave Hughes Emma Holland Lisa McCune Takashi Wakasugi Tommy Little

Production

[edit]

The Taskmaster franchise was conceived by Alex Horne and first televised in Britain, where Horne plays the Taskmaster's Assistant. The British version debuted in 2014.[9] Confirmation of an Australian version was announced in October 2022, to be produced by Avalon Television (the British production company) with New Zealand-based Kevin & Co. for Network 10.[1][10][11] This is the first Kevin & Co. production outside New Zealand.

The pre-recorded tasks were filmed in the same house in New Zealand that Taskmaster NZ uses.[12] It is known as "The Taskmaster Retreat" in the Australian version and "The Taskmaster Ranch" in the New Zealand version. Filming took up to ten hours per day.[13]

Filming for the studio shows took place in December 2022 at the NEP Studios in Eveleigh, Sydney, New South Wales.[12][14][15] Gleeson remarked of the filming, that it was the first show he had done where "right from the very first episode, all the audience seats were sold out".[13]

Tasks for the series were written by a team,[2] which includes Sam Smith (who also writes tasks for the New Zealand version),[16] alongside Cashman,[17] with development assisted by show producer Cam Bakker, and, as with all the international adaptations, sent to show creator Alex Horne for final approval.[13] Executive producer Sarah Thornton remarked that the aim is to bring in new writers each series to "keep it fresh".[2]

In July 2023, a second series began filming for a 2024 airdate.[18][19] The cast was revealed on 10 July 2023 as Peter Helliar, Mel Buttle, Aaron Chen, Concetta Caristo, and Rhys Nicholson.[20]

Studio filming for a third series took place in the week beginning 18 March 2024.[21] The cast was confirmed as Anne Edmonds, Jenny Tian, Josh Thomas, Lloyd Langford and Wil Anderson on 21 March 2024.[5]

In May 2024, it was announced that the third filmed series would instead air as season two in mid-2024, and the second filmed series would air in late 2024.[6][7]

Episodes

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SeriesEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
1102 February 2023 (2023-02-02)6 April 2023 (2023-04-06)
21023 May 2024 (2024-05-23)25 July 2024 (2024-07-25)
31024 September 2024 (2024-09-24)26 November 2024 (2024-11-26)

Series 1 (2023)

[edit]

The first series consists of 10 episodes and was broadcast on Network 10 starting on 2 February 2023.[22] In order of placement, the contestants were Danielle Walker, Julia Morris, Jimmy Rees, Nina Oyama and Luke McGregor.

The following year, series 1 episodes were made available on the official Taskmaster YouTube channel.[23]

No.TitleWinnerOriginal air dateAustralian viewers
(overnight)
1"Foot Juice"Danielle Walker2 February 2023 (2023-02-02)360,000[24][25]
2"Keep It Clean and Flowing"Nina Oyama9 February 2023 (2023-02-09)305,000[26]
3"Cricketmaster"Julia Morris16 February 2023 (2023-02-16)314,000[27]
4"BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM"Jimmy Rees23 February 2023 (2023-02-23)302,000[28]
5"Are You Okay?"Julia Morris2 March 2023 (2023-03-02)309,000[29]
6"Lucky with a Sausage"Danielle Walker9 March 2023 (2023-03-09)304,000[30]
7"The Energy of a Sickly Child"Jimmy Rees16 March 2023 (2023-03-16)270,000[31]
8"Dumb in Unison"Julia Morris23 March 2023 (2023-03-23)242,000[32]
9"Sorry for Your Loss"Jimmy Rees30 March 2023 (2023-03-30)235,000[33]
10"Don't Ask Me What a JC Is"Danielle Walker6 April 2023 (2023-04-06)269,000[34]

Series 2 (2024)

[edit]

Originally filmed as the third series, the second series consists of ten episodes and was broadcast on Network 10 starting on 23 May 2024.[6] In order of placement, the contestants were Lloyd Langford, Anne Edmonds, Wil Anderson, Jenny Tian, and Josh Thomas. Langford won the series after winning the series tie-breaker against Edmonds.

Series 2 episodes were released weekly on the official Taskmaster YouTube channel.[35]

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleWinnerOriginal air dateAustralian viewers
(national) [a]
111"Don't Slip on the Chips Old Man"Wil Anderson23 May 2024 (2024-05-23)409,000[36]
122"A Hotly Contested Auction"Lloyd Langford30 May 2024 (2024-05-30)368,000[37]
133"Answer the Phone Gary"Lloyd Langford6 June 2024 (2024-06-06)326,000[38]
144"Oink Oink Bitches"Wil Anderson13 June 2024 (2024-06-13)397,000[39]
155"The Moment of Divorce Is Recorded"Josh Thomas20 June 2024 (2024-06-20)444,000[40]
166"Everyone Here Is a Nerd"Lloyd Langford27 June 2024 (2024-06-27)385,000[41]
177"You've Gotta Find the Slop"Anne Edmonds4 July 2024 (2024-07-04)430,000[42]
188"Dingo Dongo"Josh Thomas11 July 2024 (2024-07-11)397,000[43]
199"Killed by a Nerd"Jenny Tian18 July 2024 (2024-07-18)420,000[44]
2010"Fun Sexy Wrestle"Wil Anderson25 July 2024 (2024-07-25)431,000[45]

Series 3 (2024)

[edit]

Originally filmed as the second series, the third series aired following the conclusion of the second series.[7] It began airing on Network 10 starting on 24 September 2024.[46] The contestants featured this season are Peter Helliar, Mel Buttle, Aaron Chen, Concetta Caristo, and Rhys Nicholson. Chen won the series ahead of Caristo and Helliar (tied second), Nicholson in fourth place and Buttle in fifth.

Season 2 participant Lloyd Langford, celebrity actor Cate Blanchett, and format creator and Taskmaster UK’s Assistant Alex Horne appeared in a pre-filmed task in the ninth episode, in which the contestant presented the “Most Heavenly Voice”.

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleWinnerOriginal air dateAustralian viewers
(national)
211"For Your Logie Consideration"Aaron Chen24 September 2024 (2024-09-24)414,000[47]
222"Burying a Backpacker"Mel Buttle1 October 2024 (2024-10-01)419,000[48]
233"Mop and Bucket Situation"Concetta Caristo8 October 2024 (2024-10-08)360,000[49]
244"Sorry About the Fingers"Rhys Nicholson15 October 2024 (2024-10-15)367,000[50]
255"Inspired by Pol Pot"Aaron Chen22 October 2024 (2024-10-22)382,000[51]
266"Out-Alpha'd by a Sheep"Concetta Caristo29 October 2024 (2024-10-29)359,000[52]
277"Gimme Some Item"Aaron Chen5 November 2024 (2024-11-05)332,000[53]
288"Tickled in Two Different Ways"Peter Helliar12 November 2024 (2024-11-12)345,000[54]
299"A Bit of a Pickle"Mel Buttle19 November 2024 (2024-11-19)TBD
3010"Wee/Wee"Mel Buttle26 November 2024 (2024-11-26)TBD

Series 4

[edit]

The studio elements of the fourth series were recorded from 16 to 20 September 2024, two episodes per day. The contestants featured this season are Dave Hughes, Emma Holland, Lisa McCune, Takashi Wakasugi, and Tommy Little.

Notes

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  1. ^ On 28 January 2024, OzTAM's ratings data recording system changed. Viewership data will now focus on National Reach and National Total ratings instead of providing data on the 5 metro centres and overnight shares.

Reception

[edit]

Critical reception

[edit]

Reviewing the first season, The Age praised that the third episode saw the series "continue to settle in nicely", largely in the style of the British version. The reviewer noted that Gleeson—"a cheerful, friendly-looking chap who has built a career on telling people they suck"—has a different Taskmaster personality to British host Greg Davies.[55]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Starkey, Adam (6 October 2022). "Australian version of 'Taskmaster' is in the works". NME. NME Networks. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Gollasch, Grace (2 February 2023). ""Imperfectly perfect": How 10 is putting an Aussie spin on comedy game show Taskmaster". Mediaweek. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  3. ^ Knox, David (16 January 2023). "Airdate: Taskmaster". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  4. ^ Laidlaw, Kyle (6 October 2022). "Tom Gleeson takes comedians to task on Taskmaster Australia coming to Channel 10 in 2023". TV Blackbox. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  5. ^ a b Knox, David (21 March 2024). "Taskmaster Australia cast revealed". TVTonight. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  6. ^ a b c Knox, David (1 May 2024). "Returning: Taskmaster Australia". TVTonight. Archived from the original on 1 May 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Cashman, Tom [@tomcashman1] (1 May 2024). "The cast for our next season of Taskmaster AU! First ep will be out 23 May! PLUS there's another season airing straight after this one. Lots of Taskmaster AU happening". Retrieved 1 May 2024 – via Instagram.
  8. ^ Knox, David (28 August 2024). "Audience Tix: Taskmaster Australia". TVTonight. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  9. ^ "Alex Horne and Greg Davies star in new show Taskmaster". British Comedy Guide. 19 September 2014. Archived from the original on 7 December 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  10. ^ Frater, Patrick (5 October 2022). "Hit Comedy Format 'Taskmaster' to Be Produced in Australia by Paramount". Variety. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  11. ^ "Why Taskmaster was a hard sell..." Chortle. 9 November 2017. Archived from the original on 12 December 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  12. ^ a b Knox, David (22 November 2022). "Audience tix: Taskmaster". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  13. ^ a b c Cain, Sain (1 February 2023). "Taskmaster comes to Australia: 'I am better than Greg Davies – make that the headline!'". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  14. ^ "Taskmaster AU: Season 1". TaskmasterInfo. Archived from the original on 9 February 2023. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  15. ^ Knox, David (13 December 2022). "First pic of Taskmaster set". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  16. ^
  17. ^ Smith, Sam [@ReelBigSmith] (1 November 2022). "Tom Cashman has been doing that and making sure our NZ ideas about Australia aren't too cringe" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  18. ^ Kelly, Vivienne (7 June 2023). "'Taskmaster Australia' Season 2 Confirmed and in Production". Variety Australia. The Brag Media. Archived from the original on 3 July 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  19. ^ Cashman, Tom (27 June 2023). "Tickets to tapings of Taskmaster Season 2 in Melbourne are available!". Retrieved 3 July 2023 – via Facebook.
  20. ^ "Taskmaster Australia Announces It's [sic] Season 2 Line-Up!". 10Play. Paramount Australia & New Zealand. 10 July 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  21. ^ "Taskmaster Australia - Sydney". That's the Ticket!. Archived from the original on 7 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  22. ^ "Taskmaster". 10Play. Paramount Australia & New Zealand. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  23. ^ "Taskmaster Australia Season 1". YouTube. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
  24. ^ Knox, David (3 February 2023). "Tom Gleeson debuts as 10's Taskmaster against MAFS". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  25. ^ Knox, David (3 February 2023). "Thursday 2 February 2023". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 10 February 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  26. ^ Knox, David (10 February 2023). "Thursday 9 February 2023". TV Tonight. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  27. ^ Knox, David (17 February 2023). "Thursday 16 February 2023". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 23 February 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  28. ^ Knox, David (24 February 2023). "Thursday 23 February 2023". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 3 March 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  29. ^ Knox, David (3 March 2023). "Thursday 2 March 2023". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 29 August 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  30. ^ Knox, David (10 March 2023). "Thursday 9 March 2023". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 16 March 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  31. ^ Knox, David (17 March 2023). "Thursday 16 March 2023". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 25 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  32. ^ Knox, David (24 March 2023). "Thursday 23 March 2023". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  33. ^ Knox, David (31 March 2023). "Thursday 30 March 2023". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  34. ^ Knox, David (7 April 2023). "Thursday 6 April 2023". TV Tonight. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  35. ^ "Taskmaster Australia Season 2". YouTube. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  36. ^ Knox, David (2024-05-24). "Thursday 23 May 2024". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 2024-08-29. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
  37. ^ Knox, David (2024-05-31). "Thursday 30 May 2024". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
  38. ^ Knox, David (2024-06-07). "Thursday 6 June 2024". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 2024-06-09. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
  39. ^ Knox, David (2024-06-14). "Thursday 13 June 2024". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 2024-06-14. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
  40. ^ Knox, David (2024-06-21). "Thursday 20 June 2024". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 2024-06-24. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
  41. ^ Knox, David (2024-06-28). "Thursday 27 June 2024". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 2024-07-27. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
  42. ^ Knox, David (2024-07-05). "Thursday 4 July 2024". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 2024-07-18. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
  43. ^ Knox, David (2024-07-12). "Thursday 11 July 2024". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 2024-07-27. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
  44. ^ Knox, David (2024-07-19). "Thursday 18 July 2024". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 2024-07-26. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
  45. ^ Knox, David (2024-07-26). "Thursday 25 July 2024". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 2024-07-26. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
  46. ^ "Step Into Tom Gleeson's House Of Fun. Taskmaster Australia Season Three Premieres Tuesday, 24 September". Paramount Australia & New Zealand | Corporate. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
  47. ^ Knox, David (2024-09-25). "Tuesday 24 September 2024". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  48. ^ Knox, David (2024-10-01). "Tuesday 1 October 2024". TV Tonight.
  49. ^ Knox, David (2024-10-08). "Tuesday 8 October 2024". TV Tonight.
  50. ^ Knox, David (2024-10-15). "Tuesday 15 October 2024". TV Tonight.
  51. ^ Knox, David (2024-10-22). "Tuesday 22 October 2024". TV Tonight.
  52. ^ Knox, David (2024-10-29). "Tuesday 29 October 2024". TV Tonight.
  53. ^ Knox, David (2024-11-05). "Tuesday 5 November 2024". TV Tonight.
  54. ^ Knox, David (2024-11-12). "Tuesday 12 November 2024". TV Tonight.
  55. ^ "Your Week on TV". The Age. Melbourne: Nine Entertainment. 16 February 2023. ProQuest 2776404984.
[edit]
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