TASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE
As hit comedy show Taskmaster returns for a 10th series, DANIELLE DE WOLFE chats with comedians Alex Horne and Greg Davies about what to expect
PICK OF THE WEEK
TASKMASTER Thursday, Channel 4, 9pm
BRITISH comedy show Taskmaster is proof that laughter really can be just the tonic. Despite filming for the forthcoming 10th series being temporarily halted due to Covid-19 restrictions, the essence of the Bafta-winning series lived on during lockdown courtesy of internet spin-off Homet asking.
The adaptation saw Taskmaster creator and co-host Alex Horne mirror the recorded concept, dreaming up ludicrous tasks for the public – rather than celebrities – to complete from the confines of their homes.
“I think it’s one of the few shows you can do in lockdown fairly easily,” says Alex, 42.
“We’re quite a lucky show in that people come to it and do it in isolation anyway,” he says, referring to the individual nature of Taskmaster’s creative showdowns.
“It was no more stressful than usual – except for the whole Covid nonsense I suppose.”
Now, following the move from Dave to Channel 4 as part of a landmark six-series deal and with the new series finally complete, Taskmaster Greg Davies and his assistant Little Alex Horne (as he’s affectionately known) are ready to entertain audiences once again.
“We’d all been cooped up, so I do think there’s a renewed energy there,” says comedian and Taskmaster host Greg, 52.
“I was just thrilled to be out and doing something... before Covid, I ensured Alex was never closer than five metres to me anyway. So if anything, Covid is more intimate than I would choose. The pesky virus has drawn me closer to him.”
With lockdown acting as a period of reflection for the duo, it appears pp Alex has made some startling realisations.
“I don’t think it really hits me until late at night, what bad things he’s made me do,” he confesses wide-eyed.
“In a TV studio you feel so safe about saying all these things and you forget there will be potentially millions of people watching this torment.
“But I don’t think you need to worry, I’m pretty strong inside.”
“It’s a very strange switch that clicks though,” counters Greg of their on-screen relationship.
“I feel nothing but affection for Alex until we walk out onto the studio floor. And then I feel genuine animosity.
“I guess it’s some sort of form of method acting that I’m not in charge of, but the minute we sit down in those chairs, I look at him and I think... I bring the energy of a father who knows it’s not his real son.”
Like many shows returning to filming following lockdown, the production was required to swap a live audience for a studio filled with empty seats.
Given the fundamental nature of comedy, you’d be inclined to think such a change would alter the show’s dynamic for the worse. However, the change of format seems to have had quite the opposite effect.
“We all kind of let loose,” says Alex. “We didn’t have an audience in the room and in a way that freed us up; we didn’t worry about making those people laugh, we just tried to have as much fun as possible.
“Sometimes the person furthest away from the audience doesn’t connect with them as much,” he notes, so “no one was left out”.
“For Alex and I, it’s a real change just to be dealing with the five people rather than entertaining a larger crowd at the same time, and I, for one, thought that it was wonderful that we could just focus all of our attention on them,” agrees Greg. Much like its predecessors, Taskmaster’s 10th series sees a new panel of comedians scored on their efforts as they take on increasingly obscure challenges.
With Johnny Vegas poised to go shoulder-toshoulder with Daisy May Cooper, Katherine Parkinson, Mawaan Rizwan and Richard Herring, the latest line-up reads like a who’s who of British comedy.
“A lot of them surprised us, Richard was more determined than we thought” remarks Alex.
“And then Mawaan, I knew him a bit but I think most viewers won’t compared to the others, so he’s always surprising – and he was a real live wire and a different energy.
“But he will be a star, I mean, he’s already getting there but... we’re all a bit scared of that new generation.”
“Yeah, he’s a very talented boy,” seconds Greg, “and obviously Katherine is very talented as well by the way, she’s just not very talented at Taskmaster... fiercely intelligent woman – absolutely rubbish.”
But for many, it’s the pairing of comedian and Benidorm star Johnny Vegas and This Country’s Daisy May Cooper that is set to be the show’s biggest draw.
“Daisy and Johnny have a unique energy,” says Alex.
“I think we saw a different side of Johnny to what you’d normally get.
“You know, we saw a bit more intimacy and his artistic side – which I really wanted to see because he is a proper artist and you occasionally get flashes of that. But you also get the normal tragic breakdowns.”
“They’re big laughers, they roar,” says Greg.
“Daisy May Cooper, when she laughs, she commits. It’s very reassuring – all comedians are looking for validation and Daisy gives the validation of 200 people.”
Mid-way through filming and with heavily pregnant Daisy’s due-date fast approaching, the comedians’ attention quickly shifted from validation to concern.
“There was never one occasion when she was belly laughing where I didn’t think: ‘this could be it,”’ says Greg of a potentially unplanned birthing scenario.
“I’m sure it will show in our faces if you look closely at the footage.”
“When we got to about episode nine, we’re thinking: ‘Well now, this would be a good story’... we’d have been the worst at delivering a baby,” says Alex.
As for whether the pair would ever consider brushing up on their first aid skills?
“We are not a good paramedic team. You wouldn’t want this combination turning up in an emergency,” agrees Greg.
“When you’re giving birth, you don’t want a man with a stopwatch and another man shouting... Maybe this interview could answer that question?
“Maybe women giving birth could let us know if that’s what they actually needed? Maybe we’ll become professional birthing partners? I’m ready. Call my agent.”
■ You can watch Taskmaster series one to nine on All 4.
There was never one occasion when she (Daisy May Cooper) was belly laughing where I didn’t think: ‘this could be it’
Greg Davies on the possibility of an unplanned birthing scenario on Taskmaster