I'd only heard of Deborah Meaden and Zoe Ball, but thought it was a great episode, agree above, with the chemistry this lineup would have worked for a whole series.
Oh he just seems tailor made for it. Will probably over think some things and try and be too creative but feels like an inspired choice from Alex. I've not seen that much of Nick Mohammed as himself to be honest.
I’m a big fan of John Robins and Elis James’ podcast. He could either be brilliant or a car crash so interested to see which way it goes. At the very least, he’ll be very competitive and likely will have a few pedantic arguments with Geg.
seems like a classic mix of elder statesman/legend, wacky, competitive-but-likely-to-come-unstuck and two people I've never heard of. Should be a good one.
First episode possibly one of the strongest starts to a series I've seen for a while. There's a lot of potential for this cast to be one of the best of any series. No spoilers but an all time worst task attempt in the first episode is quite something.
This is a very very strong cast. I knew very little of Sophie or Joanne beforehand but they've brought so much so far. I knew what to expect from Steve,John and Nick but Sophie has been such a pleasant surprise.
I'm preferring it to the last 2 series mainly because there's no one outright annoying like Lucy Beaumont or a clear and obvious winner like Mae Martin. I do think ultimately it comes down to Steve or John to win this series but Joanne will probably run them close. This is the first time I've seen Nick Mohammed actually as himself and not in Ted Lasso or as Mr Swallow, I expected a bit more madness from him but currently it's just failure after failure for him.
this week's team task moving the melon from the stage to the table is up there as one of the best ever for me. not as good as the taskmaster hotel but not far off
Really think this series has been a slow burn but it's really come strong in the past 2 episodes. Greg clearly really loves Nick.
The Mannequin task was another incredible creative effort from Steve.
Steve Pemberton’s creative thinking has been on full display this season. Whether on the spot challenges like the mannequin task or a challenge where he has time to work, like the incredible Guardian Cryptic Crossword, he’s shown what a brilliant, intelligent, creative mind he has.
The rest of the cast have been very good too. All amusing in very different ways.
I know this is high praise indeed but I don't think I've seen anyone approach the creative tasks in the way Steve has, what an incredible mind he's got and you can see how he's such a successful writer. I'd love if Series 19 got Reece Shearsmith just to see how his mind works compared to Steve.
Think John would be a worthy winner though and would take the "competitive" slot in CoC4.
I think all the contestants have been very funny in their individual ways. Sophie has been hilariously chaotic, Steve is a genius, and Nick might be the nicest human alive. It has lacked a bit of needle in the studio though, either from infighting between the contestants or digging back at Greg. John would’ve provided more of that in the past but I think he’s mellowed a lot now he’s sober and also is probably reining it in a bit because he could risk coming across as a bit of a knob to those who aren’t familiar with his back catalogue and is likely hoping this might get him a bit more telly work.
Thursday’s episode was great but it hasn’t been one of the best series up to now. Still better and funnier than most stuff on TV though.
Looking forward to tonight's series opener. Very interested to see how Zaltzman does. I'm a long-standing fan of the Bugle Podcast and have very much enjoyed his tenure at host of the News Quiz. I think he could have just the right balance of creativity, eccentricity, and silliness to be a hit on Taskmaster. But a mass-market audience also may not "get him".
I find Rosie Jones dreadfully unfunny so I have my doubts. But then again, I can’t stand Chris Ramsey either, but I didn’t mind him so much when he was on it.
I think Zaltzman will be superb and really looking forward to Jack Dee
Hopefully he'll end up being another Mike Wozniak - not a household name but ends up being a favourite due to his tendency to go off on random tangents.
I get why Rosie Jones is a bit divisive (I don't mind her, personally), but I do think she could bring some entertaining chaos to this. The format has always tended to trump any dislike I may have with the individual contestants in the past.
Zaltzman is going to be absolutely brilliant value. If he sticks to the bit of doing every task in full cricket kit too. I have my doubts with Rosie Jones but TM has proved me very wrong before with people I didn't especially like on other formats and I'd love to be wrong again.
delighted to say that it looks like Rosie Jones is going to work in this format. I was really worried but enjoyed watching her today the key for me is that the way the format works she isn't slowing down the flow of the show
Comments
Joanne McNally , Steve Pemberton, John Robins, Nick Mohammed and Sophie Willan
Oh he just seems tailor made for it. Will probably over think some things and try and be too creative but feels like an inspired choice from Alex. I've not seen that much of Nick Mohammed as himself to be honest.
Nick Mohammed has been a bit dull since far
The Mannequin task was another incredible creative effort from Steve.
The rest of the cast have been very good too. All amusing in very different ways.
Think John would be a worthy winner though and would take the "competitive" slot in CoC4.
Sophie has been my favourite this series though, naturally funny. I found there mannequin brilliant.
Haven't been fussed by John Robins though, he's good at the tasks but in a bit of a functional, boring way.
Thursday’s episode was great but it hasn’t been one of the best series up to now. Still better and funnier than most stuff on TV though.
https://www.tiktok.com/@taskmaster/video/7413009023508794657
We’ll see how it goes I suppose…
the key for me is that the way the format works she isn't slowing down the flow of the show
another good promising group of contestants