Taskmaster has returned to Channel 4 for its 22nd full series, bringing a high-profile lineup of comedians including former Great British Bake Off presenter Matt Lucas and Channel 4 regular Richard Ayoade to compete for head judge Greg Davies.
The opening episode saw Little Britain star Matt Lucas tackle his first challenge after admitting a complete lack of preparation to show creator and presenter Alex Horne. Lucas told Horne upon arriving for the initial task, "I probably should have watched this show before coming on it."
Lucas appeared looking half the man he was and far healthier after stepping away from the mega-calorie temptations of the Bake Off marquee. Taskmaster, which features five celebrity contestants completing surreal tasks across a series, has grown into one of television's most watched comedy panel formats since its debut in 2015.
Now in its 22nd series, the hit Channel 4 game show has expanded over its run to include at least a dozen special episodes alongside a dedicated spin-off series for children. Head judge Greg Davies and creator Alex Horne continue to oversee the competition, which draws millions of viewers each week.
Reviewer Christopher Stevens awarded the premiere four stars out of five, noting that the show remains as inventive as ever without running out of talent. The challenges demand a combination of physical energy, lateral thinking, and luck from contestants striving to win each round.
The Opening Droopy Gift Challenge
The premiere episode kicked off with a classic prize round in which contestants were instructed to bring in a droopy present for Davies. Players displayed varying degrees of invention and effort as they strived to score early points from the head judge.
Actress Isy Suttie filled a pair of tights with gallons of warm, dripping porridge to interpret the brief. Suttie is widely known for her television comedy roles, including her performance as Dobby in the Channel 4 sitcom Peep Show.
In contrast, Richard Ayoade demonstrated a minimalist strategy by bringing in a photograph of a houseplant that needed watering. Ayoade, a BAFTA award-winning actor and director who starred as Moss in comedy series The IT Crowd and hosted Travel Man, made it clear from the outset that he had no intention of putting effort into the game.
Search for the Golden Apple
A subsequent task carried distinct overtones of Greek mythology, instructing contestants to search the Taskmaster house for a golden apple and a golden dish. Most of the players followed an intricate trail of clues that led them through a tunnel and out to a temple set within a grove.
Ayoade declined to follow the complex trail, showing little interest in unnecessary exertion. Instead, he dragged himself directly to the kitchen, retrieved a standard apple, and dumped it inside a plastic bowl to present to the judge.
Despite his languid performance, Ayoade's indifferent persona masks a compulsively competitive drive. On Amazon Prime Video's comedy series Last One Laughing, he maintained a straight face against competing comedians until Bob Mortimer broke him with an unprintable joke about a man caught short in a graveyard.
Ferocious Memory Test Finish
That competitive instinct emerged when Davies began awarding points and revealed that Ayoade was sitting in last place. Unwilling to finish at the bottom, Ayoade tackled the final round memory test with ferocious determination and could not hide his glee after securing victory in the challenge.
Comedian Chloe Petts also made a strong impression during the opening episode, showing delight at taking part while giving each game her best effort and accepting defeats in good part. Stevens named Petts as his pick to win the series, highlighting her blend of belief, humor, and persistence as the show's winning formula.
The 22nd series of Taskmaster continues on Channel 4, with contestants navigating further unpredictable tasks in their quest to earn points from Davies and Horne.
