Taskmaster

It's almost the same format as the UK original, but shorter. Same kind of creative problem solving challenges. And Alex Horne is on hand to provide continuity. So far, so good. What's missing are the small details that make the UK show really funny and enjoyable: Reggie Watts is a big comedian, but he does not allow himself to be as outrageous as Greg Davies (the Taskmaster of the UK original series). No small part of the fun of the UK show is the banter between Davies and Horne (part bullying, part master-and-servant, part homoerotic) and the deprecating tone of the Taskmaster's judgement of the comedians' efforts - the fun in the original is the mock humiliation, willingly accepted by the contestants. I expected they'd cut that out of the US version of the show: it's not part of the culture. I guess that's exemplary of the cultural differences that make it hard to transpose UK (or Aussie) shows to the US. What's missing, is that the producers have not found anything to replace the bits that made the UK show enjoyable -but would not work for a US audience- with something else. So all we're left to contemplate are B-list comedians' goofy videos. It's watchable, but rarely will it make you burst out with laughter.

Take note of other reviews, this show lacks the witty banter of the UK version. Alex brings some of his brand of humour to it but the rest is bland. The contestants whine and are uninteresting. It has not crossed the atlantic well and is virtually unwatchable.

What more can I say than I already have done in the tag line....

This is a very poor version of the original. American TV just doesn't seem to get how comedy works or what makes something funny and entertaining.

I was just left wondering what they were thinking, it lacks any substance, it's only 22 mins long, which is probably a blessing with this version compared to the UK version which has it spot on and at twice as long, still leaves you wanting more.

There is no chemistry between Reggie and Alex Horne, Alex tries his best but gets nothing back from Reggie or the contestants.

It just pales in every way compared to UK version. But I shouldn't be surprised as it seems to be a cultural thing in America to have dumbed down simplified comedy which almost has to be overly explained in order for Americans to get the joke, whereas British comedy tends to be a lot smarter and needs less explanation to get to the punchline, it's just more natural, the British have a better understanding of humour and comedy than the Americans, Americans tend not to understand British humour and comedy whereas British understand American comedy but just don't really find it that funny. Prime example was when American network wanted to do a version of Faulty Towers but they were going to do it without the Basil Faulty character.........??????? ............Exactly!!!

Or with monty python, they wanted to change all kinds of things and it wouldn't have been the same.

There are some fans of British comedy from the US but they tend to be the more clever and artistic folks, which funnily enough, by no coincidence are also creators or comedy in America which is very popular in the UK, like the Simpsons and Family Guy as just an example.

I guess if you haven't watched the UK version then you might enjoy it but if you have watched the UK version then you probably won't, you will just be disappointed and let down by it, knowing that if they had kept it more true to the original UK format it would be a lot more enjoyable to watch, as simple as having Greg Davies and Alex Horne presenting it would probably have been enough to inject the required entertainment and spark that is required, which is what it lacks in a big way. For me, the stand out of the show was Ron Funches, by a country mile, only time I really laughed was because of him, for a show that is meant to be comedy, only 2/7 personalities brought any comedy to the show!

My first ever review and I came prepared to give my full and honest opinion of the show only to find that jazfro had said it first and probably better than I could. Given that it is Alex Horne's idea the format is still good but severely curtailed. It is possible more of a comment on the differences between US and English/Aussie cultures than a standalone great show. If you want to see how good it could be then find and watch the Greg Davies UK version.

I'm a fan of the British version of 'Taskmaster' so thought I'd check out the American one. Oh dear. I've only seen the first two episodes, all I could find online, so it may have improved. This review is based on those eps and is my personal opinion.

I don't think it's as dreadful as most of the reviews would have you believe. There are a few giggles here and there and while the tasks were familiar, it was interesting to see them in a very different setting. But it's not great.

To start with: Insult comedy isn't a genre that the British public has embraced. We don't do 'roasts'. As far as I can tell, it doesn't play well anywhere but the US. Frankie Boyle and Nish Kumar may be the closest we have but they noticeably toned it down for TM.

In the original, the contestants include the UK's most popular and successful stand-ups, comedy writers, actors and presenters and Greg Davies is top of the tree. Reggie Watts seems like a nice man but he has no opportunity to shine in this restricted format so I have no idea if he's a good comedian. Apart from Freddie Highmore, no clue who the contestants were and I watch a lot of American tv.

A couple of reviewers have suggested that Greg should've hosted this version but I very much doubt he could've found either the time or the right tone. He's perfect for the UK version, a combination of strict father and playful older brother. And, of course, he's incredibly quick-witted which is undoubtedly why Alex hired him to host the show. Now 15 seasons in and likely to go forever.

Possibly the worst decision by the American producers was to cut the running time in half, thereby giving no time to develop any kind of relationship between the contestants and the hosts. The point of the show isn't only who can complete the tasks most quickly and cleverly but the banter, the comic faux humiliation meted out by Greg, that people tune in for week after week. Did they even watch an episode before buying the format?

Something that can't be replicated in the US is that In the much smaller world of British entertainment, many of the contestants, and the hosts, know one another. Tim Key is Alex Horne's best friend and helps create tasks, at least half a dozen of the contestants have appeared with Greg in one or another of his highly successful sitcoms. They all meet up at various award shows. It gives the show an affectionate warmth. Even when the banter sounds edgy, it's all just a bit of a laugh because they're friends, or friends of friends. It feels safe.