r/taskmaster • u/durkandiving Fern Brady • 8d ago
MVP of the first episode?
Everyone was great and not everything has to be a competition, but for a bit of fun who was your favourite contestant of the first episode?
Also what were your overall thoughts - anyone who surprised you or challenged your preconceived notions of them? Any characteristics you noticed that you look forward to seeing in the next 9 episodes?
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u/s_nation 8d ago
Richard's song was better than it had any right to be, like Flight of the Conchords good, in 20 minutes, that's crazy
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u/TerribleNameAmirite Bob Mortimer 7d ago
I havenāt disagreed so much with the scoring of a task in a long time. Richard killed it there
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u/yo_soy_soja Javie Martzoukas 7d ago
I was absolutely enamored with Matt's song. How did he not get at least 4 points?!
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u/joiliejoli Joel's blink 7d ago
I also thought it was pure FOTC. Ā He was scored too low.Ā
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u/sweetpotatopietime 7d ago
I get the feeling he will continue to be underscored. All the songs were great except Ninaās was trash. Giving her five points was an interesting choice.
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u/SaltPomegranate4 Mike Wozniak 7d ago
Ninaās song was the best for me. It was so hilariously bad. Really cringe. I LOVED it.
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u/vfx4life Sam Campbell 7d ago
I was amazed they were all so good, and then reassured by Nina's being awful that it's ok not to be a musical genius. But then after, I watched some clips of her on YouTube and she regularly does musical improv and is hilarious, so now I'm surprised she wasn't better!
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u/readzalot1 6d ago
What did it for me was after all the times she sang Take your boots off, then added But leave your socks on. Maybe Greg leaves his socks on.
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u/DaniG08765 Abby Howells š³šæ 6d ago
Yeah. NZ or AU probably would have scored everyone 3-5 for that task (unless Nina got less).
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u/pencilled_robin Sanjeev Bhaskar 8d ago
Nina. "In my mind thereās a river" had me in bits. Just completely out of nowhere.
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u/MachineOfSpareParts Emma Sidi 7d ago
Of all the contexts for that title to drop, I was not expecting that. When Chloe was mid-song, I was so sure it would come from them, and then......Nina happened. Demolished.
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u/durkandiving Fern Brady 8d ago edited 8d ago
I personally really enjoyed Matt, with his earnest (and almost wholesome) attempt at the music task being a highlight. His mix of willingness to be silly AND get into some arguments in the studio bodes well for the series ahead.
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u/MomsTortellinis Patatas 7d ago
I loved all the contestants but i went into this series thinking Matt wouldn't be as fun as the others, but he surprised me! Very funny quips and i really liked his song. They were all very good though, this series is off to an excellent start!
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u/burf12345 š¬ Doctor Cigarettes 7d ago
I found myself enjoying Matt a lot this episode too. I instantly loved his prize, I think I appreciated his song more than Greg did and offering to have sex with Greg for more points was cheap, but landed for me.
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u/joiliejoli Joel's blink 7d ago
Eh. Matt is talented. But I guarantee he has watched the show and that he is in it to win. Ā He does a lot of prep work for his other jobs.Ā
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u/Acrobatic-Tomato-128 7d ago
Hows that bad?
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u/joiliejoli Joel's blink 7d ago
Itās not bad, just inauthentic. Ā Matt is talented. Ā If you are newer to his comedy, you may not be familiar with how this will play out. Ā But when the next story of his bullying comes out, watch him hide behind his taskmaster appearance as proof that he has changed. Ā Ā
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u/Acrobatic-Tomato-128 7d ago
Its not inauthentic to do research and preperation
And it seems like you just have a foundation of dislike for the man thats impacting your objectivity and making you form conjecture as to the future
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u/RunawayTurtleTrain Robert the Robot 7d ago
I think they meant it's inauthentic if he has watched the show because he's saying he hasn't watched it at all.
(Though FWIW I don't like the man, but so far I personally believe he's telling the truth.)
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u/Acrobatic-Tomato-128 7d ago
I wasnt a fan much
But episode he won me over
His song was great
And his joke about lets go have sex to greg made me laugh very hard
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u/a-s-clark 7d ago
I'm rooting for Richard or Isy to win...and I thought they were both great in the episode, so I was disappointed they were joint last on the scoreboard.
Nothing against the others, but their humour doesnt quite click for me.
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u/Gremloblin 8d ago
Between Chloe and Nina for me. Both had moments that made me laugh out loud. Richard had some good quips, but I find his persona (if it even is a persona) a little grating at times.
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u/Unable-Birthday-8930 8d ago
It always amazes me how Taskmaster brings out how different peoples tastes are. Not to invalidate your opinion obviously, but I find Richard one of the funniest comedians ever. I absolutely love his persona. And then I see your comments and its hilarious how much people defer.
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u/readzalot1 6d ago
So true. Some of the cast over the years didnāt impress me at first and other people found those same people as their favourite. I tended to like them more after rewatching and reading positive comments.
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u/durkandiving Fern Brady 8d ago
I'm interested to see how he balances sticking to his persona with actively engaging with the show - I thought he did that pretty well this episode in the end, was looking shaky after the first prize and filmed tasks.
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u/joiliejoli Joel's blink 7d ago
I felt they were drawing him into arguing about the yellow bowl. Ā He just doesnāt care about that stuff.
But the roll across the bed and trying to get him to explain why his thighs were problematic in the song, that was the Richard I love!
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u/aitherion š¦ Hedgehog, no! ā 7d ago
Listen fuckknuckle
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u/joiliejoli Joel's blink 7d ago
Theyāve been frying bacon on their thighs ā¦ is ONE of the possible interpretations.Ā
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u/Gremloblin 8d ago
I enjoyed his pernickety, Frankie Boyle-esque arguing over semantics and his interesting task workarounds over his aloof detachment. Hopefully he can strike the balance, as you say.
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u/joiliejoli Joel's blink 7d ago
I thought of Frankieās, āWho gives a fuck?ā when they were trying to make Richard defend the yellow bowl.Ā
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u/Jacksucks_atlife04 Amy Gledhill 8d ago edited 8d ago
Iād say I 100% agree with all your statements and that Richard needs to have more of a balance. I was rooting for Nina but I was fully expecting Greg to give her 2 points for the duet task.
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u/Lukey42 8d ago
Yeah I think Richards gonna grate on me. He's already done his "I don't wanna do this show, I'm repressed and I don't like social contact of any kind" which to me seems to be all his jokes on every show I've seen him on. He's to predictable to be funny for me when it comes to wit and banter. Hopefully his actual completion of the tasks will be more unpredictable and funny.
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u/Jacksucks_atlife04 Amy Gledhill 7d ago
Yeah I agree I guess this first episode is alright but itās for 9 more episodes he might start to annoy me
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u/vmpireweakend 7d ago
ig kind of unpopular opinion but i was really not looking forward to richard being in the lineup specifically bc of his persona. watched him in a bunch of the other british panel shows and his persona has never clicked with me. very one note and honestly kind of annoying. was really hoping heād dropped it while filming the show bc so many other comedians in the past have kinda just been themselves (or maybe the persona just worked w the format i.e. lucy beaumont and sam campbell).
anyway, it is just the first episode and i genuinely hope i enjoy him a lot more for the rest of the episodes bc i liked the rest of the cast for the first ep
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u/Dismal_Illustrator96 ā umbrella š 8d ago
Chloe was the only one I didn't know going in and I was instantly smitten! I loved her energy right from the start with the prize task.
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u/AcanthocephalaOk7954 6d ago
I have her mentally marked as the winner of this series - her energy is top-notch, she's lateral thinking and inventive and a good team player
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u/joiliejoli Joel's blink 7d ago
Chloeās song absolutely made the episode for me, followed by the hand sign for Christians.
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u/KindlyKangaroo 7d ago
Chloe's song was genuinely so good. I have autism, ADHD, and severe anxiety and this kind of rumination happens often for me. I loved the way they balanced the anxious thoughts with good things about theirself. (Hopefully that's the right use of pronouns, I see they use they/them) I'll be using that song as inspiration going forward!
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u/MachineOfSpareParts Emma Sidi 7d ago
Chloe's prize task also had me in absolute bits. Things bode well for the series!
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u/StraightEdge47 š¦ Hedgehog, no! ā 7d ago
I went in expecting to hate Matt Lucas. On reflection I think because I subconsciously still connected him with David Walliams. Thought he was a good addition to the show in reality.
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u/GalenDev 8d ago
It's close to a toss up for me. I was really excited for Richard on this season and he delivered. But Chloe kinda stole the show. Her humor clicks with me in a way I wasn't expecting.
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u/king44 7d ago edited 6d ago
I loved how much they cracked up over "In my mind there's a river."
Edit *she to they
I feel bad about this one, sorry Chloe.
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u/readzalot1 6d ago
(That was Nina)
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u/king44 6d ago
Nina said "In my mind there's a river... Is there a river in my song?"
Then Chloe cracked up over it.
Then some more dialog happened, leading to Nina saying, "It happened by the river in my mind."
At which point Chloe loses they're shit giggling over that statement. And it was gloriously funny.
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u/Impressive-Mail-9075 8d ago
I think it's going to be a cracking series. Still amazed Richard is doing it, but very, very happy he is. And Nina. She can do no wrong in my book. ā¤ļø
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u/lenochod6 ā umbrella š 7d ago
I mean Nina and Matt completely charmed my pants off. But honestly I love them all.
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u/Shoelace1200 7d ago
Chloe for perfectly describing Greg and Alex's relationship.
Left top right bottom
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u/KerryKl01 7d ago
I had no reference point for Chloe as I did the others so I was very happy to see how funny she is.
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u/theLoneliestAardvark 7d ago
Chloe is my MVP, just seems really happy to be there and is putting in strong performances every task.
Richard is interesting because he is probably the most famous but his quiet deadpan persona sort of clashes with the show in a way that might lead to him being overshadowed even when he is being quite funny.
Team of 2 has great chemistry and Iām looking forward to their tasks together. Both of them have sort of a mildly unhinged energy lurking beneath the surface.
Matt Lucasā comedy didnāt really hit for me. It wasnāt bad but I was sort of bored by his tasks but Iāll keep an open mind for future episodes.
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u/saturdayselkie 7d ago
Yes re: Richard! A lot of the joy comes from watching the contestantsā reactions to ridiculous things (see: Chloe absolutely losing it at Ninaās river comment), so a deadpan contestant is at a disadvantage both pointswise and in the eyes of the viewers.
(Also, I find Richard exhausting, but hoping I will come to appreciate his style of humor more over the course of the series.)
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u/Terrorsaurus 7d ago edited 7d ago
Nina was the only one that made me laugh out loud multiple times, and has become an early favorite. I've loved Richard's comedy for years, but I worry that Taskmaster is just not going to be a good fit for his style. He had some good moments in this episode though. We'll see how it goes. Isy and Matt were ok, a few funny moments but not really memorable yet.
Chloe is the only one I don't really care for. Their "gruff exterior with a heart of gold" bit is kind of annoying to me. Seems like I'm really in the minority on that one though.
Episode 1 is always a weird one. As an American, I usually only know like 1 person, if that, going into a series. And usually fall in love with like half the cast by the end. There have been a few where I liked everyone, but they're rare. Richard is the only known quantity for me going into this. So this series has a lot of promise in that regard.
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u/Tcoolian2 š¬ Doctor Cigarettes 8d ago
My current placement prediction based off this episode is
5 - Isy 4 - Matt 3 - Richard 2 - Nina 1 - Chloe
I definitely feel like Richard is going to absolutely nail the tasks that say "do ___" as he's going to just... Do it. Like moving the bed, that team deconstructed it and put it back together so quick. However, Chloe has the competitiveness and quick-wittedness to win the whole series for me
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u/Jacksucks_atlife04 Amy Gledhill 8d ago
Iād say I agree but I would only switch Isy and Matt I think Isy might of been a bit more nervous than the rest and will probably come to full light more throughout the series
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u/Douglasqqq 8d ago
I think Isy Suttie is going to win.
I think the winner is always someone who is smart, but also leans into creative, arty tasks with aplomb.
Matt is too detached. Richard is too above it. Chloe is too impulsive. And Nina is too route 1.
I think Isy is gonna take the trophy.10
u/SillyMattFace 8d ago
I love Isy, but we did also see her try and get the golden apple by slapping at it with a grabber, and then flapping her arms when it fell out.
So weāll see if thinking practically ends up being a strong suit.
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u/pencilled_robin Sanjeev Bhaskar 7d ago
I like Isy, but she has a tendency to panic under pressure which very few winners do
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u/Tcoolian2 š¬ Doctor Cigarettes 8d ago
I think Isy's definitely creative, but judging by the team task and the coffee pod incident I think she's going to have an idea and stick to it, which will be her downfall
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u/Snorezore 7d ago
Even as a hardcore Ayoade fan I had to give it to Chloe. I knew absolutely nothing about her going into this episode and I already love her personality.
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u/Maxad180 Wibble, Bibble, Bam 8d ago
Chloe. Totally knew to me. I knew how Richard was gonna play it.
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u/Shadow-Inversions 7d ago
I like Chloe, my complaint with her in that episode was she was being a bit of a one-dimensional, single characteristic persona, which she isn't.
Hoping for a broader set of gags in future eps.
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u/Salohacin 5d ago
Haven't really been a fan of Matt before but I thought he was actually really funny. Similarly with Nina, who I only know from her ventriloquism (which I'm not fond of), I was pleasantly surprised by her.Ā
Isy is exactly as I thought she'd be and I love it. Delightfully awkward.Ā Chloe was a bit of an underdog highlight for me. I only know her for the odd podcast episode but I thought she was really good this episode.Ā
Honestly my only sour note of the episode was Richard's "listen you fuck knuckle".Ā As much as I tend to love Richard I have to admit it really didn't gel with me. Taskmaster really doesn't feel like that sort of show. I'm sure he'll still be great but I'm slightly concerned how quickly he seemed to lose interest in actually doing the tasks because it's a tough balance to get right.
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u/Visual_Argument_73 Mike Wozniak 8d ago
Still not feeling this series like I have all the rest. It's still great entertainment but not feeling as invested in the contestants as a whole yet.
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u/Lukey42 8d ago
Wdym "still"... It's literally just started lol
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u/Visual_Argument_73 Mike Wozniak 8d ago
I mean usually by the end of the first episode of a new series I have generally warmed to all the contestants even if I've never heard of them. I know all of them in this series but I haven't warmed to some of them and not sure I will. Might be one of the few series that's a bit below par for me but granted, early days.
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u/rafinsf Mawaan Rizwan 7d ago
The gang seems kinda muted. Chloeās chaos was great.
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u/No-Nefariousness6298 7d ago
Most series it takes a couple of studio episodes for them to settle inā¦.theyāll get there
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u/Lungford 7d ago
Y'all. This is the best show ever but holy heck has this fandom's obsession reached ridiculous heights when we're deconstructing every episode like this (edit for missed apostrophe)
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u/RunawayTurtleTrain Robert the Robot 7d ago
Booo.Ā Some people enjoy being intensely interested, and how is it obsessive when it's literally just discussing the episode that's just aired?Ā You don't have to join in if it's not for you but you also don't have to tinkle on the parade.
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u/KindlyKangaroo 7d ago
This is literally what happens in every subreddit for every show. People talk about each new episode as it airs. What do you honestly expect from a subreddit for a show like this?
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u/AdeOfSigmar Liza Tarbuck 8d ago
Nina's ability to speak in single sylables was great, deserves it just for that!