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New Taskmaster series

165 replies

ChedderGorgeous · 16/01/2024 13:04

AIBU to have never heard of any of the contestants on the new series ? I love taskmaster so trust they have picked a line up that "works" but my god they seem to have run out of people who are in any way famous.
Had to Google the whole cast. From what I can see :
JOANNE MCNALLY – Irish stand up apparently
JOHN ROBINS - Seems to be a Freddie Mercury impersonator who doesn't look anything like him. Also 5live presenter ?

NICK MOHAMMED - Mr Swallow??!
SOPHIE WILLAN – stand up it seems STEVE PEMBERTON - used to be in 'Benidorm' which I have heard of but hate.

Anyone else scratching their head?

OP posts:
aynsleyredder · 16/01/2024 14:03

John Robbins is a massive Queen fan, hence the Freddie Mercury outfit. Used to listen to him Radio X.

There’s always someone on Taskmaster I’ve never heard of, but that’s what I like about it.

RitzyMcFee · 16/01/2024 14:03

Nick Mohammed composed the lyrics to Jurassic Park (it's a massive park).

www.classicfm.com/composers/williams/comedy-jurassic-park-lyrics-nick-mohammed/

Bobbotgegrinch · 16/01/2024 14:00

spiderlight · 16/01/2024 13:51

Nick Mohammed has also been in Ted Lasso and Intelligence.

How is there another series already, though?! We're only three episodes into the last one!

The new one isn't on yet, they've just released the cast for it. They usually release the cast for the next series at the end of the current one, but delayed this one so they could release it at the end of Champion of Champions, which was on the other night.

Original poster
ChedderGorgeous · 16/01/2024 13:58

Ok based on responses have done some more googling. Steeve Pemberton has been in League of Gentlemen also and tbf that was big in the 2000s. Inside No 9 I've also heard of but not seen (although has been recommended). John Robins still not a clue. So he is the ex of Sara Pascoe? I've never heard him present on 5live. Sports ?

OP posts:
Georgeandzippyzoo · 16/01/2024 13:58

spiderlight · 16/01/2024 13:51

Nick Mohammed has also been in Ted Lasso and Intelligence.

How is there another series already, though?! We're only three episodes into the last one!

Believe they recorded 2 series at roughly the same time but current series has been finished a while now x

Bobbotgegrinch · 16/01/2024 13:57

I only know Steve Pemberton, and I'm not a big fan of his stuff, but I'm not particularly bothered by it.

Some of my favourite taskmaster contestants are people who I'd never heard of prior to Taskmaster. I've also just watched Season 2 of Taskmaster New Zealand, which is now up there in my top three series. I'd never heard of a single person on it but it was absolutely brilliant.

Georgeandzippyzoo · 16/01/2024 13:56

Patsykenning · 16/01/2024 13:08

Also I don’t think it really matters if they’re known or not in Taskmaster. Some of my favourite all time contestants have been ones I’d never heard of before the show.

Totally agree!!
I've only know of Steve Pemberton. Im still looking forward to the series but it could be different, for me, due to lack of knowledge of the 4 others.

spiderlight · 16/01/2024 13:51

Nick Mohammed has also been in Ted Lasso and Intelligence.

How is there another series already, though?! We're only three episodes into the last one!

Brainstorm23 · 16/01/2024 13:48

John Robins is one of Alex's best mates and has probably been asking him for ages. He has a weekly show on 5 Live and has a couple of other podcasts so more well known than previous contestants. He will either annoy the shit out of you with constant whinging about the rules or be gloriously inept.

Steve Pemberton is a legend. League of Gentlemen, Inside No. 9 etc.

Nick Mohammeed - in lots of things and very funny.

The other two I haven't heard of but 3 out of 5 is better than some recent series.

GoingDownLikeBHS · 16/01/2024 13:48

That Alma’s Not Normal was brilliant and based on Sophie Willans life story.

BertieBotts · 16/01/2024 13:47

TBH on past series I've often ended up enjoying the contestants I've never heard of before.

lto2019 · 16/01/2024 13:43

UrsulaBelle · 16/01/2024 13:33

Steve Pemberton has also been in Happy Valley, Killing Eve, Doctor Who etc as well as comedy roles. I mean, League of Gentlemen with Mark Gatiss and Reece Shearsmith?

Inside No 9 is also with Reece Shearsmith I forgot about that one until I saw his name.

CarolDunne · 16/01/2024 13:37

Poor Steve

Joanne McNally is on a huge award winning podcast with vogue Williams

Baxdream · 16/01/2024 13:33

John Robins is great, I saw him support Kerry Godliman a few years ago.

I like finding new talent though so always happy to see new faces on there

UrsulaBelle · 16/01/2024 13:33

Steve Pemberton has also been in Happy Valley, Killing Eve, Doctor Who etc as well as comedy roles. I mean, League of Gentlemen with Mark Gatiss and Reece Shearsmith?

lto2019 · 16/01/2024 13:33

Steve Pemberton has done a lot more than Benidorm - very intelligent guy and looking forward to him being either brilliant or terrible on Taskmaster
Mr Swallow - seen him on 8 out 10 cats and again liked him
I don't know the others but am looking forward to them because Alex has such a knack of finding people who are great.
I was not familiar with Fern Brady/ Bridget Christie or Munya Chawawa before TM and they were some of my favourites. So many series in - I have learnt to not have pre conceived ideas and it has introduced me to some great comedians.

I have just read Fern Brady's book /memoir on autism and it was brilliant - funny/ poignant and would not have read it without seeing her on TM

sunflowerdaisyrose · 16/01/2024 13:32

I went to watch one episode be filmed, only recognised Nick but they were very funny and I very much enjoyed the filming so looking forward to seeing the series!

Onthegrid · 16/01/2024 13:26

With comedy isn't the point to see new acts not just the same ones over and over again? If you do you will hear the same routines plenty of times!

megletthesecond · 16/01/2024 13:24

Steve Pemberton is a legend. He's been around for 25 years.

RainbowZebraWarrior · 16/01/2024 13:24

hogmanayhoolie · 16/01/2024 13:10

Steve Pemberton - used to be on Benidorm

Bloody hell. Poor Steve.

I know. I thought that, too.

I shall watch it for Steve alone. Incredibly intelligent and talented writer and actor.

CarAccident · 16/01/2024 13:22

John Robins is really well known. Both he and Sara Pascoe did comedy tours about their break up- he was much more famous than her when they were together

Steve Pemberton is probably once of the best known and most respected comedy writers and actors in the UK today (also an actor and director). Bafta winner, just starred with Lily Allen in pillow man to critical acclaim

Sophia Willan is also a Bafta winner.

Jijithecat · 16/01/2024 13:22

Sometimes the comedians I haven't heard of before end up being favourites.
I'd not come across Sam Campbell before series 16 and found him hilarious.
Steve Pemberton has a huge back catalogue and Nick Mohammed has been in lots of shows. I've heard John Robins on the radio.
I'm not familiar with Sophie's work, but that's great a new comedian for me to discover.

Sparklesocks · 16/01/2024 13:21

Steve Pemberton is also in Inside No 9 which is great!

Baxdream · 16/01/2024 13:21

Patsykenning · 16/01/2024 13:08

Also I don’t think it really matters if they’re known or not in Taskmaster. Some of my favourite all time contestants have been ones I’d never heard of before the show.

This!

MandyMotherOfBrian · 16/01/2024 13:18

‘Used to be on Benidorm’ - I imagine Steve Pemberton would find that hilarious. 😆 Maybe it could be his epitaph?
The only one I’m not familiar with is Joanne McNally but I’m not worried, there’s always one unfamiliar face and they often end up being the funniest. The format of the show makes it so.

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