Redlambs
Creator of the Caftards comics
Just got out of a Fern Brady gig, she started with "It's me Fern Brady!" And mentioned TM twice, including saying she was tired due to a brain cyst now
I tapped out 3 episodes into this series, just haven't had the urge to watch it, even on catch up. Its felt like some of the covid series, spoiled by bland casting and not great tasks. I was actually thinking the show might have run its course until the previous series which was up there with the best at times. Maybe they should move to only doing one series a year, less strain on coming up with interesting tasks but that's probably not going to happen.
I like those - I mean the stage "live" team tasks where in both this series the team of three had a clear advantage.
After the previous one where the team of three got 10(?) points it was pretty much impossible for Frankie and Ivo to catch up to them over the rest of the series.
Yeah Mae is a weird one because there have been contestants who found loopholes and skirted the rules before but for some reason when they do it it feels very smug and irritating. Ivo & Frankie have been good. Kiel to an extent too and Jennie’s enthusiasm is fun but it has been a bit bland despite all that. Not helped by the tasks at times.
I don't think the issue has been the contestants, more the uninspired tasks this series. Ivo was a constant source of laughs, but otherwise it's been a very forgettable series.I think people would probably be loving Mae if they had some kind of cultural foothold in the UK.
They’re awfully similar to Tarbuck, Herring, Gamble. And so much more likeable than Beckett or Kendall.
The winners are rarely beloved.
I don't think the issue has been the contestants, more the uninspired tasks this series. Ivo was a constant source of laughs, but otherwise it's been a very forgettable series.
One of the least exciting group reveals for me. I've never heard of two of them, and don't find the other three particularly funny.I was just thinking we haven't seen Jon Richardson's painfully unfunny wife, shoehorned into something he has already done, for about 5mins...
One of the least exciting group reveals for me. I've never heard of two of them, and don't find the other three particularly funny.
Hopefully the tasks will be better than this series, and the group dynamic in the studio will work well. But was hoping to see at least one comedian I like in there - though I guess a lot have already been on by now!
Ah, thanks. Yeah, they were obviously the two I wasn't familiar with.Sam will be someone people find very funny or very annoying. There won't be an in-between. Susan is an actress and they tend to be very good on the show and usually a bit mental
The best contestants are generally the ones that just don’t give a Fcuk about the scoreboard. Kearns, Acaster, Nish, Fern, Wozniak, Stirling, are all Taskmaster Royalty and never really tried to win.
But yeah, the 10-10-10-0-0 was still mental.
Am I completely misremembering but wasn't Ian Stirling really competitive, to the point he apologised for the way he acted in a team task after watching it back? Found him to be really irritating.
One of the least exciting group reveals for me. I've never heard of two of them, and don't find the other three particularly funny.
Hopefully the tasks will be better than this series, and the group dynamic in the studio will work well. But was hoping to see at least one comedian I like in there - though I guess a lot have already been on by now!
Holding out a bit of hope for Lucy Beaumont that she might be good in a completely shite at everything kind of way.
I have the feeling that Alex doesn't really understand what makes a task good. He seems to enjoy giving them very complicated instructions, when the best ones are usually very simple.
Been catching up over the last few days.
The season does improve as it goes on, but my god Mae is a charisma vacuum.
Also surprised people don't seem to like Jenny, I think she's been one of the better older contestants.
I have the feeling that Alex doesn't really understand what makes a task good. He seems to enjoy giving them very complicated instructions, when the best ones are usually very simple.
I really like Mae as a character, and a genuinely funny stand up. But wasn’t much of a value add as a Taskmaster contestant. But winners often aren’t.
If you don’t already, check out the Taskmaster Podcast that they did after the win. Very honest and confessional about their appearance. Self aware enough to see how they came across. Admits that they thought they’d aimed at ‘funny’ more. But missed. Was a really nice insight.
Made me realise that it’s a little unfair to expect all contestants to be the perfect blend of; Genius loophole finder, funny failure, creative genius, hopeless, nice, belligerent and loveable.
The same podcast has episodes with Andy, Andy, Alex and Greg. Kind of reminds you that they’re trying to create great tv, not give you five characters to love.
Well if their intention going on TM was to gain new fans for their standup they've failed. At no point have they even attempted to be humourous in any capacity.
First and foremost this is a comedy show and Mae has approached this as a proper quiz/challenge show. At least previous dour contestants have at least tried to make jokes at some point.
They don’t need to entertain anyone to get the exposure.
Their stand up is funny. I’ve told lots. They’ve watched and agreed. Some disagreed.
Basically, I don’t think as many peoples measure of ‘I’ll watch this person’ is the same as yours.
All good if you’ll only watch stand up comedy by people that meet your vision of ‘enjoyable on taskmaster’ I guess. That won’t be the case for others though. More than enough people for them to sell out larger venues going forward.
Beyond that… a stand up only really needs a few thousand fans in large cities to carve out a living. I’m sure that Mae picked up enough to do that. I don’t think they’re in the bottom half of worst contestants. They’ll do just fine without you or I buying a ticket to see them.
Are you Mae's agent?
I judge comedians on their ability to make me laugh, if they're unable to do that on a show like Taskmaster I have very little hope for their actual stand-up routines.
Conversely a good contestant on TM isn't necessarily a good stand-up, but I'm much more likely to watch a new comic if they've actually made attempts to be funny on a comedy panel show.
These newer, relatively obscure comedians need and want the exposure from a show like TM to pull in new fans.
Apart from David Baddiel. (Joke. But not really)
Frankie Boyle was a lot funnier than Fern Brady live. Noel Fielding actually doing jokes was lightyears beyond both. All three I'd recommend though.
Not sure what this adds.
?
Baddiel - I added white text. He has an historic body of work. He’s a good writer too. But I can’t stand the fella so shit on him a little bit.
Not sure your white text you added after my reply helps your cause...
In any case, enjoy the upcoming gigs. I've been umming and ahing about seeing Ivo on his tour and for some reason neither myself nor the missus are interested in seeing Gamble despite both loving his podcast work. I think the issue with these tv comedians is that you've already seen/heard their best jokes.
Well Baddiel isn’t funny anymore. He’s never been funny on his own really either. Was also awful on Taskmaster.
Anywho. Go to watch Ed Gamble. He’s not that great as a stand up? But Chloe Petts is his opener and she’s great.