Taskmaster NZ (2020– ) User Reviews

The Tasks that keep on Giving!

[crothwell-12752 · 9/10 · 3 January 2021]

Season 1: At the beginning of the series, I wasn't too impressed - I thought Jeremy Wells didn't get into his role enough, the contestants were weak and the assistant was a bit wooden in his delivery. However by episode 4 or 5, it began to click, with hilarious moments emanating from the contestants' personalities and responses to some genuinely brilliant tasks! Paul Williams as the little Alex Horne stand in became the best part of the show and Jeremy Wells as the Taskmaster was starting to form. Episodes 6 to 10 all consist of the best episodes of Taskmaster fullstop - including the UK original! It really started to give the original Taskmaster series 10 a run for its money!

Season 2 continues to excel in the task department and the new cast has a seemingly lovely rapport with each other! Little Paul is still an absolute delight, and while Jeremy still continues to be possibly the only weak link of the series, season 2 is definitely a step in the right direction.

For taskmaster fans and newcomers.

[dcalderwood-79815 · 8/10 · 23 May 2021]

I watched the full NZ series as a UK version fan. Identical format, mixed bag of episodes with some hilarious moments. Paul the assistant was brilliant but the taskmaster was a little too relaxed (compared to Greg Davies). The women comedians were great v.fun. Cool set, props and space. I hope there's a next series.

Season 2 is Perhaps the Best Taskmaster Season EVER

[julysidney · 10/10 · 11 September 2021]

I have never laughed so consistently at every episode of a season of Taskmaster as I have of season 2 of TMNZ. I'm not from NZ so I wasn't familiar with any of the people going into it but they all won me over quite easily. So many memorable and hilarious moments of absolute chaos. It is a very rare and beautiful thing for all five contestants in a series to be equally unpredictable and chaotic. Also Paul Williams as the Taskmaster assistant is absolutely delightful!

Filling the void

[jennifer-bond-566-366655 · 10/10 · 5 August 2021]

I went in a bit skeptical, I love TM UK, but I just finished season one of NZ, and I love it, I'm hooked, I wish all of these comedians were my friend! Sooooo funny!

Unexpected suprise

[maryprincipio · 10/10 · 10 October 2023]

I have no idea what algorithm I stumbled onto as a New Yorker that led me to finding this random show from New Zealand, but this has been one of the best things on the internet in awhile. Everything is just so much fun, and everyone is excited to do these stupid little tasks and it's just such a great time. I'm only on season 3 and so far my favorites have been Angela and Chris. Pretty much anyone who shows Paul some love is the best in my book. I don't know if I want to start watching a different version of the show. I fell in love with the accents and I think that's part of what I find so charming about it. I And of course, nobody can replace Paul <3.

True to form

[a_mobbs · 9/10 · 25 January 2021]

I like the NZ sense of humour. A bit dry and a bit sarcastic, combined with their accent (you can win hid) made this a great show. A few flat moments but mainly just brilliantly funny

Better than the original?

[chrischapman-47545 · 9/10 · 28 October 2023]

Having watched Taskmaster in the UK from the beginning I approached Taskmaster NZ with some trepidation and was pleasantly surprised. With a population of only 5 million and viewing figures under 200k with a smaller pool of potential contestants I had to expect some effects of a lower budget than the UK version but I found the range of tasks just as innovative, the positive relationships between the contestants grow as each series progresses and in particular the Taskmaster and his assistant Paul have none of the frankly abusive, unpleasant and not very funny manner of Greg in the UK version towards Alex. Paul in Taskmaster NZ does come in for some stick but it is generally done in good humour. There may be more ad breaks and the humour levels are more adult with greater use of four letter words than the UK version.

I am a great fan of NZ anyway as a country even if the dialect often replaces "e" with "i"....

A few laughs

[sprotty-28981 · 7/10 · 3 December 2020]

This pales in comparison to the brilliant UK version. I'm afraid Jeremy doesn't translate well as the Taskmaster - a bit dull and not sneering enough. Paul Williams was a pleasant surprise as the Taskmaster assistant.

Leigh Hart has a few genuine laugh out loud moments. The rest of the contestants were hit and miss except for Guy Williams who was all miss.

Pale Imitation

[ironpawpaw · 4/10 · 12 August 2021]

I went in with an open mind and was not impressed. The Taskmaster himself is a dud and the tone of the show is way too PC. There's no biting satire, just a bunch of failed attempts at slapstick and #awkward humour. One contestant was penalised for including a line about child soldiers in her submission for a task where she had to write a national anthem for the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The standout character here was Angella Dravid. She actually sells her brand of awkward humour well while coming off as sweet and sincere. She is a beacon of light in some murky, tepid waters.

Criticisms aside, I will give season 2 it's fair chance and also approach it with an open mind. I hope it finds its flow, because the world needs more high quality Taskmaster to keep us smiling through the difficult times we find ourselves in.

no Lols

[sundeepsmail · 1/10 · 9 September 2021]

This put me to sleeep, the monotone voice of jeremy and then the comics? Really they over did everything and it became cringy. I was actually embarrassed for them the comedy was soo rubbish.

snoozefest

[ollivernick · 1/10 · 9 September 2021]

This is like the cousin you never introduce your mates too. The original uk one is great this just feels like it was done by children.

Predictable

[yes_cazey · 5/10 · 10 February 2024]

First of all, I don't understand the high rating of this show. I've watched TM UK and there's a show I do like and laugh a lot too. First season of TM NZ was okey but not really funny. Second season was better. What strikes me in both seasons are that they don't really mix up the point giving part, you see the ones they showcase first always gets the lowest point. And what really bugs me is that from early on is that you can already see who's gonna win the season. They clearly have a favorite from the start and makes sure that the one gets points even for poorly executed tasks or even tasks that they should have been disqualified for.

yikes

[ollivernick · 1/10 · 13 September 2021]

How did so many people give this 10 stars this show is hot garbage.

zzzzz

[bendikytredal · 1/10 · 18 February 2024]

I can't remember the name of the taskmaster, but have never seen a more misplaced character/actor/whatever.....has this guy ever laughed at all? The "little Alex Horne" is good though, but not if he is involved in creating the tasks. The contestants/players are just rubbish. Comedians you say? Jeez what a boring show. And why do I have to write another 300 characters when i clearly can see others writing no more than probably 50 characters and getting away with it........just asking........and ofcourse wondering. I mean, i can rant for another 300 characters if I felt it is worth it, but who is going to read and get something out of that?

come on nz!

[jazfro · 17 December 2020]

This is the second attempt to export Taskmaster from the UK. The US version was pc, tame and boring. New Zealand does one better. There is an attempt to translate the style and tone of the UK show, but it's lame. I don't want to offend the hosts, but they are trying too hard. New Zealand, you can do better: how about a female or indigenous taskmaster? That would be an interesting and relevant variation! Still, the challenges show some innovation and the comedians show some imagination and wit and the show is watchable, with some good laughs. Dear Alex Horne, if you are paying attention, I know that this is your baby, perhaps your best creation (most successful to date), but if you want it to grow, you have to let go a little, invite others to play with it and make it theirs: that will make it even more successful. What you are trying to do is the opposite of big brother, it can't be that formulaic, you need to make room for creativity and innovation.

Series 1 cast likeable, Series 2 cast a bore

[bjoernhund · 3/10 · 23 July 2021]

First of all: nothing beats the UK version. As for this NZ one: I didn't know any of the cast for S1 but grew to appreciate them a few eps in - S1 rating: 6.

When S2 was released the cast was again unknown, but had no fret as S1 turned out pretty good. However.... 3 eps in and just about all of the cast are either unfunny or lack charisma (annoying in a non-captivating way) - S2 rating: 1.

Saawwy... :-(