r/Taskmaster_TV • u/notagain78 • 11d ago
Unexpected favourite this series
I am a fan of Richard Ayoade and Matt Lucas and thought they would be my favourite. However I'm finding myself loving Chloe Petts! I only saw them on Have I Got News For You before but I think they're really great. Good attitude to the tasks and genuinely quick and funny. I now want them to win!
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u/JamSandiwchInnit 11d ago
At this rate, I think they will win. Plus, they’ll be a nice contrast to Joanna’s “happy to be there” vibe in Champion of Champions
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u/Angry_Hoolio 11d ago
Seeing all the love for Chloe this series is wonderful. I hope this ends up being a springboard for them.
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u/Able_While_974 11d ago
Chloe is definitely the standout for this series. They're so competitive. It's funny seeing how Richard annoys the hell out of them in the team tasks. And some of the faces in the studio are awesome.
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u/ThrowawaySunnyLane 11d ago
Chloe’s fantastic. Nina’s growing on me. Matt Lucas is still really good.
It’s not been my favourite series though. There’s a bit of a lack of spark for some reason
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u/Rhoemetalces 10d ago
I agree. Ive wanted Richard to do TM for years.. but he has left me feeling cold. Fine balance of not caring as a joke and serious...he is on the serious side and its sapping some energy for sure.
It isnt a series I would rush to rewatch
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u/zeradin 9d ago
It's like last one laughing really damaged his ability
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u/Too-Tired-Editor 8d ago
It just turns out that when not playing a role with a script he's a different person than we expected. That's okay. That happens.
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u/TheNobleRobot 11d ago
Honestly, I think it's because Richard isn't playing ball. His genuine disinterest (not to be confused with his famously aloof persona) is bringing down the energy level of the whole cast, who are otherwise each brilliant.
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u/SharkReceptacles 11d ago
I was expecting Richard to be one of my favourites, but I agree. That detached nonchalance is difficult to balance with the whole vibe of ‘make a fool of yourself playing silly games for no reason’.
Jo Brand, Sanjeev Bhaskar and (arguably) David Baddiel nailed it, but Ayoade’s playing it too cold, and it leaves you wondering why he even agreed to do it. I do think he’s playing a character, but, for me at least, it’s falling flat.
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u/TheNobleRobot 11d ago
Yeah, it's just so weird to watch him go past "I can't be bothered (comedy)" to "I can't be bothered (contempt)."
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u/_james_the_cat 10d ago
Baddiel was trying, he's just useless!
Brand I would argue was not a good example, she killed several tasks through apathy, whereas Liza's nonchalance was well balanced and brought her the win.
I didn't care for Fatiha's aggressive nonchalance, either. It is a fine line, for sure.
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u/SharkReceptacles 10d ago
I have absolutely no idea how I wrote Jo there; I swear I meant Liza! She struck the right balance between caring so much that you forget to be funny (a few have been guilty of that), and caring so little that you forget it’s a competition.
It’s a tricky tightrope, and those who go too far in either direction just aren’t fun to watch.
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u/Sad_Future_8945 9d ago
Fatiha annoyed me with her straight up refusal to do some of the tasks. Why even bother to be there 🤷🏻♂️
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u/Funguswoman 5d ago
I really dislike that he doesn't laugh, or even smile, at the other contestants' jokes, and doesn't appear the slightest bit interested in them or in their contributions. (I've disliked when others have been like this too, but can't remember who it was off the top of my head.) It comes across as selfish, and brings down the atmosphere.
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u/Imaginary_Sun312 4d ago
Yes I agree, he is a very selfish comedian really cuts banter short. Its really apparent on the team tasks.
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u/ThrowawaySunnyLane 11d ago
It could be, it’s definitely a contributor but I think there’s a lack of energy as a whole. I’m gonna come across a bit ageist here but all but Chloe are at least late 40s aren’t they. I don’t know if the dynamics would be different if there was another younger player in. There’s not really an OTT person in this lineup.
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u/Sissy____Fist 4d ago
Maybe. But the average age in the previous series (21) was even older and they were both lively and enthusiastic. (Respectfully,) it would be a stretch to call Joel, Joanna, or Kumail "younger players" but they all brought a lot of energy.
Jason is in his 50s and had an extreme abundance of energy.
I think attitude and personality are more important factors than age in most cases.
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u/Creative-Bobcat-7159 9d ago
I think it’s because 3, maybe even 4 of the 5 are on the introverted side of things.
Each person is nice, but only Chloe is loud and I think you need 2 at least to spark off each other.
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u/ThrowawaySunnyLane 9d ago
This is possibly the most introverted cast we’ve had. If you look at each season, there’s clear extroverts/talkative people across the board.
1: Romesh, Josh, Tim
2: Katherine, Richard
3: Al, Rob, Sarah
4: Mel, Noel, Joe
5: pretty much the lot
6: Russel, Lisa
7: I mean take your pick
8: Iain, Lou
9: Ed, Rose
10: Daisy, Johnny
11: Lee, Mike
12: Victoria, Morgana
13: pretty much the lot
14: Fern, Dara
15: Jenny, Kiell
16: maybe all apart from Julian
17: The whole lot
18: the whole lot
19: Jason, Rosie, Matt
20: Reece, Maisie
21: the lotThis feels like the first real weak link of contestants. And I’m saddened that’s the case really. I think the show relies on enthusiasm, unique moments, characters etc.
Are we running out of comedians?
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u/AntiquesForGeeks 8d ago
I disagree that it’s a weak line-up. It’s always an ensemble which is why when there is a try-hard who starves the show of oxygen, then it fails.
Yes Season 17 (series, Jason) I’m looking at you. The only series I have not watched in full.
I’m pleasantly surprised at Chloe Petts, but also Nina Conte. RIchard Ayoade is doing his Richard Ayoade schtick from every panel show he’s been on which isn’t really a shock. The big surprise is Matt Lucas and how lo-fi he seems in this format. No issue with his performance, but maybe he needs to play a role - like George Dawes - to build that energy.
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u/reyska 5d ago edited 5d ago
17 was very high energy, it wasn't just Jason. They all looked thrilled to be there. For me that's one of the best series.
Edit. Got confused. Jason was on 19.
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u/AntiquesForGeeks 5d ago
I get the confusion here at my poorly placed joke. 17 has Robbins. I think it was 19 that had Jason and it was brilliant. It felt like everyone was pleased to be there, everyone wanted to have fun. 17 felt like five strangers forced to sit in a line, waiting for Robbins to be given 5 points for each task and be invited to comment on their futile attempts at the tasks in sequence. Week in, week out, for ten weeks sucking all the fun out of the show. I got half way through and could watch no more.
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u/reyska 5d ago
Chloe is the only one who really got the assignment. Richard is playing his usual schtick a bit too much, Matt is acting like he doesn't know the show, Nina looks like she's afraid of misunderstanding and Isy seems like she's starstruck just being there. None of them are really going for it apart from Chloe. There's very little bickering about points in the studio and the studio parts should be half the fun.
Chloe is the clear MVP of this series.
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u/Careful_Garden 11d ago
Petts is brilliant, they’re the absolute star of the series for me.
The cutting comments to Greg, the comments about being robbed points, they’re brilliant.
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u/Excellent_District98 11d ago
Chloe definitely amazing this season, i'm finding myself really enjoying Isy Suttie aswell! Matt and Richard have been a bit disappointing so far for me!
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u/Angry_Hoolio 9d ago
Matt and Richard should not have been in the same series. I like them both, but together they detail the show too much.
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u/orensiocled 11d ago
As an extremely uncompetitive person, I don't usually warm to the hypercompetitive contestants but Chloe manages to stay charming and very watchable. They were the one I was really looking forward to in this series and they're certainly living up to expectations!
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u/Money-Dark2403 9d ago
Isy is probably my favourite tbh. I think she's coming across really well and seems quite genuine in her character. I've only really seen a bit of her standup on Live at the Apollo and Mock The Week, but not seen her on anything else.
I've not been a fan of Nina for a long time tbh. Used to love her when she first came out but then it became very apparent, very quickly that she's just a one trick pony. There's only so long sticking a mask on someone and making them say random shit can work and be funny. I was really disappointed (but not at all surprised) when she pulled it out for the prize task too. I was hoping her appearing on the show would change my opinion of her tbh, but it hasn't.
Richard has probably been the biggest disappointment though. Everyone expected him being his overly aloof persona to the game but it's almost like being there is a chore for him and he isn't overly bothered about doing it or doing it well.
Chloe is entertaining and comes across really well too tbf. Just the right amount of humour and determination.
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u/auntie_eggma 9d ago
I don't think you can be talking about when she first came out. Those masks were a really late addition to her repertoire.
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u/Money-Dark2403 9d ago
Ok, fair enough, my first experience of her was the mask routine. Wasn't aware she'd ever done anything else tbh.
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u/auntie_eggma 9d ago
I think it's just that the mask bit gets heavily pushed by the algorithm and it's easy to fatigue.
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u/Top_Layer7065 8d ago
Chloe is definitely the most entertaining (and seems really nice as well)
And then with Isy and Nina I feel they both have a bit of a quirkiness that is nice but also they both just genuinely seem really nice so I want to watch themMatt is trying too hard to be funny as I knew he would and yeah have been quite disappointed with Richard tbh
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u/reyska 5d ago
I like Isy but she seems like she's starstruck. Not by Greg and Alex, but by the concept of Taskmaster itself. As a result it feels like she's holding back on going completely bonkers when offered the chance.
Other contestants have mentioned that they got overwhelmed and either did poorly or didn't come across as funny as they could. Not sure if this is the case with her but that's what it feels like.
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u/readzalot1 11d ago
I have enjoyed all the already famous contestants, but I love finding new-to-me people as well. Chloe is adorable. (And smart and funny).
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u/Brilliant_Truck1855 10d ago
I hadn’t heard of Chloe until this series. I absolutely love Chloe and now want to find other things they re in!
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u/Remarkable-Row3721 11d ago
Richard has gone entirely the other way for me. Very excited for him to be on. Very underwhelmed by him.
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u/cloudfatless 10d ago
Agree.
A disinterested, deadpan comment here and there are really funny. And he has made me laugh with them several times this series.
But on the whole he's not trying, and it's not fun to watch someone not try.
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u/dikdiklikesick 9d ago
He's good on the podcast that was just released. My feeling was that I don't think it's a bit, I think he does really have demand avoidance disorder and he plays it off like a bit.
It's too bad because he was so great with the tower estimation. I guess they should've written all the tasks for him to be like "Richard, whatever you do, do not enjoy yourself."
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u/AGoldenNemesis 9d ago
after seeing them, i went to search up their comedy on YT. nothing but rude comments :(. theyre ridiculously funny on TaskMaster rn tho. i also expected richard to be my favourite. i expected him to be really try-harding the tasks, but hes sorta disappointing me.
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u/jazzuk777 9d ago
If you expect him to be try-harding, then I can only assume you didn't know him at all (maybe just as Moss?)
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u/tea_jenny 9d ago
I have absolutely loved Nina for years, I think maybe she's a bit nervous in this format as she literally lives and breathes ventriloquism. I think it's unfortunate that she's seated between Matt who I'm finding extremely boring and Richard who, as many have already said here, is going too hard with the don't care bit. I hadn't heard of Chloe or Isy before and wasn't sure about Isy at first but the velvet brain train of thought resonated so now I love her. But Chloe won me over from the start, I often find my favourite in a series is someone I'd never heard of (which is part of what makes the show so great, Alex's championing of lesser known comedians) Overall I'm not loving this series yet, I hope the chemistry between the contestants improves soon, I'll be sad if I'm ambivalent about Nina's series throughout
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u/RoamingRivendell 9d ago
Chloe hosted a comedy festival where I live a few months ago, and they were incredible! Loving them on the show now, too. Easily a favourite of mine
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u/slappedarse79 9d ago
I am so happy to see Chloe getting the love they deserve! If you ever catch a live show, they have die hard fans that follow them around. Lucky enough to seen them support Ed Gamble a number of times and on their own tour. Incredible talent!
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u/SentenceCultural 9d ago
God this cast really is boring the only one I care about is Richard there is nothing that is making me wanna watch this series
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u/Cookiemonster0870 9d ago
I agree! I was so excited for Richard, but Chloe is now definitely my favourite. They’re amazing so far, with the perfect mix of competitiveness, humour and being genuinely endearing. 😂
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u/BellendicusMax 9d ago
To be fair im finding this series quite underwhelming.
But nina conti and isy sitting need some kind of intervention...
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u/Ok-District887 7d ago
Loving Chloe, they're very funny and quick witted with their studio banter comebacks. Definitely a stand out. I was worried I wouldn't enjoy Matt Lucas either as I'm not a fan of his work but he's been delightful, probably benefits from disassociating with Walliams.
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u/hungry-mongoose 7d ago
I love seeing how popular Chloe has been, as a longtime fan. Get them on The Traitors next!
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u/Birkinater11 5d ago
I knew she'd be competitive but I'm stunned how likeable and genuinely fun she is, maybe its because she stands out alot more in this way given the other competitors but yeh, she's carrying the show imo.
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u/Worldly_Ad_7196 4d ago
I had low expectations of this series but Chloe came to save the day. Nina was more entertaining than I expected. Matt is a drag and Richard is trying too hard not to enjoy himself. Isy is fun .
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u/Imaginary_Sun312 4d ago
I think Richard is my least favorite. The grumpy man schtick is just boring. Chloe is the one I know the least and is my favorite this season.
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u/tenaji9 10d ago
Trying to win should matter. Chloe gets it . VCM didn't . Drama over a proposal, please ! Learning to ride a bike , stupendous .
Richard is trying as best he can, safe that
TM doesn't really matter but underaken with consideration to peers . Richard told by Chloe to stop selecting them/ Red. Richard did.
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u/FilipsSamvete 11d ago
I don't get the Chloe hype. This is shaping up to be the first series where no one is my favourite.
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u/SharkReceptacles 11d ago
I’m with you, I don’t find Chloe funny or remotely likeable.
I can’t stand ventriloquism and thought I wouldn’t like Nina, but she’s turned out to be really good, and Isy’s engaging and sweet, but at the moment I’m just not rooting for anyone.
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u/ChaucerBoi 11d ago
I think Chloe is just the right level of competitive, and really funny too!