Exclusive ‘Taskmaster’ Preview Clip: One Sense Working Overtime

The early episodes in a new Taskmaster season can be thrilling for a variety of reasons. Of course, there’s the excitement of just getting a new Taskmaster season; even though the show generally releases two a year, any wait can feel too long. (This is why it’s important to keep abreast of when other international versions are airing: a season of Taskmaster Australia or Taskmaster New Zealand can help bridge a hiatus.) 

There’s also the pleasure of scrutinizing a new cast and seeing which contestant archetypes they slot into. Who will be The Keener, who’s studied the game and takes it all extremely seriously? The Overthinker, who tries so hard to crack a task that they run out of time and have to scramble to complete it with seconds left? The Remedial Reader, who tends to miss a key piece of information in the task? Greg’s Enemy, who is probably Greg’s Friend in real life and thus feels free to be very argumentative about points allocation? 

Based on last week’s Season Series 20 premiere, I felt confident designating Sanjeev Bhaskar as Sir Can’t-Be-Arsed (a player who’s determined to expend minimum effort, seemingly oblivious to the fact that they’re starring in what’s intended to be an entertaining TV program), and Ania Magliano as Greg’s Pet (self-explanatory). 

But I still haven’t quite figured out Maisie Adam and Reece Shearsmith.

Well, that’s not quite true. After we see her having to stop and hike her pants up several times during the season’s first filmed task, Maisie explains to Greg that the leggings she chose to wear for her task costume didn’t quite fit. (Greg, drily: “Are you saying your trousers were riding down? I didn’t notice.”) I firmly believe a task costume should be chosen for maximum flexibility and minimum fuss; I tend to disdain those who choose something because they think it will be funny but then end up adjusting it constantly or having it get in the way of actually doing tasks, so immediately, Maisie put herself at a disadvantage with me.

However, Maisie gets a chance to redeem herself with this week’s new episode, which will land on the show’s YouTube page at 5 p.m. ET on Thursday. In a task in which players may only use ONE of their senses to identify hidden objects and, er, substances, Maisie proves that, if nothing else, she’s not afraid to look silly in pursuit of task success.