At Paramount’s 2023 Upfront, Taskmaster was revealed as a new show coming to 10 in 2023.
Tom Gleeson stars as the Taskmaster, with Tom Cashman as his assistant. Each week the two Toms set five comedians a range of tasks designed to test brains and put funny bones to the test.
Beverley McGarvey, the executive vice president and chief content officer for Paramount ANZ told Mediaweek, “Taskmaster, I’m sure you’re probably aware is a hit in the UK. We’ve really wanted to make the show for years. It’s a really particular show to cast, if you don’t get the cast right, you can’t really make the show.
“We’re really excited to have Tom Gleeson as the Taskmaster, it feels like he was kind of born to be the Taskmaster. Comedy is resonating really well with our audience at the minute, and in the economic environment we’re in, we tend to find comedy does well in these types of cycles.”
Who’ll master the tasks? At the series’ end, the comedian with the most points will be crowned the champion.
The lineup of comedians ready to risk their reputations, includes Julia Morris, Luke McGregor, Jimmy Rees, Nina Oyama and Danielle Walker.
Taskmaster Tom Gleeson said: “Taskmaster is a popular comedy game show from the UK where the host belittles comedians while they carry out tedious tasks.
“People have been asking me to host an Australian version for years. How could I say no? Hosting this show is a bloody match made in heaven.”
Produced by Avalon / Kevin &Co, executive producers are Alex Horne, Richard Allen-Turner, Rob Aslett, James Taylor, Jon Thoday and Andy Devonshire (The Apprentice and The Great British Bake Off), who also acts as series director.
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Taskmaster premieres 10 in 2023.