List #97: Ranking Taskmaster Cohorts, Ultimate Countdown! The Top 5 (Part 3 of 3)

During this pandemic, I've seen lots of people discover the UK delight Taskmaster, brainchild of Alex Horne. As someone who, over the course of the past four years, has steadily made her way through every available iteration and offshoot (you realize most of these people have podcasts, right?), I say, "Welcome!"

See also: Rec. #696, Rec. #731, List #71, Rec. #858, Rec. #873, List #95


Many casts have now had the absurd and joyful Taskmaster experience, and I have thoughts on all of them.

Let's count down! See Part 1 here. See Part 2 here. 

5. Series Eleven (currently airing; ranking subject to change): Charlotte Ritchie, Jamali Maddix, Lee Mack, Mike Wozniak, Sarah Kendall

Currently airing, so who really knows, but it's already had a couple of instant-classic tasks (two words: table - salt). Not to mention the magnificence of Sarah Kendall's hair.

4. Series Six: Alice Levine, Asim Chaudhry, Liza Tarbuck, Russell Howard, Tim Vine

Earns this spot mainly for the iconic cake-sitting, but each contestant in this one is sincerely likeable in their own way. Plus, bonus! Alice Levine says, "Hey, girl" to Alex.

3. Series Seven: James Acaster, Jessica Knappett, Kerry Godliman, Phil Wang, Rhod Gilbert

Best line: "I wanted to be on the girls' team really badly." | Runner-up: "A laminator!"

2. Series Four: Hugh Dennis, Joe Lycett, Lolly Adefope, Mel Giedroyc, Noel Fielding 

Highest ratio of deliciously chaotic contestants | Fave task from this group: Hide from Alex

1. Series Five: Aisling Bea, Bob Mortimer, Mark Watson, Nish Kumar, Sally Phillips

This cast does the most enthusiastic cheering on of one another, by far. They also do some of the best stuff. "Write and perform a song for a stranger" is my favorite task, ever ever ever -- both the process and the results. Also unforgettable: The point-of-view film from Sally Phillips

[Tiny bonus: May I humbly suggest a fun add-on? For any season/series, take a drink every time someone walks into a new task space carrying a cup of tea. You'll only stay sober for the US season.] 

List #97: Ranking Taskmaster Cohorts, Ultimate Countdown! (Part 2 of 3)

During this pandemic, I've seen lots of people discover the UK delight Taskmaster, brainchild of Alex Horne. As someone who, over the course of the past four years, has steadily made her way through every available iteration and offshoot (you realize most of these people have podcasts, right?), I say, "Welcome!"

See also: Rec. #696, Rec. #731, List #71, Rec. #858, Rec. #873, List #95


Many casts have now had the absurd and joyful Taskmaster experience, and I have thoughts on all of them.

Let's count down! See Part 1 here and Part 3 here.

9. Series Two: Doc Brown, Joe Wilkinson, Jon Richardson, Katherine Ryan, Richard Osman

Several instant-classic moments in this one: impress a mayor, Lord Greg Davies, the potato golf heartbreak ...

8. Series Eight: Iain Stirling, Joe Thomas, Lou Sanders, Paul Sinha, Sian Gibson

Lou Sanders was made for this show.

7. Champion of Champions (aired between Series Five and Six): Bob Mortimer, Josh Widdicombe, Katherine Ryan, Noel Fielding, Rob Beckett

Highlight from this two-parter: Katherine makes a mess in episode 2

6. Series One: Frank Sinner, Josh Widdicombe, Roisin Conaty, Romesh Ranganathan, Tim Key

The very first series/season! A very strong start!

List #97: Ranking Taskmaster Cohorts, Ultimate Countdown! (Part 1 of 3)

During this pandemic, I've seen lots of people discover the UK delight Taskmaster, brainchild of Alex Horne. As someone who, over the course of the past four years, has steadily made her way through every available iteration and offshoot (you realize most of these people have podcasts, right?), I say, "Welcome!"

See also: Rec. #696, Rec. #731, List #71, Rec. #858, Rec. #873, List #95

Many casts have now had the absurd and joyful Taskmaster experience, and I have thoughts on all of them. 

Let's count down! We're starting from the weakest series/seasons, but even those are great! See Part 2 here and Part 3 here. Top 5 are coming on Thursday.

14. New Year Treat (aired between Series* Ten and Eleven): John Hannah, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Nicole Coughlan, Rylan Clark-Neal, Shirley Ballas

Perfectly fine, but just one episode.

13. Series* Ten: Daisy May Cooper, Johnny Vegas, Katherine Parkinson, Mawaan Rizwan, Richard Herring

Filmed during the pandemic. Thank the gods for the raucous laughter of Daisy May Cooper and Johnny Vegas.

12. Series Three: Al Murray, Dave Gorman, Paul Chowdhry, Rob Beckett, Sara Pascoe 

Very fond of Chowdhry, Beckett, Pascoe. Can't stand Murray or Gorman.

11. U.S. Version (season 1 and only): Dillon Francis, Freddie Highmore, Kate Berlant, Lisa Lampanelli, Ron Funches

Look, they tried. Not nearly as bad as you've heard!

10. Series Nine: David Baddiel, Ed Gamble, Jo Brand, Katy Wix, Rose Matafeo

A very solid run! Especially considering that Baddiel and Brand could not have cared less, Gamble and Matafeo maybe cared too much, and Wix had to be subbed two episodes because of a health issue.

*Reminder that "Series" in UK = "Season" in US

Rec. #890/ Streaming Suggestion of the Week #51: Feel Good

Stream what: Creator Mae Martin also stars in this dark comedy/drama-with-funny-bits about a comedian recovering from addiction and starting a new relationship ... and also starting to depend on that as a new addiction.

Stream why: Excellent writing (see quotes below) and a stellar cast, including Charlotte Ritchie, Lisa Kudrow, Sophie Thompson (yes, Emma's sister), and Sindhu Vee. It also features actors from my beloved W1A and my also-beloved Green Wing.

If your little '90s brain ever wanted to see Phoebe from Friends and Wickham from the 1995 Pride and Prejudice as a couple, this is your chance!

Representative dialogue:

"Sometimes I think I just love George, but I actually also love grapes." | "Yeah, George is not your entire personality, darling. You gotta remember that. Addicts fixate. You gotta mix it up."

[Meanwhile, from George] "I think that love should sit beside your life, like a lamp."

Stream where: Netflix

Connections to previous Wreckage: Green Wing was Rec. #110. W1A was Streaming Suggestion of the Week #33.