Alex Horne's Reddit AMA - Part 2 | Taskmaster

Little Alex Horne answers your questions in the second part of this Reddit AMA. Series 15 of Taskmaster starts 30th March on Channel 4. Watch part 1 here: • Alex Horne's Reddit AM...
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In this Broadcast Award-winning, BAFTA and Emmy Award-nominated entertainment show, Taskmaster tyrant Greg Davies (Man Down, Cuckoo), with the help of his loyal assistant Alex Horne (The Horne Section and the show’s creator), sets out to test the wiles, wit and wisdom of five hyper-competitive comedians.
Comedians that have risked life, limb, and dignity in the hope of making the Taskmaster proud so far include: Frank Skinner (The Frank Skinner Show), Mel Giedroyc (The Great British Bake Off), Romesh Ranganathan (Asian Provocateur), Hugh Dennis (Outnumbered), Sally Phillips (Bridget Jones’ Diary), Rose Matafeo (Edinburgh Comedy Award Winner 2018), and Russell Howard (The Russell Howard Hour). Unaware of what awaits them in each wax-sealed envelope, only one competitor can become the victorious owner of His Royal Task-ness’ golden head and be crowned the next Taskmaster Champion.

[@Francklyynnnn]

The fact that Phil Wang used to be an original task tester and still managed to be awful at most of series 7 is more impressive than anything a series champion has ever done 😂

[@nicosmind3]

Maybe he was that bad for comedy? 🤔, Or maybe that's why he's no longer the task tester 😂

[@reggaemarley4617]

WANG

[@BrettPemberton]

A LIME!!!!!!!!

[@theyruinedyoutubeagain]

He didn't have to have good at tasks though, he was the control 😆

[@willisverynice]

He was probably focused on what was most funny and not on winning.

[@Riddla26]

"I'd be a sheep. I think they're very happy." Peak Alex.

[@sonny9493]

It's because Greg is Welsh.....

[@JesseFeld]

4:12 Alex correcting the questioner's grammar saying "which" instead of "what" was just so pure Alex.

[@auntlynnie]

I played it 3x! 😂

[@buggyboogle9]

Yes. On the latest podcast, featuring Alex as a guest, he also corrected Ed by telling him to use “fewer” instead of “less,’

[@AH-te5gs]

The journalism degree kicked in.

[@Mammutidae]

I feel Reddit makes that grammar mistake constantly

[@pixelfrenzy]

...but then Alex used "amount" to refer to a countable noun. How disappointing.

[@slothfulcobra]

A key thing about Alex's tastes in food that I learned from the Off Menu podcast is that he doesn't have any. He is dangerously unconcerned with how any foods taste and is happy to eat just about anything. I think he has a dangerous level of improv brain.

[@MarkPentler]

Maybe he'd like Huel lol😂

[@SonaraRuna]

Mighty white bread loaf, American singles, shrimp primula, and a Biscoff pop tart...

[@auntlynnie]

As someone who rarely knows anyone on the stage when each series starts, I think you underestimate how many people would watch an international version of the show. ❤

[@cait812]

Tbf is it needed when each country can showcase their own talent

[@RapsCalorie]

The head of Dropout (College Humor) tried to get licensing for Taskmaster but it was a pretty firm no IIRC.

[@Tao_Tology]

@@RapsCalorie Was that pre or post 'The TM Version We Don't Talk About' ?

[@cait812]

@@RapsCalorie I love that attempt. Probably issues with their own global licensing + having their own streaming platform for Taskmaster.

[@stingstadia1]

The American version was pretty shit. I was so excited to watch and so disappointed when it started 😔

[@whereisyourdognow]

4:09 Alex passive aggressively whispering a grammatical correction to this reddit question is so on brand

[@hannahbrown2728]

Alex rating Bin Juice and literal backwash over Quinoa is totally in character

[@SquirefromtheShire]

Before seeing Taskmaster, I hadn’t heard of 80% of the contestants. One of the things I look forward to each series is who I’ll be introduced to. Tell the commissioners they’re just wrong.

[@NeonNijahn]

They absolutely are just wrong

[@dougr.2245]

The unexpected thing that sticks in my memory is when a duck that you'd forgotten about in the lab was counted in the "find a duck" episode.

[@lenaa8889]

Hi do u remember what series that was?

[@Monox1de7]

@@lenaa8889 pretty sure that was series 13Ep1

[@dougr.2245]

@@lenaa8889 Series 13 episode 1

[@runeflindt7796]

Is there a duck on my face?

[@Tao_Tology]

@@runeflindt7796 'Let's roll the clip'

[@yobgodababua1862]

"We'll celebrate, but we'll try to do it in a way so no one notices." God bless, I wish there was a bit more of that in the world.

[@m_gwb]

As someone who lives nowhere near the UK, I had absolutely no idea who these people were until I watched Taskmaster. This show has introduced me to a lot of talented & funny comics (the Taskmaster & little Alex Horne included).

[@sidhackney8831]

I love the career path of comics who pursue some more respectable form of writing then bail when they realize they're expected to take things seriously

[@noidontwantanamebro5323]

Love that he said Liza Tarbuck for the most surprising contestant... Thinking back to a certain cake incident?

[@Tao_Tology]

She also had a very specific attitude to the series. I, think, she went in to it wanting to win? But she was (also) clearly only bothering as much as she felt and was DEFinitely seeing how naughty she could be while still technically following the tasks.

[@WondrousPurple]

I love it, too. :) Liza had the certain cake incident and other memorable moments: Hop, the jaunty trip back to Taskmaster's House for the kiss, the journey of the wind-up toy, her Champion of Champions II look ... Very fun, very naughty. :)

[@pedromendes5022]

I loved Lisa but I honestly thought he would say Sally Phillips. To me, she was the most "out of the box" kind of contestant.

[@anophelesnow3957]

Liza had a superb moment in a group task with those boys Vine and Chaudry. It was a mystery/escape room and the lads would not listen to her - so she just completed the task.

[@benjaminwetter3285]

when she showed up with facial hair, it seemed to have surprised him at least a little. love Tarbuck

[@Taolan8472]

The rapid-fire responses, the ever-present dry delivery of Horne's wit like a fine white wine, these little AMA videos are a fantastic treat. A little peek behind the curtain, but just a peak. Enough to pique one's interest even further than before. Can't wait for what the future holds. International Taskmaster Tournament sounds like an amazing thing to put on. Liza Tarbuck being the very avatar of Chaos comes as no surprise, especially given the context of your description for sitting on a cake. It's good to hear this is managing to stay fun and fresh for the people involved. This is probably one of the greatest game shows in the history of television, and introduces the world to a range of comedians many of us may have never discovered otherwise.

[@ashholiday123]

Perfect profile pic

[@idde4345]

"a peak behind the curtain" *slightly shaking my head* Peek. (sorry, just channeling my inner Alex Horne)

[@maxington26]

@@idde4345 I'm glad someone else did that before me :)

[@Taolan8472]

@idde4345 damnit. It was supposed to be "peek", then "peak" (as in the peak/tip of an iceberg) then "pique" as a triple layer pun, but i flubbed it.

[@maxington26]

@@Taolan8472 so close! 😉😉

[@coldsteelblue7275]

When mentioning an unexpected thing, I genuinely thought Alex was going to mention Josh's tattoo, that still the most unexpected thing to date....that & Romesh's wedding ring 😂

[@kddidit08]

Tarbuck was my first thought - she's a revelation!

[@Tao_Tology]

Surely it's when 'that traitorous old woman' appeared.

[@elaexplorer]

​@@Tao_Tology LoL I just rewatched the clip recently. It still got a laugh from the look on Greg's face

[@coldsteelblue7275]

@@Tao_Tology I'd say that was a moment for Greg, as Alex had to set up the image & thus would've known, but it's still a great section to watch

[@lenochod6]

what always amuses me how much money and effort and risk the contestants in the first series put into the prize tasks. And then you have some other sseries where it seems like the contestants grabbed the first think they saw :D :D :D

[@lisahoshowsky4251]

It is not frivolous or a waste of time, it brings me so much joy. I just know when I’m having a cruddy day I can turn on an episode of taskmaster and be genuinely laughing by the end. Not a lot can do that for me

[@Jennyfisch]

Left a similar comment before I saw yours. Fully agree! It's simple to say why waste resources on a silly show, but laughter is so, so important. It's been my feel-good show during lockdown and ever since, and thus very dear to me.

[@drakethegay]

A waste of food sure, other than that it's just delightful

[@mageless8192]

“The whole thing is frivolous and a waste of time” Alex the whole thing is keeping us sane! You’re doing amazing work!

[@TeezyPie]

Dear Commissioners who are SURELY reading this 🤣. We would LOVE an International Taskmaster with various contestants from various international versions!!!

[@BOABModels]

I saw Alex and the brilliant Horne Section at the O2 a couple of weeks ago and now I feel like I know him. What a strange but amazing man.

[@lhfirex]

I think a Taskmaster International episode would be great, as either like an International Champion of Champions thing (so limited to 1-2 episodes max) or some broader international one-off episodes like the New Year's Treats.

[@crane112491]

Thank you for doing these videos. I've already read the responses on reddit but it's just a joy hearing your responses as well

[@matte5705]

I love Paul Williams jumping so much higher than everyone else

[@markstamp3937]

since I saw TM NZ I thought it would be great to have a series with winners from them and UK (with Rose as the 5th contestant) and have both Alex and Paul setting tasks and have one film where two tasks contradict each other

[@mkmcem]

9:46 WRONG! I'm from Germany and didn't know most of your contestants beforehand - and I watch every bit of TM on youtube because the collection of people in the show makes the show enjoyable, not the fact, that the people are known.

[@EyalBrown]

This just in, quinoa officially less edible than burned pornography

[@rickybarnard5611]

I think the quinoa he ate was very undercooked so it was probably the texture that upset Horne, it must have been like gravel eww. Perhaps he is coming round to burnt porn, it could be a delicacy that you have to try a few times to appreciate it haha.

[@2nd3rd1st]

YES! I love this Alex Mouths Answers segment!

[@rickybarnard5611]

And Mildy Astonishes

[@elaexplorer]

Again I'd really like to see a whole series with 5 of the lowest scorers (in their series) competing together. As a sort of Series of Redemption. They could win a statue of Greg's foot or a bronzed sock.

[@musical3lottie]

Oooh this has been mooted as an idea before but they've said it would feel mean to have a Worst of the Worst - but the way you've framed it, Series of Redemption, is such a good idea!

[@Viprus]

There's something quite nice about Taskmaster, it doesn't quite feel the same as other TV shows. TV in general almost has this weird sort of Corporate disconnect. Like a focus group has decided a sufficient formula for making money or something... Watching Alex talk about Taskmaster, and even just watching the show itself, it just feels more natural and fun. Like the contestants aren't just showing up to get paid or gain exposure, but are actually kind of excited/terrified to be there. It always feels like the contestants sort of know each other a bit, and are hanging out as friends. I don't know, a sort of mutual respect and genuine interest in what they're doing...

[@aliyaist]

Re: wastage - Taskmaster may be on its surface frivolous, but it brings an immense amount of joy to literally millions of people all over the world. Joy is a beautiful and valuable thing, and wastage in pursuit of joy is no wastage at all.

[@Carebearritual]

right. i’m always pro-no waste but look of some waste has to happen for this one thing that brings us so much joy, i think buying 3 extra aubergines in case is fine

[@lisahoshowsky4251]

Well said🙌

[@KKollective]

That said, the New Zealand version wastes insane amounts of food, so many tasks with food

[@dAfoodie101]

0:40 looks at the get the camel through the smallest gap task

[@EziosBladez]

I honestly thought the most surprising would have been Rhod tying him up instead of himself to stop him being untied.

[@bloodybaronesse]

I'd absolutely watch an international world cup version of Taskmaster. I watched some of the international off-spins, and in some cases I knew none of the candidates and it still was fun and entertaining.

[@Pagliacci_Rex]

I liked the answer to not showing unaired tasks. Makes sense.

[@generaldecker9971]

Great job all involved. Best show of the decade for me. Thank you for putting shows up on youtube. Thanks for taking our questions, Alex. We appreciate you and your team. From Canada, much love and respect.

[@youngbubbiesclub2848]

Does international Taskmaster have to be the winners? I'd love to see David Correos return.

[@Ckapter]

Fulfilling, Moorish... Cold... That slayed me!

[@faenorsjewel5618]

There should be a taskmaster of taskmasters with Greg as The Taskmaster

[@Elwaves2925]

Good idea but I'd want Greg to take part.

[@Tao_Tology]

I don't want to have to watch all my Dads fighting.

[@laluneodyssee4404]

I now want an international taskmaster more than anything

[@lauranickl8237]

"People won't tune in to a program with a swede and a finn the haven't heard of" Well, a lot of taskmaster international fans have watched over 14 seasons of British (and other) people they haven't heard of. I don't think that's such a big problem. If you include a known British contestant, you still got a hook for your audience, and besides that, the taskmaster formula will do the rest.

[@musical3lottie]

He said it's the TV commissioners that think that and need to be convinced. No doubt Alex knows the audience would be up for it!

[@lasagnahog7695]

"We've got a 100th contestant" Series 20 confirmed bebeh

[@quotethenovanevermore9565]

I absolutely love these Q and A videos! I love hearing about some of the thought processes and behind the scenes action

[@benzaiten933]

that picture of all the TM assistants hopping is amazing! and Paul Williams is the only one in white 😅

[@OscarMSmithMusic]

A weather app for 20 years in the future 😂 Alex is so naturally quirky!

[@Ilyen12]

On the world cup thing... I've never heard of any of the contestants still can't wait to see more

[@DanielWright-np3fq]

Sorry for the double post but I had to say this about the last comment about International Taskmaster composed of contestants from other countries not being readily recognizable. I am American and recognized perhaps one tenth of the contestants, but it's their talent and wit and charisma that make me love absolutely each of them to bits. You do an International line-up and it will outdo your wildest expectations. Funny knows no borders (I hope that's true. At least I believe it.)

[@WondrousPurple]

Again, I love the behind-the-scenes look at Taskmaster. And the photo insert that slid in 8:10 had me grinning like a fool. :) Thanks, L.A.H.!

[@skussy69]

What's LAH

[@WondrousPurple]

@@skussy69, in the first AMA video, Alex said some people used L.A.H. to stand for Little Alex Horne.

[@Tao_Tology]

"He's Little Alex Horrrrnne" 🎶 - Taskmaster Greg

[@emilythomas9786]

“I’d be a sheep. -knowing look-“ 😂😂😂😂

[@0wnedstamp]

International Taskmaster sounds amazing!

[@kennyblaha9620]

Thank you for doing this, Alex!

[@1970Mooney]

Brilliant, thank you Alex!

[@jojoscats]

I love your ethical responsibility, reasonably applied.

[@TheDrugOfTheNation]

"Describe the feeling of cake in your bum..." Andrex puppy advert: "Sometimes a little love goes a long way"

[@clockworkkirlia7475]

Oh, it's "England" is it? Mostly kidding, hope the filming is going well, and thanks for the answers!

[@Parasica]

2:54 "Comics are different to normal people". 🤣

[@Nvenom8.]

These have been a lot of fun to watch.

[@ninjakannon]

I've watched some of the foreign Taskmaster series (I wish it were easier to do), and you get to know the cast pretty quickly. Judging by that and the success of shows like Big Brother and Love Island that cast non-famous people, I think you could do Taskmaster with anyone who displayed a strong mix of creativity, confidence, and humour. The marketing might need to change though. One way to explore this would be e.g. an Olympics special with gold medal competitors.

[@Elwaves2925]

I mean, they've shown with the New Year specials that even comedians aren't needed for it to work. You simply need the right group of people.

[@StaceWah]

Dog walker is such an easter egg now that I've seen Season 15!!

[@dustinbell1943]

i came across this show on youtube. as an american i didnt know who any of you folks were. now, i dont think my life would be the same without finding this show. many hours of enjoyment. alex horne is extraordinary. he once was described....

[@Heightren]

Victoria Coren Mitchell was quite the surprising cast

[@marinvracevic]

Can someone name all the international assistants and taskmasters from 8:12, I believe the two on the left are the Croatian duo, and I know Alex and Paul on the right.

[@harisimer]

taskmaster with the taskmaster assistants as contestants

[@GolfhausYT]

5:36 Bit of a No More Jockeys reference there! :D

[@Jnoooooo]

I don't mind it at all.....

[@cuteypetz]

to echo everyone else, I've been watching (and enjoying!) all series of TM NZ and the current TM AU and I've never heard of ANYONE on those series 😂 Not knowing someone is definitely not a bar to enjoying taskmaster!

[@TheKittyClink]

I love the show! Wife and I started watching and have been thru 10 seasons so far

[@Crushnaut]

You could give the 100th contestant 100 points at the start of episode 1. The catch is they are Alex points and do not actually count as much as Greg points. The only time they are relevant is in a tie break.

[@hannahbrown2728]

I think an international champion of champions is well within the spirit of Taskmaster. Theres an entire fanbase begging for Fred to come back, of course we'd watch a massive collab

[@eviem5658]

Paul looks so extra in his little white suit

[@Tao_Tology]

Would the 100th Contestant be the 100th person to have signed up? Or the 100th to be introduced on the live stage? Or the 100th to have been given (and started) a task in the TM house? 🤔 When DOES someone truly become 'A Taskmaster Contestant' ?

[@nigeljames6017]

Liza Tarbuck Rocks !!!

[@furbyfurball]

can't wait to see frankie boyle on TM!

[@koboldmartian4063]

I would love a Taskmaster Redemption series where you take the lowest scoring contestants and have them compete again.

[@AKABoondock19]

Id love more behind the scenes taskmaster!! I loved a couple series ago when you had a camera backstage for something (award related maybe?), I cant remember

[@envoltaemla6652]

i love the photo with the assistants! the one from my country is a short guy but that jump is very high ahahah, love the energy! would love for an internacional version of TM, we are many non-brit following you. we usually don't know most of the contestants in the OG version and it works perfectly fine, we don't need to previously know anyone, as you said, your casting is very good and we can trust it's always gonna be a good goofy group! please, consider bringing people from foreigner versions of the show and do an entire series! don't pick the winners from each country, necessarily, if their english is broken, though xD

[@theevildalek5425]

Can someone tell me where I can find the pictures of all the Taskmaster Assistants together? It’s really cool to see!

[@Ghiaman1334]

Would love a world series! I'm sure people would tune in just for the winner of their country's series. My concern would be about with other languages. For instance, a US, UK, Canada, New Zealand and Australia episode would be easy enough, maybe a few jokes or references would confuse people but in general it'd be fine. A more varied collection, though, would need a lot more work: you'd have to make sure that either the wording makes sense to people whose first language isn't English if that's how you approach it, or that the tasks don't lead people astray if translated. Plus then you have to think about network coordination too, will each contestant's country be broadcasting the episodes, at the same time, and so on.

[@theyruinedyoutubeagain]

Beside the point already made, that people would eventually love all contestants anyway, the Taskmaster World Cup idea is fantastic because fans would be able to root for their own country, thus driving up engagement.

[@umountable]

About the international taskmaster competition: I know almost no person from the show as a german. i mainly tune in because the tasks are funny. But for an international audience to work it would probably have to be in english or dubbed. However i also like original language with subtitles as an option.

[@bibliophilelady6106]

Taskmaster contestants will always surprise neurotypical people because comedians are often NOT neurotypical. The ADHD or autism or whatever that was a hindrance to them in grade school suddenly becomes their super power and the normies who watch are like, "Why would I have never thought of that?"

[@Cklert]

I know this isn't the AMA, but I've always been fond of a "Best Loser" competition. Where much like the Champion of Champions competitions, they just get the last place contestants to compete against each other. I think that would be pretty fun.

[@EvelynnEleonore]

3:00 i am breaking into alex's home to find the tapes of phil wang's task testing. I *NEED* to *SEE*

[@Pr3Va1L]

You have a degree in journalism? I think you would make the most amazing host for a late-night style show. Something like Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. You could even have politicians doing small tasks and whatnot, that would be amazing. Signed, a big fan of comedy-journalism shows.

[@mloxard]

We need a better US TM with Sam Reich as the TaskMaster

[@One_and_Forsaken]

I would love to have a series with Jimmy Carr and Richard Ayoade but i cant see either of them doing the physical tasks, so i doubt we will see them, dunno^^

[@sarahwikstrom7003]

If there ever were such a thing as a Taskmaster world cup, could Sweden send all 10 winners from season six? Think that would really increase our chances of winning. 😆 In the Swedish version of the show there are four regular contestants per season plus one guest per episode. Last season the guest team won.

[@gwts1171]

The biggest question I have is HAD Fern Brady met those potatoes before?!?

[@implodinghippo]

I watched all the series these last few months. Now I don't know what to do since I can't just watch the next episode. This show is so great

[@noeticparadigm1576]

"Quinoa. [...] It's inedible." ...he says, as I look down upon my chickpea and quinoa salad

[@hadorstapa]

Gutted I missed this - my question would be whether there is a rule that contestants are not allowed to break the seals on their tasks? They always pull them off the paper or tear the paper, and never just break the seal.

[@vladthemagnificent9052]

9:46 I will tune into it 100%!

[@TealStarsong]

Now I can't stop thinking about a dropout version of taskmaster with Sam Reich

[@joshbarbour6483]

5:00 I thought he said "I'd be Doug Walker". Wow. I would be @thatguywiththeglasses too. I am also a nostalgic movie watcher.

[@YoJesusMorales]

A world champion sounds great, but I think it has to be at least one champion of champions to participate, so it becomes the third time they are doing it.

[@adondriel]

As an American who has no clue who any of the contestants are, i have a feeling people would be thrilled to watch and cheer their country for an international series.

[@Aviertje]

Regarding the international version... I suddenly have this urge to see TM deliver tasks written in a language the contestants aren't familiar with. Then having them read it and butcher the pronunciation while being confused. Having them use the nearby tools (old fashioned phone, dictionaries, little Alex Horne, newspaper clippings, crew, whatever) to actually understand the task, only to have it turn out that they have to pronounce the final sentence ('Your time starts now.') with as close as possible to a proper pronunciation to pass the task and leave the room. Obviously, time wouldn't be a factor at all and just be mentioned as a red herring for studio statistics.

[@fandude41]

Excellent questions from the subreddit. Here I am wondering what would happen if Little Alex Horne and Greg Davies swapped places for an episode/special.

[@AngelVids7]

I’m not British so I never know who any of the contestants are. However I always end up loving it. So World Cup would probably do decently

[@ericzubyk2329]

Oh cool! I was hoping for more unaired content like the taskmaster pizza task with the Series 1 participants.

[@MartinGorski]

I think a team challenge of the International Taskmasters versus the international Taskmaster Assistants.....would be AWESOME

[@notme222]

There's no way he only has 1 suit. 😉

[@Babyluthi]

Loving these!😀💙