Dara O Briain is the GOAT!! Taskmaster Series 14 Episode 2 Reaction!! - "Enormous Hugeness."

[@SquiresIsle]

You get impressed when someone is good, but when there's someone like John... it's almost comforting, you know? Yes, we're all inspired by how fast Usain Bolt can run but we'll never do that. If someone crossed the starting line, tripped over his own feet, got up, and started running the wrong way, there's a part of you that thinks, "Ah. That would be me." And there's something comforting in that. Personally it makes me more likely to try difficult things. Maybe I'll do well but, if I completely botch it, maybe it will at least be entertaining.

[@sarahtonin4727]

Beautifully said! I would genuinely appreciate John as a friend IRL!

[@simontay4851]

I would say despairing or boring, not comforting. Face palmingly bad. The problem with john is that he does stupid things that will never work then wonders why. For the laminating task, why did he use wingdings. Thats just utterly stupid. For the bog roll task, why make it into a paper aeroplane. That'll never work. He's just so utterly useless. We all know that we will never be able to run as fast as usain bolt so we don't try. John tries and fails every task.

[@11nytram11]

That final task rivals the big scary monster one with Alan Davies for one of the moments I have laughed hardest from any series of Taskmaster.

[@clairec1267]

I had just had a swig of my drink with the dungarees/overalls one - nearly choked

[@GrayHateborn]

@@clairec1267 it was "which aircraft" ...."crashes most" ... that got me (and clearly turned Dara purple!) I 100% agree with you and the OP here, funniest final task for ages.

[@LoganAlbright73]

@@GrayHateborn "Crashes most" was absolutely brilliant. He had so clearly set her up for something like "has blades", but she went a completely unexpected direction with it.

[@AkumaGekido]

@@LoganAlbright73 She actually said 'crashes more' which immediately made me think that last two words should have been 'than airplanes', Which would have eliminated planes as an answer. Luckily Greg got it though.

[@NekoMei13]

John Kearns is if someone mashed Nish Kumar and Mark "Heron" Watson into the same person. Inept in an endearing bumbling sort of way.

[@irisblue2332]

I feel John. I've carted around so many books that I haven't read, know I won't read, but can't just get rid of because they're quality books I should read.

[@georgerv]

Look forward to your reactions almost as much as the episodes themselves. Highlight of my day at work

[@NeilTalks]

Glad you like them!

[@spacebetween42]

This was legit one of the funniest episodes of Taskmaster. So much good quips and one-liners and snappy on a spot responses. Loved it.

[@MlebKdrz]

When Munya fell over in the bathtub, I felt that in my soul!

[@Wiley_Coyote]

Fern's "Oooooooooh noooooooooo" brings me joy. I do think Fern is the one closest to not giving a F about tasks though, despite the "Oh noes".

[@PS-vm3we]

33:53 Rhod Gilbert is the Welsh bloke. Great commentary though, really enjoyed it - thanks!

[@15schaa]

That's correct - this is the first perfect episode in the UK version! There was one in the Danish one, but even that was a mere 25 out of 25. Dara's 30/30 is still only the joint highest score of all time - Katherine scored 30 points in S2E3, after the famous points per rabbit task. Even setting aside statistics history being made, this is an all-time episode. Every task was just hilarious, and we've got eight more with this cast still to come. One of my favourite aspects that went uncommented on in the episode is that John reserved a seat for the Jokerman, who he thought never arrived. John is a comedian who is male, so he is both Joker and Man. John Kearns even has almost all the same letters as Jokerman. All this time, he was destined to become the Jokerman and he didn't even realise it. I believe this to be canon in the font lore, and I predict that John will have a major role in the next Undertale release.

[@pietateip]

yeah she got 15points in that so I don't count that 😁

[@firstlight7419]

Excellent jokerman catch.

[@MusicalJackknife]

I think John got totally underscored with the prize task. I get that Greg doesn't like books, but Ulysses fit the task better than most of the others...maybe because I TOTALLY relate to hanging on to books because throwing them out would be admitting I'll never read them, but it deserved more points.

[@PS-vm3we]

Except it isn’t though. Somehow he manages to be both boring and off. It’s obviously a skill. And there’s a lot of mileage in it.

[@MusicalJackknife]

@@PS-vm3we He's definitely grossly inept at a lot of the tasks, whether willfully or not, but this was a decent prize task submission regardless, and it seems Greg has already decided he'll pan anything John does just two episodes in. Yes, Greg's capriciousness is part of what makes the show, but this is a bit early to pick a contestant to hammer.

[@PS-vm3we]

@@MusicalJackknife Nah, they’re just building the arc of the narrative so he can shine even more brightly when he finally gets it right.

[@barneymetcalfe8896]

What a power house performance from Mr. O Briain this week. He's scored the most 5 points across these first two episode. Could he break the curse of the contestant in seat 1 never winning a series? Also, gotta love Dara taking care of his two chaotic children, Fern and John.

[@Vorash00]

The first New Years treat was a seat 1 win (I will grant this is not a series win but rather an episode win). Also the seat 1 issue doesn’t translate overseas, there have been entire series seat 1 winners. If Dara wins this series it give UK full series seat 1 a static of 7% chance of series win based off of the 14 series. Not statically a rare occurrence when even odds across all 5 seats gives you 20%. (Sorry taskmaster nerd but also a maths geek)

[@barneymetcalfe8896]

@@Vorash00 nah dude this was a good read. Never apologise for being interested in something that fascinates you

[@rubenmontoya4147]

Seat 1 is always the name that comes first in alphabetical order. I don’t see how that wold have any effect on scores.

[@heatherwhited5735]

@@rubenmontoya4147 Curses don't have to make sense my brother.

[@_Summer.]

I’m usually not a fan of the live tasks but this one had me cracking up!

[@grunions9648]

The Gatwick tasks were filmed after the lockdowns, it was temporarily closed for renovation so they had a small window to use it.

[@finn4012]

I’m convinced the rest of Dara’s team was trying to sabotage him at the end lol

[@PokerJoker811]

John, I dunno, but Fern imploded up there.

[@LobsterSpecial]

That live task is one of the best live tasks they've done. It was a lot of fun and moved quick.

[@stackels97]

Gosh I miss this season. The scoring for that final task alone was sooooo much more effective than what's been happening in series 15!

[@patpat8727]

Dara is just brilliant. He understands the assignment.

[@BlameThande]

The quality of the tasks in this series so far is consistently amazing, last week I thought they'd just put some of the best ones in the first episode to get the viewers in, but this was just as strong.

[@DavidSmith-cx8dg]

The series is warming up nicely .Dara came so close in the garage and I did think the colour it had been painted was odd , of course it made the grapes harder to see . The tasks were much better this week , although they would still be finding smashed bits of laminator well into the future if I'd had to do that one .The contestants I hadn't seen before are all becoming a bit more familiar and those cold, wet stormy evening's in the run up to Christmas will be brightened by Taskmaster .

[@AmazingChi]

One thing I just realise about the duck/sock task is that it only said it had to go on both, not at the start, so you could have absolutely put them at the nearest end and basically there already. The last task killed me.

[@travelwell6049]

If I were Munya I would’ve argued that it said to catch them, not about what was in the bucket at the end. So they should’ve counted how many he legitimately caughtz

[@carolmurphy7572]

I think some North Americans may forget (or may not be aware) that, in the U.K., the word "pants" means underwear, not trousers or leggings. So for Sara Millican to remove her "pants" would definitely be a bigger deal than some may realize!

[@clairec1267]

She's from South Shields though they do use pants for trousers there

[@carolmurphy7572]

@@clairec1267 Oh, that is surprising! I had no idea! Thanks for that. 🙂

[@clairec1267]

@@carolmurphy7572 only found out from Chris Ramseys podcast - they are from the same town

[@grahamstrouse1165]

Wouldn’t be the first time in the show’s history…

[@grifftastic2745]

Just a heads up, the Taskmaster KZbin channel dropped a bonus video of 3 series tackling an unused tie break task.

[@Shenanigan5]

One of the best final tasks in a long time.

[@bungle0h521]

21:24 - such a subtle joke, perfect execution! love your reaction to it too ... breath!

[@ledzep331]

The last task will become a traditional festive/holiday party game!

[@spfisterer3651]

Now that series 15 is over I decided to watch series 14 again through your reactions..

[@Cobalt-Jester]

I so wish the episode was called "Bifurcate into two poos" I don't know if you know this but there's a podcast of this show. It's really funny. It mainly has people from the older series talking about their time on the show. It's hosted by Ed Gamble, IIRC .

[@stackels97]

I'm WHEEZING!!! That's the most I've ever laughed during taskmaster. 🤣😅🤣

[@Matt19matt19]

Easily one of my favourite final tasks.

[@illiapenrosa5016]

Ep4. S14. Task create lyrics to classical music, with random words provided by taskmaster Dara O'brien creates a master piece

[@Reece_Hart]

I've been a big fan of Dara's Mock the Week for years now so I absolutely loved seeing him dominate this episode

[@carolmurphy7572]

I'm so disappointed that the current one is final series.

[@firstlight7419]

He's very intelligent. That plays a big role in the "variety of tasks" success

[@firstlight7419]

@@carolmurphy7572 Really? I'm USA and have not heard that! Are they having a difficult time getting players? Maybe they'll go to just holidays? I enjoyed the New Year special

[@Reece_Hart]

@@firstlight7419 BBC straight up cancelled it from what the current series has been suggesting. There's 2 episodes left I believe

[@carolmurphy7572]

@@firstlight7419 I don't know the reason(s) why it is being cancelled. I watched the most recent episode yesterday, and there are only two more left. Sad. 😩

[@simontay4851]

I knew Dara would win the series (which he did) after watching the first episode. He has a degree in physics - of course he was going to win.

[@grantisshananaa4906]

Helicopter: Kobe, crash. Game set match lol

[@Cobalt-Jester]

I had an argument a few weeks ago with a 'reactor' who said that the tasks are put in certain show order so that they can choose which contestant will be the overall winner. I tried explaining that no matter what order the tasks are show in the final score will always be the same. The idiot couldn't, wouldn't, listen and understand.

[@SirBradiator]

Sarah's Husbands Zombie, her Husband is Gary Delaney

[@stingersplash]

Last series Bridget got 25 with one less task. I think Victoria got 3 once? But she got negative points on a task.

[@MendelsonShape]

I think the reason why John Kearns is more enjoyable to watch than David Baddiel is that it was clear David Baddiel's heart wasn't in it. He even purposely sabotaged the team task with Ed Gamble, and you could tell Ed was genuinely annoyed. It wasn't pleasant to watch.

[@callumfrizzell1117]

I think you might rival me for amount of love for this show! It’s brilliant! Love the reactions, these and you The Boys reactions are highlights of the week for me :)

[@NeilTalks]

Thank you so much!

[@firstlight7419]

I wonder how many times the winner is guaranteed their name is mentioned at the end of an episode, and during the whole series, in their contracts to make participation attractive.

[@jameshumphreys9715]

Dara has 47 he leads by 12 points, Munya 35, Sarah 34, Fern 31 and John 21.

[@firstlight7419]

David Baddiel and Jo Brand kind of fed off each other's lassitude

[@williebauld1007]

I am with you Neil, I thought it was a merengue at first to

[@11nytram11]

I feel after two episodes that John is going to be another David Baddiel - so inept and bad that it's hilarious - and it's hard to go against Dara as the favourite to win this series after this week's perfect game.

[@PS-vm3we]

Except that David would have trounced John. John is unbelievably useless!

[@eytanz]

I feel that John is more Nish Kumar than David Baddiel - really bad at the tasks, but at the same time fully invested in trying.

[@11nytram11]

@@eytanz That's fair. Baddiel had a half-arsed attitude while John at least feels like he's trying

[@barneymetcalfe8896]

I think the difference is that David Baddiel knows from the get-go that he's rubbish. To me, John wreaks of the old Kumar. Full of enthusiasm to the point of being desperate. Gotta love 'em for their ambition though.

[@PS-vm3we]

@@barneymetcalfe8896 But Nish totally cracked himself up while rewatching whereas John doesn't even seem amused by himself. I think John is at a whole new level of utter rubbishness.

[@stukay2803]

Enjoyed this episode immensely. Chuckled the whole way through. The grapes task I found frustrating, cos it was prime "easy solution". A quick question on international versions of the show. An Australian version was announced for broadcast next year just yesterday. I know it's a bit early to be asking, but I really hope it gets covered on the channel despite you (probably) having no clue who anyone is.

[@Michael75579]

It wasn't in this reaction, but I liked Greg's "Duck the beak" comment to Dara.

[@TheOrlandoTrustfull]

It was "Sock the beak"

[@martinconnors5195]

You couldn't make something like Coronavirus up. I've had it and recovered. I love Taskmaster in general

[@thesimpsons17]

Dara could be the first person to break the first chair curse!!

[@PS-vm3we]

How could it be a curse when most of the tasks are pre-recorded?

[@TheOrlandoTrustfull]

@P S: I'm sorry to break this to you, curses aren't real, but Goblins are

[@grahamstrouse1165]

@@TheOrlandoTrustfullDepends on the goblin.

[@ericforsyth]

I don't think Dara got 30/32. There were only three rounds in the live task. His team scored a point for each of them. The reason the other team got two points is they tied in two of the rounds. So Dara got 30/30.

[@shinbios]

It never specified on the task nor did Alex mention before the start of the task, that the points would translate to actual Taskmaster points rather than the usual winning team gets 5 points and losing tem gets 0 points. It wouldn't matter either way for this episode since Dara was going to win anyway, but the point difference might make a difference at the end of the series to who wins overall.

[@cemerson]

I'm so glad it was back on form this week - I thought the first in the series was not that strong to be honest.

[@HermanVonPetri]

I was noticing that John Kearns just seemed to physically move slower than the other contestants during the treadmill task. Him choosing to start at the top of the first treadmill certainly didn't do him any favors either. But it got me thinking about contestants that have physical differences. Although shorter, heavier or older contestants have been at a disadvantage in some tasks it does seem to even out over the course of a series. One person I would love to see compete on Taskmaster is Warwick Davis, but I imagine there would be some concessions made to even the playing field, assuming he would want that.

[@galaxspace1]

John is seriously channeling David Baddiel live task vibes. Im surprised Dara managed to save it three times at the end He still is nowhere near the lowest score ever (Mel had 3points at the end of an episode)

[@SquiresIsle]

The "lose five points if you eat chocolate" right?

[@HunHaze]

Neil, i commented too late last week but I think it would be cool if you also scored the people and crowned your own champion at the end of the season.

[@toddthechimeralinguist]

I really like this idea!

[@jeanlafayette7152]

John came third on the flour/grapes challenge, and last in socks & ducks.[/pedant]

[@TheNorwegianguy.]

Katherine Ryan got 30 points is series 2 (But the scoring is controversial). Joe Thomas once got 24 out of 25 points in series 8. There are also 2 other times a contestant has gotten more that 25 points, but then there were bonus points and multiple tasks in one. So, there were more than 25 points to play for. PS. What is your taskmaster plan after this series is over?

[@harmenroelf296]

Stop and smell the grapes Dara!

[@chrisofnottingham]

There needs to be a TaskMistress action figure :-)

[@grahamstrouse1165]

I’m down with that if it’s Fern, Judi, or Victoria. I will accept my discipline.

[@EnigmaTimGaming]

In terms of points he tied with Katherine Ryan from season 2 episode 3. However, she got 15(!!!) points in the live task so overall not a full set of maximums. So tied for most points but clearly the most dominant overall performance. Do yourself a massive favour, watch Dara's stand up specials. React if you want but either way watch them. He is a master of working a crowd and of observational humour. Genuinely one of my favourite stand up comedians. As sad as I am at the end of Mock The Week, it might give room for more stand up specials.

[@grahamstrouse1165]

I really love Dara’s stand-up style. He’s engaging, whip-smart, funny as hell & he gets the crowd involved but he’s never mean…unless there’s a homeopath in the house. I think that’s one of the big reasons I tend to favor contemporary British comics over Americans. Plenty of cruelty in the world. No need to add to the sum.

[@apatternedhorizon]

I think Dara has basically secured his win.

[@grahamstrouse1165]

He’s basically LeBron James in the 2016 NBA finals.

[@deggsymarley]

Love & laugh all way through .even final team task , big but hope no more team tasks at end .

[@shinbios]

It did feel like they cherry-picked 3 tasks that automatically gave Dara 22 point to give him the best chance of winning. I feel there must have been other episodes (at least in the past few series) where all of the main 3 recorded tasks in the episode were quantitatively scored and that contestant has won that episode. It's also interesting that if you put a time pressure on a task then a contestant will usually hyper-focus and not see things outside of the immediate task area.

[@PS-vm3we]

I'm not sure how that cherry-picking would work though. I thought it was already set which tasks belong to which episode? At least that's what the contestants say in their interviews; they are about to film the third episode of Taskmaster.

[@AmazingChi]

TM absolutely arrange the tasks to set up 2 wins apiece per series, if possible, it's up the contestants to land them with the prize and final tasks.

[@15schaa]

@@PS-vm3we when they say they're about to film the third episode, they mean the studio sections. The contestants attempt the tasks in different orders, then the producers choose which tasks go together to make the funniest episode. They have stated they don't deliberately choose tasks to give one contestant an episode win, but it often feels like they do.

[@PS-vm3we]

@@15schaa OK, but Dara seems convincing in his enormous hugeness still.

[@stingersplash]

@@PS-vm3we all tasks are filmed way in advance. They do try and even it out a bit but they have no idea how the live and prize tasks will go. People have won and lost series on those.

[@tomjohnston1108]

Rhod Gilbert?

[@johnboy2562]

I'm wondering if John is a Stevie-Ray Vaughan fan.🚁☹️

[@firstlight7419]

13 series and they still search a room carefully. How do they do no research for their jobs?

[@teresacarosella7624]

You make a good point about wondering why they are in the garage. Even if they looked under the table--good job by the way--no one said why aren't we in the lab--where normally these types of tasks take place. Of course it is because the grapes would have stood out in the lab and in the garage they blend in. Also, Dara is a genius, literally. Although sometimes a scientific brain...he has a background in physics...is a hindrance rather than a help. I'm looking forward to seeing how he performs other tasks, or were these just his 3 best ones

[@shinbios]

well they also had that odd geodesic dome/conservatory thing in the last few series, where they've done a few such tasks.

[@simontay4851]

Dara has more than just a background in physics. He's got a 1st class degree.

[@BD-yl5mh]

I’m not sure they’ve ever quite so openly single out and bullied a particular contestant. Like, they have picked on people. But John is just getting absolutely rinsed. It’s hilarious!

[@PS-vm3we]

How could they not though?

[@VaerynCamlost]

I think Mel got a worse score once, getting a single digit score. john just seems to inhabit a Facade of a downtrodden unfortunate person this episode. It's hilarious!

[@firstlight7419]

Nish and Watson

[@travelwell6049]

Someone remind me who Sarah’s husband is?

[@more-reasons6655]

Gary Delaney I believe

[@travelwell6049]

@@more-reasons6655 Oh yes. I could see his face but don't think I'd have remembered his name. I'm just looking to see if there is any mention from him about his Zombie Room.

[@williebauld1007]

Mate, you have done well to swerve TMNZ because they were worse than TM series 10, I’m sorry but I love TMNZ but I gave it everything but I missed E10 because I just wasn’t interested! That hurts

[@OfflineSetup]

Oddly I loved David failures, but with John I don't. With John it comes across as a (supposedly) funny gimmick.

[@karlrichardson3295]

But what?

[@jameshumphreys9715]

John is worse than Victoria

[@PS-vm3we]

Yes, because Victoria is extremely intelligent. I haven't seen any glimpse of brightness in John so far. He's just bafflingly inept and dumb.

[@jameshumphreys9715]

@@travelwell6049 No, I have a look

[@simontay4851]

He's the worst ever. He's so utterly useless. At least victoria knew she was rubbish.