Surprising Alex: The Best of | Taskmaster

The best tasks that involve surprising Little Alex Horne from across the series.
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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.

[@Asocialite__]

The way Lisa says "Sure. Suprising, though?" In response to Alex suggesting it's a bomb is one of the funniest and unsettling things I've heard.

[@LiteDisc]

Liza was a lowkey psychopath during her season and I loved it. Highkey psychopath w/ the cake tho

[@calumsanderson6741]

She is the Joker.

[@Zach90888]

She certainly is an interesting old lady

[@Zach90888]

@Laura was referring to champ of champs 2

[@EEEEEEEE]

E‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

[@neversaw]

Rob's maniacal cackling followed up by 'are you wet' after clearly saturating Alex never gets old

[@Saltywinterchild]

That part wouldn't feel out of place in a horror movie, tbh 😆

[@princesspinkblue]

😂😂😂

[@shadowbrine114]

At this point, considering everything he's gone through, I think the best way to genuinely surprise Alex is to just be nice to him

[@patrickmacken6046]

Alice Levine is unbeatable then.

[@gustavoroman2214]

that would have won if anyone had come up with it

[@benry007]

A hot drink and a nice selection of biscuits would have been a surprise

[@dmgroberts5471]

Genius, he'd be so on edge the whole time, too, waiting for the surprise.

[@iliketrains3495]

@@patrickmacken6046 until Woz came along

[@Konkonsoy]

James and Alex playing tag is one of the most wholesome things from that season

[@veronicaelders4823]

He genuinely sounded so delighted while doing it.

[@Abettorman]

Not a high bar as I doubt "wholesome" was once uttered in any season pitch meeting.

[@EEEEEEEE]

E‎ ‎ ‎

[@TrentR42]

​@@AbettormanHave you seen Mel? She's wholesome.

[@timowagner1329]

@@TrentR42 And Wumar is quite wholesome :)

[@MsTenseiga]

nothing will ever beat "ALEX HORNE YOU'VE BEEN A NAUGHTY BOY" followed by maniacal laughter. This shit made my entire year

[@EEEEEEEE]

E‎ ‎ ‎

[@zfilms4858]

The devil liked this comment. 666 likes lol

[@TheCheesyNachos]

I was very unsettled by Alice's attempt, but then was less concerning once I realised Alice and Alex's wife were good friends

[@EEEEEEEE]

E‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

[@scottjudge5970]

@@EEEEEEEE E

[@whythenumber]

​@@EEEEEEEE E

[@dewantoroo]

​@@EEEEEEEE E

[@angrytvrobot6130]

@@EEEEEEEE E

[@MartijnPennings]

I think nobody could raise Alex' blood pressure as well as Bridget Christie does trying to perform any task.

[@bigains]

The step counting task was almost his limit. 😂

[@TammyBundleballs]

"WA-HA BANANA!" will forever make me laugh 😄

[@kisbie]

The way James then flicks the heart rate monitor and cheekily scuttles off like an eight year old, seemingly for no reason, is so funny. 😂😂😂

[@wingzofice]

5:55 so we all have quick access

[@Blahblah97555]

Somehow I always missed the “I said boxers and he misunderstood” line when I saw this in the past

[@n0isyturtle]

I'd love to see a "Yes please" compilation of all the yes pleases in the entire show

[@s4ad0wpi]

Ooh, yes please!

[@zoesilver5828]

Half of them would be Mel Giedroyc

[@kisbie]

The timing and rhythm with which Al deploys those air horns and the rented gong is perfect. Strangely satisfying.

[@MondayNightFriend]

He does play drums on the side, after all lol

[@TheHutchy01]

That ain't his first Dong and Gong rodeo.

[@smokerjim]

"Alex, you've been a bad boy!" *Mechanical whirr* *Manic, sleep deprived cackling* That's what I came here for - The Dong and The Gong was a bonus!

[@MA-gk6rf]

Coincidentally, “the dong and the gong” could also be a description of Phil Wang’s attempt at exciting Alex

[@sureindubitably3771]

same here to be honest

[@cloaking111]

Further proof that Alex is dead to all exitement after all the humiliation tasmaster has put him through

[@katelights]

he created the show and sets all the tasks, so hes kinda up for it.

[@SennaAugustus]

Sara escalated from kidnapping to murder, she had a violent day that day.

[@JaketheKnotDog]

People talking about Alex's blood pressure being crazy but also not realising that he's running around and flexing his arm, which is messing up the reading

[@snazzypazzy]

Totally! And talking also messes up the reading. You need to sit still with your arm lying down with these automatic machines, and even than they're not as reliable compared to the oldschool version.

[@830toAwesome]

I genuinely like when Alex smiles and laughs.

[@scz1770]

Tim's delight at 3:40 with his successful fly catch and release is so endearing!

[@jedirevan5892]

My favorite one was when they had to get a coconut as far from the house as possible, and someone threw the coconut out of the doorway in the back and had it roll backwards to the doorway where he was standing, and then he gave up and went inside.

[@jedirevan5892]

I would put two straws through the egg, blow, and then tell Alex that I filled it with breath. I'm sure it would surprise him.

[@perasperaadastra9385]

@@jedirevan5892 Nish Kumar

[@dannymack8653]

That's Almost as good as Joe Wilkinson throwing the potato into the hole only to be disqualified. Pure gold those clips 👌

[@jakewhite3132]

Bob's wasn't far behind that. Trying to throw it into traffic and immediately shouting "Naw, I've fucked it!!"

[@keegan1660]

James could have won easily by simply greeting Alex.

[@13vatra]

Alex: Hello James James: Hi Alex Alex: 😱

[@JLF201]

James and Alex playing tag is so damn adorable.

[@rs8751]

Props to the editor on this compilation for maximizing taskage! The transitions/full task readings/extensive studio discussions are great in the show and when posting full tasks, but can get annoying in these compilations.

[@jaykebird2go]

Yes, I think this had the perfect amount needed of the task reading and in-studio discussion while making sure the actual task results got the focus. Great balance achieved here!

[@holyheretic3185]

The biggest surprise was James actually talking to Alex.

[@ElGoogKO]

5:00 waterboarding is the answer to any of the challenges..he would definitely be surprised by it and all the other tasks

[@jonhohensee3258]

"WAHAA BANANA!!" I know I'm going to be using that.

[@Cryscorde]

For the last one, I would’ve made a lot of noise, making it sound like I was setting up something big. I would’ve occasionally said something like “By the way Alex, brick doesn’t catch fire does it?” and when he finally comes out, there’s just me standing there. All that build up for nothing would be really surprising.

[@ibendiben]

Not you standing there even. Just nothing....

[@bluehoodieart7315]

I would have made it seem like I was setting up something big and dangerous only to at the last second shout “oh fuck!” Set off a loud bang and lie face down on the ground

[@hunbi1875]

@@ibendiben should just go home after making all that noise

[@amyhardwood]

Can’t help thinking if Alex’s phone got water damage from Rob’s surprising task. A second before leaving the shed, he puts it in his jacket pocket only to be soaked moments later!

[@SensationalBanana]

... Rob makes for a surprisingly convincing crazy old aunt...

[@APNelhams]

Imagine if someone was about to tee off on the tee box for the golf course just over the other side of the fence when Al stands on the air horns and hits the gong 😂😂

[@wagnarokkr]

Someone needs to show this to Jeremy Irons and capture his reaction to Liza's egg reveal for posterity

[@SensationalBanana]

When James lobbed that banana, I damned near died.

[@GabeNotNewell]

the "gong and dong" takes it all

[@MrGreenman137]

Jumping Surprising Dave Gorman vs Tree Wizard Romesh Ranganathan in the battle of best Taskmaster Tree Jumping task attempts

[@marmarballz]

Tree Wizard is far superior. Dave Gorman didn't even jump out of a tree

[@blaisems]

I'm hoping Alex has changed his PIN, and he's not stupid enough to use the same one for 3 things

[@SardonicALLY]

I'm fairly sure the number on the card was correct and the number they said was just made up for giggles.

[@strokenumber3]

If that was his real PIN, do you honestly believe he'd be too stupid to change it?

[@SardonicALLY]

@@strokenumber3 Too true. I'm tempted to say I heard an 'F' sound right before the bleeping during the task, which might mean his real PIN begins with a Four or Five ... hard to know for sure, it could be distorted audio or an error on my part. In any case, I wouldn't put it past Greg to either say the real code or just make one up for fun!

[@daxriley8195]

@@SardonicALLY I can think of another word beginning with F he might have uttered :)

[@jonathonrobinson6081]

@@SardonicALLY It would have been edited out if it was the real number.

[@thrpins8430]

Rob Spays you with water Also rob Are you wet?

[@cnaizhen]

I feel that he is genuinely afraid that alex might be offended by that prank.

[@qwertyTRiG]

The sleep-deprived brain does strange things.

[@treehousekohtao]

*is you wet?

[@alexroy4264]

Little Alex Horne is such a great character

[@AynnCross]

I love the “beep beep”ing at 2:24 hahaha

[@YoJesusMorales]

This task should make a comeback.

[@b.d.hampton]

Nice little Earthworm Jim reference in the egg task.

[@krashd]

How so?

[@DanielWillems1995]

8:20 ish. Needed to have planned some cops to pull up out the front of the task master house. Tell the cops to chase after “this man” (provide a photo of Alex Horne). Some would say a waste of tax payer dollars. Others would say legendary commitment!

[@namensklauer]

or just crush the campervan with an excavator, then leave.

[@kisbie]

Would certainly be a surprise if the Metropolitan Police were funded by US taxpayer dollars.

[@rachelcookie321]

Well I don’t know if it would be legal to get the actual cops, probably not the best idea to take them away from being available for crime anyway. You could get some stripper cops?

[@krashd]

@@rachelcookie321 UK police are allowed to attend things like community events and TV shows because one of their duties is to serve the public in any manner asked of them, you just have to organise it with their station ahead of time, you can't just grab them off the street or use the emergency numbers.

[@DanielWillems1995]

9:25 scottish kilt commando style would have made it 10/10

[@starfish.426]

Rob Beckett’s bit still rent my mind for free

[@shehranazim4784]

We need a "Best of Phil's Wang", come on admin!

[@chrissiem3958]

'I don't think Ill ever surprise yoWHA-HABANANA!!!!!!!!' 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@DaveWraptastic]

"Are you wet?" Nah mate, every drop missed me as you can tell by my soaked beard and outfit

[@gabrielefeustel2021]

i never get tired of rob's surprise

[@RinnzuRosendale]

Sprays Alex with a power washer for 5 minutes. "Are you wet?" 🤣

[@FrederickFokker]

I need to make Rob's laugh my next ring tone.

[@samweatherall8970]

There isn’t enough Alex compilations

[@DiecastTz]

06:05 that blood pressure is very high for your age Alex LOL

[@IDKndIDK]

IIRC that was an earlier series and he has since been losing weight and getting healthier

[@minimushrooom]

If you take your blood pressure with the cuff below the level of your heart the reading will be artificially too high . Likewise if your arm is unsupported it raises the reading

[@jan41300]

Blood pressure should be measured when you're sitting down, not running around. That's because your blood pressure does change with the level of activity you are doing, depends on your emotions etc. You don't consistently have a 120/80 BP all day.

[@barowt]

There should be a task that just says,. Scare Alex.

[@Abhothra]

Is that a "Gregsie" at 09:40 ? And can we take a moment to appreciate the art direction of this show? For instance : Anyone notice those oversized portraits of Greg inside of the house where the contestants used to get their tasks changed to a different style every series? God I love this show.

[@jennaolbermann7663]

I noticed those portraits too. There is a lot of talent behind this program.

[@Saltywinterchild]

@@jennaolbermann7663 there is apparently a theme for each season, and they change the wall decor accordingly. I didn't realize that until I read it on the taskmaster fandom wiki

[@rachelcookie321]

In the New Zealand version they have a portrait of the taskmaster too that changes each season. I wouldn’t be surprised if they do it in the other version too. They have lots of weird taskmaster photos in the taskmaster house and I think it’s really cool!

[@Abhothra]

@@rachelcookie321 Oooh yes they do and yes it is! Not sure which series it was but they had a Taskmaster-portrait (The one in the tiny room they get their assignments in) Done in the style of Guiseppe Arcimboldo (Italian artist that made compositions out of fruit amongst other things) And there's one very Escher-esque picture with greg as well amongst others that I can't think of right now. There's a very cunning person on the art direction of Taskmaster methinks and it's great fun to find these.

[@ArgyleKatt]

James gives off hella middle child vibes

[@jackdaw99]

I have PTSD and could not be more impressed by Alex’ low heart rate

[@Ortagonation]

Alex looks like doesnt have any fun child memory but finally had dreem come true...

[@EvanSeickel]

WOOOOOH Alex Horne has HIGH blood pressure at 6:04

[@George_vv]

I wouldn't be too upset if Jeremy Irons was living in my garage.

[@iyaroreyes4067]

Please make one of this "surprise Alex" task for season 13

[@weatherwitchandfelinefamiliars]

This was bloody hilarious 😂😂😂

[@prplppltr]

Listened to the recent taskmaster podcast with Liza Tarbuck. Could not remember a single task of hers. I’m reminded she’s a slow burn. I definitely need to rewatch her series. .

[@Merip1214]

HOPs! I'll never forget 🤣

[@rs8751]

how can you forget cake sitting???

[@deborahpolk1854]

and stomping little man in road because she hated him

[@benjaminbrewer2569]

When will season 12 be available for purchase in the US?

[@davidnavratil424]

Tim Vine: Philip Ed Gamble: *FKIN FLY*

[@CricketEngland]

If I had done the egg challenge I would have not put anything in the egg as it would have been more of a surprise to be empty than to have had anything put in it.

[@patpat8727]

I was thinking someone could do a shit in it. That would be quite surprising.

[@Motty1066]

It IS television history, Tim

[@mylkme]

*Whaha Banana!*

[@danteschrotenboer8992]

Wahh haa bannana 😂😂 I love James so much.

[@strawberrylemonadelioness]

Little Alex Horne is my favorite

[@Pestsoutwest]

171 over 100 is a super high blood pressure and needs to be looked at right away!

[@hadinossanosam4459]

9:49 "A surprise four-Horne"

[@MisterItchy]

"Are you wet?" What a question.

[@AerialFrameworks]

HIT THE GONG AS HARD AS YOU CAN!

[@Leenylulu95]

The high blood pressure would be a sign of excitement.. should have used an o2 sat

[@indiging8330]

Alex's blood pressure was through the fucking roof @6:03

[@EIonsMusk]

Alex’s BP was 170/100!? Holy hypertension

[@agneswilder733]

LOve the fly! hahaha

[@savourypotato]

I would say the best of taskmaster would be full episodes. This isn't the best, but it is a tease at the suggestion.

[@LS1MUSCLE]

6:04 bp 171/100 that should be surprising enough.

[@CarbonAndBadTiming]

Dang Alex's blood pressure is really high! 170 something over 100... I wonder why lol

[@carolineboon5647]

Sad that Paul's "Brown Clown init" wasn't featured

[@Arthur-ek7nd]

Should have just tipped his chair back on him for the heart rate one. That feeling always jumps your heart rate up/.

[@krashd]

It's also great for moving you back up one layer when exploring someone's dreams.

[@chrisraffaelli3739]

“😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 I’m sorry, are you wet?”

[@Harri_Jay_Kay]

Interesting, both Al Murray and Dara O'Briain live near the taskmaster house

[@gloss6969]

jeremy irons lives in your garage

[@aquablushgirl]

There was genuine surprise on Alex's little face.

[@namensklauer]

rather than a worm or a fly, a killer hornet would have been much more surprising.

[@NickHoad]

But also much harder to find in time

[@CED99]

"It's still 63 James" But that's not a healthy blood pressure Alex

[@ospreyphil8995]

That was heart rate not his blood pressure

[@vuurniacsquarewave5091]

@@ospreyphil8995 They weren't measuring it with his arm on a desk and he was standing up, so that will no doubt skew the result

[@erickoetje8195]

Nice

[@SamOGr]

Phil Wang in the thumbnail means I click, although I watch every video those ones especially

[@niceguy1602]

Alice is adorable

[@dandy-lions5788]

Alex's blood pressure is 171/100? Dude has hypertension

[@krashd]

No, he's just moving around.

[@flamingowilliams9664]

I'd have put nothing in the egg. Then, I'd make a bunch of random noises in the room, knocking and running about. Then I'd bribe the camera man to look really scared and figety. When he came in I'd be fake panic crying, apologising and telling him I went too far and I'm thinking we should stop and re do it. Whip him up into a lather and then have him open it. Unexpected.

[@happivaras]

Its like 5-6 guesses before most people would say Al Murray kidnap Alex's kids from school, but Sara Pascoe? Who's guessing that?

[@undergamer1361]

9:08

[@Evanescoduil]

I would've just slowly tipped Alex backwards in his chair.

[@Terrakinetic]

6:05 Hold on a second. 171 over 100? That's not good.

[@dmgroberts5471]

WA-HA BANANA!

[@MalakianM2S]

Four horns, a gong and a dong.

[@xymonau2468]

171/100 is very high blood pressure.

[@maranatha_777]

A blood pressure of 170/100 is no joke, Alex needs a doctor.

[@91falcons]

Rob Beckett looks like my aunt

[@niceguy1602]

Sure, alex did it and then wrote a confession in the third person

[@rebefarfort1244]

Surely the idea would be that the victim wrote it or as in this case the murder pretending to be the victim so as to frame Alex

[@niceguy1602]

Yeah I have no idea why I would have thought what I thought