Taskmaster's New Year Treat 2021 | Full Episode | Taskmaster

For the first time ever, the Taskmaster's doors have flung open to ring in the new year with a brand new, one-off special, 'Taskmaster's New Year Treat'.
Competing to win the coveted Taskmaster trophy are: acclaimed film actor John Hannah (Four Weddings and Funeral, Sliding Doors), journalist and leading news anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy (Ways to Change the World, Channel 4), actress Nicola Coughlan (Derry Girls, Channel 4), television and radio presenter Rylan Clark-Neal (This Morning, ITV, The Xtra Factor, ITV2), and three time ballroom champion and head judge Shirley Ballas (Strictly Come Dancing, BBC One). Our well-known contestants are experts in their respective fields, but how will they compare in the most hard fought, high stakes, ridiculous game show on television?
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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.

[@elenamunoz8435]

Nicola is like the perfect mixture between a sophisticated smart lady and the most unhinged 5 year old

[@88porpoise]

And that is the absolutely perfect combination for this show. Of all the one offs, I would most want her on a full season.

[@CaughtonCandy]

This is genuinely one of the best episodes of this show! Nicola saying "people are talking an awful lot of shite today, I'll tell you that for free" is gold

[@jacksonmackenzie8549]

ANARCHYYYYYYYYY!!!

[@ytisfulloffreaks4189]

Weirdos

[@Kez_abi]

@@jacksonmackenzie8549 was just about to type this

[@as3609]

Jeez Louise!

[@solarprogeny6736]

"i'm sitting between sexy and brainy side but in the middle it's ALL CHUMP!"

[@reggaemarley4617]

Nicola needs to come back for a full series. All chump in the middle absolutely deserves a redemption arc.

[@Kernel15]

I don't know why, but it feels like Krishnan just wandered onto the set of a random show and decided to play along while actually being completely and utterly confused

[@JTrocks9]

Pretty much describes Joe Thomas in a nutshell

[@TheAcridCorpse]

It's because that's just how he lives his life. The man's a sausage.

[@joshuataylor3550]

Racist

[@petesmart1983]

​@@JTrocks9to be fair Joe Thomas is autistic and has trouble communicating sometimes

[@ghostsoffishandcrows7341]

​@@petesmart1983no way! That probably explains why I liked him so much lmao

[@krs_lp7188]

Shirley Ballas: It's the cabbage, I love this vegetable! *James Acaster has entered the chat*

[@chilipepper8491]

left*

[@krs_lp7188]

@@chilipepper8491 I always mess up this meme template!

[@TeezyPie]

Now I’m sad that James Acaster’s series didn’t have a live task where cabbage was an option. 🤣

[@Kvh47]

@@krs_lp7188 tbf James Acaster would probably join the chat so he can rant about cabbages again haha

[@cmarq817]

😂

[@zyaicob]

"You'd have to find out what the aperture was... and the aperture would be 2 dimensional as opposed to 3 dimensional so that would be a little less than the 1500-" "OoOh i wAs iN a fiLm" "I thought we were friends" "We *were!"* what a fantastic exchange

[@sourabhkatti]

I'm actually mad this is a one off episode.

[@itsokay7989]

Same. When the cast was announced I wasn't too excited, but as is Taskmaster tradition, it makes you fall in love with people you usually don't care about.

[@spookyspice596]

It is a crime that this wasn’t an entire series!

[@hudsonmarcus8880]

i guess Im kinda randomly asking but do anyone know a good site to stream new movies online ?

[@joshuataylor3550]

Less is more.

[@Robert-Downey-Syndrome]

Name a funny bit

[@ingrids.8465]

can't believe no one is talking about nicola's absolutely gorgeous outfit. those heels, dress and little bow in her hair?? she looks like a proper doll!!

[@cheyannei5983]

Her hair is so pretty, too!

[@lordghoul6151]

"I thought we were friends..?" "WE WERE"

[@blackdragoncyrus]

Rylan screaming, "WHAT COLOUR'S YOUR FUCKING HAT?!" gave me so much joy.

[@Becky-uz8em]

I love that as he suggested colors he started referencing the song 'Joseph's Coat' from 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'!

[@user-yg7ph2gu3f]

Nah...he said "Fuckin' 'at!

[@annando]

I have the feeling as if this group of people would be great for a whole season as well.

[@simonlutgens]

Definitely. I normally have to get used to them for a couple of episodes but I liked these people right away.

[@annando]

@@simonlutgens same to me. And since I'm not from UK, I mostly never know any participant.

[@simonlutgens]

@@annando same, I knew some of them in earlier seasons but in the later seasons I often know only one

[@joshuataylor3550]

Less is more

[@danielled8665]

They probably couldn't due to other engagements, that happens a lot with actors and performers. A one off is a chance for busy people who wouldn't have time for a full season to make a shorted time commitment and appear.

[@antster1983]

Anyone else notice the writing on the back of the envelope for the first task? It was a warning informing that any contestants who wrote down 'The Biggest Thing' and passed it through the hole would be disqualified. However, as no-one saw it and no-one attempted it, it was never mentioned in the episode. I think it was mentioned on the podcast though.

[@squalk25]

Thank you! I came to the comments just to find this out.

[@just-tess]

aaaah! they must've read the comments from a past task where people kept suggesting writing "the __ thing" and using that, can't remember the details but glad they put the kibosh on that childish trick!

[@Throki]

Thank you, i came here looking for your comment, after i noticed there was text on the backside. Always check the backside of the task folks! 😀

[@gilgameshmcballin]

I would have made a bath by filling the tub or something massive with a hose running water through it

[@Shrasha]

I’d have made something circular and made a link of the doughnut and circular item (possibly tape stuck as a link). A circle has no beginning nor an end, meaning that item goes on forever!

[@itsokay7989]

Shirley enjoyed herself so much, her energy is contagious!

[@DanGolag]

The constant cackling is so infectious.

[@choosecarefully408]

Wikip0edia claims she was born in 1960, making her at least 61 as of the time of this taping. I utterly refuse to believe that.

[@kurtsudheim825]

For a 60 year old, she's got the spunk (oops), of a16 year old!

[@Topo842]

@@choosecarefully408 Well she did say life only starts at 60

[@Gulliedoutbigup]

​@@choosecarefully408 she just comes across as a typical woman in showbiz that have a lot of money and tends to go over the top with anti-aging treatments as well as over compensating for their age by acting like a drunk 20 year old hoping everyone still sees them as 'fun' rather than an old woman.

[@amareyez8791]

I love that Greg felt kind of bad for giving Nicola no points but was DELIGHTED to do the same to Rylan

[@just-tess]

and rightly so!

[@syllogismo]

this show is so good. 40 mins just pass by. and when they get to the live task ill be like oh noo its ending

[@parapaya3261]

same

[@sunlightpluto2198]

@@mr.k8072 he died

[@joshuataylor3550]

Less is more

[@lifesbutastumble]

Who did? @@sunlightpluto2198

[@zak54905]

"There's probably a way to get a sofa through a doughnut, isn't there?" - Krishnan Guru-Murthy

[@chaosof99]

"Let me show you how" - Rylan, probably.

[@joshevans3421]

"There can't be a chair in the sweet, can there?"

[@QuantumVT]

Nicola Coughlan is such a lovely person

[@rolfs2165]

She's giving me that Mel Giedroyc vibe, and I love it. :)

[@Sunprism]

I love how hard the crossing guard fights not to smile when Shirley Ballas calls him mister muscle man

[@as3609]

North American spotted! Sound the alarms! Protect the Lollipop Men at all costs!

[@ChrisEllorris]

@@as3609 I was so confused they called him a lollipop man at first until I realized his sign is the same shape. That would be a pretty creepy name here in the US 😅

[@lifesbutastumble]

Ah, now I can see why 😅@@ChrisEllorris

[@flyaround312]

"Have you tricked me into giving you a test donut?" It's so rare that people manage to manipulate Alex like that, and when it does happen it often involves cheating e.g Dave Gorman and the pea, but she didn't break any rules. I would have been impressed but her final result was still shit, that "test donut" didn't help her at all 😂

[@just-tess]

A donut to eat is always a help! And if Rylan's counted, the whole cactus at least damn well should've counted, although I enjoy Greg's reverse-trolling rationale.

[@itsokay7989]

"Ooooh I was in a film!" 😂

[@nekomochi486]

Shirley has Sally Phillips' chaotic energy times five and I love her for it!

[@baildclark16]

Complete with Sally Phillips’ sexual energy.

[@silverfritzreah5598]

Absolutely reminded me of Sally

[@58bobby]

She is in terrific shape.

[@paulwright6044]

@@58bobby To be expected for a dancer.

[@mikespike007]

What drugs is she on, she won’t stop cackling

[@LawTaranis]

Nicola had all 3 of the top 3 lines of this episode. "I'm sat here between sexy and brainy sides and all chump in the middle." "People are talking an awful lot of shite today, I'll tell you that for free." "ANARCHYYYYYYYY!!!" i fucking ADORE HER. Nicola deserves to be on a full series because she's got fantastic comedic sense. 😂

[@RachelBastow]

“I thought we were friends” “We WERE” 🤣🤣🤣

[@jBownz]

41:07 the best part of this special is petite Nicola Coughlan screaming "ANARCHY!!" during the final task, almost pissed myself.

[@Soturi92]

40:45 through the anarchy moment had me dead

[@krashd]

@@Soturi92 "Of course ah'm hittin' Greg! Ah'm the only one hittin' balls in that fuckin' direction!"

[@klaraleblochova]

I bet that's why she got the role of Humble Joan😂

[@matheusa.c.c.8370]

This is SO GOOD. From the rough accent John Hannah presented when nervous, to the mad laughter of Shirley, to that disturbing outfit of Rylan.

[@matheusa.c.c.8370]

@@norilsk668 yupp, pretty much Scottish!

[@aPindiBoy]

When nicola said "people are talkingan awful lot of shite today." She won my heart 😍🤣

[@just-tess]

I'll tell ya that for free!

[@Anne3097]

Nicola's "Anarchyyyy" at the end of the last task 😂😂😂

[@Matthew-bu7fg]

35:48 "not even the three little pigs were that thick" might be the best put down in Taskmaster history

[@YvanTDF]

„Oooh, I was in a film, ooh“ That one got me😂

[@user-sx1fg7lc3c]

Rylan running around with Greg's face bobbing in front of him gets me every time I see it.

[@just-tess]

From the thumbnail I assumed it was a cheeky take on a task, but no, that's just what Rylan went with for the whole thing!

[@nelascibak8397]

We need them as a New Years regulars who do the special episode every year, cause the chemistry is truly unmatched and I will be forever mad if we dont get more of them together

[@alexisb3829]

Yes please

[@ratedpgprettygay]

Shirley was a delight to watch. She should come back and play a series.

[@subhsap1345]

Like a seven teaspoons of sugar in a single cup of tea ?.. Sure 😂

[@johnkidby7948]

She's like the anti-Jo. What a team those two would make...

[@wildste]

As others have said, this entire cast should.

[@Bluebayou88]

I liked how Greg loved her lol

[@ferrisdonoso4556]

Since no one else has said it, I will. I loved Krishnan. His rational and calm delivery made the absurdity more absurd.

[@AC-kx4zr]

I wish there could be a whole series with this lot. Nicola and Shirley just seemed to enjoy themselves so much and have a genuine sweetness to them.

[@IAmTheUltimateRuler]

Nicola Coughlan screaming "ANARCHY!" is my happy place

[@wfbgenius]

I adore how happy Shirley is in every task. Just laughing with delight at the absurdity of it all.

[@equious8413]

Are ALL strictly judges mad as a balloon? Claudia is a lunatic too. Lol

[@singenstattatmen5096]

Which is why I'd also love to see her on TM!

[@EmmaVB82]

@@singenstattatmen5096You only had to wait a year for the next New Year special!

[@CM28277]

Your cat looks absolutely glorious.

[@curioushoodie]

Gerg saying to Rylan "When I heard you're booked, I was, A. Delighted, and B. I suspected you'll drag this show into the gutter" is exactly what I thought when I realised Rylan was on Taskmaster! Rylan is such a perfect fit for Taskmaster. While I have accepted that it's unlikely, I still really want him for a whole series.

[@sourabhkatti]

Greg Davies knows his audience.

[@zyaicob]

"That's a duck!" "He's holding a duck!" "Why would he be holding a duck?" Krishnan got so philosophical

[@helenl3193]

I find myself thinking he could get at least one philosophy class out of getting a sofa through a donut, too.

[@leighnicole100]

I'd pay so much money to have John and Nicola back for a full series. I love both of them so much

[@laikakar4706]

John Hannah's accent is so strong!! He is a really good actor in the movies he has been in!

[@brinsonopinion]

I searched this video today just once again to hear Nicola say "I'll tell ya THAT for free." 🤣😂🤣 One of the greatest phrases I've ever heard 🤣🤣🤣

[@MeepsNcheese]

40:12 I love that Alex was laughing so much at Nicola that he gets into a snort laugh! Lovely group of folks.

[@spookyspice596]

Shirley’s just having a grand old time, bless her heart! Poor little Nicola with her equilateral triangle, though!

[@jayrennie7031]

"give a girl a pipe cleaner", Shirly is a hero now! I also collect yellow plastic ducks lol

[@Anne3097]

Honestly Rylan and Shirley starting a cult sounds interesting 😂

[@rufusdrumknottvgc]

I crave a full series with this cast, they were absolutely brilliant and I can't even imagine how insane the team tasks would be

[@just-tess]

ohmygod, there is no combination that would not be completely bonkers! I think I'd most like to see Krishnan try to cope with Nicola and Rylan, and John and Shirley just madly throwing everything at the wall.

[@laurawilliamsartist]

it's a real shame this had to be re-uploaded as the engagement is so low now :( like, it's at 16k views when most eps get like 500k such a shame

[@ziripond3502]

Welp, I guess I will have to rewatch the episode... what a shaaaame... why do you force me do it, Taskmaster? xD

[@greengirl411]

I hope they bring back this cast for a proper season 😂

[@iliketrains3495]

Didn’t know Nicola before this but she’s adorable. Nice seeing her actually get some success with her god awful batting technique in the live task 😂 Also I didn't expect Rylan to get an extra task, I think he might have been the first since Tim Vine

[@andrewforbes1433]

"That's brilliant. Well done, John, and I applaud that." Possibly the most underrated moment on all of TM.

[@keshav9548]

YAY the resolution got fixed. I thought it was only me that got the weird res cause no one was talking about it but oh well time to watch this again

[@ExSuPiO1]

what do you mean by "weird res"? was it just like 360p overall or what was it?

[@mil0931]

@@ExSuPiO1 It was not "full screen" and the video was super low quality

[@ExSuPiO1]

@@mil0931 I see, thank you

[@homagetogorto]

I remember a comment on the original video where someone mentioned the inevitable reupload, so it was definitely not just you.

[@pestsov]

Yeah, I couldn't watch it the way it was and had to download and crop it. The resolution reminded me of vhs era as well

[@barelyadoctor3369]

"There's probably a way to get a sofa through a donut isn't there?" Ah yes another wonder of the world in the form of a question

[@abdulmuhaimin9787]

Can they please get Nicola for the full series? Actually, get all of them! It should be at least 10 episodes this.

[@the_aesthete]

The chemistry between Greg and Shirley is 🔥!

[@kurtsudheim825]

She must've been his crush as a kid

[@alcupone6462]

It seems like nobody did it, so I have to: HE DID NOT PUT THE COW THROUGH THE DONUT!!! Briliant episode, shame it does not get more views.

[@russellzwicker3226]

I love Shirley and Greg both being extremely attracted to the lollipop man 😂

[@spookybizzle]

Shirley needs to do a whole series. Fact.

[@JordDraugr]

We definitely need Ryland to do a season 😂

[@ZomBkiller115]

I am now quite sad that this cast didn't do a whole season, I love them all!

[@jillianantunez7946]

Honestly can we please get a full season of this group cause their energy and chemistry was absolutely amazing

[@SylviusTheMad]

Shirley Ballas is a national treasure.

[@durvsh]

Now I get to see John Hannah bring the Bopit in HD.

[@Dskrib]

Shirley would be so much fun in a series. Nicola would be endlessly entertaining as well.

[@m_gwb]

Such a pleasure to see John Hannah!!

[@m2darcy]

This group deserves a series

[@pacmanly]

Found a loophole for the on stage task. It said "without your fellow contestants SEEING...." doesn't say you can't ANNOUNCE what item you are picking.

[@Babyteef]

Im somehow attracted to every single person in this episode

[@m.ya.9032]

Watching for a second time... these contestants are really fun and have great chemistry and are really enthusiastic! Idk who Rylan is bc I'm not British but he's got a quick wit haha

[@joshuataylor3550]

I went to school with him. Sad to say I stood by as he was quite brutally bullied.

[@quackerzdb]

:(

[@Mr.Northman]

@@joshuataylor3550 Mhmm, I think he's over it, why aren't you?

[@as3609]

@@Mr.Northman 'Why do you have human emotions, like guilt? Why can't you let those go?' - This psychopath

[@Oliver-mt1qw]

@@joshuataylor3550 Try to forgive yourself, friend. You feel remorse and that means you are a good person. Fully grown adults find it hard to step in and be the ‘hero’ with bullying, nevermind a schoolchild, especially in those times. Peace and love

[@Wubzorz]

Better resolution this time :)

[@jmcburney658]

5 points

[@Wubzorz]

@@jmcburney658 😂😂

[@homagetogorto]

Interestingly, the cuts to ad breaks have been removed. Don't get me wrong: I'm beyond thankful for any scrap of Taskmaster that they'll give us so I'm utterly blown away that we get full episodes of current series. Nothing as exciting as Paul Chowdry having fun on a bouncy castle in this episode's ad breaks, but fun gags nonetheless. Mind you, they're present in the latest upload from Series 8, so maybe it's just a one-off side-effect of the reupload.

[@nataliaaiman25]

they're all so endearing in just one episode imagine an entire series with them

[@Mazurecki56]

At first I was like "oh no, I don't know any of these people, it won't be as funny to me because I'm not really invested into any of them", since I'm not British. Glad to see I was wrong, this lineup was hilarious

[@Gildedmuse]

And here I am year later desperately scrolling through comments seeing if anyone posted who they are. I'm enjoying the episode, and obviously some are easily picked up: Hammon I knew. Kristin: News Reader Shirley: Judge On Strickly Come Dancing .but I feel like there are jokes I'm missing because I don't know who the other two are!

[@Brad-gc9cq]

@@Gildedmuse Nicola is an actress (Derry Girls, Bridgerton) & Rylan is a general TV personality. Came to fame through singing talent show The X Factor, then won Big Brother but has presented various TV shows since.

[@leam.9998]

We really need to have a full season with these people ♥️

[@TheKingRoofus]

Spent like 20 minutes of the episode trying to figure out why i recognized John Hannah but couldn't figure out from where. Then in the middle of the episode i was like. THE MUMMY! lol.

[@vvinicius100]

this one is so good that I'm definetely watching again... what a FANTASTIC cast. love every single one of them

[@Andre-sf8ur]

Nicola screaming ANARCHY is the best moment of this show 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@wiemalte]

Oh nice, I Just watch it again

[@caw1539]

"I'm trying to work out how I can cheat *ding* I've had a really good idea"

[@ELMsAnightmare]

Seeing Nicola Coughlan be ridiculously short next to the tasks just to look up her hight and find out I would have just as much trouble

[@primaroxas]

this group is jsut insane straight off the bat lmao

[@anonymsly]

I 1000% need Nicola in a full season! ANARCHY!

[@mairibee]

Alex Horne!!! You must bring back these five contestants as series regulars! You have until the next season, your time starts now!

[@generalhargrievous9928]

Shirley metamorphosising into a Carry On film is a hell of a spectacle

[@angelaburrow8114]

I'll be honest here, although none of the contestants are comedians, they were hilarious in this. I really enjoyed the episode.

[@Swirlingflame]

PLEASE invite them all back for a full season! We'd love to see more of these lovely people :) (I especially love Shirley's joyful energy!)

[@cyprel]

Shirley should be back for an honorable appearance on Champion of Champions, at least!

[@StalwartShinobi]

As much the same as it is it has a different feel to having just comedians on, rylan and John were great, I'm actually a bit mind blown john hannah is on, the mummy is on of my favourite movies :)

[@Fefshtr]

Rylan's fit of anger were really apt for the show, this was a great episode.

[@Nebuloid1]

I LOVE this group, on my third rewatch right now and I'm convinced they should have a whole season.

[@rutushrirame1382]

24:28 Iconic

[@qwertyTRiG]

Best line in the episode by far.

[@chrisknudsen5686]

Rewatching this because I'm listening to the podcast and man I'd love to see a full series with these people. Nicola's "all chump in the middle" had me dying.

[@laurazepam8382]

Nicola is just lovely. I would love to see her on TM for a whole season .

[@nic_enc_old]

Shirley reminds me of Sally... Same "can't-stop-laughing" energy.

[@coolfulldowns]

Rylan is honestly one of the funniest ever contestants on this show

[@blackdragoncyrus]

I agree, he's a joy.

[@Idlccnt]

I can’t believe I’ve even saying this but this people are more entertaining than some comedians that participated in this show.

[@YoJesusMorales]

I think that this cast made only 1 episode is a shame. It's a good sign when I like them from the beginning.

[@lolaangel7359]

no harm in a second watch! still really want this cast to be a full series this was absolutely hilarious 😂