This week, TK and Elixir talk about a fandom favourite subject: Greg and Alex getting physical.
How many times do they touch one another per episode? Who initiates it? What KIND of touch is it? What are the trends in the data and what absolutely 100% science-based data-driven evidence-backed conclusions can be drawn?! Can we predict the future?!?!
And of course, what is the Elixir Points System? Tune in to find out.
This episode is all about contestant studio outfits, the fashion psychology of Taskmaster, and why Andy Zaltzman might actually be a wizard.
Also featuring: Podcast Cat, a spontaneous Julian Clary history lesson, and Fact or Fanfic returns!
Top Highlights from Episode 16: Some Kind of Animal Print:
Studio Costumes Deserve the Spotlight Apricot champions the underappreciated art of studio outfits across Series 16–18.
Julian Clary = Velvet, Camouflage, and Instant Icon Even if you don’t know him, you know. Also: his infamous 1993 comedy awards joke gets a rewatch and reappraisal.
Sam Campbell’s 50 Shades of Grey Nine grey outfits + finale chaos = intentional or insane? Either way, the Bart Simpson comparison stands.
Fashion Duel: Sue Perkins vs Susan Wokoma Sharp suits vs Ghibli dresses, empire waists, and that rose-covered finale outfit. Stunning.
Nick the Vampire
Zebra Print, Gold Pants & Sonic Sneakers Sophie Willan and Joanne McNally deliver the maximalist glam. Shiny, loud, and somehow it all works.
Andy Zaltzman: Dressing Like a Fever Dream Wizard robes, Roman armour, boxing gloves, snooker cosplay… then wearing it all at once in the finale. Art.
Emma Sidi & Jack Dee Slay (Very Differently) Emma brings fashion-forward chaos (trench coat dress, cowboy boot vest). Jack is suit perfection, never repeating a look.
Baba the T-Shirt Monarch 9/10 white T-shirts. One black. The anti-Zaltzman.
This week, TK is joined by… me! LottaSoup! Infamous author of, ahem, Daddy’s Little Screamer. *waves*
What an honour for them, eh?
We chat about all things fic-writing related, and I jabber about what it’s like being a Taskmaster fan in South Africa. We share our experiences of joining the Being Perceived Club, and caring for foster kittens, of all things. Oh, and I set a little quiz for TK which they… don’t do so great in. Soz, TK.
In this special episode of Transformative Taskmaster, TK chats with Dr Ali Struthers and James Blake-Lobb, co-heads of Taskmaster Education. From pineapples and prize tasks to university outreach and crocheted Alex Hornes, this lively conversation covers how Taskmaster’s joyful chaos is transforming classrooms across the UK.
In this episode, we cover:
What Taskmaster Education actually is — and how it helps build creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork
The difference between Taskmaster Club and School Tasking
How tasks are adapted for different age groups and learning environments
Real-world impact: boosting attendance, engagement, and student confidence
Collaborations with Kids Invent Stuff, Hannah Fry, Maggie Aderin-Pocock, and more
The role of fan-made arts and crafts
Confirmation that Alex Horne is as kind and clever as we all suspect
Junior Taskmaster and its links to the education programme
What it’s like being a fan who now works in the Taskmaster universe
Listen now to hear how Taskmaster is inspiring the next generation of lateral thinkers – one loo roll tower at a time.
Look, we didn’t bring it up, but it seems James has a crush on New Zealand’s so-called ‘Taskmaster’. And thoughts on fanfic. Ali might have some too.
This week, TK is joined by Newt to talk about why Taskmaster hits different for neurodivergent fans.
From joyful weirdness to cringe-as-exposure-therapy, it’s a deep dive into how the show creates a uniquely kind, chaotic space for contestants and fans alike – plus some insights about the fandom from Germany!
In this ep, TK & Newt cover:
Taskmaster = ND-friendly TV: Fast edits, layered jokes, and low-stakes silliness? Ideal for overstimulated brains.
Failure is a feature, not a bug: Contestants succeed by embracing mess, not avoiding it.
The RPF is mutual: With Greg, Alex, and even contestants in on the joke, the fanfic vibes are strong.
Germany’s Taskmaster attempt, uh, flop: The 2017 pilots never aired, possibly due to… tonal mismatch?
Live Experience = healing chaos: Newt talks about turning personal anxiety into joy through Taskmaster’s live show.
Games section! Newt nails ‘What is it Alex has Been?’
This week on Transformative Taskmaster, we’re cracking open the fanfic archives and reliving the sheer chaos, joy, and occasional existential dread of Being Perceived™ by Greg and Alex. That’s right, we’re talking about the elite group of fic writers whose works have been name-dropped, quoted, or lovingly roasted.
Whether it was on live TV, in outtakes, or even on late-night American talk shows (hello, Seth Meyers), these lucky (or perhaps deeply cursed?) writers found themselves hurled into the spotlight in the most surreal way imaginable.
In this ep, you’ll hear from:
Me! (LottaSoup) — a South African in a radiology waiting room, whispering secrets to teddy bears and reeling from Greg Davies saying “Daddy’s Little Screamer” out loud.
TK (LadyJekyll) — our fearless host, who wrote The Jester and the King, which Greg literally read from on Seth Meyers while the rest of us tried not to explode.
Vivs (PandaRoboto) — a Brazilian fan whose fic was name-dropped just hours after a truly chaotic life moment.
UnquietSpirit — on the surprise (and slight concern) of having Alex name a deeply… niche… fic as his “current favourite.”
Trillion_G — who was name-dropped on Seth Meyers but almost missed it because we were all too busy losing our minds.
Plus AO3 collections, fic-tag regrets, and what happens when/if Alex actually reads the summary. Brace for secondhand delight and/or mortification, and dive into one of the strangest, most validating clubs in the TM Universe.
This week’s episode is a love letter to the bits between the bits. TK chats with beloved community archivist Jazz (aka youmagnificentbeast on YouTube) to talk all things ad breaks, interstitials, and the glorious Taskmaster chaos that never makes it to… non-terrestrial-TV. If you’ve ever wondered what you’re missing, the answer is: a lot.
Jazz has lovingly compiled the cut ad break throwaways from UK, NZ, and Aussie Taskmaster into easy-to-binge compilations — because skipping them means skipping so much of the weird lore that makes this fandom so delicious.
In this ep, TK & Jazz cover:
Why the ad breaks matter – including The Kiss™
Jazz’s process of collecting & uploading these gems (with some spicy copyright woes)
What fans rewatch the most (spoiler: it’s the shippy stuff)
TK’s extremely controversial opinion that the interstitials from NZ & AU might just be superior (sorry, Alex)
And yes… Interstitial Chubby Bunny aka Paul Williams
And does Jazz nail Fact or Fanfic? (We’re not taking bets, of COURSE she does.)
In this episode, TK is joined by editor Lewis for an entertaining chat about all things costuming and wardrobe on Taskmaster!
Join us for a glorious deep dive into the evolution of Greg Davies’ regal looks, Alex Horne’s journey into becoming a “scruffy raccoon lad,” and some standout contestant fashion moments.
If you’ve ever wondered why Alex’s trousers never fit, what contrast lapels are, or just how many Casio watches one man can own, then this is the episode for you!
They talk about…
How the team nailed Greg’s look (almost) from day one.
The progression of Alex’s ‘scruffy sidekick in progress’ look
Shoes! Watches! Cufflinks, oh my!
Some standout contestant looks from the show – we see you Fern
Final episode outfit themes like Series 15’s Beatles suits
In this ep, TK and Jonah have a cozy fireside chat about… stuff! They delve into the ooooooooold days of fanfic (guys, like before LiveJournal, before fanfiction.net, WAY before AO3, – what…?!) Apologies, Gen Z, none of this is going to mean anything to you.
He talks about how he discovered Taskmaster, how he got sucked down into the fanfic ferrethole, and what it’s been like as a relatively new fan.
He talks about his interactions with the ‘Group Chat’, and the inspiration behind some of his fanfic works. This particular author would like to point out that she had nothing, absolutely NOTHING, to do with the Greg/Richard Osman fic.
