Riona (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
rionaleonhart) wrote2022-11-27 07:59 pm
rionaleonhart) wrote2022-11-27 07:59 pm
Entry tags:
I Am Contractually Obligated To Play This Video, And I'm Very Very Sorry.
I know a few people following me are fellow fans of the original UK Taskmaster. If you need more Taskmaster in your life (and I certainly do), I cannot recommend the New Zealand version highly enough.
The Taskmaster NZ Taskmaster himself is no Greg Davies; the energy he brings to the show is more 'confused headteacher' than 'petty tyrant'. But my biggest concern about reproducing Taskmaster was that it would be impossible to fill the role of the Taskmaster's assistant. Alex Horne is so deeply, fascinatingly weird on Taskmaster, and so willing to do the most bizarre and humiliating things; surely nobody could replace him?
I'm pleased to report I was completely wrong. Paul Williams is absolutely perfect in Alex Horne's role; he sometimes feels more Alex than Alex does. The tasks are fantastic, too.
We've almost finished the second season of Taskmaster NZ, and I've loved every moment. Paul Williams had a fascinatingly weird dynamic with Angella Dravid in season one, and I was slightly worried that I'd miss it too much when Angella was no longer a contestant, but season two is also excellent. During the 'diss track' task, we had to pause so we could all lose it laughing for five minutes.
Riona: One significant difference between Alex Horne and NZ assistant Paul Williams is that Alex is a sexless being I struggle to ship with anyone, whereas I ship Paul with every single contestant.
Riona: It's not at all that Paul is sexy, but he has a very 'naïve young man on the verge of a sexual awakening' energy that makes me want everyone to kiss him.
RD: "teach the taskmaster's assistant how to kiss"
Riona: omg I have never wanted anything more
Riona: I'm thinking about this because I just watched the task 'take Paul on a first date, most romantic first date wins' and one of the contestants Lady-and-the-Tramp spaghetti-kissed him and it was magical.
RD: Okay that does sound good
I'm delighted that we gave the New Zealand version a chance! It's been a glorious bright spot in the stress of moving house. Malcolm in the Middle got us through packing, and Taskmaster NZ is now getting us through unpacking.
(Speaking of moving, Tem is now a member of our household! It's going to be so much easier to play weird games about murder together.)
The Taskmaster NZ Taskmaster himself is no Greg Davies; the energy he brings to the show is more 'confused headteacher' than 'petty tyrant'. But my biggest concern about reproducing Taskmaster was that it would be impossible to fill the role of the Taskmaster's assistant. Alex Horne is so deeply, fascinatingly weird on Taskmaster, and so willing to do the most bizarre and humiliating things; surely nobody could replace him?
I'm pleased to report I was completely wrong. Paul Williams is absolutely perfect in Alex Horne's role; he sometimes feels more Alex than Alex does. The tasks are fantastic, too.
We've almost finished the second season of Taskmaster NZ, and I've loved every moment. Paul Williams had a fascinatingly weird dynamic with Angella Dravid in season one, and I was slightly worried that I'd miss it too much when Angella was no longer a contestant, but season two is also excellent. During the 'diss track' task, we had to pause so we could all lose it laughing for five minutes.
Riona: One significant difference between Alex Horne and NZ assistant Paul Williams is that Alex is a sexless being I struggle to ship with anyone, whereas I ship Paul with every single contestant.
Riona: It's not at all that Paul is sexy, but he has a very 'naïve young man on the verge of a sexual awakening' energy that makes me want everyone to kiss him.
RD: "teach the taskmaster's assistant how to kiss"
Riona: omg I have never wanted anything more
Riona: I'm thinking about this because I just watched the task 'take Paul on a first date, most romantic first date wins' and one of the contestants Lady-and-the-Tramp spaghetti-kissed him and it was magical.
RD: Okay that does sound good
I'm delighted that we gave the New Zealand version a chance! It's been a glorious bright spot in the stress of moving house. Malcolm in the Middle got us through packing, and Taskmaster NZ is now getting us through unpacking.
(Speaking of moving, Tem is now a member of our household! It's going to be so much easier to play weird games about murder together.)
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