Jason Mantzoukas Didn’t Go on Taskmaster to Win

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In a recent episode of the 19th season of the British comedy talk show “Taskmaster”, contestants found themselves in a room with a flashing red lightbulb, a clock, a bowl of raisins, and some wooden tokens. Their task was to figure out why the lightbulb flickered. The raisins and clock seemed related, but how? The four other contestants – Mathew Baynton, Fatiha El-Ghorri, Rosie Ramsey, and Stevie Martin – solved it fairly quickly, but Jason Mantzoukas took nearly an hour. Despite wasting time, he provided plenty of laughs by playing with the raisins, arguing with the co-host, and generally prolonging the task. This unconventional approach worked for him: “My initial intention,” Mantzoukas said, “is to complete the task, not deliberately complicate it.” Although he could have finished earlier, much of his interaction with the co-host about ‘math’ versus ‘maths’ was left in and lasted for five whole minutes.

In this game show, each season presents five comedians with peculiar challenges using everyday items to score points. As the first American competitor, Mantzoukas adds a lively and unique touch of frustration to the challenging and mysterious tasks that has only made an already amusing season more hilarious. To celebrate the midpoint of this season, we chatted with Mantzoukas over Zoom about his time on the show and the impact being American had on the experience.

Months ago, a friend texted me asking if I would be on Taskmaster. While I was in the studio about to record the initial rounds, I could hardly contain my excitement when I replied, “I’m not just participating, I’m here right now!

Did you happen to be a fan of the series?
My involvement in the show stemmed from my deep-rooted fandom. I was captivated by it, became quite obsessed, and had friends who were diehard fans. Over time, I even met some individuals who had appeared on previous seasons. To me, it’s the kind of series that I always wished existed – it embodies the ideal blend of casual, laid-back humor typical of that genre.

As a cinephile who recently found myself on the popular show, I must admit that I didn’t receive any explicit advice. However, I did have an engaging conversation with Nish Kumar over dinner one evening, where I essentially sought clarification about the nature of the show, asking questions like “Does this program operate as I imagine it does?” In the lead-up to my involvement, I was pondering whether it resembled more The Chris Gethard Show or being a judge on Nailed It! Both shows possess an unstructured charm that can be hard to come by. During my discussions with the Taskmaster team and Nish, I primarily sought reassurance about my assumptions, concerned it might lean towards being a bit more formal. Thankfully, I discovered that this isn’t the case at all – it’s far from buttoned-up!

In the course of executing those pre-recorded tasks, to what degree are you considering both “I want to perform this task exceptionally well” and “I want the performance to look engaging on television”?

Absolutely, it’s important to convey my enthusiasm when discussing the show with another fan. Opening a task with the wax seal was initially exciting; it took some time not to blurt out, “Isn’t this thrilling?” Alex being present only added to the excitement. However, I always remember that the core of the show is comedy. While I strive to complete tasks sincerely, if an opportunity arises organically for a fun and engaging game, I’ll play it, as it might even outshine the correct solution to the task. There were instances where I realized I wouldn’t excel, so I decided to capitalize on the comedic potential instead. The lightbulb task is a good illustration of this; I spent an hour there, and once I knew I wasn’t doing well, I was content to entertain Alex with various games within that timeframe.

Which tasks did you find yourself excelling in more than others? I’d say I shine when it comes to tasks that require a bit of puzzle-solving, thinking outside the box, or simply diving headfirst into a project. For instance, figuring out how to fit the most water in a bucket, or dealing with Rube Goldberg machines. However, it’s important to note that while I’m skilled at these tasks, I might not be as effective when it comes to tasks like composing an original song within ten minutes. It’s not that I can’t do them, but rather that they don’t appeal to me as much because they leave too much time for introspection and self-doubt. I prefer tasks where the clock starts ticking as soon as I read the instructions. [Laughs]]

Does participating in the show lead one to suspect hidden agendas? It seemed as if I was so clever to look for deceptions, always checking beneath the table, and yet there were numerous instances where I was genuinely taken aback by how skillfully they concealed their intentions. Often, you could sense a larger game being played, but more often than not, you’re engrossed in the task itself. Alex is there prompting and prodding us, the cameras are rolling, I knew I was on a show – all of that combined can hinder any strategic thinking. But I’m glad I’m not too meticulous. I enjoy it when there’s a twist. I frequently felt like, Boy, am I glad I’m not doing well. I don’t love losing, but I’m not here to win. I don’t view Taskmaster as a game show. The points are purely symbolic.

Reflecting on past seasons, it’s challenging to recall who emerged victorious rather than who provided the most laughs. When attempting to convert friends to the show, my focus is more on highlighting the funniest contestants, such as James Acaster and Sam Campbell, rather than the winners.

Are you familiar with the circuit of British comedy shows, or do you follow it somewhat? I make sure to catch Taskmaster, and occasionally I find myself watching other programs that grab my attention, such as Last One Laughing on Amazon Prime.

Man, that’s fantastic! I’m utterly smitten with anything starring Bob Mortimer or Richard Ayoade, and when you add in Lou Sanders and all those hilarious folks, it’s simply top-notch. While I may not be a scholar of British panel shows, I’ve binge-watched my fair share thanks to my endless searches for clips featuring Bob Mortimer or other favorites. I can’t wait to uncover more shows and share them with others, saying, “Here’s a genuine genius at work!” You don’t need to understand the intricacies of the shows themselves; just enjoy the brilliance!

As a newcomer, stepping into the vast British panel show scene felt a bit intimidating. However, once I joined Taskmaster, my nerves quickly subsided. It was nothing like what I expected – everyone was welcoming and the camaraderie was palpable. The banter was lively and entertaining, reminding me of the relaxed vibe you get from podcasts like Doughboys or Comedy Bang Bang. So, in a way, watching Bob Mortimer is similar to relishing sports highlight reels; it’s a condensed, exciting, and amusing experience!

My coworker Anne posed a question to David Mitchell regarding the reason panel shows haven’t thrived much in his region, and he hypothesized that it’s due to a financial aspect – television is pricier over there, making the need to “deliver” more intense. This resonates with me, as it seems similar to what Dropout is attempting – a format resembling panel shows but with a loose script, game-show settings, and numerous improvisers and sketch comedians collaborating. One possible reason for the difficulty in replicating this here might be the competitive nature of Americans. Unlike British panel shows where there’s less emphasis on scoring points, I believe American comedians might struggle to accept finishing last effortlessly – there’s usually a desire to accumulate points instead.

Are there any other American comedians you’d like to see featured on the program? My top picks include Bob Mortimer, Sam Campbell, Fern Brady, and Rosie Jones, who each have a distinct style that leaves me wondering, “What on earth is going on?” Jon Gabrus, Lisa Gilroy, and Gil Ozeri are also favorites, and I believe they’d all be excellent additions. Paul F. Tompkins is already a fan, so he’d be a great fit. If we could get Mary Holland to do Taskmaster, I’d gladly pay a million dollars for it – her solutions would likely be some of the funniest moments we’ve ever witnessed. Andy Daly and Tim Baltz are also standouts – their unpredictability makes them potential “murderers” in this format, as watching them tackle problems would undoubtedly result in much laughter.

Was there any particular edge to being an American on Taskmaster? I don’t think so. In fact, I went out of my way to be at a disadvantage. If there was an advantage, it felt like being the giant pinata brought into a child’s birthday party, filled with excited kids ready to take their swings.

To your credit, it wasn’t immediately clear to me what you meant by a “lollipop lady“. However, such unfamiliar terms always sparked my curiosity, making me think, “Tell me more! More of this!” Since I was eager for any chance to broaden my horizons, even if it put me at a disadvantage, I could channel that frustration into learning and play the game better as a result.

Regarding the latest episode’s theme, could you tell me where the painting you unsuccessfully attempted to gift stands now, as it was part of the challenge? I presume it is in your home somewhere.

Oh no.
It’s really haunted. It’s so haunted.

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2025-05-31 16:54