The original Taskmaster is already a miracle of construction, its success balanced on a razor’s edge. It relies on the perfect, unforced chemistry between its hosts (Greg Davies and Alex Horne – the latter also the show’s creator), an array of tasks that allow for blinding success, abject failure, deep misinterpretation and moments of genius as participants compete for prizes they have themselves brought in (the low stakes are a vital part of its workings), and the procuring of five celebrities – usually comedians – per series who can take it seriously enough to be funny but lightly enough not to bog the whole absurd confection down.
In this they have succeeded magnificently for 18 series (and seven specials). Messing with perfection is rarely to be welcomed, and especially not when it involves the introduction of children. And so it is with astonishment as great as my joy and relief to report that the spinoff Junior Taskmaster, in which the competitors are all aged between about nine and 12 (please don’t make me use the word “tweenagers”) is a triumph.
Comedian and actor Rose Matafeo takes the Davies role as main presenter with writer, comedian and former doctor Mike Wozniak as her sidekick, and their chemistry matches the original pair’s. She brings ebullience and warmth, he brings a deadpan approach and the air of bafflement that an Edwardian father might carry at a child’s birthday party. They both bring support to the children without coddling, an unerring ability to judge just how much ribbing the youngsters can take, and when to let them manage the banter among themselves. It’s like a non-fiction version of Outnumbered.
And the children are equally great. The casting directors deserve awards for finding those rare birds who are confident but not cocky, quick on the uptake without being precocious, robust enough to cope with teasing and failure but young enough still to care about the outcomes (and the fairness – oh my God, the juvenile commitment to justice is on show at every turn. Give it up, my tiny chicks! The world will break you otherwise).
The first set of prizes the contestants have to bring in is The Most Impressive Circular Thing they own. Nine year old Anita brings in her parents’ wedding ring inscribed with their pet names (“I guess I believe in love again,” says Matafeo, wiping a tear from her eye as Anita laughs) and Reuben, also nine, brings in a Shania Twain CD covered in maple syrup because she’s Canadian. “He’s pandering to the elderly millennial in me,” notes Matafeo. Do any of the other children own CDs? They do, and list their precious relics. “Ah,” says Wozniak, nodding sagely. “The ancient music of McFly.”
To the tasks! Throw as many different things as possible into Mike’s open stovepipe hat as he sits on a large turntable, without touching the surrounding area! “I think that’s pretty comprehensive,” he replies when Nyarah queries the instructions. “To YOU!” she says, with quiet heartfelt fury.
Hit a target in as interesting way as possible! Eleven-year-old Lazer pelts the thing with eggs and mustard. Anita constructs an elaborate narrative about blood and criminals before stabbing a fake finger. “Always so tragic to see paranoia clutch the young mind,” sighs Mike.
Mike’s catchphrase as the overseer of the contests emerges as “All the information’s in the task”. In the second episode, tiny, bubble-curled Maisie asks him with curiosity: “Is this what you’ve been paid to do?”
It is, and thank goodness. What could have been cringemaking, an exquisite agony to watch, is instead hilarious, charming and a fine piece of entertainment for all the family. The outcome of the mashed potato round, however, was wildly unfair. My inner 10-year-old demands a replay.
• Junior Taskmaster aired on Channel 4 and is available on demand in the UK now, and will begin on Binge in Australia on 9 November.
