In a field somewhere in New Zealand, comedian Julia Morris is darting around a caravan, desperately looking for a way in. Her goal: to rescue a balloon floating inside, without touching the vehicle itself. Besuited and armed with a clipboard and whistle, fellow comedian Tom Cashman is standing nearby, with an eagle eye on Morris. “I feel like I need a gun,” Morris says to Cashman who, to his credit, only looks mildly alarmed. Morris settles on a technique: attempting to scooch inside the caravan in a wicker basket. It promptly breaks under her bum.
Welcome to Taskmaster Australia, a spin-off of the hit British gameshow that sees five comics competing in elaborately pointless tasks. The original show, now in its 15th season, is hosted by comedians Greg Davies and Alex Horne. Davies, the titular taskmaster, watches clips of the contestants completing their quests in front of a live audience, then gleefully bullies them for their efforts. His assistant Horne, who is also the show’s creator, plays a subservient butler-figure and referee.
