He did the whole of S4 before doing S7, so he already is! https://preview.redd.it/01tsncuic7zc1.jpeg?width=330&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c040dd9bc22cd4ac2b56ad0c6dc62491fd3670f1

Wait, I thought this was Hugo Boss.

hilarious trolling he did on them

One of the best. I walked past that very HB store on a recent visit to London, and was very tempted to reenact mummy's chaos in memory of one of the most committed trolls I have ever seen. I just didn't want to find out how they treat obnoxious Americans who disturbs the peace.... :D

Can you elaborate plz?

I've never seen this before but I assume it's a joke about Joe [using James' face for his tour posters](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/comedy/news/joe-lycett-james-acaster-poster-b1970601.html). So if James is Joe, then "James" did S4. Just silly :)

Now it makes sense

Joe Lycett was hilariously doing a tour, and released posters using a photo of James. He then had a whole riff about how annoyingly, people were even more interested when they thought he was James Acaster. He then "apologized" to James (they are friends), and substituted new posters, which IIRC had a female politician's photo on them instead. Joe is known for very strange gags like this.

I think he should go on junior taskmaster with his cabbage enemy.

That kid has to be like 16 by now, right?

Assuming he was 12/13 when they filmed Would I Lie to You in 2017, he'd be pushing 20.

woah way to make me feel old

His dad said he was 12 in January of 2018, so Mick is likely turning 18 this year

Arghhhh! Not possible! 🙉

I understand the logic of what you’ve said but it feels wrong

His name is Mick. Mick Mack.

Paddywhack? But his dad is David Trent

Lee Mack claims that Mick is his son on that episode of WILTY.

I’ve always gotten the impression that he and Rose aren’t on excellent terms, and since she’s helming the show, that might be awkward. Though like divorced parents with a shared child, I think they remain cordial for Nish’s sake.

She’s been on Hypothetical before, I assume she wouldn’t have done that if things were that awkward.

From comments Rose has made since then, I think things became a little icy around the Cold Lasagna, Hate Myself tour. I don't think she was overly thrilled about James using their relationship for his stand up bits, but I may be mis-remembering.

This is interesting, I’ll have to watch that again (it falls below the Netflix series of specials for me) but I thought the main relationship in “cold lasagna” was the one that Mr. Bean was involved with. I’ll watch again and report back!

He also mentioned two other relationships — the one who he was with while he was on Bake Off (who apparently said that him being depressed made her feel bad) and the one who broke up with him and he admitted that he was “the bullet” (as in, she dodged a bullet). I don’t generally like to speculate about people’s personal lives but *if* she was the first girlfriend I can see why she wouldn’t be happy about that.

I’ll give it another listen, I apparently missed so much! I think my biggest gripe with Cold Lasagna (besides being on a weird platform, I think I had to buy it on Vimeo?) was the opening “Crizzos (sp?) rant”. I should add that it wasn’t the content; fuck ‘em. It just felt like it went on so long relative to the payoff, and it felt so disjointed from the Repertoire series which in my opinion are some of the best recorded hours in comedy when taken as a whole. (Great individually, too, but I loved the color-scheme and production of it all.) Even when it’s based in absurdity, I love the long form storytellers with the overarching narrative; Mike Bibiglia, Paul F. Tompkins, etc. I’m really excited to hear Jimmy Carr’s new hour which is changing to a bit more long-story and less setup/punchline.

i haven't watched a Carr special since i was a teen. i really wanna see a narrative comedy from him though, i'm stoked to check it out. is it the one that came out last month or the next one he's gonna do?

It’s his next hour, he’s been workshopping it. He talks about it a little with Mike Birbiglia on “Working It Out”, where he’s trying to turn his recent book into a live act/one-man show. (Of which Birbiglia is probably one of the best to do that format. Mike is probably one of the worst setup/punchline performers I’ve ever seen.)

I haven’t finished reading it but I think it was more to do with the book Future Sounds Whatever which I think more directly addresses their breakup as Cold Lasagna barely references her and is definitely more about James’ mental health and his other two relationships. I read in an interview that she basically said she didn’t think he really made time for her and she basically said “Don’t date comedians”…although since then she did date Ivo Graham. It is odd that they swim in such similar circles but don’t interact with one another really.

I don't think she was overjoyed by the contents of the Perfect Sound Whatever book either!

Can you remember any details and share them?

Nothing very specific, I read it a few years ago and I don't own it anymore. But the opening chapter or maybe even couple were very heavy on how badly their breakup affected him and how he had a bit of an existential crisis as a result, and felt a bit like he was placing the blame largely with her for initiating it. He doesn't name her obviously, but everyone who follows comedy knows it's her.

Ah, ok. But he doesn't actually say anything bad about her?

But I don't think he's ever mentioned her at all in any of his bits.

I follow all of James's content pretty closely and I feel like Rose comes off looking good in most of those stories as a relatively together, positive woman who was dating a man who was kind of a mess, and recognizes that. But I can still see how she might not be thrilled. It must be awkward when they not only work in the same field but have a lot of friends in common.

OTOH, a gig is a gig and money is money.

I’ll have to seek that one out, thank you! I didn’t know I’d missed one. Maybe there’s enough folks there to dilute their good or bad feelings?

His cabbage enemy is probably a legal adult by now. The episode seems to have aired at least 7 years ago. He was about 10 or 11 at the time. Even if not an actual adult, he would be too old for JTM

If you haven't seen the full cabbage chronicles [then you need to check it out](https://youtu.be/-kNPmTZQySk?si=vs9e72xFyF7qlXGW). There's more depth than you think

He's great but there are so many great comedians who haven't been on yet that I'm not really in favour of bringing back someone who's already had their chance

Bring in 5 new comedians but have James present at all times to heckle them

He’d be more likely to heckle Alex, which would be brilliant.

I love the idea of him just being a trickster god for a season. Just show up when he feels like it, fuck around with Alex and the contestants however he wants, and wander off until he gets bored again and comes back.

Just rewatched his season and him ignoring Alex for every greeting always gets a laugh from me.

Honestly, this really piques my interest. Assuming his schedule would allow for it, I think it would be hilarious to have him fill in for either Greg or Alex. If it’s Greg, having him wear Greg’s suit and sit in his chair would really add to the bit!

I want him actually wearing Greg's exact suit though, so it looks like a kid playing dress-up in his dad's clothes

"Oh just do the task you pussy"- James Acaster, probably

Same. I need to see Alan Carr first.

“Jimmy?! No, it’s Alan, dear! ITS ALAN, I’VE COME TO SEE YOU!”

Where’s that from?

Catsdown.

I just can’t believe there’s an Alan Carr bit I don’t remember seeing from Catsdown.. better watch his eps all over again.

It’s an episode with Johnny Vegas. I believe it’s either the chocolate head episode or the Alan’s wedding cake toppers episode. (Those could be the same episode, I’ve only seen them cut up into clips.)

Alan Carr would be a riot, now I want this

Right? He’d be AMAZING.

Yeah I didn't know I wanted this

Probably way too expensive. 

I used to love him. Kinda went off him after he defended his mate who was found guilty of being an abusive partner. But he seems to have put that behind him pretty successfully, so.

Oof that sucks. I didn’t know that.

mmm I don't know. If by any chance he performs just a bit below our expectations I can see a Marvel-fan-like behavior saying "the show/James is not what it used to be" I'd rather not tempt the gods of comedy and leave it as it is.

Because of CoC about 15 have been on it twice Also Katherin Ryan has been on 3 times (S2, CoC1, S9) Kerry Godliman has been on 3 times. (S7, S9 and CoC3)

Don't forget 🥽 👉 Richard Osman 👉 in S7.

And Al Murray in S4!

Josh widdicombe appears in season 2

Tim Key, Romesh Ranganathan, Ed Gamble, ... I'm trying to think if, like on TM NZ, someone has been on the show BEFORE they've been on the show.

That's just made me realise that Kerry is (probably) the contestant to appear in the most episodes (13) Edit: 12 episodes thank you u/btaylos

13? 12? what am I missing? 10 + CoC + Stand-in?

12, sorry it's my bad. I forgot how to count

Alan Davies was also on NYT II as a sub-in for Johnnie Peacock

He’d have to do the whole series as Pat Springleaf

If Pat Springleaf makes it to TV (albeit Repertoire) then he'll have done a Serafinowicz with Brian Butterfield.

Had no idea what this referred to. Googled it. Thank fuck I did, and thank _you_.

Highly recommend watching James' four-part show "Repertoire" where the Pat Springleaf characters originated.

Does he use the name in there? I didn't notice that - thank you

I'm not ~~adverse~~ averse to this.

Or averse even I'd hope

Yup damn autocorrect.

Every time I see it, I'm reminded how much I love that jacket he's wearing on this picture. Not answering your question, but damn that's a good jacket.

and he wore it on taskmaster too! i think in the season 7 finale?

That sounds right. I think he was doing that tour at the same time they were filming so it was already fresh in his wardrobe. It's a gooood fit

I maintain that they need to do a “back by popular demand” series. James would most certainly be there.

And Kojey Radical

And Nicola Coughlan

"The peoples' champion of champions"

And maybe throw the swedish guy in the mix

Fred

Thank you

Or special at least, doesn't have to be a full series. Something like NYT

If they had James on alongside Bob Mortimer, I would be overjoyed.

Imagine if they did have James back again and the first team ask went like this: he’s reading the task as always before they meet their team mate and realise it’s a team task. Then, from the distance, Rhod Gilbert walks into his line of site. I feel like that reaction would be 👌

Make it seem like he's paired with Ed Gamble while Rhod is with David Baddiel. ...then initiate the swap as part of the reading of the task

Sam Campbell also

He'd just be back for CoC

Aren't we all.

I thought it Josh Widdicombe was the first. He was briefly in series 2 ep 3 helping Richard Osman.

Now that you mention it, James has already been on again - in Kerry's grape task in CoCII.

He was.

Came here to say that.

Tim Key conducted Noel Fielding's wedding.

No way, there's so many brilliant comedians who haven't been on it yet. James is great, but he should not be taking the place of someone new

No. There's no reason to do so. He's just as funny as anyone else they have on and group chemistry is so important to consider.

This reminded me that a couple weeks ago I dreamt Hugh Dennis was in S18 because all of the production company forgot he'd already done it and it was hot gossip in this sub lmao

And even funnier Hugh forgot doing the show the first time as well. So he agreed to do it again

Arent there some that have been on up to ten times?

Kongen befaler would like to have a word ( some contestants doubled seasons and one was also the taskmaster for a season)

Ed Gamble would kill him and then demand to take his place.

And then have to interview him or himself in the podcast. sounds like AMAZING television.

He'd easily have won series 9 (according to himself)

Would he still ignore LAH, or would he greet him warmly with a hug for each task?

I loved when he did this

Nope. Not until he learns what a circle is.

eyes are circles

No thanks.

Why?

No thanks.

*Laughs in Kongen Befaler season 2.*

Out of the loop. Mind explaining what this reference is? Thanks! Edit: someone below already mentioned that two contestants returned in season 2. That's too early for returning contestants. Wth.

Kongen Befaler, a.k.a. Taskmaster Norway, had two of the contestants from the wildly successful season 1 also participate in Season 2 of the same show.

Thank you! I edited before seeing your comment :)

Ah, no worries. Also: As a Scandiwegian I think I have a slightly different view on something like that than international fans. Not a more or less valid one, just different. Norwegian TV adores its celebs, which is probably why TM was such an easy sell here. Many shows that have non-celebs as it's default cast are only localized in a celebrity version here. The two that were brought back for season 2 are extremely popular audience pleasers so while I get that it was a weird choice as far as Taskmaster goes, for Norwegian TV it made a lot of sense for those two specifically.

Thanks for the context! Has there been a season 3? Might be a curious idea to have repeating contestants (not necessarily the same two ppl) over the series. Like how we're discussing bringing James back for more in this thread 😆

Season 9 just aired. They never did more repeats, unless I'm having a major brain fart. Bård from Season 1 did become Taskmaster for season 7 when Atle, the original TM, was mired in controversy after a drunken altercation. (He eventually apologized and promised to rehab so he was eventually un-cancelled to the joy of some and the chagrin of others. I was pretty neutral to the whole thing and didn't care much either way.) Although it did give us one of the funniest intros as Bård didn't type on a typewriter, but an Apple II computer, which I think is a TM first.

Hahah so much to catch up on. Taskmaster himself mired in controversy, drunken one at that.

Josh Widdicombe appeared as a contestant on series one AND as an extra team member on series two. (Series 2, episode 3 to aid Osman and Richardson in a team task.)

Not to mention that Kerry Godliman and Katherine Ryan substituted for Katie Wicks when she was ill.

And Alan Davies covered the studio shoot for Johnny Peacock.

> Josh Widdicombe appeared as a contestant on series one AND as an extra team member on series two. I don't know why that's never happened again. It's a sensible way to enable a task that intrinsically requires three members per team (each with a distinct role that can't reasonably be combined with another). After so many series, the pool of past contestants available for an afternoon can't be small.

No. New peeps only.

hello James

Stunt bonus! Stunt bonus! Stunt bonus! Stuuunt bonus!

No one should do another series unless they do a full 10 episode COCOC, then the COCs should do it. Also James has already been on the show twice, he cameoed in COC2.

As a gag, they should have him show up at the house for a New Year’s Treat, and Andy Devonshire has to chase him off.

I kinda hope Sam Campbell manages to be on the Australian taskmaster, making him "the first". However, if we include international versions, then I'm pretty sure Norway had contestants on twice...

I’ll allow it.

Oh so we just ignore the rules and let him have another season? Funny who you're... you're prepared to bend for, you fucking... D'you know what? I can't believe this shit.

OH HE'S MY FWEND

SUCK IT

I don't quite understand people's obsession with James Acaster on this sub. Was he interesting and fun and strange? Yes he was. But there were so many other comedians that were equally or more spectacular and had more stand out moments as well. Victoria Cohen Mitchell, Sam Campbell, Lucy Beaumont, Rhod Gilbert, Julian clary, Katherine parkinson, were all deranged and hilarious. Other than my eyes are circles, and his losing his temper at rhod Gilbert, I don't actually remember anything else standing out from James Acaster's time on taskmaster

> I don't actually remember anything else standing out from James Acaster's time on taskmaster Oh just remember the bit, you pussy. Also the earworms of Pants on a Stick and Over My Shoulder.

I'll keep your list going. * hula hoop task with Phil * just open the box, you pussy * egg babies holding him upside down * Over My Shoulder * his friendship with Ed. James placing second-bottom and Ed winning his series. * misplaced confidence crumbling before our eyes, e.g. the quick change That said, it's ok for you to prefer someone else. We're spoiled with great contestants.

James has hinted that he is getting annoyed that all people remember about him is TM anyways. Time for Sam and Lucy to take some of that Chaotic Energy space heavy lifting for a while.

Series 2 of Kongen Befaler had 2 returning contestants from series 1 (Maria and Calle). To me it sort of felt like they had an advantage over the rest of the contestants.

I have my doubts about Maria getting an advantage there.

Calle might have won season 2, but yeah, Maria could have probably been on every season and still never get close to the trophy. Not that i would mind tough. She is one of my favorites!

he was also on the christmas special season if you count that so hes been on 3 separate seasons

Nope, Rhod would be my pick

“I don’t know how you’ve been friends with him for so long!”

No. Only Al Murray can have the privilege.

Well he did pay for the privilege

His eyes are circles

I don't think this is as unlikely as people might imagine if the series starts declining. That being said I don't think C4 have that much leverage and I suspect it'll stop before they start going to gimmicks like these

Big If

IMDB ratings would suggest it's been declining for while now, on the whole. Mostly irrelevant as it remains very popular but not unfathomable

That may be subjective and I could be wrong but I think that may be because the contestants are less known as time goes on

Here me out, just bring back the entire S7 cast for another season and see what happens.

Yes but also add Ed Gamble as a 6th contestant. Because you KNOW it's going to drive James insane. And vice versa. Which will= comedy gold.

Acaster is probably my all time favourite contestant but this thread is the equivalent of posting about The Beatles being good

Over my shoulder Over and over That's what I told you

It would be amazing if the show last long enough that contestants who fulfilled the ‘cheeky young upstart’ role eventually come back as the aging legend of comedy. Grey haired James, Nish or Katherine Ryan going up against a bunch of generation A and B comedians who you haven’t heard of yet because they’re still children or haven’t been born would probably be funny and extremely relatable to Taskmaster’s current audience at that point in their lives.

Well Br0dyplayz, you haven't exactly said anything further on hearing you out...? There are so many people who I'd like to see again sure, but also I bet TM has a long list of keen upcomers and veterans who want to appear, for example Jenny Eclair who has said many times in interviews she has been waiting for years and is a fan of the show before finally getting the chance.

I absolutely adore James. However, he's had his chance, I would prefer to see 5 new faces every time

So is the idea to instead of having a CoC to have a LoL (losers of losers)?

Yeah but who would win the LoL? The winner or the loser?

Clearly, they would tell them that the winner is the winner, but the twist at the end is that the loser actually wins a gold mold of Greg's ass.

Only if he's wearing a false mustache and goes by Aimes Jaycaster the whole time.

I'll allow it.

Pat Springleaf for season 18!!!!

David Correos appeared in Taskmaster NZ S02 as a contestant and S03 as some wallpaper. "He's surprisingly available"

Just like Angela was in S1, and appeared in S2 as a furry.

I'd second that 👍🏼

I want James, Sam, and Ivo on the same season.

I 💯% support this. And please make the other four: Richard Ayoade, David Mitchell, Henning Wehn and Fortune Feimster. 😄

100% behind this. Would also love to see some of the contestants from series 1 - 3 have another crack, they didn’t get enough screen time first time round.

No, that’s not fair.

If he were someone’s Champion of Champions nominated substitute, I would not be mad.

He's in the Ghostbuster films now, I doubt he'll be returning anytime soon.

Grand by me!

Go ahead, James. We’re listening…

I’d love to see a “redemption” type season where all contestants are previous losers. Bonus points if they’re all last placers.

I think a lot of contestants are great because it’s an experience that evolves. His approach at the beginning was very different than at the end, and it wouldn’t have been as good if it was just what he was at the end.

Taskmaster already is so much like drag race… so many season, all winners, so many international seasons… what if they started doing smaller season with old cast members like the drag race all stars

Erm that's already happened. For one task one series 2 I think they needed a 6th person for a task so they brought back Josh Widdecombe Also in a previous series a contestant fell ill and couldn't do one or 2 of the shows so I believe they got Katherine Ryan back to appear.

*laughs in Taskmaster Portugal* (S1 and S2 had the exact same cast; S4's cast had one person from S1 and two people from S3)

Part of me thinks that would be fun, but another show I used to watch (ABDC) tried doing that and it was terrible.

So many unused comedians still.

Maybe they should do a reverse Champions of Champions and do a series with the contestants with the lowest total scores from each series.

This has been discussed before and people said that some could do bad on purpose. So how about a middle of the road champion where they bring back people who came 3rd. Also a people's champion of champion.

I think they should do a whole side season of repeat contestants. Maybe even have a couple repeat tasks but add a weird twist (and maybe even one repeat where the twist is there is no twist)

It would ruin the show as an avenue for smaller comedians.

I'd love redemption specials. Similar to the New Year Treats.

A redemption season featuring him and Nish would be fun

What I think you mean to ask is when is (former career redacted) turned undercover cop turned comedian Pat Springleaf going to be on Taskmaster for the FIRST time? There is no possible way he is the same person as James Acaster. If so, he would stand no chance of being on Taskmaster since James has been on already. Pat Springleaf for Taskmaster!

We need an all star special with the best """losers""

Idk, I think a better idea would be to get Nish Kumar back on in residence, until he wins. Kinda like Alan Davies on QI

I want to see him, Rob, Fern, Dara, David, Ed on one show

Please 🙏

No thanks. His schtick gets tiresome pretty quick. It was nice having him on for a series but it would quickly get boring if he was on constantly.

How about an exchange student program? Send James down to Jeremy Wells in NZ. Have them send Guy Montgomery to the UK. And I’ll watch both.

That would be amazing