All Series Of Taskmaster (UK) Ranked

It turns out a show with comedians on it, doing funny things, is very enjoyable.

Let me be clear, none of these series are bad. I would happily watch any of them again. And I will. However some have more contestant chemistry, or better themes, or tasks that just hit harder. Oddly even the “bad” tasks provide the laughs. I’ve probably lol’ed (legit lol) in ever episode of Taskmaster I’ve watched, including all rewatches.

You will not be disappointed with any of these series or episodes. So watch today. FREE on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Taskmaster

A few notes on the list:

Live tasks were often low points for me so I do not include any in the top tasks. One caveat for that, the Knappett Fall in Series 7 is maybe one of the funniest things I’ve see on TV.
The starred ** contestants were my favorites, but again, there is not one I “hated”.
The Taskmaster Wiki on Fandom was a huge help. Thank you to the people who update and manage it. https://taskmaster.fandom.com/wiki/Taskmaster_Wiki

WATCH IT NOW: https://www.youtube.com/@Taskmaster

*6 Taskmaster Prize Tasks You Can Actually Buy*

And now, the Mike E Schmee (USA) Official Taskmaster (UK) Series Rankings!

1. Series 7

Hard to choose the best episode or task on this one. Overall a great series with some of the best contestant chemistry.

Contestants: *James Acaster*, Jessica Knappett, *Kerry Godliman*, *Phil Wang* and Rhod Gilbert

Best Episode: Episode 8: Mother honks her horn.

Best Task: Work out the circumference of the caravan in baked beans. Episode 1.

Best Gag: Phil Wang bartering for each prize task. James calling him a pussy while trying to open the box. James not saying “hi” to Alex ever. The Knappett Fall.

2. Series 16

Great tasks, contestants, and contestant chemistry.

Contestants: *Julian Clary*, Lucy Beaumont, *Sam Campbell*, Sue Perkins and Susan Wokoma

Best Episode: Episode 7: I’m off to find a robin.

Best Task: Present a piece called “Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”. Episode 6.

Best Gag: Sue getting mad at Alex. Sam being a weird guy. The team of three is funny. Sam wearing all gray/grey outfits in every studio show.

3. Series 1

It’s only six episodes. It’s honestly surprising how good this series is, and how little the show actually changes over time. It’s a little clunky at points, but it holds up super well even 10 years later compared to the newer seasons.

Contestants: Frank Skinner, Josh Widdicombe, Roisin Conaty, Romesh Ranganathan and *Tim Key*

Best Episode: Episode 1: Melon buffet.

Best Task: In the lab, there is a watermelon. Eat as much watermelon as possible. Episode 1.

Best Gag: Tim Key getting caught cheating. Romesh getting mad at the prize tasks. Josh having to do counting tasks.

4. Series 14

Good tasks!

Contestants: Dara Ó Briain, *Fern Brady*, *John Kearns*, Munya Chawawa and Sarah Millican

Best Episode: Episode 5: Chip Biffington.

Best Task: Place one luggage trolley a certain distance away from the line. Then, starting behind the line, strike that trolley with another luggage trolley. Episode 5.

Best Gag: John having bad Prize Tasks.

5. Series 3

Only five episodes. Great tasks. It was really hard for me to choose top episode or task.

Contestants: *Al Murray*, Dave Gorman, *Paul Chowdhry*, Rob Beckett and Sara Pascoe

Best Episode: Episode 2: The dong and the gong.

Best Task: Get to the microwave in as few steps as possible and open the door before the microwave dings. Episode 1.

Best Gag: Paul’s deadpan humor and how Greg responds to it.

6. Series 4

A great season, with solid contestants. The first of the new standard of ten episodes.

Contestants: *Hugh Dennis*, Joe Lycett, Lolly Adefope, *Mel Giedroyc* and Noel Fielding

Best Episode: Episode 3: Hollowing out a baguette.

Best Task: Make a trailer for Taskmaster The Movie. Team task. Episode 3.

Best Gag: Hugh Dennis coming in last for the Prize task 6 out of the 8 episodes.

7. Series 8

This one grew on me more as I watched a second time while listening to the official podcast.

Contestants: Iain Stirling, Joe Thomas, *Lou Sanders*, Paul Sinha and Sian Gibson

Best Episode: Episode 3: Stuck in a mammal groove.

Best Task: Alex is on that bridge in the distance with lights on his head. Get as close as you can to Alex without him noticing you. Episode 1.

Best Gag: Alex asking Paul Sinha questions about history. Ian and Lou being confrontational on team tasks.

8. Series 11

Also a Covid Pandemic Series, and I think it hurts the tasks in this one, which is understandable.

Contestants: Charlotte Ritchie, Jamali Maddix, Lee Mack, *Mike Wozniak* and *Sarah Kendall*.

Best Episode: Episode 5: Slap and tong.

Best Task: Build a tower, then topple your tower so that yogurt lands in a numbered square. Episode 9.

Best Gag: Jamali getting irritated with Alex (and others) a lot.

9. Series 2

Only five episodes.

Contestants: Doc Brown, *Joe Wilkinson*, Jon Richardson, *Katherine Ryan* and Richard Osman

Best Episode: Episode 5: There’s strength in arches.

Best Task: Get this potato into the golf hole. You may not touch the red green. Episode 1.

Best Gag: Jon Richardson being embarrassed constantly.

10. Series 17

This is the first one I watched without bingeing, and I think that honestly hurt my viewing experience some. Great contestants and I had fun watching.

Contestants: Joanne McNally, John Robins, *Nick Mohammed*, *Sophie Willan*, and Steve Pemberton

Best Episode: Episode 8: The umbrella wink.

Best Task: Hoopla Gary before he crosses the finish line. Episode 1.

Best Gag: It was kind of annoying at first but Nick being dressed like Dracula.

11. Series 12

Another (and the last) Covid Pandemic series. Good tasks! They figured out the Covid Tasks.

Contestants: Alan Davies, Desiree Burch, *Guz Khan*, *Morgana Robinson* and Victoria Coren Mitchell

Best Episode: Episode 3: The end of the franchise.

Best Task: Write and perform a 30-second jingle. Episode 7.

Best Gag: Victoria being teased for being a nerd.

12. Series 9

It starts off a little slow, but increasingly gets better as the series goes on. The contestants have better chemistry at the end.

Contestants: David Baddiel, Ed Gamble, Jo Brand, *Katy Wix* and *Rose Matafeo*

Best Episode: Episode 6: Bready bready bready.

Best Task: Serenade yourself. Episode 6.

Best Gag:

13. Series 5

Contestants: *Aisling Bea*, Bob Mortimer, Mark Watson, *Nish Kumar* and Sally Phillips

Best Episode: Episode 5: A wind-dried puffin.

Best Task: Generate a watercooler moment involving this watercooler. Episode 5.

Best Gag: Mark Watson sending texts to Greg everyday for 5 months.

14. Series 15

Contestants: Frankie Boyle, Ivo Graham, Jenny Eclair, *Kiell Smith-Bynoe* and Mae Martin

Best Episode: Episode 6: It’s my milk now.

Best Task: Invent an imaginary companion, then complete a domestic task with your imaginary companion. Episode 6.

Best Gag: Kiell and Alex going at it. lol

15. Series 10

First Covid Pandemic series. I think it starts mid-filming tasks. Doesn’t affect it too much.

Contestants: *Daisy May Cooper*, Johnny Vegas, Katherine Parkinson, Mawaan Rizwan and Richard Herring

Best Episode: Episode 1: God’s haemorrhoid.

Best Task: Silently, make the tastiest and prettiest cocktail with the coolest name. Episode 6.

Best Gag: Katherine Parkinson saying “we” all the time and Alex correcting her.

16. Series 13

Good tasks and first post-Covid Pandemic series.

Contestants: *Ardal O’Hanlon*, Bridget Christie, Chris Ramsey, *Judi Love* and Sophie Duker

Best Episode: Episode 3: I think I’ve got this.

Best Task: Display the shoe Alex is thinking of. All the other shoes must be out of sight at the end of the attempt. Episode 4.

Best Gag: Judi getting Alex to do a bunch of stuff for him. Sophie being annoyed by Alex, and talking about death all the time. Judi never winning.