Mashable

Last season, long-running hit British series Taskmaster welcomed American comedian Jason Mantzoukas to the series' house, allowing him to create comedic chaos in pursuit of the Greg Davies-head-shaped trophy. Last week, Davies and his assistant (and the show's creator) Alex Horne came to New York City, where they ended their Taskmaster Live On Stage USA tour, which was sold out. But Mashable was there. (Also look for the pair on an upcoming episode of Say More!)

What did we learn? Well, the show began with a Q&A moderated by comedian Josh Gondelman, who presented a mix of his own questions with those from the audience. Below are insights into how Taskmaster gets made, the gripes fans still hold with the Taskmaster's "pettiest" decisions, and a bit of premonition about Horne and a pair of hot pants.

SEE ALSO: The 15 best British TV shows of 2025 and where to stream them

After Gondelman, who did a superb job moderating and keeping up with Horne and Davies' ribald banter, the Taskmaster and his assistant returned to the stage in costume. Their casual street clothes swapped for black suits. Davies sat in a throne. (Horne noted he was not provided one.) Then, they gave the audience a chance to join them onstage. Three tasks were offered, involving figuring out Davies' cellphone number, throwing a paper airplane, and memorizing a very long pattern of colors. The three victors, joined by Saturday Night Live's Alex Moffat and Dropout's Lisa Gilroy, all competed in tasks to win a mini version of the Taskmaster trophy.

It was an incredible show that lasted nearly three hours. Here's what we learned: 

What's the smallest, pettiest decision that the Taskmaster is secretly proud of? Josh Gondelman interviews Greg Davies and Alex Horne at "Taskmaster Live" in New York City. Credit: Mashable / Kristy Puchko

"It started, I suppose, with the potato in the hole," Horne said, as the audience cheered in recognition of the Series 2 Taskmaster episode, in which comedian Joe Wilkinson managed to get a "hole in one" by throwing the potato accurately. However, he stepped on the "red green," and so was disqualified.

Horne said, "I mean, that's a small, petty decision, but it had huge ripples that we still are greeted with today."

Davies concurred, "I still get people sending me shitty messages. People are still angry about it, and it was what...a decade ago?"

In terms of controversial calls, Horne also mentioned the Mark Watson bonus point that was denied in Series 5. The comedian was tasked with texting the Taskmaster every day for the next five months. Watson missed one day. He was not awarded points because of this failure, causing a stir among fans. Horne noted at the live event that the one day Watson missed was because he was on an island, where there was no cell phone (or mobile) reception.

"He did not fulfil the brief," Davies said sternly on stage. He added that another Taskmaster contestant, who he wouldn't name, once bellowed at him, "Your judgments are unfair. ASK MARK WATSON!" 

What would Greg and Alex wear if they were competing on the show? 

Horne answered quickly, saying, "Little denim shorts for me. Nothing else."

To this, Davies quipped, "Little denim hot pants? If he was wearing that, I would just wear a smile." (Unexpectedly, this became foreshadowing for the game portion of live event. But I'll get to that.)

More sincerely, Davies later answered, "You know what I would wear? A caftan. I'll say this, if it were up to me, and it was more socially acceptable, I would only wear a caftan. I like the freedom it affords me. And I think it would make me — um, uh — good."

"What happened to that sentence?" Horne teased. 

"Sometimes it's good to go general," Davies shrugged. 

Is the Taskmaster surprised by the contestants' series-long outfit choice?  "Taskmaster Live" in NYC in full swing. Credit: Mashable/Kristy Puchko

The audience member who asked this question was especially curious about the "Phil Wang" look, referring to when said comedian turned up to the Taskmaster house in Series 7 wearing a yellow bodysuit with a black stripe down the side, reminiscent of Bruce Lee's Game of Death costume. (Which, yes, was later referenced in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill with the tracksuit worn by Uma Thurman's heroine.)

Anyhow, to this query, Davies said, "Do you want a serious answer to that? Yes, I have seen the costumes [ahead of the taping in front of a studio audience] because I will have a look at some of the longer videos before we do the studio show. Because if I don't, then we miss loads of funny things that they said due to the audience making noise. So, I won't pretend like I don't see some of them. But I only see them like, the day before, and we [meaning he and Horne] don't discuss them. I don't plan what I'm going to say. So… in a long-winded answer to your question, I did see Phil Wang's [outfit] previous [to taping]."

Do Taskmaster contestants have any control of the edit when having to create filmed tasks, like the "Tree Wizard" video? 

Horne explained that while the contestants have creative freedom over the production of challenges — like Romesh Ranganthan's famous "Tree Wizard" video from Series 1 — they are not involved in the edit.

"Suddenly the contestants become both the director and producer of that segment of the show," Horne explained of shoots at the Taskmaster house, "But they never get to see [the final result] before the show. They have to give us the editing control. So the answer is yes, they have full control, but they have to leave it in our capable hands." 

What's Alex Horne's favorite task?  Greg Davies and Alex Horne ready to get the game going in "Taskmaster Live" in NYC. Credit: Mashable/Kristy Puchko

OK, this wasn't the question. It was actually more about how contestants know what the parameters are for a challenge. ("It's on the card," one audience member yelled in response.) However, Horne took the opportunity to talk about how he enjoys seeing what people come up with, referencing Series 1 twice. 

"We want people to explore all sorts of things. And I think the 'Tree Wizard' task is a good example," Horne said, referring to Taskmaster Series 1, episode 2, "Pie Whisperer," a fan favorite. "Because in that same one: do something backwards, which looks great when you play it backwards. And Roisin Conaty just walked backwards, spitting. It just looked amazing; it looked like a piece of art to me. Put it black and white, and she did it with dignity. They're not always trying to get a laugh. They're trying to create little bits and bobs."

From there, Horne continued, "One of my favorite early tasks was when they had to throw a tea bag into a cup. And I think they're 20 minutes. Actually, this is one where we definitely didn't stop the clock. But Tim Key immediately said, 'I need a dog ball thrower.' And there's a pet shop about eight minutes away, so someone has to go there and back within the 20 minutes [allowed for the task.] We got it, and did it, and that was very exciting for me," adding, "The house is located within a shopping area. And I think that's good." Turning to Davies, he said, "I'm trying to use your technique."

What's the worse things Alex Horne has eaten on Taskmaster. 

Davies joked they do fewer food-related tasks now because "Alex got chocolate cake in his butthole."

Horne rejected that, noting, "That was a tipping point in my life…but it was Liza Tarbuck who had brought in a cake that was not a food task. She made that a food task."

Horne then explained, "We try not to be as irresponsible as we used to. We don't waste as much food as we used to, because people watch the show, and we don't want to send the wrong message. But I do think food tasks are funny. So there are still some, but yeah, just on a slightly smaller scale." 

To that, Horne noted an extra fun fact: "The three worst things I've eaten: bin juice, burnt pornography, quinoa." 

Who do Greg and Alex want to play them in the "eventual biopic of their lives"?

Horne said Shane MacGowan of the Pogues, to which Davies quipped, "That is the journey your teeth are going on."

Then, the Taskmaster answered for himself, saying. "Regardless of when it's made, what age I am at, what age is being played, I will be played by Dwayne Johnson."

Alex Horne looks good in hot pants. 

The first task for the live show contestants was to present the Taskmaster with the worst clothing. Now, the professional comedians had an advantage here as they had three months to prepare, where the fans selected from the crowd had to pester fellow attendees for a spoonbill sweater and a white t-shirt. (The third used her own shoe, which earned her the disdainful nickname "Clean Shoes" from Davies.) 

However, even if they'd had more time, it's hard to imagine a better choice than Gilroy's. She explained how on the Venice Beach boardwalk in Los Angeles, there's an array of souvenir shops that sell T-shirts and shorts that you can have custom-made vinyl letters printed upon. Full disclosure: I own several such tees from this boardwalk, including one that has a picture of a young Arnold Schwarzenegger and reads "Come with me if you want to lift." Gilroy's choice was funnier. 

She presented a photo of shorts hanging in the shop entrance, and booty shorts that's bottoms read "Mike's Bitch" and "Chris's Property" was a bright red pair with white piping that read "Greg's Lil' Slut." Naturally, she got the five points. Then, Horne was asked to put them on. He ran offstage and returned in the shorts, which were honestly fetching, even paired with a white dress shirt and black blazer. Then, he turned to the audience and bent over to fully display the phrase on his bum: "Greg's Lil' Slut." 

Alex Horne flashes "Greg's Lil' Slut" hot pants, while Greg Davies and Lisa Gilroy look on at "Taskmaster Live." Credit: Mashable / Kristy Puchko

Horne ran back offstage to repants. But thankfully, photo-taking was allowed. 

How to watch: Taskmaster Series 1-6 can be found on Pluto TV. Taskmaster Series 10-19 can be found on YouTube. All series of Taskmaster can be bought on Prime Video.

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Alert all commands: Lego unveiled five new Star Wars Smart Play compatible sets at the Nuremberg Toy Fair today (Jan. 27), including an 885-piece Millennium Falcon set with four Smart Minifigures. The sets range in price from $39.99 to $99.99 and will launch on March 1 alongside three previously announced "All-In-One" Star Wars Smart Play sets, more than doubling the lineup.

Preorders are now live through the Lego Store and third-party retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Target.

Notably, Best Buy has implemented a reservation system for its preorders due to high demand. Shoppers must create an account, confirm their location, and wait in line for account and inventory verification in order to purchase any of the sets. At the time of writing, I waited 20 minutes trying to add the Millennium Falcon set to my cart before giving up.

What is Lego Smart Play? Get even more interactive with your play. Credit: Lego

Lego first unveiled its interactive Smart Play platform at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in early January. The system revolves around a 2 x 4 "Smart Brick" filled with sensors that make Smart Minifigures and Smart Tags react to movement and positioning, producing lights and sound effects.

Shoppers should be aware that the five new sets don't include the Smart Brick or its charger, which is necessary to make them interactive. (Without the Smart Brick, these are just regular Lego builds.) Since Lego doesn't sell the Smart Brick on its own, you'll need to purchase one of the three other All-In-One sets that include it:

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• Lego Star Wars Smart Play: Luke’s Red Five X-Wing — $89.99

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Read on for more details about the five just-announced sets that will launch alongside them in a matter of weeks.

Lego Star Wars Smart Play: Millennium Falcon set Credit: Lego

This is Lego's third Millennium Falcon build after its mega-popular, mega-expensive flagship set from 2017 and its $85 midi-scale counterpart from 2024. It contains 885 pieces, including four Smart Minifigures of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca, and C-3PO, plus four Smart Tags for various effects. According to a press release, fans will be able to "jump into light speed, shoot lasers from the stud shooters, play holochess, or practice lightsaber skills" by adding a Smart Brick. It's meant for ages 9 and up.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars Smart Play: Millennium Falcon $99.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here Lego Star Wars Smart Play: Mos Eisley Cantina set Credit: Lego

Tatooine's infamous tavern has also been represented in a Lego build before. But this new 666-piece set marks the first time it will presumably be able to play Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes' iconic ditty. (It's stuck in your head now, isn't it?) The set comes with Smart Minifigures of Obi-Wan Kenobi, the bounty hunter Greedo, a Sandtrooper, and two band members, plus three Smart Tags for a Dewback, karaoke, and drink mixing. It's geared toward ages 8 and up.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars Smart Play: Mos Eisley Cantina $79.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here Lego Star Wars Smart Play: Luke's Landspeeder set Credit: Lego

Luke's grungy X-34 Landspeeder will be able to produce refueling and repairing sound effects in this 215-piece build for ages 6 and up. It includes a Luke Minifigure and teensy Jawa and Gonk Droid models.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars Smart Play: Luke's Landspeeder $39.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here Lego Star Wars Smart Play: Yoda's Hut and Jedi Training set Credit: Lego

This 440-piece set builds into Yoda's Jedi training grounds on Dagobah, complete with Smart Minifigures of him and Luke and a little R2-D2. Two included Smart Tags will play force training and cooking sounds when paired with a Smart Brick. It's best for ages 8 and up.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars Smart Play: Yoda's Hut and Jedi Training $69.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Lego Star Wars Smart Play: AT-ST Attack on Endor set Credit: Lego

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi's final battle gets brickified in this 347-piece set, also for ages 8 and up. It has a Smart Minifigure of Wicket the Ewok and Smart Tags that will make the AT-ST walker and Speeder Bike builds play sounds.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars Smart Play: AT-ST Attack on Endor $49.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here

SAVE OVER $300: As of Jan. 28, the Anker Solix C1000 is on sale for $429 at Amazon. That's a 46% discount on the list price.

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The EcoFlow Delta 2 has dropped in price again, so if you've been looking for a reliable power source to get you through outages, you can't go wrong with this portable power station. Currently at its lowest-ever price at Amazon, you can pick it up for $388. That's a saving of $91 on list price.

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The final quarter final in the 2026 Australian Open is here and it's a really interesting prospect. Eighth seed Shelton faces off against defending champion Sinner. The Italian has made the final of the last five Grand Slams. That sort of consistency is tough to beat, but the American will believe that he can progress if he delivers his best.

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