Meet the five funny people competing for glory.
As we reach the deepest, darkest depths of winter, it’s good to know that hope lies on the horizon in the form of a cheery new series of Taskmaster NZ. That’s right, New Zealand’s most hectic panel comedy show returns in August for a fifth glorious series, and the format remains exactly the same: five comedians enter the Taskmaster house with a desperate need to impress Taskmaster Jeremy Wells and his faithful assistant Paul Williams. They’ll undergo a series of pointless and perplexing challenges like “make a tree sexy” or “catch a grape with a tuba”, and the comedian with the most points at the end of the series will take home a trophy of Jeremy Wells’s head.
Any questions? Didn’t think so. Let’s learn more about the five intrepid comedians vying for the Taskmaster’s heart.
Abby Howells
You might have already seen this Billy T Award-winning comedian on shows like Shortland Street, Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee or 7 Days, but Taskmaster is about to show Dr Abby Howells in a whole new light. That new light, according to TVNZ’s Taskmaster NZ press release, involves “celebrating a football goal, taking an order from a mannequin and completing a task on the roof!”. All at once? Let’s hope so.
Ben Hurley
Breaking news: Ben Hurley’s appearance on Taskmaster NZ shatters the myth that he will only feature on TV shows with “seven” in the title. A regular presence on both Seven Sharp and 7 Days, Hurley has also been a powerhouse on the New Zealand comedy circuit for many years, and regularly tours his comedy show from one end of the motu to the other. Will he take Jeremy Wells’ head with him next time? Only the Taskmaster knows for sure.
Hayley Sproull
Sproull is an actor, performer, radio host and comedian, so this busy multi-tasker should thrive in the chaotic and unpredictable environment of the Taskmaster manor. Sproull is also the host of The Great Kiwi Bake Off, which is bound to come in handy if the old “make the most pleasant sausage using seven ingredients” challenge rears its meaty head again (and so it should, pleasant sausages are always the best).
Tofiga Fepulea’i
Fepulea’i first rose to fame as one half of The Laughing Samoans, but the actor, comedian, musician and entertainer has also appeared in everything from Insider’s Guide to Happiness to movie Take Home Pay. This versatility will come in handy for Taskmaster NZ, which one minute wants the contestants to brush Paul Williams’ teeth from the furthest distance, and the next, perform an educational puppet show. Love to see it.
Tom Sainsbury
Between presenting Snack Masters NZ, writing an award-winning podcast and making hilarious social media videos, it’s a miracle Tom Sainsbury could fit Taskmaster NZ into his busy schedule. Given his Facebook page says he’s “willing to do anything (ANYTHING!) to be liked”, we should prepare for some major chaos from this comedian. How far will Sainsbury go to get those precious points from the Taskmaster? Fingers crossed he does at least one task as Gingerbread the Cat.
Taskmaster NZ premieres on Tuesday August 6 at 7.30pm on TVNZ2 and streams on TVNZ+.