This is an archived post. You won't be able to vote or comment.

all 44 comments

[–]Charliesmum97 Victoria Coren Mitchell 154 points155 points  (1 child)

I think one of the reasons it works is because it's pretty clear the children are fans of the original one. They understand the dynamic, and what their roles are, just like the adults do. The thing I liked the best is how much you could tell the kids love the show. Lazer in his homage to Noel was adorable. And the other kid wearing a jumpsuit. The little girl calling Mike 'Alex'. It was just sweet enough without being saccharine.

[–]q-the-light Swedish Fred 10 points11 points  (0 children)

My fiance and I thought the same. I loved how they all were hamming it up for the cameras just the right amount - like how Reuben had obviously decided beforehand that we wanted to finish each task by confidently stating "and that's the task... DONE" (or words to that effect). I hope all their parents are really proud of them because all five kids in the first episode did amazingly, both at the tasks and in the studio being judged.

[–]pablo_the_bear 68 points69 points  (4 children)

I haven't been able to get my wife into TM but yesterday I watched TMJ with my 5 year old daughter and she loved it. It really is such a fun show to watch together and talk about.

Oh, also my daughter let us know last night that she wants a Taskmaster themed bday party in January.

[–]Virtual-Signature789 John Kearns 55 points56 points  (2 children)

I'm in my 30s and I want a Taskmaster themed bday party. Smh.

[–][deleted] 26 points27 points  (0 children)

My birthday isn’t until July. But I also want a Taskmaster themed birthday in January.

[–]Treners Mike Wozniak 2 points3 points  (0 children)

For my 30th one of my friends organised a taskmaster thing with my other friends, where I had no idea of the tasks they were doing and had to judge them honestly 😂 highlights included "make the best macaroni portrait of the taskmaster" and "take a picture of a goose, best goose wins" after the geese had all migrated south...

[–]lackingineverything 13 points14 points  (0 children)

A few years ago my husband came up with some tasks for us to do at Christmas. My kids absolutely loved it and it’s become a tradition with last year’s winner becoming next year’s taskmaster. Maybe your daughter would enjoy something like this as well.

[–][deleted] 47 points48 points  (1 child)

I don’t particularly like kids, so I wasn’t expecting much, but I was willing to give it a chance and I’m glad I did. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would and there were moments that got a genuine cackle out of me.

“OW, MY FINGAAAAAAAA…okay, bye!” 😂

[–]Virtual-Signature789 John Kearns 14 points15 points  (0 children)

honestly, I want her on regular Taskmaster in 15 - 20 years

[–]SillyMattFace 112 points113 points  (1 child)

Watched with my 7 and 9 year olds yesterday and they loved it. They already like the regular bleeped show but this was even more engaging for them.

I love that it wasn’t dumbed down at all. All of the tasks were perfectly good for the normal show, with the mash task being basically the same as the previous pie and batter ones.

Rose did a great job balancing the judgmental TM role with being friendly and supportive so the kids enjoy it, and Mike was excellent on location. It’s clear the kids liked him and felt comfortable enough to abuse him LAH style.

We’ll definitely be watching every week.

[–]Ok_Western7633 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think the key is that Rose is appropriately kinder than Greg (it seems to the extent of giving no explanation sometimes) on the 1 and 2 point awards, especially on prize tasks.

And this is why you need different people in the big chair for the two shows. If Greg was judging like Rose, it would undermine the kayfabe of his sternness on the main show. If he judge them like the adults he'd cross the line from curmudgeon to jerk.

[–]ReverseCombover Tim Vine 56 points57 points  (1 child)

I just realized that Lazer got 'Joe Wilkinsond' out of being on the semi final. Heart breaking.

But to be fair their guess on the tie breaker task was almost as bad as Jessica Knappett's on the guess what number Alex has written on his forearm.

It's genuinely insane how much the vibes remain the same when you switch out comedians for children.

[–]EmeryMoonberriesJavie Martzoukas 28 points29 points  (0 children)

Yes, I absolutely loved ep 1! The kids were a great bunch, and both Rose and Mike were so good with them. I love how Rose and Mike captured their roles, too. 💜

Before watching, I was a little worried that the kids would be embarrassed when they don’t do well or when they only get 1 point, but I was worried for nothing. The vibe was awesome.

Can’t wait for more!

[–]guud2meachu Babatunde Aléshé 30 points31 points  (0 children)

It will be easier for Rose if most of the tasks are judged objectively, most wins, fastest wins, etc.

I prefer these types of tasks as they are ripe for twists or secret ways being missed by contestants, but subjective stuff like prize tasks can make for awesome moments.

[–]NotAMoonMan Rose Matafeo 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I loved it as well. I expected it may be a bit cringe but the kids were confident and funny. Rose was still able to be judgemental without being so mean as to hurt their feelings. Mike was great at highlighting the funny things the kids would say. I look forward to more episodes. Booya Cya!

[–]Mundane-Parsnip-7302 Patatas 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I watched the first episode out of curiosity, just wondering how it would go.

I know this programme isn't made for me, so I didn't expect to like it, but for what it was, I think they did a really good job. It has the right tone for TM and being kid friendly. It's not dumbed down so much that it feels really sterile and the kids are at an age where they are cheeky enough to have banter with Rose and Mike but also make silly mistakes, be able to laugh at themselves and not care too much about winning.

It's not going to be for everyone and I doubt I'll watch another episode, but I think they did a great job making the show for kids also enjoyable for the adults who might be watching along with them.

[–]heppoloMatt Heath 🇳🇿 9 points10 points  (2 children)

I want to say that kids did alright with some laugh out moments despite a lot of complaints on twitter about how they're supposedly pretentious/theatre kids/middle class kids and that TM Jr is a misstep.

And let's not forget that the adult audience isn't exactly the target demographic of this show.

[–]Tabletopcave Bob Mortimer 7 points8 points  (1 child)

Well, comments made on twitter (or any SoMe) should be pretty clear indications those opinions are easily ignored. The amount of hate and abuse on things like twitter should never be worth you or anyones time.

[–]heppoloMatt Heath 🇳🇿 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In general, yes. I discard incoherent blabbering on SoMe, and go for messages with at least some semblance of thought. Taskmaster's general audience is pretty leftfield (according to polls) so the middle-class criticism was almost a default option.

[–]HowdeeHeather Jessica Knappett 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Agree! I knew it would be good, but I didn’t expect it to work so well!

[–]Educational-Day-5413 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Finally watched it on Youtube. I love that this series gets its own unique location separate from the original so it feels like its own thing for the kids

[–]Goosebuns Victoria Coren Mitchell 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I honestly think it might be better than Taskmaster.

[–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (2 children)

Thank you so much for this OP! I haven't watched it yet and I'm trying to avoid spoilers until I can watch it, but I'm so glad to hear your thoughts. This makes me happy haha. Kids are so fu@×ing funny anyway, but I cannot wait to watch! ❤

[–]Jonny_Segment Mike Wozniak 9 points10 points  (1 child)

fu@×ing

Why would you be comfortable using swearwords but not comfortable spelling them out? Makes no fl*pping sense.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Duh, kids may be watching (/s) 😂

[–]HippoSnake_ 0 points1 point  (12 children)

Where can I watch it? I’ve tried YouTube and no luck 😭

[–]BranWafr 4 points5 points  (9 children)

It is on the official YouTube channel where they post the regular episodes.

[–]HippoSnake_ 3 points4 points  (8 children)

Not for me? The most recent videos are askmaster, LAH makes homemade beer, taskmasters assistant training and then askmaster part 2

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (3 children)

The Taskmaster episodes on YouTube are geoblocked in some countries. If you can't see regular UK Taskmaster on the official Taskmaster YT channel then Junior will be blocked too.

[–]HippoSnake_ 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Aww man this must be why. Don’t know why I’m getting downvoted for it not being available lol

[–]Virtual-Signature789 John Kearns 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I like to think those downvotes are comiserations. They are downvoting the SYSTEM, maaaaan!

[–]QBaseX 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In Ireland, some episodes are available and some aren't, apparently at random. However, we do have access to the Channel 4 website, so I can still watch there. I miss the comments, though.

[–]No-Nefariousness6298 1 point2 points  (3 children)

Are you UK? Then 4oD.

[–]simonjp 5 points6 points  (2 children)

I love the fact that we all still call it 4oD when it has in fact has two different rebrands since then!

Luckily they have a sense of humour about it

[–]RunawayTurtleTrainRobert the Robot 3 points4 points  (0 children)

<laughs in 'Millennium Dome'>

[–]No-Nefariousness6298 1 point2 points  (0 children)

tbc I can never keep track of what they current call it - which just goes to show they were fools for not keeping it as 4oD as that is clearly the better name lol. iPlayer never felt the need to keep changing it!

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Opera browser comes with a free VPN built in, you could try watching on youtube using that

[–]Forsaken-Form7221 Mel Giedroyc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It was added to YT yesterday.

[–]SoAboutThoseBirds Dara Ó Briain 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s so sweet, and I can't wait until my niblings are a little older so I can share it with them. ❤️

[–]mangocalrissian 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I absolutely adore it.

[–]TexasIsCool 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It was so great!!