Channel 4 has announced the launch of a new children-focused entertainment show Junior Taskmaster following the continuing success of ratings and critical hit Taskmaster, which is also renewed for a further six series by the broadcaster.
Alex Horne, the show’s creator:
“I’ve watched many, many comedians flounder when given simple instructions over the past few years and I fully expect the competitors in Junior Taskmaster to be both more competent and just as funny. For that series, I will be handing over my assistant’s clipboard to someone equally as efficient and persistent as myself because I have a lot more admin to do with six further handfuls of supposedly talented adults. I live for bureaucracy so this is all excellent news”.
The ‘family-friendly’ (edited with bleeps) versions of the show have seen continual growth in popularity with younger viewers, parents and family audiences generally, while an increasing number of schools across the UK have also been taking Taskmaster into the classroom, either informally, or now via School Tasking, the not-for-profit primary school outreach project, and Taskmaster Education, which recently partnered with children’s mental health charity Place2Be.
The brand-new eight-part series, Junior Taskmaster will see young people aged 9 to 11 bring their fledgling wiles, athleticism and creativity to the game that recognises genius at any age. Hosts for the new series will be revealed soon.
Greg Davies, the original Taskmaster:
“My long-term contempt for young people is a matter of record but other people here at Taskmaster HQ seem convinced that they have merit. I am thrilled that two new team members are putting this questionable hypothesis to the test and will take on the challenge of corralling and assessing them on television. I will be watching closely to ensure standards are met. I am also delighted that Alex and I return to test the intelligence of comedians in the most scientific of ways. I’ll be pretty angry. It’s not even an act anymore.”
Taskmaster is already watched by a broad multi-generational audience and in terms of profile it was Channel 4’s youngest skewing series last year. In terms of audience share of young viewers (16-34) it is in the top three in the coveted 9pm slot, with Gogglebox and Derry Girls the broadcaster noted.
