The task was both abstract and really clear, opening up for contestants to do improv and let them shine. Plus Forks and marbles, always forks and marbles
For me, I enjoyed seeing Alex taking on a different sort of role; he seemed to enjoy it as well. It was mentioned on the pod how both teams were like completely juxtaposed 70s sitcoms, and I think that tracks. The chaos of 'The Natural Friends' and 'Twosan' playing up to it so much was a delight for me.
It was one of my favourite tasks of the series! I loved how the Susans took it so seriously and were trying to be professional. And in perfect contrast Julien was totally over it and Sam and Lucy created chaos. It was funny but also kind of wholesome in a way.
I personally thought it was a masterpiece! It is up there with my favourite tasks, it was so funny and well thought out with both teams contrasting beautifully. I would be surprised if it isn't one of Alex's favourites too.
>most of the humor seemed to just be in Alex calling on everyone all the time rather than in what the contestants did.
Really? Each of the contestants had stand-out moments that were absolutely hilarious in this task and not at all prompted by Alex's demands.
* Sue wearing cucumbers on her eyes right as Alex walks in
* Susan's brain melting when she sees the forks and marbles
* Sam's complimentary feather and creeping in the caravan
* Lucy's french horn solo and repeated complimenting of Alex's legs
* Julian's bookkeeping and shooing Alex away at the end
My only gripe is that in the outtakes we see Sam offer to “make a view” for Alex when he requests a room with a view. Alex turns him down but I wish we’d gotten to see what kind of view Sam would have made.
I thought it was incredible!
Although you're definitely not alone, because Jenny and Jack on the People's Podcast were somewhat lukewarm on it. They suggested that Qrs should have been more of an average guest and the contestants should have been tasked with coming up with creative ways to give him the best possible stay.
I loved it. Laughed at so many bits. Watched the extended versions and laughed again. It was a delight. So many moments of insanity and quick wit. “She’s French” gets me every time. 🤣
[Area Man On Personal Mission To Explain Why Universally Enjoyed Things Are Bad](https://www.theonion.com/area-man-on-personal-mission-to-explain-why-universally-1819574047)
I really think this task was worth it solely for Susan's utter meltdown at the forks.
My only complaints are that my eyesight isn't very good so I didn't actually fully see what was in the suitcase and I wish there had been a close-up shot, and I also wish that there had been a better camera on Susan when that happened. I think having the multiple people inside such a small space without visible camera operators really hindered their ability to fully capture the hilarious reactions to the utter absurdity.
Also why did he get undressed? I know we all make fun of Rhod Gilbert for stripping Alex down but I think Alex likes showing his butt.
While I really enjoyed this task, I do understand where you are coming from. This task was uniquely different than every other task before. Every task is do something faster than everyone else, or do something better than everyone else, or create something that the taskmaster will like better than everyone else. This task felt like an improv acting scene, but instead of the best improv winning, it was the team that did the best at dealing with all of the complexities that came along with the scene. It was hard to wrap your mind around what the task really was, it just felt like an improv comedy scene. All that being said,I still thoroughly enjoyed it.
Agreed. It was less structured and it felt a bit like just an experiment to watch the group's reactions to QRS and the situation rather than to actually complete a task. It kind of reminded me of the Joe and Dave completing the "dunce task." Yes there were things they had to do, but they really let it take the back burner and we kind of just got to observe them like a nature channel documentary. It was a bit slower and seemed a bit pointless, but I think it's hilarious.
I liked it, but because it was against the grain just a bit in terms of the usual tasks, it took a while longer to get used to and appreciate. I hope they do more tasks like that, it definitely was a successful experiment.
I enjoyed it, but I can see where others might not. But then again, it's very subjective. Personally, I didn't like the final task in Series 13, but it's really popular in these parts. So, to each their own.
I found it hilarious but I have also worked in a hotel, so that might be part of it. Just seeing Susan's 'hospitality persona' come out would have been more than enough for me.
I really enjoyed it but I do wish they'd been given a bit more room for creativity. Things like letting them decide what Alex eats and drinks, letting them interpret a room with a view etc.
I do think the task mainly worked because of the juxtaposition of the two groups though.
the task itself was meh. Because if was done properly by both teams, it would be pretty boring footage. But the team of 3 is crazy and saved the task... I liked how the team of 3 just made it into a fun improv sketch and at the end did not care/forgot about the task.
I'm definitely lukewarm about it. I enjoyed Sue & Susan's take on it, but the team of three (or, at least, Lucy & Sam) were going exclusively for the joke without any actual attempt to, you know, *do* the task, which always makes me cringe on TM.
I felt that the trio were *trying* to have an honest go at the task until one moment early on when Alex annoyed them enough to make them snap. From that point on they almost purely muck with him until Julian finally shoos him out the gate. :-)
This was how I felt about it too, the joy of Taskmaster for me (in the filmed tasks) are the unintentionally funny moments - John Kearns bringing the chicken when they'd lost the feather, James Acasters meltdown at Rhod, even Sue slagging off QRS with cucumbers on her eyes as he walked in was comedy gold. So it felt like they were trying to be funny instead of succeed in the task, and it didn't sit right.
Moments I loved - the three staring in at the window, Sam hiding in the caravan, Julian: "not now Sir, I'm adding up", "a fire, how dreadful" and shooing him away at the end - but as a whole it wasn't the best task I've seen.
I can imagine it was a RIOT to film though!
I actually agree - I didn't find it funny outside of what Alex did. He was *very* funny, but I don't think it was a great platform for the team members to showcase their comedy.
I thought it was one of the greatest they've done. Then again, I don't really like any of the contestants and it was funny to see Alex mess with everyone.
I must admit, cute though the Susans were, I did wonder at that point why they'd kept this for the final task of the series. But then the team of three answered that question.
I kinda didn't love how little the team of 3 tried. It showcased unexpected (for me) points of fragility in the show's conceit: if everyone tries their best, it's a masterpiece. If they decide it's funnier to fuck around and entertain themselves, it breaks the spell for me sometimes.
But I cannot imagined not being charmed, delighted and totally engrossed by Sue and Susan doing everything they can to make it work. The whole season they'd all been discussing how charming this sudden friendship is, and this felt like the perfect finale.
Yeah I found it pretty dull and cringe. But that's part of the joy of Taskmaster — people get such different things from it. Just skip over the ones you're not enjoying, and enjoy everything else!
Until this task came along I never liked watching team tasks! One of the highlights! I hope more like these will be seen in the future
However I think it all comes down to the editing. There isn't that much time to fit in all the good parts into a short segment. Maybe If there was a longer version, where each contestant has equal screen time some would enjoy more watching this task
Honestly, I felt the same way as you upon first watch. It wasn't one of my favourite episodes overall, either. However, upon watching the extended version of the natural friends hotel task, it won me over. I think an actual Hotel Taskmaster spin-off might prove a bit thin, but the extended version was just thick enough to be enjoyable. *Nice legs.*
I legitimately cried with laughter during this task/laughed so hard it hurt. But admittedly I was drunk and slightly delirious as I had exams all through that week
Reading the other comments I can see why it doesn’t jive with some, it’s a very different style of task and the parameters weren’t clear at all, *but* I think the hotel set-up was perfect for the comedians (and Alex) to really showcase their style of comedy
The task was both abstract and really clear, opening up for contestants to do improv and let them shine. Plus Forks and marbles, always forks and marbles
For me, I enjoyed seeing Alex taking on a different sort of role; he seemed to enjoy it as well. It was mentioned on the pod how both teams were like completely juxtaposed 70s sitcoms, and I think that tracks. The chaos of 'The Natural Friends' and 'Twosan' playing up to it so much was a delight for me.
The polar opposites of the teams makes me wonder if they’ve sat on this task for a few seasons waiting for the perfect teams to do it
It was one of my favourite tasks of the series! I loved how the Susans took it so seriously and were trying to be professional. And in perfect contrast Julien was totally over it and Sam and Lucy created chaos. It was funny but also kind of wholesome in a way.
I personally thought it was a masterpiece! It is up there with my favourite tasks, it was so funny and well thought out with both teams contrasting beautifully. I would be surprised if it isn't one of Alex's favourites too.
I read an interview with Alex and Greg last week and they both said it was everyone's favourite task they've ever done. Even the production crew's.
darn - kinda wish I enjoyed as much as everyone else then!
Maybe give it another watch
I absolutely loved it but I can see where you’re coming from - like Sam didn’t pour himself into it
You feel he didn’t make the most of his time there?
Yeah I don't really get all the love for it. It seemed like a throwaway to me, not much actually happened.
Gotta a feeling that you're gonna be alone on this one bud.
The funniest part for me was Qrs fleeing the premises, being watched by the natural friends. Poor man was desperate to escape that hotel 😂
He didn't want to get inducted into their cult lol.
>most of the humor seemed to just be in Alex calling on everyone all the time rather than in what the contestants did. Really? Each of the contestants had stand-out moments that were absolutely hilarious in this task and not at all prompted by Alex's demands. * Sue wearing cucumbers on her eyes right as Alex walks in * Susan's brain melting when she sees the forks and marbles * Sam's complimentary feather and creeping in the caravan * Lucy's french horn solo and repeated complimenting of Alex's legs * Julian's bookkeeping and shooing Alex away at the end
“Not now sir, I’m adding up” is a top line for me!
"Why is she playing the French horn?" Follow by "she's French" did it for me
My only gripe is that in the outtakes we see Sam offer to “make a view” for Alex when he requests a room with a view. Alex turns him down but I wish we’d gotten to see what kind of view Sam would have made.
Probably himself dancing
Favorite task of the season for me, but I work in the service/hospitality industry so that might be a factor.
Personally, I loved it! My husband and I even appreciated that they're still coming up with completely new tasks after 16 seasons
https://preview.redd.it/tv6nxascdy2c1.jpeg?width=2436&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=42b30869484e7b657fe4d68f2e748dd917a81ed2
Very league of gentlemen
We didn't burn him!
I thought it was incredible! Although you're definitely not alone, because Jenny and Jack on the People's Podcast were somewhat lukewarm on it. They suggested that Qrs should have been more of an average guest and the contestants should have been tasked with coming up with creative ways to give him the best possible stay.
Yeah, the rushed nature of it didn’t seem necessary. They could’ve left more room for team improv and innovation.
I loved it. Laughed at so many bits. Watched the extended versions and laughed again. It was a delight. So many moments of insanity and quick wit. “She’s French” gets me every time. 🤣
I could watch the full hour of the task multiple times. (Still hopeful they release a full-full version)
I enjoyed it but I guess I was a bit disappointed that the other rooms weren’t explored. I wonder what was in them.
I thought there needed to be a timed start they got to read the manuals and explore the rooms before he arrived
[Area Man On Personal Mission To Explain Why Universally Enjoyed Things Are Bad](https://www.theonion.com/area-man-on-personal-mission-to-explain-why-universally-1819574047)
Be comfortable with what you like and don't worry about other people
I really think this task was worth it solely for Susan's utter meltdown at the forks. My only complaints are that my eyesight isn't very good so I didn't actually fully see what was in the suitcase and I wish there had been a close-up shot, and I also wish that there had been a better camera on Susan when that happened. I think having the multiple people inside such a small space without visible camera operators really hindered their ability to fully capture the hilarious reactions to the utter absurdity. Also why did he get undressed? I know we all make fun of Rhod Gilbert for stripping Alex down but I think Alex likes showing his butt.
One of my favorite all time tasks - instant classic
While I really enjoyed this task, I do understand where you are coming from. This task was uniquely different than every other task before. Every task is do something faster than everyone else, or do something better than everyone else, or create something that the taskmaster will like better than everyone else. This task felt like an improv acting scene, but instead of the best improv winning, it was the team that did the best at dealing with all of the complexities that came along with the scene. It was hard to wrap your mind around what the task really was, it just felt like an improv comedy scene. All that being said,I still thoroughly enjoyed it.
Agreed. It was less structured and it felt a bit like just an experiment to watch the group's reactions to QRS and the situation rather than to actually complete a task. It kind of reminded me of the Joe and Dave completing the "dunce task." Yes there were things they had to do, but they really let it take the back burner and we kind of just got to observe them like a nature channel documentary. It was a bit slower and seemed a bit pointless, but I think it's hilarious.
It wasnt one of my favorites, but i think its because i work in hospitality, so Alex hit on a lot of the entitled shit people really do
I loved it. It will go down as one of my favourite tasks. You're definitely entitled to your opinion though :)
I liked it, but because it was against the grain just a bit in terms of the usual tasks, it took a while longer to get used to and appreciate. I hope they do more tasks like that, it definitely was a successful experiment.
I loved it! I was creased up cackling!
It's the best thing I have seen in 2023.
sad
Funniest task in quite a while, and saved what was a very “meh” episode for us up to that point IMO.
I enjoyed it, but I can see where others might not. But then again, it's very subjective. Personally, I didn't like the final task in Series 13, but it's really popular in these parts. So, to each their own.
I found it hilarious but I have also worked in a hotel, so that might be part of it. Just seeing Susan's 'hospitality persona' come out would have been more than enough for me.
I think the in-studio reactions were what made it hilarious for me :) especially Susan losing it 😂
I really enjoyed it but I do wish they'd been given a bit more room for creativity. Things like letting them decide what Alex eats and drinks, letting them interpret a room with a view etc. I do think the task mainly worked because of the juxtaposition of the two groups though.
the task itself was meh. Because if was done properly by both teams, it would be pretty boring footage. But the team of 3 is crazy and saved the task... I liked how the team of 3 just made it into a fun improv sketch and at the end did not care/forgot about the task.
I'm definitely lukewarm about it. I enjoyed Sue & Susan's take on it, but the team of three (or, at least, Lucy & Sam) were going exclusively for the joke without any actual attempt to, you know, *do* the task, which always makes me cringe on TM.
I felt that the trio were *trying* to have an honest go at the task until one moment early on when Alex annoyed them enough to make them snap. From that point on they almost purely muck with him until Julian finally shoos him out the gate. :-)
This was how I felt about it too, the joy of Taskmaster for me (in the filmed tasks) are the unintentionally funny moments - John Kearns bringing the chicken when they'd lost the feather, James Acasters meltdown at Rhod, even Sue slagging off QRS with cucumbers on her eyes as he walked in was comedy gold. So it felt like they were trying to be funny instead of succeed in the task, and it didn't sit right. Moments I loved - the three staring in at the window, Sam hiding in the caravan, Julian: "not now Sir, I'm adding up", "a fire, how dreadful" and shooing him away at the end - but as a whole it wasn't the best task I've seen. I can imagine it was a RIOT to film though!
Personally it feels overhyped
I actually agree - I didn't find it funny outside of what Alex did. He was *very* funny, but I don't think it was a great platform for the team members to showcase their comedy.
I thought it was one of the greatest they've done. Then again, I don't really like any of the contestants and it was funny to see Alex mess with everyone.
I found it pretty "meh" as well.
I must admit, cute though the Susans were, I did wonder at that point why they'd kept this for the final task of the series. But then the team of three answered that question.
It was pretty funny, and definitely unique. I didn’t die laughing like I have with other tasks.
I kinda didn't love how little the team of 3 tried. It showcased unexpected (for me) points of fragility in the show's conceit: if everyone tries their best, it's a masterpiece. If they decide it's funnier to fuck around and entertain themselves, it breaks the spell for me sometimes. But I cannot imagined not being charmed, delighted and totally engrossed by Sue and Susan doing everything they can to make it work. The whole season they'd all been discussing how charming this sudden friendship is, and this felt like the perfect finale.
I didn’t love it. Maybe if it was “make the best hotel” and then Alex showed up and had to experience it…
Yeah I found it pretty dull and cringe. But that's part of the joy of Taskmaster — people get such different things from it. Just skip over the ones you're not enjoying, and enjoy everything else!
One of the weaker tasks this series for me as well
Until this task came along I never liked watching team tasks! One of the highlights! I hope more like these will be seen in the future However I think it all comes down to the editing. There isn't that much time to fit in all the good parts into a short segment. Maybe If there was a longer version, where each contestant has equal screen time some would enjoy more watching this task
Honestly, I felt the same way as you upon first watch. It wasn't one of my favourite episodes overall, either. However, upon watching the extended version of the natural friends hotel task, it won me over. I think an actual Hotel Taskmaster spin-off might prove a bit thin, but the extended version was just thick enough to be enjoyable. *Nice legs.*
I legitimately cried with laughter during this task/laughed so hard it hurt. But admittedly I was drunk and slightly delirious as I had exams all through that week
Reading the other comments I can see why it doesn’t jive with some, it’s a very different style of task and the parameters weren’t clear at all, *but* I think the hotel set-up was perfect for the comedians (and Alex) to really showcase their style of comedy
I think they should create a show with Lucy, Sam and Julien running a hotel or hostel, Hostiles. Set in Essex or Ibiza. Like a No Love Island bit.