US audience will see the show first, with line-up set to include a big-name American

The 19th season of Taskmaster will be launched in the US before it is seen in Britain.

Greg Davies and Alex Horne will be hosting the world premiere of the next series at the Town Hall in New York on January 21.

Creator Horne and producers Avalon have increasingly been making overtures towards the US, where the show has proved a cult hit on YouTube. 

Series 17 was similarly premiered in New York - in the much smaller Rodney’s Comedy Club –  in March, which sold out in minutes. Horneand Davies also appeared on  Seth Meyers's late night talk show as part of that visit.

Although contestants in the 19th season have not yet been revealed, Horne has teased that they include ‘a big name overseas’, adding: ‘I'm going to tap into the Americans’.

Horne has also revealed he and Davies hope to host a new American version of the show, after a 2018 attempt to launch the show with  Reggie Watts as the Taskmaster was dropped by Comedy Central after just one series,

Last month, he told author Chris Duke on his mental health podcast The Peer Project: ‘"With a bit of luck we're going to try again. But ideally with Greg and me, or two American hosts. I just think we would have more control over it."

Horne, who reprised his assistant  role in the 2018 version, added that he was in no rush to break America, saying: ‘I don't really want to be launched anywhere. I'm happy where I am. But if we could have a go, I think we would say yes, as long as the conditions were right.’

The New York event will also feature a task for the audience to take part in. Tickets are on sale now  here.

It has not yet been announced when the new series will be airing on Channel 4, but the New York Treat with David James, Hannah Fry, Martin Lewis, Melanie Blatt and Sue Johnston  will air on December 29.

Published: 19 Dec 2024