Latest news with #TaskmasterNZ
1News
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- 1News
What does host Jeremy Wells really think of the new Taskmaster NZ cast?
With the sixth series of Taskmaster NZ launching in August, host Jeremy Wells reveals the five new cast members competing for this year's trophy, and shares his honest impressions of each of them. You can learn a lot about a human being by observing their behaviour on the set of Taskmaster NZ. Jeremy Wells should know – he's hosted all six series of the show – each one boasting a fresh lineup of fiercely competitive and complex individuals. Jeremy Wells with the latest cast of Taskmaster NZ. (Source: TVNZ) 'You expose yourself in quite a unique way on Taskmaster,' he says. 'The comedians walk into the studio recording completely blind. They don't know what the live tasks will be and they haven't seen the edits of the previously filmed tasks. It can be quite revealing watching people watch themselves.' ADVERTISEMENT And so, having recently filmed ten new episodes, Wells took a quiet moment in the TVNZ office to reflect on his impressions of this year's contestants. First up: Pax Assadi. What did he make of the seasoned standup comedian? Pax Assadi (Source: TVNZ) 'I was expecting Pax to dominate the physical tasks,' admits Wells. 'He's a former age-group representative in basketball. He backs himself as a golfer. And, whilst not being the smartest tool in the shed, he certainly carried an expectation that he was going to bring a lot to the physical tasks. But could he live up to his own expectation?' Wells refrains from answering his own question. 'You'll have to watch.' Assadi isn't the only contestant bringing huge physical prowess to Taskmaster NZ. Wells reveals that Bree Tomasel, best known for hosting Celebrity Treasure Island, also represented her age group – in softball. That was in Queensland Australia, where the popular presenter was born into a nimble, coordinated family. "Her parents 'Mama Di' and 'Big Steve' were the South Queensland Disco Dancing Champions," says Wells. 'In 1981, right at the tail-end of the disco era. And they still have a routine that they break out at weddings and things.' Bree Tomasel (Source: TVNZ) ADVERTISEMENT Wells knows this because Mama Di and Big Steve were in Auckland during the filming of Taskmaster NZ. They became regulars on the set, hanging out in the green room and joining the cast for after-work drinks. 'I believe Mama was sucking back the savs and Big Steve was a lager man,' says Jeremy. 'I was very taken by Big Steve. I think he may have done a bit of modelling in his time. He's like a male version of Bree.' But what about Bree herself? Wells thinks it over and comes up with two powerful adjectives. 'Pragmatic,' he says. 'Yielding.' Next contestant: Jackie van Beek – a well-known face of both the big and small screens. But what's she really like? Jackie van Beek (Source: TVNZ) 'Quietly competitive,' says Wells. 'Methodical. She had a really interesting relationship that developed over time with (fellow contestant) Jack Ansett. She was very much a mother figure to him, took him under her wing, was always keen to point out some life lessons to Jack. 'Jack's young,' concedes Wells. 'A little bit green. He needed to learn some lessons.' About what? ADVERTISEMENT 'He's very talented but quite prone to engaging his mouth passionately before actually thinking things through, and Jackie would be there to tap him on the hand and say, 'be careful there sonny'.'" Jack Ansett (Source: TVNZ) But it wasn't all bad with Ansett, continues Wells. 'Jack took to his role with the most vigour, the vigour of a post-pubescent boy. I mean he's only just gone through puberty – four or five years ago – he's had a huge surge of testosterone, and he's had to cope with that. It can't be easy to be Jack Ansett.' (A quick Google search suggests Ansett is 27 – hopefully his testosterone will be under control any day now.) And the fifth contestant, comedian, TV writer and actor Alice Snedden? 'What a lot of people don't know about Alice,' says Wells, "is that she's a former lawyer. Very considered. I would describe her as a wordsmith.' Alice Snedden (Source: TVNZ) Also, Snedden comes from a famous New Zealand cricketing family, shares Wells. 'Martin Snedden is her uncle. There was Colin. And she did apply a lot of that deep knowledge of cricket theory in how she went about her tasks.' ADVERTISEMENT So that's all the contestants. But of course there's one more crucial member of the cast yet to be analysed. Wells' assistant Paul Williams. 'What's there to say about Paul that everyone doesn't already know?' asks Wells of the comedian and musician. 'He's an open book. He has milk shakes for breakfast, drinks soft drinks whenever he can, eats like seven-year-old child. He lives and breathes tasks. Loves administering tasks.' And finally, a moment of introspection. What has Wells learned about himself in the filming of this latest season? The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including tsunami threat remains for NZ and quake sparks Russian volcanic eruption, plus the pop star and the politician spotted having dinner. (Source: 1News) 'I enjoy watching people do tasks," divulges Wells. "I love watching people humiliate themselves as much as the next man. I love watching people under duress, and it always surprises me how different brains apply themselves to the same task. 'But the difficult thing about this role is you have to judge people. And I'm not a particularly judgemental person.' Taskmaster NZ premieres on Monday 18 August, 7.30pm on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+ and screens on Mondays and Tuesdays.
1News
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- 1News
Live: Tsunami advisory in place until at least 3pm
What does host Jeremy Wells really think of the new Taskmaster NZ cast? Wells reveals the five new cast members competing for this year's trophy, and shares his honest impressions of each of them.
Scoop
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Chaos, Comedy And Competition: Meet The Cast Of Taskmaster NZ Season 6
Bree Tomasel – Pax Assadi – Jackie van Beek – Jack Ansett – Alice Snedden: Five fresh faces are stepping up to the plate – or, more accurately, into the chaos – as Taskmaster NZ returns for its sixth season this August on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+. This year's fearless cast includes ZM Drive Host Bree Tomasel, bringing her signature wit and wild energy to the mix; acclaimed comedian, actor and writer Pax Assadi; the sharply funny Jackie van Beek; rising comedy force Jack Ansett; and the razor-sharp writer, comedian and TV powerhouse Alice Snedden. Across 10 brand-new episodes, this eclectic crew will surrender their dignity and sanity to the mighty Taskmaster, Jeremy Wells, and his ever-loyal assistant Paul Williams – all in the name of victory, glory, and points that may or may not make sense. Expect the unexpected, as tasks range from the seemingly simple to the absurdly complex – whether improving the National Anthem, breaking up with an egg on a rollercoaster, or finding a cake and eating it too. Points will be won, pride will be lost, and hilarity is guaranteed. But who will take home the coveted Taskmaster trophy? Taskmaster NZ will premiere on Monday 18 August, 7.30pm on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+ and continue on Tuesday for a double dose of chaos each week. Notes: TVNZ+ is the home of Taskmaster with Taskmaster NZ, Taskmaster, Taskmaster Australia, Junior Taskmaster, Taskmaster: Champion of Champions, Taskmasterclass, and New Year Treat, all available to stream. Taskmaster NZ is co-produced by Kevin & Co and Avalon with support from NZ On Air. BAFTA and Rose d'Or winning and International Emmy nominated format, hosted by critically-acclaimed comic Greg Davies as The Taskmaster, was created by British comedian Alex Horne, who also stars as the Taskmaster's Assistant, and originally produced by Avalon (Breeders, Starstruck, Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, Everything's Gonna Be Okay, Catastrophe).
The Spinoff
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Spinoff
Who's who in season six of Taskmaster NZ?
Finally, some good news: Alex Casey introduces the comedians vying for the Taskmaster trophy in 2025. Hold onto your teabags and check the walls for David Correos, because Taskmaster NZ is returning in August with a whole new cast of brave contestants completing absurd tasks in order to win a resplendent Jeremy Wells-shaped trophy. And what great timing it is! In an era where unscripted television is becoming increasingly rare, there's not many chances outside of Scotty Morrison cranking out a Te Karere cartwheel for New Zealanders to be spontaneous, joyful and weird on television anymore. Here are the comedians looking to make us chuckle in season six. Jackie van Beek Barely a day goes by where I don't think about Jackie van Beek in this scene with Jacinda Ardern, from her delivery of 'you do and you don't' to her gnarled airquotes around 'vote on this matter'. A true comedy tour de force, Van Beek has starred in everything from Educators to The Breaker Upperers to Nude Tuesday, and wrote The Office AU, directed Wellington Paranormal, and basically has her face and/or fingerprints on all the funniest stuff Aotearoa has ever made. I cannot wait to see what she does on Taskmaster NZ – if it involves any air quotes, we're toast. Bree Tomasel Here's a huge Spinoff exclusive: ZM drive DJ and Celebrity Treasure Island host Bree Tomasel told us way, way back in 2024 that it is her dream to be on Taskmaster. 'I'm obsessed with that show. I love that you can be as weird as your brain will let you be,' she told My Life in TV. 'I feel like I have the weirdest brain, and I'd love to put it to the test. It would be fun to just see what happens.' Given her predilection for telling dirty jokes and making those closest to her uncomfortable, we also can't wait to see what happens here. Alice Snedden Some really good news from the comedic powerhouse behind our own Bad News. Alice Snedden is a seasoned stand-up and TV writer, formerly commanding the writer's room for Jono and Ben and more recently collaborating with Taskmaster UK savant Rose Matafeo on the BBC series Starstruck. Having taken on gargantuan tasks for The Spinoff such as solving climate change, exploring the morals of meat-eating, and unmasking the toxic side of rugby culture, we anticipate a deeply competitive and hugely ambitious Taskmaster contestant in Snedden. Pax Assadi He's scaled mountains and swam to the depths of the ocean as the co-host of Endangered Species Aotearoa, but can Pax Assadi flip a coin to get five consecutive heads on Taskmaster NZ? The stand-up comedian and creator and star of Raised by Refugees has also been a mainstay on comedy panel shows like Have You Been Paying Attention and 7 Days, while also assessing chocolate eclairs with aplomb in the Great Kiwi Bake Off tent. A multi-hyphenate, a miulti-threat, and likely to be the only comedian to identify a rare frog in the Taskmaster pond. Jack Ansett Given the way he completely derailed Guy Mont Spelling Bee by trying out several new voices, shouting out his geography teacher and then getting a chronic case of the giggles, Jack Ansett is a truly thrilling addition to the Taskmaster NZ line-up. The stand-up comedian once entered and completed the Weetbix Kiwi Kids triathlon as a grown man, so honestly who knows what he will be capable of once he is within the four walls of the Taskmaster NZ manor. Hide your wholegrain breakfast bricks, hide your geography teachers, bring the popcorn.
Scoop
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
The Best Night Of Comedy Is Back With The Best Comedy Show On Earth
New Zealand Comedy Trust & Skycity Presents Best Comedy Show On Earth Hosted by Pax Assadi Experience some of the top acts in this year's NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo at the sensational stand-up showcase, the Best Comedy Show On Earth, presented by the New Zealand Comedy Trust and Skycity. Following a sell out show at last year's fest, join big international and local names, whilst also discovering a few fresh faces for a night of total hilarity on Sunday 18 May at SKYCITY Theatre. Featuring 10 comedians, 100's of jokes, 1000's of laughs, this unforgettable evening of stand out comedy will be hosted by none other than Pax Assadi. Pax has become a household name with his widely acclaimed autobiographical TV show Raised by Refugees on TVNZ. He's hosted 60 Seconds and The Great Kiwi Bake Off, and will also be familiar as part of comedy trio Frickin Dangerous Bro. Crossing the ditch to join Pax on stage is Tom Cashman, the stand up is known as the Taskmaster's Assistant on Taskmaster Australia and for his viral TikTok content, where he's racked up millions of views. He's joined by Kirsty Webeck, Australia's reigning queen of cheerful comedy, returning after a standout set at last year's Best Foods Comedy Gala and Takashi Wakasugi, the Japanese-born, Australia-based comedian seen on Taskmaster Australia, Thank God You're Here, and the Best Foods Comedy Gala. Rounding out the Aussie contingent is Elouise Eftos 'Australia's First Attractive Comedian', and winner of Director's Choice at the 2024 Sydney Comedy Festival. Closer to home, Aotearoa's own comedy stars take the spotlight. Brynley Stent — a 2021 Billy T Award winner and familiar face from Taskmaster NZ, Celebrity Treasure Island, Golden Boy, and Shortland Street — brings her signature chaos and charm. Kajun Brooking, the award-winning Whanganui-based comic known for his quickfire punchlines, just impressed audiences with his high energy set at the Wellington Best Foods Comedy Gala, you may have seen him on Te Karere, The Hui, and TikTok. Kajun joins the lineup alongside Ray O'Leary — fresh from smashing it in Australia — a two-time Billy T nominee known for Taskmaster NZ, Have You Been Paying Attention? and 7 Days. They'll be joined by exciting emerging talents. Michelle Wiley, winner of Best Newcomer at the NZ Comedy Guild Awards and a 2023 RAW Comedy Grand Finalist, brings her sharp wit to the stage. And Ocean Denham, winner of Best Comedy at the 2024 Whangārei Fringe Festival rounds out the lineup. Take a date or your mates; this is Sunday night done right! The 2025 NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo runs from 2 – 25 May. The full programme is available now at
