Existing TV (Jordan)

Existing TV Show Research

Researching Comedic Gameshows like: 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown and Taskmaster.

• Each show has about 4 – 5 contestants
• 8 out of 10 cats have two teams of two
• Taskmaster sometimes do team-based challenges, a group of two and a group of three
• In cats does countdown, there is typically a comedian in dictionary corner, they occasionally cut to the comedian to do their own segment that they’ve prepared

Taskmaster

One of my favourite tasks on Taskmaster is “Conceal a Pineapple on your person” in which the contestants have to hide a whole pineapple on their person in whatever way they possibly can.

Taskmaster have about 5 tasks per hour episode, the first and last being in the studio itself. The first is typically a “Show me” or “Bring me” the best/most of something. The last taking place on a podium in the studio floor. The other tasks are done as VT, another thing to note is that the other contestants don’t see the others attempts until the broadcast in the studio. Most of them take place in Greg Davies’ house and others in nearby areas, and example is the task “Get three balls to the top of the hill” where the contestants have to carry three large yoga balls to the top of a large hill away from Greg Davies’ house and keep them there.

The set design in Taskmaster has Greg Davies, the Taskmaster, sitting in his own throne like chair and Alex Horn sitting in his own smaller throne next to him taking on the role of Greg’s assistant. The contestants sit on their own chairs that also have a royal/regal theme to them.

The set design in Taskmaster has an abundance of Royal Reds and Golds. The whole aesthetic focuses on having a royal and regal theme to it, from all the chairs being either thrones or just simply elegant to the floor being red velvet.

8 out of 10 Cats does Countdown

8 out of 10 cats (and Cats does countdown) has fairly vulgar comedy game show starring Jimmy Carr, Susie Dent, Rachial Riley and typically Jon Richardson and Sean Locke along with two other contestants and a guest over in “Dictionary Corner”.

Segments and Rounds

They typically have a guest over in Dictionary Corner, during one part of the show they have something planned, a few examples being, someone reading grammatically incorrect YouTube comments (Commentary Corner) and a music performance (Alex Horne & The Horne Section)

The way Jimmy Carr introduces his guest is a joke or roast of them in an insulting way at their expense, typically going after Jon Richardson

The guests bring in a “Mascot” to each show which is something that to them is lucky, sentimental, or the most popular option on the show, just for the fun of it.

During the letters and numbers round of the show Jimmy will do something to entertain the audience while simultaneously distracting the contestants during the 30 second countdown

The shows final round is always a conundrum where the letters of the answer are moved around to make another.

Set

The set of Cat’s does Countdown (and Countdown in general) is a long and curved table with a wooden finish (as of 2017) with a large clock on the back wall, behind the contestants. There’s a large circular stage in the middle of the set, in-front of the contestants which has some lighting effects either underneath it or projected onto it. There’s another stage where Rachial Riley stands, within this podium is where the numbers and letters are placed for the rounds.