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1/? Kindness in television
I recently watched as much #Taskmaster as I could get my hands on - I laughed until I cried!
But thinking on it more, I find myself fascinated by the format and how very #kind it is. Alex Horne, the creator, talks in interviews about how it was hard to initially get #comedian contestants because they feared they'd be cruelly made fun of, in this 'competitive' task based show. But Alex creates tasks as 'the first half of a joke' and lets them find their own funny.
2/?
And it shows - #Taskmaster is a very funny show, where the contestants are unscripted in their attempt to complete the ridiculous, creative, and expressive tasks, and in their banter during the live-show judging section. They've no safety net but each other, and the #trust in the show creators and editors.
There are scripted intros and outros, but it is truly a marvel to watch the hosts #AlexHorne and #GregDavies #improvise together, testing each other's comfort levels, live on stage.
3/?
And I love that #kindness! I love that this is #uncynical #television when, for many years, cynicism and meanness was the norm. Where panel shows proliferated, and excelled by weaving pre-written quips into monologues.
And it got me thinking that this was not the only wildly successful #British television example.
There's also The Great British Bake Off (#BakeOff) where an ostensibly competitive group of amateurs are more #supportive than competitive.
It has 13 seasons and counting!
4/?
Lastly, I'd like to include The Graham Norton Show. The host, #GrahamNorton interviews celebrities and is known for getting funny, real, conversations. And again, it's because of kindness, I think.
Sure, the guests are offered a drink or two, but they can relax because Graham isn't out for blood. The guests banter with each other, and Graham is supportive, knows when to push or back off - and he has the kindness of a comedy improv partner, rather than an opponent.
And I think that's key.
5/6
All three of these shows - #Taskmaster, #TheGreatBritishBakeOff, and #TheGrahamNortonShow have one or more #comedians at their heart - who seem to either ensure, or encourage, the show to support and raise up their guests, rather than pit them against each other.
I don't know a lot about #improv but it feels like that - that #trust and #selflessness. Whether between fellow comedians, with professional celebrities of all types, or with the general public.
And I really really like it.
6/6
And this kindness is popular!
Taskmaster has 14 seasons, several specials, and spinoffs in 13 countries (not to mention books, board games, charity events, and an upcoming educational partnership).
The Great British Bake Off has 29 running international spinoffs, and two separate, multi-season charity shows.
The Graham Norton Show has 30 seasons! It's also shown in other countries around the world.
They all have multiple awards, cult followings, and huge YouTube presence.
@Bioluminescence I have only just discovered these posts. But you summed it up so well, I had to share now. Thank you!