Episode 9: Mr Octopus and Pottyhands

Episode synopsis

In this episode the contestants must bring in the nattiest knitwear, make the most impressive weather for Taskmaster island, build and topple a tower for a pot of yoghurt, appear as different as possible in four photos, and shove their fish across the stage.

Title context

'Mr Octopus and Pottyhands' was how Greg Davies referred to two of the characters created by Charlotte Ritchie during the 'Appear as different as possible in four photos' task.

Alternate Titles

• On Denmark's TV2 Play streaming platform, this episode is titled 'Hr. Blæksprutte og Pottehænder', which translates as 'Mr. Octopus and Pot hands'.
• On Finland's MTV Katsomo streaming platform, this episode is titled 'Herra Mustekala ja Pottakäsi', which translates as 'Mr Octopus and Pottyhands'. [Translator credit: zador]
• On Sweden's SVT Play streaming platform, this episode is titled 'Orosmolnen tornar upp sig', which translates as 'The clouds of worry are gathering'. This is presumably a reference to the 'Make the most impressive weather for Taskmaster Island' task. [Translator credit: DANI]
• On Norway's Discovery+ Norge streaming platform, this episode is titled 'Herr Blekksprut og Pottehender', which translates as 'Mr Octopus and Pottyhands'. Note: this Norwegian translation of the title only appears in the subtitles for the episode, whereas the episode title listed on the platform is the original English title. [Translator credit: Jan Harald]

Taskmaster Intro

Hello. I'm Greg Davies. Welcome to the penultimate episode of this series. As we enter the crucial final stages of the competition, it's still all to play for. And when I say 'it', I mean a papier-mache head that doesn't look like anyone, painted gold by an exhausted member of the art department. But as my grandfather always said, it's not about the prize, it's about the competition. He was, of course, a compulsive gambler who lost everything, including my grandmother and access to his own children. So who are the five comedians willing to risk all for glory tonight?

Assistant Intro

And now, sitting next to me, a man who I've got a secret respect for. He's super talented, and he's a devoted family man, to boot. To my left, over there... is Gary, the cameraman. How you doing, Gary? And also to my left, this idiot! This hairy tube. He's a plumb, he's a goofball, he's a lemon. He's a colossal loser... it's little Alex Horne!

Taskmaster's Sign-off

So what have we learned today? We've learned that, if you find yourself swimming in the ocean, I have two pieces of advice for you: one, there's absolutely no fish that rhyme with Sarah Kendall; and two, in the event of a shark attack, just before you swim away, make sure you shout, "Get yourself to a safe space!" at the top of your lungs. See you next time for the final but for now it's tonight's winner once more - Charlotte Ritchie!