Episode 5: A kind of egg of Columbus

Episode synopsis

In this episode the contestants must bring in the scariest thing, put 50 different things in a bin, make a portrait from their 50 items, slow the descent of a wooden spoon, get dressed while wearing handcuffs, do something impressive in reverse, pass the largest thing through a doughnut, choreograph a dance to a ringtone, and inflate the largest balloon while blindfolded. The guest contestant is Manuel Marques.

Title context

'A kind of egg of Columbus' was uttered by Manuel Marques during the 'Get the biggest thing through the doughnut' task.

This expression is used to refer to a brilliant idea or discovery that seems simple or easy after the fact. It refers to an apocryphal story, in which it is said that Christopher Columbus challenged his critics to make an egg stand on its tip. After his challengers gave up, Columbus purportedly did it himself by tapping an egg on the table to flatten its tip.

Funnily enough, standing eggs on end was a task in season 3 of Suurmestari, and one of the contestants did implement the solution attributed to Columbus.

Taskmaster Intro

Very good evening! I am Vasco Palmeirim, and this is Taskmaster, the show that brings together on TV all the ingredients of a Hollywood blockbuster. We have heroism, like we saw in 'Die Hard'. We also have adrenaline, like what we saw in 'Fast and Furious'. And we also have new uses for certain objects, like what we saw in '50 Shades of Grey'. Today, we are again joined by five players who will give everything to win today's show. And four of those players, our beautiful fixed panel, will also try to accumulate more points in the race for the trophy that everyone dreams of taking home. And then- It's true! They want to take this home, but then they will just ask 'And now what the hell do I do with this thing?'. Guys, one day this will let you remember one of the highest points of your career. Or else it is a beautiful paperweight. A lot can happen.

Contestant Intros

An actress who, years ago, went to Australia on a 16,000km journey. 16,000km! Curiously, that is also the distance she can be heard screaming “MAAAAAAAAARKL!” It's Inês Aires Pereira!

A comedian who comes up with many jokes on the toilet - a place where, according to him, there is only himself and God. God reacted by saying, “For the love of Me, there are things that I would prefer not to see!” It's Gilmário Vemba!

A wonderful actress who recently gave an interview entitled “I would gladly do this show until the end of the year”. I read the interview and realised: she likes what she does, she likes new things, and she was not talking about Taskmaster. It's Jessica Athayde!

One of the greatest singers in Portugal, who says he loves his audience, which ranges from 2 to 92 years old. Bad news for Mrs Elisabete Silva from Vila Real, who turned 93 yesterday. Congratulations! But, as of yesterday, he doesn't give a damn about you. A round of applause for Toy!

He's an actor and has confessed that he is impulsive when driving, which he later regrets. Actually, backstage he said he would like to take this opportunity to apologise to the 347 people and their respective mothers that he insulted on his way here today. It's Manuel Marques!

Assistant Intro

As always, by my side, a man who, deep inside, is like the Jerónimos Monastery: part of our heritage, many people take pictures of him, and - from time to time - it is necessary to clean him. It's Nuno Markl.

Taskmaster's Sign-off

Never think of yourself as the last cookie in the pack,
But ask Manuel Marques to put things in a bin.
A parachute that does not slow down is always bad,
But how lonely must that wooden spoon be feeling?
I had already seen what these people are capable of,
But they are even more incredible when they do things in reverse.
And sometimes there's controversy, but one thing no-one disputes:
That Jessica Athayde makes bracelets out of doughnuts.

Note: This sign-off poem was translated more literally, so does not rhyme in English.