The British television producers behind the popular Taskmaster comedy game show now franchised in markets around the world say they have struck a deal for a new version to screen soon on Israeli TV.

The original UK version involves five celebrities performing often inane challenges assigned by comedian and musician Alex Horne – creator of the program – and judged by the “taskmaster”, fellow comedian Greg Davies. (below)

Part of the comedy of the show arises from the interplay between the supposedly supercilious and hard-nosed Davies and the subservient character Horne presents – or “Little Alex Horne” as Davies calls him.

Their on-screen chemistry and the antics of their guest panellists, usually other comedians, means the British Taskmaster is now in its 16^th series after first airing in 2015 and has seen the concept franchised in various other TV markets including Australia.

But I am told by my British and Israeli television industry sources that a new variation, Gazamaster, is set to air in Israel starring Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as host and taskmaster, with US President Joe Biden filling the role as his offsider.

“It’s got all the ingredients of a hit, mainly because the format has been tweaked slightly for the Israeli market,” one Israeli entertainment industry insider told me.

“Unlike the UK version, it will be ‘Bibi’ Netanyahu himself who’ll assign the tasks, and not to five comedians but to five commanders of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF).

“Instead of the silly little tasks we’ve seen on the British and franchised Taskmaster shows, in Gazamaster the IDF commanders will need to go out and destroy hospitals, schools, universities, apartment and office buildings, and key infrastructure in Gaza. They’ll get points for each one levelled and of course bonus points if people are inside.

“The job of Biden, or ‘Bye-Byes Joe Biden’ as Netanyahu as taskmaster calls him on screen is just to sit there totally disengaged, fall asleep, and let the PM do what he likes. (main picture)

“Producers have seen the comedy potential in this scenario and will be mining the ‘Bibi and Bye-Byes’ arrangement for all its worth,” the insider said.

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