Rafi in The League. Dennis Feinstein in Parks and Recreation. Adrian Pimento in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Derek in The Good Place. If you’ve watched or listened to comedy at any point in the past 15 years or so, you’ve seen and almost certainly been delighted by Jason Mantzoukas. Now the seemingly fearless self-described “maniac” is taking on what may be his biggest challenge yet: the 19th season of Taskmaster.

The British panel show has previously included an American player — Desiree Burch, who appeared in Season 12 — but she’s an ex-pat living in the U.K.; Mantzoukas will be the first American who commuted to star in the show alongside fellow cast members Matthew Baynton, Fatiha El-Ghorri, Stevie Martin and Rosie Ramsey.

When we talked over Zoom last month, Mantzoukas graciously let me go over our allotted time asking every non-spoilery question I had about the new season. So yes, we...