'It's the UEFA Cup of comedy...'

Jimmy Carr and Roisin Conaty on Last One Laughing Halloween

Last One Laughing returns to Prime Video for a Halloween special, airing from October 23. Jimmy Carr is back to host with help from Roisin Conaty with a line-up that comprises Jack Dee, Daisy May Cooper, Phil Wang, Lou Sanders, Reece Shearsmith, Harriet Dyer and Tom Allen. As before, they have to make their housemates laugh without cracking up themselves… but for the special a scream gets you eliminated too. Here the hosts talk about the new format, who they reckon might crack first and the similarities between horror and comedy

Jimmy Carr

How does it feel to be back ?

I think what we’re doing here is making comedy sports.

Comedians are kind of out for ourselves, but in it together, right? I’ve done lots of those shows where you put a bunch of comedians together, where they’re all just having fun and it’s a fun show.

But what I hadn’t figured out was, with a show like this, people get so competitive. People really want to win this, and people really want to get other people out, they want to get a laugh. They are desperate to get a laugh and to win it is a kind of flex.

So, I think it’s been a success because you’re watching people have fun, and try to be as funny as they possibly can be, and seeing them getting frustrated is an extra meta level of funny.

The other thing I think is great about this show is that it brings people together…. It’s that thing where people used to gather around the fire and talk, and then they gather around the wireless, and then the TV, but now everyone has got smartphones and they’re off in their own rooms.

You want it to be a collective experience, and have the jeopardy of needing to see it that weekend because someone’s going to win it, and then there’ll be a spoiler. It’s like the Champions League final of comedy, or the UEFA Cup of comedy.

Halloween is a weird one. It’s great if you like horror movies. I don’t mind horror movies, but my missus hates them, so she won’t watch a horror movie together on Halloween. It can sometimes be tricky if you want to settle down and watch something Halloweeny, there’s nothing between the Babadook and Scooby-Doo, but this series sits right in the middle for comedy fans.

The thing that [comedy and horror] have in common is the surprise element. If you think about what a joke is, it’s the sudden revelation of a previously concealed fact. I think scares work in the same way. You have to not see it coming for it to be scary. If it’s a slow build-up, it doesn’t work, right?

The dynamic of a jump scare is the same as a one-liner. I think they work really well together. I think it’s a similar level of dopamine and endorphins, it’s the same mix, just delivered differently.

We’ve got some great names in there, I mean, the king of where spooky meets funny himself, Reece Shearsmith for a start. He’s funny, spooky, and weird. He’s such a singular talent. He’s an amazing actor as well, the man has so much range. The League of Gentleman was such a pivotal show for me so to get him on here was so wonderful.

How does a Halloween series change the energy of Last One Laughing?

I think it puts people more on edge, because it’s very involuntary, especially a jump scare. So, it brings in the idea that we could get a laugh or scream out of the people that would have otherwise been almost impossible to get out I think it really added value to the format - that extra little rule.

There are over 25 versions of this show around the world, the original was Japanese, and they play it like it’s reality TV. In the UK we’ve turned it into a full entertainment format, and we have

worked so hard, and the performers have worked so hard, especially with their Jokers. They’ve spent weeks and weeks putting these things together, and they’ve upped their game every season.

Did anyone from this cohort surprise you?

Yeah, I think with the set pieces. Some people did some Jokers that were incredibly out of character, and I love that. A bit like when David Mitchell did Tommy Steele’s Flash, Bang, Wallop! (in season 2). I’ve known David for 25 years, and I saw that and went, ‘Well, this is un-fucking-believable. This is the best.’

What did you think when you first saw the line-up for the series, who did you think would crack first?

Different mixes of people are going to offer very different things.

I was excited to see Lou Sanders and Daisy May Cooper again. I knew that they were absolutely gutted when they got knocked out the first time so getting them back in was really important and fun.

I was probably most excited about Harriet Dyer because I think there’s something about her and she plays an absolute blinder. She was wonderful, just so funny and kooky. Some of the

faces she pulled were hilarious, it’s like everything she says is a setup for the punchline…

I’m no spring chicken, I’ve been around 25 years. So, my job in comedy now is to facilitate new people coming through. That’s my job on TV. But then we’ve also got Jack Dee, one of my comedy heroes. He’s a guy in a sharp suit on stage doing sardonic, hilarious jokes. I mean, I’ve been influenced by him, I’ll say that much. So, it’s a really great mix of British comedy.

Roisin Conaty

What made you want to come back for more?

Well, it ’s like getting a private show from some of the best comedians in the world, I genuinely get a migraine from laughing so much. We’ve all been over the moon with the reception to the first two series, so I was really looking forward to coming back to the sofa with Jimmy.

Also Halloween is my favourite time of year so I was cock-a-hoop when I heard about the spooky new twist. Hence, why I’m the only one dressed up….

Do you think it was harder for the comedians to not laugh or not scream?

That’s a tricky one. I think mentally it’s probably harder to not laugh without causing yourself both mental and physical injury. But the thing with screaming is that it’s often involuntary… I guess I’d say screaming?

What did you think when you first saw the line-up for the special, who did you think would crack first?

It’s always tricky to tell who will falter first, sometimes it’s the ones you least expect. Especially with the screaming element turning it into a whole other kettle of fish. I thought Daisy might be quite easily scared as she believes in ghosts and stuff.

Do you think it gets harder when the comedians know each other well?

Ooo I think so! I’s always funnier when people know each other as they know what the other person is capable of. At first, I thought we might see either a massive rivalry or an alliance

form between the [returning] series one players. But to be honest, all UK comedians are part of a big ecosystem, appearing on different panel shows and doing Edinburgh shows, so most people in there will know each other well.

It’s also really great when a newer comic like Harriet [Dyer] shows up and you see people working out what a threat she is in real time.

» Q&As with all the Last One Laughing Halloween contestants