LOL: Last One Laughing Ireland heading to Prime Video

Graham Norton is to host a new series of Amazon’s LOL: Last One Laughing format, featuring a host of Irish stand-ups.

In the reality show, ten comedians are locked in a flat together and have to try to make each other laugh – with anyone who cracks up expelled from the competition. Originally a Japanese concept, the streaming giant has made several versions for international markets including Canada and Australia.

The Irish version starts shooting in Dublin this spring, ready to air next year in all 240 countries where Prime Video is available. It is the platform’s first original commission in Ireland.

Norton said: 'I’m thrilled to be working on home ground for the first time in many, many years. I'm so proud of our comedy culture and it's wonderful to have a platform to showcase Irish talent to a global audience. I can't wait to see what our comedy masterminds do to get the laughter going.’

The ten comedians taking part in the show have yet to be announced, but previous versions have mixed familiar comedy names with newer acts.

Australia’s version, hosted by Rebel Wilson in 2020, featured the likes of Sam Simmons, Frank Woodley, Anne Edmonds  and Joel Creasey; while the line-up from the English-language Canadian incarnation, from 2022, included Tom Green, Colin Mochrie and Mae Martin.

Amazon Studios executive Dan Grabiner said: ‘Graham Norton and Last One Laughing is a match made in heaven. Ireland is home to world-class comedy and a booming television scene; we can’t wait to celebrate and be part of that with our first Irish original production.’

The format was created by Japanese comic Hitoshi Matsumo, who hosted the original version, entitled Documental, which has run for nine series – and featured the comedians staking their own money.

Other local versions have been made in Mexico, India, France, Spain, The Netherlands, Colombia, Brazil and Sweden.

Last week Prime Video announced LOL: Last One Laughing South Africa will be its first South African original, hosted by Trevor Noah.

» Last One Laughing: Australia review

Made by: Kite Entertainment
Executive producers: Darren Smith  and Mairéad Whelan
Series producer: David Noble 
Story producer: Stephen Bradley
Director:  Danny Tate

Published: 4 Apr 2023