Reality show featuring comedians trying not to laugh

Amazon is said to be planning a UK version of its reality format LOL: Last One Laughing, in which comedians must try to make each other laugh.

The speculation, reported by the Deadline website, comes ahead of an Irish version hosted by Graham Norton, launching next year.

In the show, which originated in Japan,  the comics are put in a house together and told to try to make each other laugh. But if anyone does crack, they are evicted. The winner receives a prize for charity – €50,000 in the Irish case.

More than 20 local versions have now been made or are in production.

The Irish version, pictured above, will feature Aisling Bea, Jason Byrne, Catherine Bohart, David McSavage, Deirdre O’Kane, Emma Doran, Amy Huberman, Martin Angolo, Paul Tylak and Tony Cantwell.

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.

Other variations have been made in Mexico, India, France, Spain, The Netherlands and elsewhere. A South African version is also in the works, hosted by Trevor Noah.

Deadline reports that Amazon has been sounding out independent production companies to produce the UK version, but adds: ‘We understand no final decision will be made until the format launches next year in Ireland.’

Published: 5 Oct 2023