After the Severance season 2 finale left me emotionally reeling, I used to be in search of one thing extra lighthearted to go my weekend – and boy, did I discover the proper present on Amazon’s Prime Video streaming service.
LOL: Final One Laughing UK hinges on one easy premise. Stick ten iconic British comedians in a room for six hours with one key rule – they’re not allowed to snort. They get one warning yellow card in the event that they slip up as soon as, however two strikes means they’re out.
And what a line-up it’s. Anybody who’s watched any comedy panel present, reminiscent of 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown or Would I Mislead You, or is a fan of Taskmaster, will recognise these hilarious contestants: Bob Mortimer, Daisy Could Cooper, Joe Lycett, Judi Love, Rob Beckett, Sara Pascoe, Lou Sanders, Joe Wilkinson, Harriet Kemsley and Richard Ayoade.
Watching them like hawks through a collection of Huge Brother-style cameras are hosts Jimmy Carr and Roisin Conaty, who throw in curveballs to try to make the comedians crack – from a ‘naughty step’ that contestants should sit on and take heed to naughty feedback from everybody else, to shock visitor stars coming into the home on the most surprising instances.
One fairly actually had me screaming on the TV… although I counsel not watching the ‘subsequent time’ trailer on the finish of every episode to keep away from spoilers as a result of they typically wreck an excellent twist.
The present has been climbing Prime Video’s prime ten checklist quickly, and it’s now sitting within the quantity two spot behind heavy hitter Reacher. After binging all of the episodes which are out in a single sitting (4 of them), it’s simple to see why.
Seeing how the gamers contort their faces to keep away from reacting in glee within the face of some actually stellar materials is an actual deal with. Some, like Ayoade, have a straight face of metal. It makes you determined to see what will make them crack.
The premise isn’t a novel one. The unique collection, Documental, started in Japan in 2016. There have since been a number of regional variants of the format, which can be found on Prime Video. LOL: Final One Laughing Canada options Taskmaster alumni Mae Martin and Whose Line star Colin Mochrie, whereas Eire’s model has Aisling Bea competing and Graham Norton presenting.
Should you’re a bit hesitant to check out this present for worry of cringing, you’re not alone. I’d seen the format in motion when web comedy channel Funhaus (previously a part of Rooster Enamel) tailored it for his or her channel with a bunch of content material creators. It was known as Final Snicker.
I didn’t thoughts Final Snicker – a number of the contestants had been good – however a variety of the collection was too loud and in-your-face for a Brit like me, which left me battling by way of some episodes. That’s not the case with this Prime Video model.
Among the greatest comedy comes from the absurd (and typically dry) conversations within the corners of the room or a sly look that simply occurs to catch one other individual off guard. The ‘Joker’ gimmick provides the gamers an actual likelihood to shine, as they placed on a ready skit that everybody else should watch. Simply look forward to Mortimer’s flip, is all I’ll say.
The 2 closing episodes drop this Thursday, 27 March 2025. As soon as I’m executed with these, I’ll check out the worldwide variations – however this unimaginable UK line-up is hard to beat. Which begs the query, if there’s a LOL: Final One Laughing UK season 2… who may they get?
LOL: Final One Laughing UK is rolling out episodes now on Prime Video. Should you don’t have Prime but, new members can get a 30-day free trial.