If you’re a massive fan of the British series Taskmaster (like I am) you’ve likely already discovered the absolute gem that is Last One Laughing UK. I, somehow, managed to completely miss the first series, and only discovered that the series existed at all midway through the run of its second series (which just wrapped up on Prime in the US). But if you were like me and unaware that it was out there, let me be the one to tell you: Run and watch the show.
The premise is simple. Ten comedians are placed into a “room” for six hours. The last one to laugh (well, to not laugh twice) wins bragging rights. Over the course of the six episodes (which ostensibly cover a single hour of their time in the fishbowl), outside folks are brought in to perform, the contestants offer up their own bits, and banter ensues in an attempt to make these very funny folks crack a smile or chuckle. The series is hosted by Jimmy Carr (who is less fun when he’s reacting to the hi-jinks inside and much more fun when he’s asked to be the rules arbiter and pop into the set to chastise the person who broke the rules and laughed) with Roisin Conaty as his sidekick (who laughs at everything but doesn’t offer too much in the way of good commentary). The truly impressive part of the series, however, is just how well the comedians are able to remain mostly stone faced even when confronted with some truly hilarious scenarios.
I mentioned Taskmaster up top because a number of the contestants on each season of Last One Laughing UK have appeared on it – and considering just how popular that show has gotten here, it’s a great recommendation for those who have already been charmed by the slightly off-kilter humor one might see on the show. But what makes Last One Laughing all the more special? Where some comedians adopt a type of persona on a show like Taskmaster, a lot of that artifice gets wiped away on a series like Last One Laughing. It’s right there in the title: You want to avoid laughing. But if you can’t, the viewer will get to see a crack in that façade along with learning just what you find funny. Take, for instance, season two contestant Diane Morgan, best known in the US for her incredibly dry role of Philomena Cunk. While Morgan is pretty dry throughout her time on Laughing, you get to see a bit more of her actual personality – she’s stepped away from her character and is more relaxed.
There’s also a wide mix of comedic talent on hand, not just those who are known for their sardonic or stoic comedic stylings (although, there are a number of those types too – Sam Campbell and David Mitchell are in series two and seem to have been built for this type of show). Someone like Mel Giedroyc (former host of The Great British Bake-Off and all-around cheery person) would seem destined for early failure. Or Joe Lycett, who is constantly cracking smiles on other shows, seems like someone doomed to fail. But it’s just as fun to watch these normally smiley folks desperately attempt to keep a straight face (some of the tactics used are hilarious in and of themselves) as it is to marvel at the more stoic individuals.
But the best part? Learning what makes some incredibly funny people laugh. Because while sometimes its impressive feats of humor that have been carefully crafted for maximum hilarity, it’s more often than not something utterly dumb that just trips them up. Plus, we get the opportunity to see some excessively hilarious sketches, jokes, and interactions that can make us crack up. The next season of Taskmaster is on the horizon, but to help soothe the wait, take some time to watch Last One Laughing UK (there’s also a single season American version, but the UK one is better). You won’t regret it.
Last One Laughing UK is streaming on Prime. There are two completed seasons.
