Amazon Prime Video today announced that Australian actress, writer and producer Rebel Wilson (Pitch Perfect, The Hustle, Isn’t It Romantic) has signed on to host and executive produce the first Australian Amazon Original series, LOL: Last One Laughing.
The comedy-variety series, produced with Endemol Shine Australia, will feature a star-studded cast of ten Australian comedic actors and stand-ups competing to make each other laugh first. The final comedian left standing will win the grand prize of AUD$100,000. This first Australian Amazon Original series will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in more than 200 countries and territories in 2020.
The six-part Amazon Original series will film nonstop to catch all of the hilarious action, and follow the select group of talented comics who bring various styles to the table, including stand-up, character, improvisational and physical comedy, among others.
“I’m thrilled to be joining the Prime Video family of creators and talent,” said star, host and executive producer, Rebel Wilson.
“I’ve already had the chance to work with Alexa – she’s great – and on Audible, so working with Prime Video seemed like an obvious choice. I can’t wait to see what these talented Australian comedians come up with and how far they’ll go to take home the prize.”
LOL: Last One Laughing follows the format of the successful Amazon Original series from Japan, HITOSHI MATSUMOTO Presents Documental, produced and starring comedian Hitoshi Matsumoto who leads ten comedians betting their own money in an anything goes “battle of laughter behind closed doors”. The format was also launched in Mexico with comedian Eugenio Derbez as the laugh-house’s host. The series in Japan and Mexico are customer favourites and are currently on their seventh and second seasons, respectively.
“We’re excited to bring LOL: Last One Laughing to our Prime members in Australia and around the world,” said James Farrell, Head of International Originals for Amazon Studios. “Customers in Japan and Mexico have told us they love Documental and LOL: Last One Laughing. Australia was an easy choice as the next country to bring this to and Rebel Wilson was at the top of our list to host and star. We think our Prime members are going to love it.”
Over the coming weeks, Prime Video will announce more leading Australian comedians who will participate in the series. LOL: Last One Laughing is executive produced by Marty Benson and David McDonald. Production will take place this spring in Sydney, with Endemol Shine Australia bringing a highly talented crew of Australian television and film professionals.
Endemol Shine Australia CEO, Mark Fennessy, said: “We’re truly thrilled to be working with Rebel and Amazon on this brilliant comedy series. LOL: Last One Laughing is a one-of-a-kind laughter survival format unlike any other. We look forward to bringing Australia’s unique brand of unpredictable comedy chaos to Amazon customers.”
LOL: Last One Laughing is the first Australian Amazon Original series and follows the release of Amazon Original series that have been launched around the world in countries including France, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Japan, Spain, and the U.K. and the U.S. Last month, Prime Video also announced the first Brazilian Amazon Original series, All or Nothing: Brazilian National Football Team. The series will join thousands of TV shows and movies in the Prime Video catalogue, including award winning and critically-acclaimed Amazon Originals such as Good Omens, The Grand Tour, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
