by Thinus Ferreira
Amazon Studios has roped in Trevor Noah for Amazon Prime Video's first South African Amazon Original series, with the comedian who will pit 10 comedians and entertainers against one another to see who wins R1 million for charity in LOL: Last One Laughing South Africa.
The first season of LOL: Last One Laughing SA will premiere on Amazon Prime Video in early 2024 with the video streaming service adapting its own LOL franchise for a South African version.
Different versions already exist in more than 20 countries, including Nigeria which started production on the first season of LOL: Last One Laughing Nigeria last year with comedian Basketmouth as host.
LOL: Last One Laughing South Africa will be Amazon Studios' first South African Amazon Original series, greenlit as the streaming service continues to staff up its TV maker ranks in Cape Town with experienced executives who will eventually be responsible for commissioning an expanding slate of South African series and movies for a global audience.
Trevor Noah will record the six LOL: Last One Laughing episodes of 30 minutes each in South Africa, produced by South Africa's Rapid Blue which is well-versed in South African adaptations of format shows, in conjunction with his own Day Zero Productions.
The former host of The Daily Show on Paramount Global's Comedy Central has previously done stand-up specials for MultiChoice's Showmax streamer, as well as his Trevor Noah presents NationWild in 2018 for M-Net and Showmax in which he served as the host and showcased new upcoming South African comedians.
Trevor Noah has also done three comedy stand-up specials for Netflix so far: Son of Patricia, Afraid of the Dark and last year's I Wish I Would.
In LOL: Last One Laughing, Trevor Noah will pit 10 well-known South African comedians and entertainers against one another to see who
can keep a straight face while simultaneously trying to make their opponents
laugh. Anyone who laughs, loses. The grand prize is R1 million which will go to the first season winner's South
African charity of choice.
"I'm excited to be back home to host Amazon Prime Video's first
South African Original, LOL: Last One Laughing, and to have a
chance to connect with my home audience," says Trevor Noah in a statement.
"I am equally delighted for the opportunity to be working
alongside my fellow home-grown comedy stars on a show that not only entertains
but gives back to the South African production and charity communities."
Ned Mitchell, Amazon Prime Video head of Africa and Middle East Originals, says "We are delighted to be
announcing Trevor's momentous return home to South Africa as the host of Amazon Prime
Video's first South African Original, LOL: Last One Laughing".
"Comedy,
in all its forms, shines among South Africa's most valuable treasures. Together
with an A-list roster of this country's incredible home-grown comedic talent
competing for a great charitable cause, Trevor and Amazon Prime Video are
demonstrating the depth of our shared ambition to invest and elevate the very
best of South Africa for audiences locally and around the world."