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Documental
Also known asHitoshi Matsumoto Presents Documental
GenreComedy reality
Created byHitoshi Matsumoto
Presented byHitoshi Matsumoto
Country of originJapan
Original languageJapanese
No. of series13
Production
Running time40–60 minutes
Production companiesYD Creation
FANY Studio（Season 13 and beyond）
Original release
NetworkAmazon Prime Video
Release30 November 2016 (2016-11-30) –
present

Documental is a Japanese comedy show created and hosted by Hitoshi Matsumoto that has been airing on Amazon Prime Video since 30 November 2016.[1]

Format

[edit]

Ten comedians stay in a living-room-style studio with hidden cameras for a few hours (usually six). During this time, they must try to make their opponents laugh in any way and by any means, while not reacting to their opponents’ attempts to make them break.

At the first laugh, the competitor is cautioned (yellow-carded), while a second eliminates the player from the game (red-carded). However, large infractions may be given an automatic red card. Eliminated players join the host in the observation room, but may return as an external challenger to the remaining contestants. The comedians can also be eliminated if they are not active enough. The only way to communicate with the outside is a telephone controlled by the host.

Seasons

[edit]
Season Premiere Finale Winner Note
1 30 November 2016 21 December 2016 None (Three-way tie) Before tie-break rule was introduced
2 26 April 2017 24 May 2017 Eiji Kotōge
3 2 August 2017 30 August 2017 Yamamoto Keiichi
4 1 December 2017 29 December 2017 Cookie (Yasei Bakudan)
5 20 April 2018 18 May 2018 Hollywood Zakoshisyoh
6 30 November 2018 7 December 2018 Yuriyan Retriever
7 26 April 2019 23 May 2019 Hollywood Zakoshisyoh
8 21 August 2020 18 September 2020 Cookie (Yasei Bakudan)
9 26 February 2021 Kubota Kazunobu
10 3 December 2021 Hollywood Zakoshisyoh
11 17 August 2022 Takanohana Kōji
12 26 May 2023 Choshu Riki
13 22 December 2023 Football Hour (Terumoto Goto & Nozomu Iwao)

International versions

[edit]
Country Name Host(s) TV station Premiere Finale
 Albania Qesh Mirë... Kush Qesh i Fundit[2] Salsano Rrapi
Xhemi Shehu 		Top Channel 8 March 2022 26 April 2022
 Algeria تضحك تخرج

"You laugh, you're out"

Khaled Benaissa Echourouk TV 16 October 2025 present
 Argentina LOL: Last One Laughing Argentina Susana Giménez Amazon Prime Video 17 March 2023 present
 Australia LOL: Last One Laughing Australia[3][4] Rebel Wilson 18 June 2020 3 July 2020
 Brazil LOL: Se Rir, Já Era[5][6] Tom Cavalcante
Fabiana Karla 		3 December 2021 present
 Canada LOL: Last One Laughing Canada (English)[7] Jay Baruchel 18 February 2022 present
LOL: Qui Rira Le Dernier? (French)[8][9] Patrick Huard 6 January 2023 present
 Colombia LOL: Last One Laughing Colombia Jorge Enrique Abello 11 August 2023 present
 Denmark LOL: Den der ler sidst Sofie Linde 29 December 2023 present
 France LOL: Qui rit, sort! Philippe Lacheau 22 April 2021 present
LOL: Qui (c)rie, sort! 26 October 2023 present
LOL: IRL 2024 present
 Germany LOL: Last One Laughing Germany[10] Michael "Bully" Herbig 1 April 2021 present
 India LOL: Hasse Toh Phasse (Hindi) Boman Irani
Arshad Warsi 		28 April 2021 30 April 2021
LOL: Enga Siri Paapom (Tamil)[11][12] Vivek
Mirchi Siva 		26 August 2021 27 August 2021
 Indonesia LOL: Last One Laughing Indonesia Pandji Pragiwaksono 11 July 2024 present
 Iran Joker Siamak Ansari Ehsan Alikhani Filimo 27 November 2021 present
 Ireland LOL: Last One Laughing Ireland Graham Norton Amazon Prime Video 19 January 2024 present
 Italy LOL - Chi ride è fuori[13] Fedez
Mara Maionchi
Frank Matano 		26 February 2021 present
 Mexico LOL: Last One Laughing Eugenio Derbez 13 December 2018 present
 Netherlands LOL: Last One Laughing Netherlands[14] Philippe Geubels
Jeroom Snelders 		20 January 2023 present
 Nigeria LOL: Last One Laughing Naija Basketmouth 14 July 2023 present
 Norway LOL: Den som ler sist Norge Sigrid Bonde Tusvik 29 December 2023 present
 Philippines LOL: Last One Laughing Philippines Vice Ganda 4 July 2024 18 July 2024
 Poland LOL: Kto się śmieje ostatni Cezary Pazura 14 April 2023 present
 Russia The Big Show[15] Azamat Musagaliev YouTube
VK 		15 February 2023 present
 South Africa LOL: Last One Laughing South Africa Trevor Noah Amazon Prime Video 13 February 2024 present
 Spain LOL: Si te ríes, pierdes[16][17][18] Santiago Segura
Silvia Abril
Carolina Iglesias 		13 May 2021 present
 Sweden LOL: Skrattar bäst som skrattar sist Eva Röse 28 December 2022 present
 Thailand LOL: Last One Laughing Thailand Siwat Chotchaicharin
Pramote Pathan 		4 July 2024 present
 Tunisia برنامج تضحك تخرج Qui rit qui sort Tunisie[19] Sami Fehri El Hiwar Et Tounsi 11 March 2024 present
 Turkey Demet Akbağ ile Güldürme Beni Demet Akbağ
Şahin Irmak 		Show TV 4 July 2022 10 August 2022
 United Kingdom LOL: Last One Laughing UK Jimmy Carr
Roisin Conaty 		Amazon Prime Video 20 March 2025 present
 Iceland Bannað að hlæja Auðunn Blöndal SÝN 15. November 2024 present

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Documental

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Documental is a Japanese comedy reality television series created, produced, and hosted by comedian , which premiered on on November 30, 2016. In each episode, ten professional comedians pay a participation fee of one million to enter a sealed room for six hours, where they compete to elicit laughter from the others while suppressing their own; anyone who laughs is eliminated, and the last contestant remaining wins the accumulated ten-million-yen prize pool. The series has aired 13 seasons through 2023, with production paused during Matsumoto's hiatus from January 2024 to November 2025 amid allegations, which he denied; episodes typically structured around escalating comedic challenges and strategic interactions among participants. The format of Documental emphasizes and endurance, drawing on the performers' skills in , , and psychological tactics to provoke reactions without themselves. Matsumoto oversees the competition from an observation room, providing commentary and occasionally intervening with rules or surprises to heighten tension. Notable for its minimalist setup—a plain room with minimal props—the show highlights the raw talent of Japan's and comedians, many of whom are established figures in the industry. Documental has received critical acclaim for its innovative premise and genuine humor, earning an rating of 8.0 out of 10 based on 483 user votes (as of November 2025). Its success has led to international adaptations under the banner LOL: Last One Laughing, with versions produced in over 20 countries, adapting the core concept to local comedic styles while retaining the no-laughing survival element. The series continues to influence global programming, demonstrating the universal appeal of laughter-based .

Premise and Format

Core Concept

Documental is a Japanese comedy reality television series created and hosted by comedian . In the show's core premise, ten professional comedians pay a participation fee of one million each to enter a sealed studio room, where they compete for up to six hours to elicit laughter from their opponents while strictly suppressing any laughter of their own; the last participant remaining without laughing claims the combined entry fees as the prize. This high-stakes challenge tests the comedians' comedic timing, skills, and emotional control in an isolated environment, with no external aids or breaks allowed beyond brief penalties for minor infractions. The format originated as an original concept by Matsumoto, predating and inspiring global adaptations such as LOL: Last One Laughing, which replicate its laughter-suppression mechanics across various countries. Episodes of Documental typically run 40 to , centering on the real-time progression of the challenge while incorporating post-elimination interviews and commentary from eliminated participants to provide context and humor behind their breakdowns. The series premiered on November 30, 2016, exclusively on in , marking the debut of this innovative competition format.

Gameplay Rules

Documental's gameplay centers on a high-stakes laughter suppression challenge among ten professional comedians, who must remain stoic for six hours in a sealed room while attempting to provoke laughter in their opponents. Each participant contributes a participation fee of 1 million (approximately US$9,000 as of 2018 exchange rates), creating a collective prize pot of 10 million yen awarded to the last comedian standing without laughing. The host, , initiates the game remotely by pressing a green button and monitors proceedings via video feeds, intervening to enforce rules as needed. The core rule prohibits any form of , including audible chuckles, grins, or even suppressed snickers, with violations penalized through a card system inspired by soccer. A first offense results in a yellow card, requiring the offender to sit out for 30 seconds before rejoining the fray, serving as both a warning and a brief tactical disadvantage. A subsequent laugh triggers a red card, leading to immediate elimination from the active competition. Matsumoto reviews potential infractions in real-time or via replay to issue cards accurately, and severe breaches—such as overt outbursts—may warrant an instant red card without a prior warning. Additionally, prolonged inactivity or disruptive behavior can prompt host intervention, potentially resulting in elimination to maintain game momentum. Once eliminated, players relocate to an adjacent room alongside the host, shifting from competitors to strategic advisors. From this vantage, they can propose external "challengers"—either pre-recorded video segments or live interventions featuring absurd antics, impersonations, or props—designed to target specific remaining players and induce laughter. These suggestions are vetted and deployed by Matsumoto, adding layers of unpredictability as the field narrows. Communication among active players occurs freely through verbal jabs, physical stunts, and improvised , but external contact is restricted to a host-controlled system, allowing limited, monitored exchanges with the outside world or eliminated peers for brief hints or provocations. In cases of ties, early seasons lacked a formal tie-breaking mechanism, occasionally resulting in shared victories among multiple survivors. Later iterations introduced tests, such as extended exposure to relentless comedic assaults, to determine a sole winner and heighten tension toward the finale. This evolving structure ensures the challenge tests not only comedic resilience but also adaptability under mounting pressure.

Studio Setup and Elements

The studio setup for Documental features a minimalist Japanese production environment centered on a single enclosed room where the ten participating comedians are confined together, designed to foster intense, unfiltered interactions without external distractions. This central space resembles a condensed version of the Big Brother house, with sparse furnishings to keep the focus on the performers' attempts to provoke laughter through physical stunts, improvised actions, and verbal provocations using available props like kitchen implements or costumes. The absence of a live audience enhances the closed-door tension, ensuring that all reactions are captured in real time within this intimate setting. Technical elements include multiple cameras positioned around to record the proceedings from various angles, along with individual microphones worn by participants to capture subtle audio cues of suppressed laughter or outbursts. The host, , oversees the challenge from a separate observation room equipped with a bank of television monitors, allowing him to remotely referee, issue warnings via yellow and red cards displayed on screens within the main room, and introduce interventions such as action replays or additional provocations to escalate the . Eliminated players may join Matsumoto in the observation area to contribute ideas for absurd scenarios aimed at breaking the remaining contestants. The live challenge typically runs for six hours, providing ample time for escalating hilarity and eliminations, though episodes are edited down to 40-60 minutes for streaming on , preserving key moments while maintaining narrative flow. Production was handled by YD Creation for seasons 1 through 12, shifting to FANY Studio starting with season 13 to support the show's continued evolution.

Production

Development History

Documental was developed by Japanese comedian Hitoshi Matsumoto in 2016 as an original programming for Amazon Prime Video, marking one of the platform's early investments in Japanese content. Matsumoto, a member of the influential comedy duo Downtown, drew from the troupe's established style of physical and verbal humor to craft the series. The initial concept stemmed from Matsumoto's longstanding interest in endurance-based challenges, where performers test their ability to remain stoic amid escalating comedic provocations, building on traditions seen in Japanese variety shows. This unscripted format was greenlit for a four-episode first season, emphasizing raw, improvisational interactions among contestants to highlight authentic comedic reactions. In late 2023, weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun published allegations that Matsumoto had sexually assaulted women at after-parties in the early 2000s, based on testimonies from multiple individuals. Matsumoto denied the claims and filed a against the publisher in January 2024, while announcing an indefinite hiatus from all entertainment activities to focus on the legal proceedings. The hiatus effectively paused new productions of Documental. On November 8, 2024, Matsumoto withdrew the lawsuit. In December 2024, he announced plans to resume activities in spring 2025. Production milestones include the release of 13 seasons by December 2023, with each season maintaining the core structure of multi-hour sessions condensed into episodic broadcasts. As of November 2025, no Season 14 has been officially confirmed, in part due to Matsumoto's hiatus, though the series remains listed as ongoing by its distributor. Exclusively available on in , Documental prioritizes unscripted authenticity, allowing participants full creative freedom in their attempts to elicit laughter while forgoing traditional scripting or rehearsals.

Filming and Technical Aspects

Filming for Documental takes place exclusively in controlled studio environments in , with no on-location shoots to maintain the contained, high-stakes atmosphere of the competition. Early seasons, from to around season 12, were produced at facilities linked to the YD Creation, ensuring a dedicated space for the multi-room setup required by the format. The technical setup employs a multi-camera system to capture participants' reactions from multiple angles simultaneously, allowing for comprehensive coverage of subtle expressions and interactions within the studio cells. Hitoshi Matsumoto oversees the proceedings in real-time from a separate monitoring room equipped with numerous screens displaying live feeds from these cameras, enabling immediate judgment calls on eliminations. focuses on pacing the raw footage into episodic segments, with minimal real-time editing during the shoot to preserve the unscripted flow. Crew involvement is led by Matsumoto's core production team at YD Creation for initial seasons, handling direction, camera operation, and logistics to support the intensive format. Sound capture is prioritized to record ambient interactions and reactions clearly, though specific amplification techniques for laughs are integrated during mixing to heighten comedic tension in the final edit. Episodes are typically filmed in extended single takes, with the core competition spanning about 6 hours, though total shoot times can extend longer due to setup and wrap-up. Challenges in production include managing the endurance demands of long-duration shoots, where participants have access to food delivery options via provided manuals to sustain energy without interrupting play. Eliminated players receive structured breaks in designated areas to recover, adhering to health protocols amid the physically taxing environment. Starting with season 13 in 2023, production shifted to FANY Studio, maintaining the multi-camera approach while leveraging the venue's facilities for seamless execution.

Seasons and Episodes

Overview of Seasons

Documental has aired 13 seasons on in , spanning from 2016 to 2023–2024. The series premiered with Season 1 on November 30, 2016, consisting of 4 s that aired weekly through December 21, 2016. Season 13 premiered on December 22, 2023, with 4 s concluding on January 5, 2024. Across its run, the show maintained a consistent structure of 40–60 minutes per installment, typically 4–5 s per season, yielding an edited total runtime of around 3–4 hours per season despite the raw filming sessions lasting up to 6 hours. The early seasons (1–4) focused on establishing the core format of 10 comedians competing in isolation to avoid laughter, building tension through initial eliminations and strategic provocations. Mid-seasons (5–8) expanded participant diversity, incorporating a wider range of comedians to heighten interpersonal dynamics and comedic variety. Later seasons (9–13) refined rules around participant engagement, introducing stricter penalties for prolonged inactivity to prevent stalling tactics and encourage continuous creativity. The prize structure remained steady at ¥10 million for the winner in most seasons, pooled from each contestant's ¥1 million entry fee, though Season 13 doubled it to ¥20 million for added stakes. Comedians like Hollywood Zakoshisyoh secured multiple victories, including in Season 5. As of November 2025, no Season 14 has been announced, following a nearly two-year hiatus in production due to sexual coercion allegations against host in early 2024, during which he suspended his show business activities until resuming in November 2025.

Notable Season Highlights

The inaugural season of Documental concluded with a rare three-way tie among participants Kazunobu (Toro Salmon), Kawahara Katsumi (Tenjikuzame), and (Matenrou), as no tie-breaker was implemented to determine a single winner, thereby establishing the show's foundational format of endurance-based comedy survival in a . Season 5 marked Hollywood Zakoshishow's first victory, a standout achievement that highlighted his aggressive impersonation style and the season's emphasis on prolonged challenger interactions, where participants summoned allies to intensify the laughter inducement efforts over extended periods. This win revitalized Zakoshishow's career momentum following his 2016 R-1 Grand Prix triumph. Zakoshishow's subsequent triumphs in Seasons 7 and 10 demonstrated a refined strategic approach, leveraging psychological and precise comedic timing to rivals in the of Season 10, where past winners competed for supremacy. These repeat successes underscored the evolution of participant tactics, from reactive defenses to proactive disruptions. Season 13 introduced a production shift to FANY Studio and subtle rule adjustments addressing participant inactivity, such as penalties for prolonged non-engagement to maintain competitive flow, culminating in Football Hour's team victory in the debut combined duo format with a doubled 20 million yen prize. Key innovations across seasons include the incorporation of external celebrity challengers starting from Season 3, allowing summons of non-participants to amplify chaos and test resilience. Season 8 featured the longest recorded challenge exceeding seven hours, pushing the boundaries of the six-hour limit through overtime extensions amid intense standoffs.

Cast and Participants

Host and Production Team

Hitoshi Matsumoto serves as the creator and sole host of Documental across all seasons, a role he has maintained since the show's debut in 2016. As a prominent member of the Japanese comedy duo Downtown, alongside Masatoshi Hamada, Matsumoto brings his extensive experience in owarai (Japanese stand-up comedy) to the program, where he oversees the competition from a separate control room. He enforces the core rules—primarily prohibiting laughter among contestants—through audio announcements and occasional telephone interventions, ensuring the unscripted tension remains intact while providing improvised commentary that heightens the comedic stakes. Matsumoto also plays a key role in casting the regular comedians, personally selecting participants based on their potential to deliver unexpected humor within the format's constraints. The production team behind Documental is led by YD Creation for Seasons 1 through 12, emphasizing a hands-off approach to capture the organic, interactions among contestants. Key directors, including Hidetomo Wada, Junya Komatsu, and Sato, handle the technical execution, focusing on multi-camera setups that document every subtle reaction without influencing the gameplay. Beginning with Season 13 in 2023, FANY Studio took over primary production responsibilities, introducing new producers while preserving the show's core style; this shift involved minor adjustments to logistics but maintained continuity in creative oversight. Throughout the series, the host position has seen no changes, with Matsumoto's consistent presence anchoring the format's identity. The has remained relatively stable, with only incremental updates post-Season 12 to accommodate the evolving demands of streaming distribution and larger-scale challenges.

Regular Comedians

The core of Documental's competitive format revolves around a pool of 10 comedians per season, drawn exclusively from Japan's vibrant (stand-up and variety comedy) scene, where participants vie to provoke laughter in others while suppressing their own. These selections emphasize a mix of established talents and rising stars, ensuring a balance of , verbal wit, and absurd improvisation to heighten the chaos within the confined "cell" environment. The selection process is invitation-only, orchestrated through host Hitoshi Matsumoto's extensive industry connections, with no public auditions held to maintain exclusivity and surprise. This approach prioritizes comedians whose styles contrast sharply—such as high-energy physical performers against subtle, verbalists—to maximize comedic tension and unpredictability. Once eliminated, participants relocate to a monitoring room, where they can propose potential challengers or tactics to influence the ongoing competition, adding a layer of strategic depth beyond mere endurance. Across 13 seasons as of 2025, over 100 unique comedians have participated, showcasing the show's broad appeal within circles, though repeat appearances are common among top performers. Standout regulars include Hollywood Zakoshisyoh, a pioneer of exaggerated impressions who holds the record for most wins with three victories (Seasons 5, 7, and 10) and has competed in three seasons, leveraging his over-the-top physicality to dismantle opponents' composure. High repeat rates, like Zakoshisyoh's, highlight the value of seasoned "veterans" who refine anti-laughter strategies, such as prolonged silence or minimalistic gestures, turning restraint into a weapon. Biographical details for many regulars remain sparse, particularly for mid-tier talents outside major agencies, and casting announcements have not been updated publicly beyond Season 13 in late 2023 as of 2025.

Reception and Legacy

Critical Response

Upon its debut in 2016, Documental received praise from international viewers for its innovative format, which pits Japanese comedians against one another in a high-stakes test where results in elimination, creating a unique blend of authentic and mounting tension. Early seasons, particularly from 2016 to 2018, were lauded for their fresh approach to humor, drawing on the participants' improvisational skills and the psychological pressure of the confined setting, which kept audiences engaged through unexpected breakdowns and escalating absurdity. On platforms like , these initial seasons averaged user ratings above 4.2 out of 5 stars, reflecting appreciation for the show's unfiltered portrayal of Japanese comedic styles, including physical gags and rapid-fire banter. As the series progressed into later seasons, particularly after Season 8, criticisms emerged regarding repetitiveness, with reviewers noting that the core premise began to feel formulaic, as recurring strategies like prop-based antics and shouting matches diminished the surprise element that defined earlier installments. User feedback on highlighted how the final episodes of many seasons often devolved into desperation, with weaker performers surviving longer than more talented ones, leading to an overall decline in humor quality. Season 13, released in 2023, marked a notable production shift by introducing battles between comedy duos rather than individuals, which elicited mixed responses; while some appreciated the team dynamics adding new layers of interaction, others felt it diluted the original solitary tension. Amazon ratings for mid-to-later seasons hovered around 3.5 to 4.6 out of 5, indicating sustained but polarized appeal. The show's reception has been somewhat niche outside , with some non-Japanese audiences finding the cultural humor—rooted in traditions and insider references—challenging to fully grasp, even with , leading to occasional perceptions of or dated tropes. On MyDramaList, Season 1 earned positive user reviews, who praised the raw authenticity but noted that much of the shorthand among participants lost impact for international viewers unfamiliar with the comedians' styles. Overall, Documental holds an 8/10 rating on from over 480 users, underscoring its cult status, though formal English-language critiques remain limited, with most analysis confined to user forums and streaming platform feedback rather than major publications. No major awards or nominations for the series have been documented in available sources.

Cultural Impact and Popularity

Documental has achieved significant popularity on in , becoming one of the platform's most-watched original series and cultivating a dedicated fan base since its debut in 2016. The show's viewership contributed to strengthening Amazon's presence in the Japanese streaming market, where it stood out as a top variety program in 2019. Over its run of 13 seasons through 2023, it maintained strong engagement, reflecting sustained appeal among audiences drawn to its unique humor format. The series has notably boosted the careers of participating owarai comedians, providing high-visibility exposure that elevated winners and contestants alike, such as multiple-time victor Hollywood Zakoshisyoh. Participation in Documental popularized the "no-laugh" challenge within Japanese media, inspiring fan recreations and memes that extended the show's comedic concepts beyond the screen. While no formal spin-offs emerged from the original production, related specials extended its universe, keeping the format alive in ancillary content. Documental's influence peaked during its early seasons (1-5), establishing it as a cultural staple in comedy before sustaining popularity into 2023 with consistent releases. buzz, including Twitter trends around episode airings, amplified its reach and fan discussions in . Merchandise remained limited primarily to DVD releases, focusing on physical media for collectors rather than extensive licensing. On a broader scale, Documental pioneered the global "Last One Laughing" trend by serving as the original format for Amazon's international adaptations, exporting Japanese owarai-style to over 30 countries and influencing a wave of localized versions. In April 2025, host withdrew his defamation lawsuit against the magazine reporting the allegations and apologized to the women involved. As of November 2025, he remains on indefinite hiatus following the allegations, though its legacy endures through ongoing global iterations.

International Adaptations

Global Versions Overview

Since its debut, the Japanese comedy series Documental, created by , has inspired over 30 international adaptations, primarily under the title LOL: Last One Laughing, beginning in 2018. These versions have proliferated across more than 30 countries, showcasing local comedians in the core challenge of suppressing laughter while provoking it in others. The earliest adaptation premiered in on 13 December 2018, hosted by on . The most recent adaptation as of November 2025 is the Algerian version titled "You laugh, you're out" (تضحك تخرج), which premiered on 16 October 2025 on Echourouk TV, hosted by Khaled Benaissa. The version premiered earlier on 20 March 2025, hosted by , also exclusively on . Premieres have continued steadily, with notable expansions into regions like , , and through 2025. Most adaptations stream exclusively on , reflecting the platform's global distribution strategy for the format. Exceptions include local broadcasters such as in for Demet Akbağ ile Güldürme Beni (premiering 4 July 2022) and Echourouk TV in for You laugh, you're out (تضحك تخرج) (premiering 16 October 2025, hosted by Khaled Benaissa). Across versions, the fundamental "no-laugh" premise—where participants face elimination for laughing during a multi-hour confinement—is faithfully retained, typically structured into seasons of 6-8 episodes running 40-60 minutes each. While a complete catalog of all 30+ adaptations remains incomplete due to ongoing regional launches, over 33 versions exist as of November 2025.

Key Adaptations and Variations

The Australian adaptation of Documental, titled LOL: Last One Laughing Australia, premiered in 2020 and was hosted by across six episodes. It featured ten local comedians confined for six hours, with the addition of celebrity guests to heighten the comedic tension, and the winner receiving $100,000. The series drew mixed reviews, with critics noting its "cringey" and awkward tone due to the improvised chaos in a Big Brother-style setup. Mexico's version, LOL: Last One Laughing, launched in 2018 as the first international adaptation outside and was hosted by for its initial seasons. The format retained the core six-hour endurance challenge among ten comedians but incorporated localized humor tailored to audiences, emphasizing cultural references in the improvisations. Subsequent seasons continued this approach, building on Derbez's celebrity status to attract top local talent. The edition, : Last One Laughing , premiered on 20 March 2025 and is hosted by in a six-part series. It adapts the format by blending elements of British panel shows, such as quick-witted banter and observational humor, while featuring ten comedians vying to stay composed for six hours; the winner is awarded the LOL Trophy. This version highlights -specific comedy styles, with participants like contributing to its distinctive edge. Other notable adaptations include France's , which debuted in 2021 and is hosted by , featuring a mix of actors and comedians in the standard six-hour format with French cultural twists. 's , launched in 2021 and co-hosted by Tom Cavalcante and Clarice Falcão, similarly localized the challenge for ten comedians, focusing on Brazilian humor styles. Some variations across these shorten the endurance period to four hours in select episodes or to accommodate pacing. Key differences in these adaptations involve replacing the original Japanese regulars with local comedians to infuse region-specific and references, adjusting prize structures—for instance, cash awards in versus the trophy in the UK—and occasional additions like guest interventions or minor rule tweaks for cultural fit. Information on versions post-2023 remains limited, though the 2025 launches in the UK and signal ongoing global expansion.

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  38. https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2245514/full/
  39. https://eiga.com/news/20231206/14/
  40. https://radsum.com/archives/57898
  41. https://qetic.jp/art-culture/documental10-211112/416750/
  42. https://magazine.fany.lol/141627/
  43. https://www.tofugu.com/japanese-learning-resources-database/documental-season-3/
  44. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6369836/reviews/
  45. https://www.amazon.com/HITOSHI-MATSUMOTO-Presents-Documental-Season/dp/B096CRLJ6S
  46. https://mydramalist.com/30549-documental-season-1/reviews
  47. https://www.reddit.com/r/GakiNoTsukai/comments/eca8wi/hitoshi_matsumoto_presents_documental_is_the_most/
  48. https://www.reddit.com/r/GakiNoTsukai/comments/13wxys3/documental_seasons_14_the_classic_era_full/
  49. https://www.asianjunkie.com/2025/04/14/matsumoto-hitoshi-withdrew-his-lawsuit-over-sexual-assault-allegations-offered-an-apology-to-the-women/
  50. https://press.amazonmgmstudios.com/us/en/original-series/lol-last-one-laughing-mexico/3
  51. https://simkl.com/tv/2921475/lol-last-one-laughing-algeria
  52. https://www.aboutamazon.co.uk/news/entertainment/last-one-laughing-uk-trailer-release-date
  53. https://www.showtv.com.tr/programlar/tanitim/demet-akbag-ile-guldurme-beni/2867
  54. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10846292/
  55. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/jun/19/last-one-laughing-review-rebel-wilson-traps-comedians-in-a-house-for-strange-cringey-series
  56. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8783862/
  57. https://thecomicscomic.com/2018/08/05/amazon-prime-taps-eugenio-derbez-to-host-mexican-comedian-competition-lol-last-one-laughing/
  58. https://www.primevideo.com/detail/LOL-Last-One-Laughing/0JCANTUXPN0QSY7W1AAXHV624K
  59. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35050741/
  60. https://deadline.com/2024/08/prime-video-confirms-last-one-laughing-uk-jimmy-carr-1236047454/
  61. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13696152/
  62. https://www.primevideo.com/detail/LOL-Qui-rit-sort/0G5O1KUJH5VOH9V9NOO5WXANMR
  63. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15573636/
  64. https://www.primevideo.com/detail/LOL-Last-One-Laughing-Brazil/0ORZI3T31UNZ7BKXVNS7D01C03
  65. https://rts.org.uk/article/prime-orders-last-one-laughing-uk-jimmy-carr
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