Rebel Wilson Teams Up with Endemol Shine and Amazon Prime Video to Host first Australian Amazon Original series LOL: Last One Laughing

LOL: Last One Laughing will film nonstop in Sydney and feature a star-studded cast of ten Australian comedians competing in a battle of laughs.

Following the successful release of multiple seasons of the same format by Amazon Prime Video in Japan and Mexico, the new series will premiere exclusively on Prime Video as an Amazon Original series in Australia and around the world in more than 200 countries and territories

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 by 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, 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.

Prime and Prime Video members around the world will be able to stream LOL: Last One Laughing exclusively via the Amazon Prime Video app available on smart TVs, mobile devices, tablets, Fire TV, Fire TV stick, Apple TV, Chromecast and game consoles. In the Prime Video app, users can download all episodes on their mobile devices and tablets and watch anywhere offline at no additional cost. Members can also download the series to mobile devices for offline viewing at no additional cost to their membership. The series will be released globally and available on PrimeVideo.com in more than 200 countries and territories. Prime Video in Australia is available as part of a Prime membership which gives members access to further entertainment benefits including Music, gaming and reading, alongside free delivery on millions of local and international eligible items in as fast as two days for just AUD$ 59/year. New customers can find out more at amazon.com.au/prime and subscribe to a free 30-day trial.

Gogglebox Australia Returns for its 10th Season

After being crowned the Most Popular Entertainment program at the 61st TV WEEK Logie Awards, the four- time Logie award winning must-watch series Gogglebox Australia will return first on Foxtel’s Lifestyle Channel on Wednesday, August 14 at 7.30pm and the following day, Thursday August 15, at 8.30pm on 10.

The milestone tenth series will see many of our Goggleboxers reaching milestones of their own. The loveable Jackson Family have become homeowners for the first time, while Matty and Sarah Marie have a Gogglebox baby boy on the way!

On being back on our screens for the tenth season, fan-favourite Anastasia said, “Oh my gosh, can you believe we’ll have ten seasons under our belts?! And my belt has gotten so much smaller, you should see how good I’m looking.”

What will our favourite couch critics make of The Bachelor Australia? Or the new judging panel on Seven Network’s Australia’s Got Talent? Will they survive another season of Australian Survivor? Be on opposing teams watching Lifestyle’s Love it or List it Australia? Tune in for Nine’s Block o’clock?

Our favourite Goggleboxers back to share their hilarious and heart-warming opinions on Australian television are Greek best friends Anastasia and Faye; happily married couple Lee and Keith; the adorable and sports-crazy Jackson Family; the fun-loving and cricket-mad Delpechitra Family; best mates Adam and Symon; dealers in Indigenous Art Mick and Di; the close-knit Dalton Family; married couple Matty and

Sarah Marie and their friend Jad; brother and sister Tim and Leanne; and the three generations of women in the Silbery Family.

Gogglebox Australia is an Endemol Shine Australia production for Foxtel and Network 10.

Gogglebox Australia Season 10 will be available to stream On Demand following its broadcast on Foxtel’s Lifestyle channel. Seasons 1 – 9 are also available for those wanting to catch up on past episodes.

BAFTA Award winning Channel 4 UK documentary series, ONE BORN EVERY MINUTE is coming to Australia!

World-renowned documentary series One Born Every Minute is coming to Westmead Hospital. The brand new Australian version of the show will be exclusively filmed at the facility and broadcast on Network 10.

The series will document life within the hospital’s busy birthing unit, focusing on the human stories of women and their families as they welcome babies into the world.

Since launching in the UK in 2010, Endemol Shine’s One Born Every Minute remains the most successful multi-camera documentary series ever produced.

There have been 11 consecutive seasons in the UK and versions have been produced in the United States of America, France, Israel, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Czech Republic and Denmark.

Westmead Hospital’s women’s health director Donna Garland said the eight-episode series will showcase the high level of care provided by the team in the hospital’s birthing unit.

“The show will undoubtedly celebrate the fantastic care and support we provide to new families every day,” Donna said.

“We are the busiest birthing unit in New South Wales with around 5,500 families choosing to share the birth of their new baby with us every year.

“I am sure the public will enjoy seeing the way we interact and support families during their birthing journey.”

Endemol Shine executive producer Debbie Cuell said the production crew was attracted to the diverse population of patients at Westmead Hospital.

“Western Sydney captures a true picture of Australia with its wonderful diversity and broad range of age groups of women becoming mums,” Debbie said.

“We look forward to showcasing the first Australian season of One Born Every Minute at Westmead Hospital on Channel Ten later this year.”

Pregnant women interested in being on the show and will be giving birth between 1 July and 18 August at Westmead Hospital are encouraged to email oneborneveryminute@endemolshine.com.au or call 0468 914 953.

Series Two of LEGO® MASTERS Announced

Nine announced today that LEGO® MASTERS – the breakout ratings smash of the year – has been commissioned for a second series. 

LEGO MASTERS burst onto our screens last month as a fresh new format and has taken Australia by storm. The series is produced by Endemol Shine Australia, part of the Endemol Shine Group, and is adapted from an original UK format from Tuesday’s Child and The LEGO Group.

The feel-good program has proved to be popular with people of all ages and dominated its timeslot in all capital cities. 

Each episode has attracted a total average national viewing audience of 2.216 million*, including regional audiences, encore screenings and streaming on 9Now.

LEGO MASTERS premiered with a massive national average audience of 2.134 million, making it the highest rating launch episode of any series this year.

It is also the only program on Australian television in 2019 to have an overnight metro audience of more than one million viewers for every episode**.

The format sees eight pairs of contestants tasked with creating mind-blowing models and masterpieces out of the world’s most famous plastic bricks.

In his element as host is Hamish Blake, alongside resident judge Ryan “Brickman” McNaught, the Southern Hemisphere’s only LEGO-certified professional. 

With imagination their sole limitation, teams are required to conceptualise and craft some of the most ambitious and impressive LEGO creations ever built in an attempt to claim the $100,000 prizemoney. 

Michael Healy, Director of Television for Nine, said: “LEGO Masters is wholesome viewing that appeals to the entire family and we’re thrilled that it has been so warmly embraced by Australian viewers. The show boasts a great array of characters, the likes of which we haven’t seen on other programs.

“At its core, LEGO Masters is a celebration of creativity, showcasing the power of imagination. We can’t wait to see what our teams create for viewers in 2020.”

Mark Fennessy, CEO, Endemol Shine Australia, added: “It’s the breakout hit that’s fascinated the nation - the passion for LEGO construction is truly infectious. Visually exciting, with warmth and good humour, LEGO Masters encourages pure imagination and brilliant family engagement. We look forward to bringing the world even bigger OMG moments in LEGO Masters Series Two.” 

The second series of LEGO MASTERS will commence production later this year and go to air on Nine in 2020.

Gogglebox Is Now Casting In Queensland

Gogglebox Australia is casting two new families based in Brisbane.

Casting is now open for two new households to join Gogglebox Australia, and for the first time those households will be from Brisbane.

Currently airing its ninth season on Foxtel’s Lifestyle Channel and on the 10 and WIN Networks, Gogglebox Australia features a diverse range of personalities from differing backgrounds and ages whose television commentary has made them into “TV experts”.

The current Gogglebox cast is a 60/40 split of Melbournites and Sydneysiders, so the addition of households from the Sunshine State will be an exciting change for the tenth season.

Gogglebox executive producer, David McDonald, says, “We’re very excited to find Queensland personalities to put in the mix. When Gogglebox first started we were restricted in what we could accommodate with the fast turnaround of the show.

“Now in our fifth year of production, it’s time to expand, so it was decided (very wisely) to go north and capture the unique voice of the Queensland territory.”

So if you’re from Brisbane and think you’ve got what it takes to Goggle, go to www.goggleboxcasting.com.au to apply!

The Brisbane households will join brother and sister Tim and Leanne; bubbly Greek best friends Anastasia and Faye; happily married couple Lee and Keith; the adorable and sports-crazy Jackson Family; the fun-loving and cricket-mad Delpechitra Family; best mates Adam and Symon; dealers in indigenous art Mick and Di; the close-knit Dalton Family; married couple Matty and Sarah Marie and their friend Jad; and the three generations of women in the Silbery Family.

Gogglebox Australia is an Endemol Shine Australia production for Foxtel and Network 10. The show airs 7.30 Wednesdays on Foxtel’s Lifestyle Channel, 8.30 Thursdays on Channel 10.