The pressure is on. Can Bob Mortimer, the delightfully unpredictable champion of last year’sLast One Laughing, defend his title against a fresh wave of comedic challengers? The game is brutally simple: survive a gauntlet of hilarious attempts to make you crack a smile, without laughing yourself.
Mortimer, a beloved figure known for his surreal wit onWould I Lie To You?, isn’t resting on his laurels. He’s identified one competitor as a particularly formidable threat – the razor-sharp Romesh Ranganathan. “He’s going to hit me with something any minute now,” Mortimer confessed, anticipating Ranganathan’s comedic onslaught.
That fear isn’t misplaced. Fellow contestant Diane Morgan, famed for her deadpan persona as Philomena Cunk, wholeheartedly agrees. She observes that Ranganathan’s humor is uniquely potent, even in moments of apparent sadness. “When he looks sad it’s even funnier,” she remarked, acknowledging the subtle power of his delivery.
Season one ofLast One Laughingwas a breakout success, captivating audiences with its unique premise and the sheer comedic talent on display. Viewers still vividly recall Mortimer’s impromptu song, “Slender People,” a bizarre lyrical masterpiece that nearly unraveled Daisy May Cooper.
The song, with lines like “Raspberry jam is nice, but it’s full of bloody pips,” became a viral sensation. Morgan revealed she overheard strangers humming the tune on the street, a testament to its unexpected earworm quality. The impact didn’t stop there.
Another phrase from Mortimer’s first season, “Meat and cheeses always pleases,” has unexpectedly entered the cultural lexicon. Maisie Adam playfully informed Mortimer that the line is now emblazoned on merchandise – from tea towels to t-shirts. He was genuinely surprised by its enduring appeal.
The origin of the phrase is a gem in itself. It stemmed from a speed dating challenge with Richard Ayoade, where Mortimer hilariously misinterpreted Ayoade’s parents’ profession. “That’s the supermarket, yeah?” Mortimer asked, mistaking NASA for a grocery chain.
To navigate the treacherous landscape ofLast One Laughing, Mortimer has developed a crucial strategy: the “safety face.” He advises fellow comedians to adopt a pre-determined expression to shield themselves from laughter-inducing attacks. Diane Morgan demonstrated her technique – a deliberate underbite – to suppress a smile.
Another tactic, “running away,” proved controversial. Morgan admitted to fleeing after an encounter with Mortimer, but argued it should be penalized. “It’s a cheeky way to avoid cracking a laugh,” she declared, suggesting a “yellow card” system for such evasive maneuvers.
The stakes are high, and the competition fierce. Romesh Ranganathan, however, confessed to a surprising level of apprehension. “I didn’t want to see Bob Mortimer,” he admitted, acknowledging Mortimer’s uniquely unpredictable comedic style. “He’s just so unpredictably funny.”
Ranganathan even went so far as to request Mortimer maintain a safe distance. The sentiment was echoed by Mel Giedroyc, who identified Mortimer as “the one to watch.” But in a game defined by its spontaneity, anything can happen.
Last One Laughingis a masterclass in comedic tension, a side-splittingly funny and utterly unpredictable battle of wills. The second season promises to deliver even more moments of hilarity and unexpected twists.
