Last One Laughing Season Two Finale Ignites Fan Fury Over Tie-Breaker Controversy
Fans of Prime Video's comedy competition series Last One Laughing have erupted in anger following the season two finale, which saw David Mitchell crowned champion after a contentious tie-breaker decision. The episode, released earlier this week, featured a dramatic showdown between finalists Mel Giedroyc, Bob Mortimer, Sam Campbell, and David Mitchell, with host Jimmy Carr introducing a sudden-death rule in the last 40 minutes where any laugh or smile resulted in immediate elimination.
Tense Final Battles Lead to Unprecedented Tie-Breaker
In a series of intense head-to-head challenges, reigning champion Bob Mortimer, 66, eliminated Mel Giedroyc, 57, through a nerve-wracking animal noises contest. David Mitchell, 51, then knocked out Bob with a witty joke about renaming a nighttime toilet trip a 'Chadwick,' leaving Sam Campbell, 34, and David to face off in a final food-feeding challenge while maintaining straight faces.
Host Jimmy Carr revealed that if neither contestant laughed during this uncomfortable exchange, the winner would be determined by a tie-breaker based on who had caused the most laughs throughout the season. Flashbacks showed Sam making Bob laugh early on, but David secured two laughs from Diane Morgan and Bob, leading Jimmy to declare David the victor. The eliminated comedians then presented David with the coveted Last One Laughing trophy.
Fan Backlash and Social Media Uproar
While David expressed delight at his win, calling it 'quite insane,' fans took to social media platform X to voice their displeasure. Many criticized the tie-breaker as anti-climactic and unfair, arguing that Sam Campbell deserved the victory. One viewer penned, 'For season 3 they got to think of a better tiebreaker that ending was so anti climatic it stank.' Another added, 'Just watched Last One Laughing final and although I love David the correct winner was Sam,' noting that Sam never broke character while David smiled multiple times.
Further complaints highlighted perceived biases, with one fan stating, 'Feel as though the producers/Jimmy just wanted to invite David back next year because Sam was the clear winner. It’s also called last one laughing, not who made the most laugh.' Others called the finale 'lame' and a 'bit of an anticlimax,' though some defenders praised the episode as 'another great season' and congratulated David as a 'worthy winner.'
Earlier Controversy and Series Renewal Announcement
The finale controversy follows earlier fan fury over what was dubbed the 'most unfair red card in the show's history' when Jimmy Carr singled out Romesh Ranganathan in a 'dirty play' move. During episode five, Jimmy emerged from a cupboard to pitch mock TV show ideas, causing Romesh to laugh and be eliminated. Fans labeled this 'unfair' and 'dirty,' with one noting it was like a 'sniper' attack.
Amid the backlash, Last One Laughing has been confirmed for a third series, with filming set to begin in spring for a release next year, plus a Halloween special. An insider revealed the show's growing popularity, stating it's 'unquestionably one of the most talked-about TV shows of the past year.' Amazon boss Tara Erer expressed confidence in the format's longevity, noting it has succeeded in over 20 countries and aims to maintain high quality.
Series Background and Future Prospects
The debut season saw Bob Mortimer triumph over Richard Ayoade, with Bob returning to defend his title in season two against a star-studded lineup including Alan Carr, Romesh Ranganathan, and Diane Morgan. Bob previously identified Romesh as his biggest threat, citing his comedic timing. The series premise involves comedians trying to avoid laughing for six hours, with eliminations after two laughs or smiles.
With season three on the horizon, producers face pressure to address fan concerns over tie-breakers and fairness. The show continues to attract top comedic talent, promising more laughs and surprises for viewers worldwide.
