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Been watching some of the different region versions of a single concept on Amazon Prime: get ten comedians in a room for six hours, they have to try not to laugh, last one to laugh wins. It's called Last One Laughing in most versions, though the Japanese version is confusingly called Documental. It is also the best of the lot, with the worst one I've seen so far being the French one.

All the versions are kinda fascinating tho because seeing these people carry on insane conversations, clearly designed to make each other laugh, with these stone cold expressions, it ends up feeling like Beckett or something (one contestant in the Canadian version actually namedropped Waiting For Godot). And some ppl end up just shouting and screaming at everyone, or breaking into tears.

One thing that makes the Japanese version more fun is the conceit is that these comedians are each contributing money and the winner gets all, so you get interviews with participants talking about borrowing money from their families or "loan companies" (pretty sure they mean the yakuza!). In every other incarnation the money just goes to "a charity of your choice", ppl less likely to bring their A game. It's also the most hardcore about the rules, any hint of a smirk gets penalised.

In the Canadian one Caroline Rhea takes out some frankfurter sausages from the fridge, says "what could I do with this? oh, it's not that kind of show". Meanwhile by episode two of the Japanese version they're sticking each other's testicles in a vacuum cleaner.

Canadian version has some dumb gimmicks but Tom Green, Mae Martin, Colin Mochrie all in fine form and the humour is probably closest to my own.

German version is....ok.

French version absolutely the worst I've seen, horrible garish set, no effort made to enforce the rules, contestants all happy to see each other instead of close to having a nervous breakdown, terrible stuff all around.

Meanwhile by episode two of the Japanese version they're sticking each other's testicles in a vacuum cleaner.

and... they're trying to make each other laugh...?

I can't really speak for anyone else but anyone who comes near my testicles with a vacuum cleaner isn't getting a wry chuckle, they're getting some fast-flying knuckles

mr. ballsyflakes over here throwing hands

That's not the reaction I'd expect from someone named castanuts.

Squirrels to the castanuts.

I have to say...Life and Beth, the Amy Schumer series, is WAAAAAY better than you'd expect it to be. It's really good.

I've watched a few of the Last One Laughing family and the Australian one was easily my favourite. The Mexican one felt a bit too much like Big Brother or some other reality show.

The Japanese one descends into chaos very quickly and is a tough watch. Trying to make someone laugh by giving them a happy ending massage while putting on a funny voice, or by peeing in their drink while they watch doesn't travel the world well I don't think.

In every other incarnation the money just goes to "a charity of your choice", ppl less likely to bring their A game.

I’ve only seen the Australian version, but iirc the money went to the winner - at least, there was very pointed ribbing from eg mid-40s contestants who live in share houses against eg contestants on $500k+ pa who hid in the kitchen to try and skate through.

Good on Australia, need to check that one out then.

and... they're trying to make each other laugh...?

I'd think the objective there is to make the other eight people not directly involved laugh. It's that old Mel Brooks adage, tragedy is when I stub my toe, comedy is when you fall down a manhole cover.

The Japanese one descends into chaos very quickly and is a tough watch.

I agree it can be hard to watch but I enjoy that it's the version that comes closest to avante garde theatre. No luvvy nonsense or "so honoured to be in this competition with a true comedy legend" patter, everyone taking it 1000% seriously, almost feels like watching an athletic competition at times too.

A friend insisted I sign up for Apple TV+ and watch Severance (without reading anything about it first). I’m now two episodes in. Not sure why exactly he thought I would go for this particular series… If I’m not intrigued by this point, should I keep putting the time in?

The tone shifts a little but I don't think it would be for the better if you're not hooked after two.

It is well-liked on this board if that influences your decision. I think it picks up pace around episode 3/4 but I found it interesting from episode 1

It builds nicely

"I have to say...Life and Beth, the Amy Schumer series, is WAAAAAY better than you'd expect it to be. It's really good."

yeah it's excellent, one of the few things in recent memory we sat down and watched the entirety of in one sitting. feels like it didn't get the attention it deserved because people hate her for reasons that are generally bewildering to me. Also, the cooking show she did with her husband over quarantine was worth watching. The Michael Cera character is clearly based on him.

xp Thanks, I’ll give Severance another few episodes. Even trying to go with the apparent premise, some things just don’t make sense, in a way that doesn’t seem reliant on its world (which they’re not revealing anything to you about yet). So that’s a little frustrating, makes it hard to meet it halfway.

(i’ve also never liked Adam Scott, but I guess that’s my thing)

I almost gave up on Severance for the same reason but stayed with it, hearing how good the payoff would be in the last episodes. It really is worth it. I even re-watched the first parts to catch bits of foreshadowing. There's still a lot that probably will never make sense.

Shining Girls with Elizabeth Moss is good n' creepy.

Wondering about that. Seems like it’s based on a book from a decade ago, not that I’ve read it.

The book was really good.

I’m just finishing her other big book, bought as a bday gift because I was asking for “scary” books. Steven king blurbed how scary it is but I’m not feeling that.

Think I am the only one who watched the first season of Tehran on Apple TV+, which I mostly enjoyed for various reasons, but not feeling these second season premiere episodes at all.

I was a little thrown by the shift in Undone season 2 but ultimately liked it quite a bit - I'd suggest sticking it out to the end if you feel similarly halfway through. it's a very quick watch in any case

The ending is much more conclusive than season 1's ending, but there's talk about a potential third season? I'm baffled how they could keep the show going in a satisfying way, but that's exactly how I felt about S2 and it delivered

I thought I was too Tough Guy but I fell in love -- rapturously -- with Heartstopper, the best queer thing I've seen in a while. That the actors approximate their characters' ages helps a lot. They are pure charm.

My daughter is obSESSED with that show (and the comics). And simply knowing who Kit Conner is has given me unlimited cache with all of Y9.

Kit Connor is absolutely adorable in every way despite looking, to quote one of the characters, like a golden retriever

Think I am the only one who watched the first season of Tehran on Apple TV+, which I mostly enjoyed for various reasons, but not feeling these second season premiere episodes at all.

I'm the other person who watched Tehran's first season - thought it was A-OK as a self-contained run but I'm not really looking forward to another season of it.

Yes, exactly.

For one thing, I miss the original Israeli control room, both because I liked the two main actors there and for foreign language purposes.

For another, the first season was incredibly tense from the get-go, I don’t know how many episodes of Season Two I will have to watch before its rachets up enough for me to care.

I guess I will sit through it based on ilx recommendations, but Severance feels dysphoric and sterile to me, it reminds me of the stasis, bad landscapes and dull alienation of Breaking Bad

I ended up liking that show in the end but not sure I will feel the same about this

After giving it one more chance (third episode), I’m done with Severance. Ain’t for me

;_;

Hacks is back tomorrow, though!

hell yes

y’all should watch Minx
it is excellent - funny smart, all the things

(on HBO)

I will check that one out!

i am really into Tokyo Vice too
more Michael Mann on my tv plz

but Severance feels dysphoric and sterile to me

If you see these as inherent negatives I'd say get out right away.

Breeders is back.

If you are the kind of person who thinks they might like a dramatization of the first year or so of Julia Child launching her PBS show, then I can virtually guarantee you will like Julia. Also recommended if you want something extremely pleasant/unchallenging to watch. Also also recommended if you want to see David Hyde Pierce and Bebe Neuwirth in scenes together. If any of that sounds too cute to you, then skip it

I’m part way into Tokyo Vice - agree, excellent.

Just saw that Physical (Apple TV+) is coming back for a second season starting June 3. I got the feeling it wasn’t terribly popular around here, or anywhere else, so I’m as surprised as I am pleased.

I felt like it was promising but got derailed and didn’t come back after a few episodes.

I mean I got derailed.

Unsurprisingly, I love everything about Heartstopper: the stellar young cast (plus the invaluable Olivia Colman), the synth-pop soundtrack, the cotton-candy visual aesthetic, the careful treatment of the slipperiness inherent in adolescent friendship and romance (though Tao is officially, eventually paired off with Elle, I cannot help but read his jealousy and protectiveness of Charlie as being at least partially romantic).

Equally lovely is Alfred's review of the show, which I hope he won't mind me linking here: https://humanizingthevacuum.wordpress.com/2022/05/12/on-the-modestly-epochal-heartstopper/

Under the Banner of Heaven on FX is really good.

The 'Banner of Heaven' investigation/thriller storyline with Garfield has been good, but the flashbacks and Mormon historical bits are less than compelling. And that Dan Lafferty actor makes me cringe every time he rants. I'm hoping Sam Worthington gets to do more in coming eps.

I love Dan Lafferty! That's Kurt Russel and Goldie Hawn's son btw.

I had no idea. He reminds me a lot of Aaron Eckhart. In fact, I was thinking they might have cast him looking for a young Eckhart/Mormony type.