Banijay Entertainment has struck a new pact with Japanese comedy powerhouse Yoshimoto, originator of LOL: Last One Laughing, taking on the rights to lead adaptations of The Laughing Throne in 23 markets.
Banijay has already been working with Yoshimoto on remakes for You Laugh You Lose and produces LOL: Last One Laughing in 11 markets. It now has the rights to remake The Laughing Throne, produced by Kansai TV and Yoshimoto, across its footprint. Yoshimoto and Kansai TV will continue to oversee distribution in all other markets.
The format launched on Kansai TV almost a decade ago, entertaining audiences with its studio-based improvisation musical chairs-style game.
Helen Greatorex, head of format acquisitions at Banijay Entertainment, noted, “Our partnership with Yoshimoto is already hugely delivering with You Laugh You Lose, and acquiring The Laughing Throne is the natural next step to boost our comedy portfolio. The musical-chairs-style nostalgia is a unique selling point, paired with brilliantly simple improv-comedy that puts performers’ instincts to the test. Its flexibility makes it ideal for local adaptations, while the competitive nature adds jeopardy and tension.”
Chihara Jr., creator of The Laughing Throne, added: “We believe this format will be enjoyed by viewers around the world, and we hope it will reach and entertain as many people as possible.”
Kazuhiko Ikeda, the producer of The Laughing Throne at Kansai TV, added, “This project began as a small late-night show on local television in Japan’s Kansai region, so it is still surprising to see it now heading to the global stage. We are sincerely grateful to Banijay Entertainment for recognizing the potential of this format. The Laughing Throne blends the familiar game of musical chairs with a uniquely Japanese comedy style, where performers are challenged to come up with witty and imaginative responses to given prompts. We are excited to see how this combination of a universal game and expressive, idea-driven humor will be interpreted by comedians around the world. In the future, it would be fascinating to see performers from different countries compete together, surpassing language and cultural boundaries.”
The Laughing Throne joins Banijay Entertainment’s premium third-party line-up for London, which includes cult strategic reality format Werewolves from STUDIOCANAL and Dreamspark; superbrand Ninja Warrior from Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS); and digital-first format All Star Hide and Seek from Troot and Rabbit Film.
