Carolin Kebekus replaces Michael Herbig as host of German comedy series LOL

Presenter handover for season eight

German comedian Carolin Kebekus will take over hosting duties for the eighth season of Prime Video's comedy competition series "LOL: Last One Laughing", replacing long-time presenter Michael "Bully" Herbig. The 46-year-old entertainer previously competed on the program across four separate seasons before transitioning to the supervisory control room. Herbig departs after anchoring seven standard seasons alongside Christmas and Halloween specials over a five-year tenure. Whether Herbig will return to the production in another capacity remains undecided, following an appearance in a previous season where he joined the contestants while Hape Kerkeling stepped in as guest host in the persona of Horst Schlämmer.

Kebekus commented on her move to the referee desk:

I am insanely looking forward to sitting at the buzzers on LOL. Finally I am allowed to laugh as much as I want in this studio.

Munich production and broadcast schedule

The six-episode eighth season was filmed under strict secrecy in Munich during September 2026 and is scheduled to premiere on Prime Video at Easter 2027. Kebekus, who also fronts her own satirical broadcast on public television network ARD, is currently contracted for a single season at the helm. Herbig bid farewell to the format while wishing success to the incoming production team.

After seven 'LOL: Last One Laughing' seasons, a Xmas and a Halloween special, I say a quiet goodbye to the buzzer and thank you for the many tears of laughter! I wish Carolin and everyone involved in the upcoming 'LOL' seasons the same enormous fun from the bottom of my heart that I had over the last five years.

Format mechanics and commercial record

Produced by Constantin Entertainment, "LOL: Last One Laughing" is adapted from the Japanese Prime Video original series "Documental", which began production in 2016. The German adaptation pits ten prominent comedians and performers against one another in an enclosed room for six hours, with the objective of making competitors laugh while keeping a straight face. A network of 40 cameras monitors micro-expressions and smiling. Participants receive an initial warning for minor infractions, while a second violation results in elimination via the control room buzzer. The last remaining contestant secures a 50,000 euro prize donated to charity. Since its 2021 German debut, the program has received both the Deutscher Comedypreis and the Deutscher Fernsehpreis.

Past participants and Herbig's upcoming projects

Past seasons featured German comedy figures including Bastian Pastewka, Anke Engelke, Kurt Krömer, Hazel Brugger, Max Giermann, Martina Hill, Torsten Sträter, and Till Reiners. Following his exit from the streaming series, Herbig's unscripted stage performance "Bully - Leider Live! Garantiert ohne Programm" will air on RTL in late October 2026. That program was recorded in September before a sold-out audience at the Olympiahalle in Munich, featuring an unscripted routine where Herbig performs without prepared material.