Is it advantageous to be first? Evidence from a TV comedy program

Using unique data from contests in a Japanese comedy TV show, we estimate the impact of position order on performance evaluations. By exploiting the fact that positions in the contest are randomly determined by lottery, we estimate the effect of position order and find that the first position is favorable in the contest. One interpretation of these results is that the first performance is more likely to receive a default evaluation, which may be advantageous in less competitive contests where there are many winners relative to the number of participants. We present evidence that is consistent with this interpretation. • We estimate the position order effect on evaluations using a natural experimental setting. • Unlike the findings of previous studies, we find that the first position is favorable in the contest. • Our interpretation is that first performances rarely receive extreme evaluations. • We present evidence that is consistent with this interpretation.