John Oliver Is Still Working Through the Rage

The host of ‘Last Week Tonight’ talks about what he’s learned in the ten years of making the show, why he doesn't consider himself a journalist and not giving in to nihilism.

[stephenriggs]

To me, the biggest tribute to John's work is that every comments section is full of insiders saying, "Thank you for telling our story."

[stephensorensen]

John Oliver may not be a journalist but his show is journalistic, and deserves every journalistic award and accolade.

[PhilipJackson]

It’s simple really. I see that big eyed toucan on the thumbnail, I click.

[vegan.atheist.weirdo]

NYT: "I'm glad _somebody's_ hiring journalists."
John Oliver: "Unfortunately, it might _just_ be us."

This is so accurate that I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

[jayeisner]

I don't care how British sensibility forces him to frame it; the desire to make the world better permeates every atom of the show. The courage to be earnest is rare these days and I love them for it.

[lostboy]

John Oliver may be British.. but he’s our national treasure

[rrosaseconda]

Without John Oliver & Jon Stewart the present historical moment would be intolerable. Kudos for featuring John's process.

[thatguy]

I got to roughly the 8 minute mark, and had to pause, nearly made me break down a little bit. I've watched his show since season 2, always knew he sourced well. But to now know that 6 weeks and an extensive, dedicated team go into checking the validity of the things they're much less in the day and age of "they're eating the pets"... as truly awful as things are or may get, it's so reassuring to know that people are working this hard to "get it right"

[waywardmind]

Jon Oliver isn't a journalist, period. However, his show is inherently and rigorously _journalistic_ -- so much so that it makes most major news outlets, especially cable news and headline-chasers, look amateur by comparison.

[jayreed]

I think it's interesting that all of the Daily Show alumni inevitably get asked the "Are you a journalist" question more than any other. I think a better question is usually "what happened to journalism, such that you have been in many ways chosen to take its place?"

[mhartan]

For someone who is not a journalist, Oliver and his colleagues are a lot more rigorous in their fact-checking than any news outlet I can think of, including the NYT.

[MitchellTF]

He doesn't think he's a journalist, not because he doesn't think he should be held to that standard, but because, despite meeting that standard, he has too much appreciation for people who do the real work, to take credit from them.

[stevennicgorski]

John interviews so well. Its like every question catches him off guard, so he answers from the heart each time

[shiplesp]

Comedy, when it works, is the court jester. The only person in the kingdom who can speak truth to power without being beheaded. In that tradition, it is essential. Considering the coin flip we are currently facing, the odds are that we could need it more than ever. Well done, jester John.

[crawkn]

"It's only funny _if_ it's true. It has to be truth, for it to be funny" answers the question "why doesn't MAGA have comedians."

[Mlanderos-te]

Rich people rarely educate others on how to get rich and secure good retirement benefits. Instead, they often talk about their own achievements while their fans continue to struggle. I was smart enough to look into the stock market to fuel my goals. Now, I'm semi-retired and only work 7.5 hours a week. I'm just 25% short of my $1 million retirement goal, thanks to my subsequent investments and financial advisor. Don't let anyone tell you it's impossible to have a good retirement.

[andiwestcott]

I feel every bit of John's rage. It's absolutely insane that Trump has become so obviously fascist yet retained so much support. It's frightening, depressing, and maddening.

[daphnebabcock]

John's show makes me laugh, makes me think, makes me angry, and sometimes makes me cry

[makeadifferenceall]

Who wants to see “Last Week Tonight” bonus clips with Hot John?

[Zinnober]

American media has spent the last 40 years mutating itself into the most base, puerile entertainment imaginable, and now clutches its pearls the moment entertainers start asking real questions and investigating them with curiosity, creativity, and passion.

I mean no disrespect to Ms Garcia-Navarro. I've followed her career for years and think she's a smart, admirable, and capable woman. But this preoccupation of the media to neurotically police the line between entertainment and journalism when they themselves are part of an utterly clownish display of professional unseriousness is just goddamn ludicrous.