HBO: Last Week Tonight

[Mecca]

I've been catching this as a part of HBO's Sunday nights and John Oliver is really great for this.

Enjoyed this from last night:

[Norah]

Yeah I've been watching and enjoying it.

[Evvo]

Really enjoying it. He's terrific on the Bugle podcast as well.

[broken iris]

Very pleased with the first two episodes, they easily best the combined last 4 years of Bill Maher's bitchfest.

[broken iris]

This past weeks episode bothered me a bit...

1.) He showed regular daily birth control when talking about the (at the time undecided) Hobby Lobby case and not the morning after pills the case was actually about. It's minor, but intentionally deceiving the audience to not invoke the far more contentious abortion debate.

2.) When discussing the horrible conditions the LBGT community deals with in Nigeria, he kept referring to the actions of one American religious nut-job as "US influence", even coaxing the guest (a well known Nigerian activist) into repeating it, knowing full well that statement implies government directed action like an Ambassador or diplomat would conduct... not one crazed bible-thumper on a travel visa.

It's disappointing. I would expect that kinda thing from a two-bit talking point parrot like Bill Maher, but Oliver's first few shows gave the impression that he wasn't going to stoop to those tactics.

[Evvo]

I agree, it was the weakest episode to date and some of Oliver's rhetoric felt very forced.

[Biff Pocoroba]

I liked last week's episode but in retrospect I can see where you're coming from. I was impressed though with his guest's story.
One thing I do like is how they devote the back half of the show to one topic and go into more detail than other comedy news shows have done before. While there's an obvious slant they present an informative and entertaining piece that the audience might not other have cared to know about. I love Jon Stewart as much as anyone but when he goes off on one subject it comes across as more of a preachy rant.

[broken iris]

A return to form this week, with a solid bit on the serious issue of private prisons. Previous bullshit forgiven, carry on John.

[broken iris]

Guys, this is a pretty great show.

[Mecca]

Guys, this is a pretty great show.

It is. Sorry that I have nothing more to add

[Alex]

Guys, this is a pretty great show.

It is. Sorry that I have nothing more to add

it's okay, mecca

[Mecca]

Guys, this is a pretty great show.

It is. Sorry that I have nothing more to add

it's okay, mecca

i just feel like broken iris was trying to start a conversation about this show and needed at least a reply, but i couldn't bring myself to just quote the post and post again in affirmation.

[Stickman]

[Revelator]

This show is hilarious. Especially loved his recent bit on Ray Rice and Ravens owner (candy-apple with teeth) Steve Bisciotti.

[broken iris]

What's a little sad is that, that was better journalism than 90% of the evening news.

[Strat]

Seeing John Oliver in a few weeks in Denver. Super excited.

[Stickman]

[Will]

This is pretty much the only thing worth watching on TV these days.

[Biff Pocoroba]

This is probably my favorite new show of 2014. I was a little disappointed they wrapped up the season this past weekend; I was thinking they would go two more weeks. The salmon bit was silly but I enjoyed it more than I would have expected too.

[Stickman]