Last Week Tonight Episode Review: Kukla and Fran Still Missing, but Ollie’s Back
I would somewhat ashamedly ask my younger readers, or, probably, reader to forgive that ancient cultural reference to an old (but excellent TV chestnut), just to make the point that John Oliver is back from his hiatus, and not a moment too soon.
Because of the long layoff, I will do as I did with another political commentary show I cover and give you the opening segment for your sneak peek. In fact, I will do a bit more than that, being the heart and soul of generosity that I am, every once in a great while.
Because half of Oliver’s opening segment concerns the disgraceful behavior of Wells Fargo Bank, he gave a lot of play to the weasely testimony of WF President John Stumpf before Congress. Although he showed a few excellent segments of that and had some appropriately acidic commentary to go with it, the host left out the best part of Strumpf’s testimony, during which he was questioned very pointedly and effectively by Elizabeth Warren. It is that extra clip that I am happy to provide, right here and now.
The opening business about the troubles in Charlotte was fine, as far as it went, but it did not go into the matter as deeply as perhaps it should have. Oliver’s point was not that the police did or did not lie, did or did not shoot the civilian in question without justification, but that they were having a very difficult time understanding the word “transparency.” Let us hope he goes into that matter and others like it in the very near future. Sarcasm aside, this is a very serious issue.
The bulk of Oliver’s broadcast dealt with the upcoming first debate between you-know-who and you-know-what. First, he stripped away the veil of sanctity that fell upon Hillary Clinton’s shoulders during the Democratic National Convention, and, in so doing, showed not one iota of mercy. Ah, but then, he took up the case of Donald Trump. I will task you with taking this entire segment in during the many repeats of this show or online, but here is the bottom line: Lock her up? Lock him up! You probably know what I mean, even without the assist from John Oliver.
Last Week Tonight, HBO, September 25, 2016
