Jackskeleton

Didn't even touch the wall nonsense. i mean, it was a decent segment, but it did feel like they held back some of those punches.

Spiderbite

So no lawsuits directed at John Oliver yet?

dex14

Honestly, as a "serious" candidate, Drumpf has more important things to focus on this week. I wouldn't expect anything until after today, Super Tuesday. But, I wouldn't be surprised otherwise.

Big Boy Laroux

I wouldn't say it hinges on it simply because it was at the end - the show often closes their pieces with something to go along with a catchy hashtag.

Example - the NCAA segment wasn't only about Dabo Swinney, yet the segment closed with that piece because the show wanted to promote the #soybeanwind hashtag. Again, 2 minutes out of a much longer segment, just to promote a hashtag.

Agree with the poster above - if people didn't recognize the name Trump, he'd just be a crazy candidate with no real chance.

Groucho

I thought the Trump thing was the weakest segment that's ever been on the show. It's well-tread territory by many other pundits right now, and Oliver brought nothing new to the table.

Jay G.

I think they were focused on the perception vs reality angle. They didn't really discuss any of his ideas or views, but instead focused on the image of Trump that people have (straight talker, tough, can't be bought, etc.) vs what reality actually shows him to be (saying mostly untrue things, very thin-skinned, solicits donations to his campaign, etc.).

Face it: if you're voting for Trump in the primaries, you're doing so either because of, or in spite of, his views and ideas. The only thing that will likely change primary voters' minds is to get them to take a second look at the man himself and his character.

bralph

IMHO until he is no longer a candidate for President, there can't be enough segments like this.

Groucho

but who is the target audience? i'm guessing the number of trump supporters who watch oliver's show is close to zero.

slop101

Exactly. Also, the way Trump's support is so visceral, it's tied up in his supporters identity, and attacks on him will be seen as attacks on them. It's really weird.

B.A.

"I know words.

I have the best words."

dex14

I think they were banking on the segment spreading across social media, which it has. Maybe a Drumpf supporter watched for shits and giggles as they scrolled through their Facebook feed.

alfredog1976

I've seen some of the responses from Drumpf supporters related to this video. I've seen a couple that say it was "low" for John Oliver to make fun of his name. I think most Drumpf supporters are too stupid to see the point Oliver was trying to make (and some are willfully ignorant and continue to be ignorant no matter what anyone says about Drumpf). Dumb asses.

Maz Kanata

No it doesn't. Did you actually watch the segment?

slop101

Yes, twice. And yes, it's absolutely hinges on his name/identity. At least that's what I got out of it.

RichC2

It's true, but it's consolidated and it isn't going for his audience necessarily.

And what I mean by that is his viewership is around a million or so per week on HBO.

The video on Facebook has been shared nearly 900k times and has over 43m views, with an additional 9.5m on YouTube.

Which makes HBO happy, those guys are the biggest whores when it comes to being talked about vs. actual ratings.

Goat3001

Right and that's what Oliver was building up to. The point of the whole rant was that Trump, despite mostly being hot garbage, has made his name into something of high quality, respect and class. By changing his name, Oliver is saying it'll make people look past the name.

Regardless, it's a comedy piece. Oliver doesn't bring anything new to the table but he does make it all entertaining. Oliver isn't trying to sway votes. He's hoping that the people that watch are entertained and that maybe he's opened a few eyes.

B.A.

This week's ep immediately made me think of my local park district.

https://youtu.be/3saU5racsGE

And the Mosquito Control Board at the 4:30 mark is awesome.

Jay G.

Here's the full video of that Mosquito Control Board meeting.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kcuT_Xm16U

Jay G.

The show took Easter off, but did post a web exclusive


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNS4lecOaAc

It's back tomorrow.

Geofferson

The show took Memorial Day off, but posted this Web exclusive.

Decker

Why does he have a studio audience to shoot a three minute video?

DVD Josh

Not to be incredibly obvious or anything, but it was recorded at a recent taping of a full episode.

JeffTheAlpaca

It is too late for Comedy Central to fire Trevor Noah and hire John Oliver to take his place?

They screwed that up but not having a succession plan for Oliver or Colbert to take over when Jon Stewart leaves.

bluetoast

I still watch every week since it's informative, but man, the style of presenting that information is getting pretty formulaic/robotic.

Jay G.

HBO likely has Oliver on a multi-year contract at this point.

Jon Stewart announced his retirement after both Oliver and Colbert had already moved on. Oliver's show had already been on about a year, and Colbert had already signed on for The Late Show.

There really wasn't a way to keep either talent "on retainer" for the eventuality that Jon may someday retire.