John Oliver in ‘Total Denial’ Over MAGA Boss’s HBO Takeover
The Daily Beast • • entertainment
Key Points:
- John Oliver plans to continue his show "Last Week Tonight" as if the pending merger between Warner Bros. Discovery and Trump-friendly company Skydance Paramount isn't happening, describing his approach as "total denial."
- A federal judge recently halted the $110 billion merger deal following concerns from 12 state attorneys general that it would reduce competition in the industry.
- Oliver signed a 12-month contract extension to keep "Last Week Tonight" on air through the end of 2027, despite uncertainty surrounding the merger's outcome.
- Billionaire David Ellison, known for his connections to former President Trump, won the bid for Warner Bros. Discovery earlier this year and has influenced significant changes, including the MAGA-friendly revamp of CBS News and the cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s "The Late Show."
- Oliver continues to criticize the merger and its backers on his show, frequently targeting the new ownership and their political affiliations.
