John Oliver Thanks Dog, Swears at ABC at Emmys
John Oliver, the host of HBO's satirical news show "Last Week Tonight," took home the award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards. In his acceptance speech, Oliver thanked his dog, offered a playful jab at ABC, and delivered a witty and self-deprecating message about the state of the news.
"I Would Like to Thank My Dog"
Oliver's speech began with an unexpected but heartwarming thanks to his canine companion. He said, "I would like to thank my dog. He's been very supportive during the writing process. He just kind of lays there and I think to myself, 'Yeah, that's what I'm trying to do. I'm trying to be as good as that dog is at laying there.'"
A Lighthearted Dig at ABC
Oliver then turned his attention to the network that was broadcasting the ceremony, ABC. "And thank you to ABC for letting us be here," he said with a smirk. "I know it's probably a little weird for you guys to have a show about political satire on your network. You're known for your quality programming like 'The Bachelor,' 'The Bachelorette,' 'The Bachelor in Paradise,' 'The Bachelor: Winter Games,' 'The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons – Ever!,' 'The Bachelor: After the Final Rose,' 'The Bachelor: The Men Tell All,' 'The Bachelor: Live After the Final Rose,' 'The Bachelor: Paradise: The Men Tell All,' 'The Bachelor: Listen to Your Heart,' 'The Bachelor Presents: Bachelor in Paradise: After Paradise,' 'The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons – Ever!,' 'The Bachelorette: The Men Tell All,' 'The Bachelor Presents: Bachelor in Paradise: After Paradise.' I'm pretty sure that's just a fraction of what they're airing."
This playful dig at ABC's reality programming was met with laughter from the audience. It was a lighthearted moment that highlighted Oliver's sharp wit and ability to use humor to make a point.
A Self-Deprecating Message About the News
After the ABC jab, Oliver shifted gears to a more serious tone, addressing the challenging landscape of news today. He said, "I want to say this show is more important than ever. We're living in a time where the news cycle is more and more saturated with misinformation and propaganda. And it's hard to know what to believe. So if we can provide a little bit of clarity, a little bit of humor, a little bit of perspective, then we've done our job."
Oliver's speech was a perfect blend of humor and sincerity. He acknowledged the challenges of his profession while remaining optimistic about the power of satire to enlighten and entertain.
A Winning Combination
John Oliver's Emmy acceptance speech was a memorable one, showcasing his comedic talent, his ability to use humor to make a point, and his dedication to his craft. His witty remarks about ABC's reality shows and his sincere message about the importance of accurate news resonated with the audience and highlighted the enduring impact of "Last Week Tonight" on the world of political satire.
