# John Oliver interviews Edward Snowden **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 6, 2015, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-oliver-interviews-edward-snowden/716996 "2015-04-06T22:19:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2015, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-oliver-interviews-edward-snowden/716996/21 "2015-04-07T21:26:25Z")
This reminds me of Colbert’s breakdown of the SuperPAC procedures. Brilliant comedy, biting political satire, and completely understandable to the masses. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2015, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-oliver-interviews-edward-snowden/716996/22 "2015-04-07T21:43:53Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > That was amazing. Somehow John Oliver managed to give a hard-ass interview, make Snowden look smart and noble while at the same time calling him out, and create a meaningful conversation around surveillance and dick pictures. A+. Come to think of it, one does wonder whether the NSA guys spend a lot of their time at work jerking off. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2015, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-oliver-interviews-edward-snowden/716996/23 "2015-04-07T21:45:19Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > He might have betrayed the government, but he didn’t betray the people. I wish there were more people like him I agree. > [@What\_Exit](#): > > It was nice HBO gave Oliver extra air time for the week. I hope they let him do 48 weeks a year or the like. Yes, the more we can get of his talents, the better. My only criticism of that superb interview was that Oliver went for a rather (in my view) cheap laugh when he pointed out Snowden’s current unenviable living situation and said something like ‘you really didn’t think this through, did you?’ Of course, as viewers of the 2014 documentary _Citizenfour_ know, Snowden actually did think out all the potential consequences of his decision very carefully indeed. (In the _Last Week Tonight_ interview, Snowden was gracious enough to refrain from pointing this out to Oliver—letting Oliver have his laugh.) ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2015, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-oliver-interviews-edward-snowden/716996/24 "2015-04-07T21:53:43Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > I agree. > > Yes, the more we can get of his talents, the better. > > My only criticism of that superb interview was that Oliver went for a rather (in my view) cheap laugh when he pointed out Snowden’s current unenviable living situation and said something like ‘you really didn’t think this through, did you?’ Of course, as viewers of the 2014 documentary _Citizenfour_ know, Snowden actually did think out all the potential consequences of his decision very carefully indeed. > > (In the _Last Week Tonight_ interview, Snowden was gracious enough to refrain from pointing this out to Oliver—letting Oliver have his laugh.) Fwiw, I think part of the brilliance was in seemingly taken a cheap shot or two, it would have assuaged those inclined to a ‘traitor’ opinion - and this would have been a conceit discussed with Snowden in advance. I thought it showed really rather surprising faith by Snowden in someone perhaps still finding his feet. No question that Oliver went out of his way to not sympathise or empathise, and to even ‘shut Snowden up’ at times. Very smartly done, as well. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2015, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-oliver-interviews-edward-snowden/716996/25 "2015-04-07T22:17:07Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > This reminds me of Colbert’s breakdown of the SuperPAC procedures. Brilliant comedy, biting political satire, and completely understandable to the masses. Of course - excellent comparison. Having the lawyer on; reviewing what Colbert could and couldn’t do. And doing goofy shit with it to make it all come alive. (Until it “disappeared” into the funds a couple of charities Colbert supports). ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2015, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-oliver-interviews-edward-snowden/716996/26 "2015-04-07T22:56:21Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > Fwiw, I think part of the brilliance was in seemingly taken a cheap shot or two, it would have assuaged those inclined to a ‘traitor’ opinion - and this would have been a conceit discussed with Snowden in advance. I thought it showed really rather surprising faith by Snowden in someone perhaps still finding his feet. > No question that Oliver went out of his way to not sympathise or empathise, and to even ‘shut Snowden up’ at times. Very smartly done, as well. That theory does make sense. These guys are well-aware of the problems inherent in communicating messages that the Indifferent Masses tend to tune out. So many people seem to feel obligated to despise Snowden–and often these are the people who haven’t taken much time to inform themselves about what Snowden did. Giving that part of the public an “in” to the story by letting them feel validated (by the ‘rudeness,’ etc.) definitely would be the smart choice. (And we know that neither Oliver nor Snowden is deficient in the Smarts department.) ---
**Author:** ![Stringbean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Stringbean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stringbean)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2015, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-oliver-interviews-edward-snowden/716996/27 "2015-04-08T00:06:44Z")
That was just fucking phenomenal. Should be required viewing for every American. But it won’t compare to the fucking Kardashians. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2015, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-oliver-interviews-edward-snowden/716996/28 "2015-04-08T00:09:54Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > So many people seem to feel obligated to despise Snowden–and often these are the people who haven’t taken much time to inform themselves about what Snowden did. That’s ridiculous! Even the dumbest person knows Snowden created Wikileaks. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2015, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-oliver-interviews-edward-snowden/716996/29 "2015-04-08T01:02:22Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > That’s ridiculous! Even the dumbest person knows Snowden created Wikileaks. Heh. (I wonder how many people Oliver’s production staff had to interview to amass that group of, shall we say, “less-well-informed” folks. It would be depressing as hell if those happened to be ALL the interviews–no better-informed people to edit out…) ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2015, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-oliver-interviews-edward-snowden/716996/30 "2015-04-08T01:20:05Z")
sorry, but I just can’t fucking stand John Oliver. I’ve had my fill of arrogant Brits who think they exist for the sole purpose of telling americans what to do. > [@Stringbean](#): > > That was just fucking phenomenal. Should be required viewing for every American. fuck that. ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2015, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-oliver-interviews-edward-snowden/716996/31 "2015-04-08T01:26:06Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Heh. (I wonder how many people Oliver’s production staff had to interview to amass that group of, shall we say, “less-well-informed” folks. It would be depressing as hell if those happened to be ALL the interviews–no better-informed people to edit out…) [Be depressed](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ3RrqBqk14) Cheap shots perhaps, but just reinforcing Jon Oliver’s point about how disengaged most Americans are from whats going on around them. It lets anyone in power / business /media get away with anything. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2015, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-oliver-interviews-edward-snowden/716996/32 "2015-04-08T01:31:42Z")
> [@Banksiaman](#): > > [Be depressed](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ3RrqBqk14) > > Cheap shots perhaps, but just reinforcing Jon Oliver’s point about how disengaged most Americans are from whats going on around them. It lets anyone in power / business /media get away with anything. are you saying this makes us different than other countries? 'cos if you are, I’ll need to see some evidence. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2015, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-oliver-interviews-edward-snowden/716996/33 "2015-04-08T01:45:50Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > He might have betrayed the government, but he didn’t betray the people. You speak as if those were not the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![Stringbean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Stringbean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stringbean)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2015, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-oliver-interviews-edward-snowden/716996/34 "2015-04-08T01:51:32Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > sorry, but I just can’t fucking stand John Oliver. I’ve had my fill of arrogant Brits who think they exist for the sole purpose of telling americans what to do. Watch the video. Oliver went hard on Snowden and called him out on a number of things. This was light years from some Piers Morgan afternoon special. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2015, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-oliver-interviews-edward-snowden/716996/35 "2015-04-08T01:52:22Z")
> [@Stringbean](#): > > Watch the fucking video you brainless sheep. Watching the video would be giving Snowden more attention than he deserves. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2015, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-oliver-interviews-edward-snowden/716996/36 "2015-04-08T01:54:01Z")
> [@Stringbean](#): > > Watch the fucking video you brainless sheep. Oliver went hard on Snowden and called him out on a number of things. This was light years from some Piers Morgan afternoon special. I don’t care what he did to Snowden, I just despise John Oliver. I’ve seen him on the Daily Show, I’ve heard his stand-up material, and most of his schtick is “I’m British, you’re a former British colony, so I’m here to tell you how you should be.” ---
**Author:** ![Stringbean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Stringbean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stringbean)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2015, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-oliver-interviews-edward-snowden/716996/37 "2015-04-08T01:55:16Z")
I forgot this wasn’t the Pit so I apologize for the personal attack not getting edited in time. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2015, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-oliver-interviews-edward-snowden/716996/38 "2015-04-08T01:56:39Z")
> [@Stringbean](#): > > I forgot this wasn’t the Pit so I apologize for the personal attack not getting edited in time. nice try. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2015, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-oliver-interviews-edward-snowden/716996/39 "2015-04-08T02:06:45Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > You speak as if those were not the same thing. They aren’t ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2015, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-oliver-interviews-edward-snowden/716996/40 "2015-04-08T02:08:07Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > I don’t care what he did to Snowden, I just despise John Oliver. I’ve seen him on the Daily Show, I’ve heard his stand-up material, and most of his schtick is “I’m British, you’re a former British colony, so I’m here to tell you how you should be.” So, you’d be okay with the same material delivered in a Midwestern accent? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-oliver-interviews-edward-snowden/716996.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-oliver-interviews-edward-snowden/716996.md?page=3)