This reminds me of Colbert’s breakdown of the SuperPAC procedures. Brilliant comedy, biting political satire, and completely understandable to the masses.
Come to think of it, one does wonder whether the NSA guys spend a lot of their time at work jerking off.
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.
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).
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.)
That was just fucking phenomenal. Should be required viewing for every American.
But it won’t compare to the fucking Kardashians.
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…)
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.
fuck that.
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.
You speak as if those were not the same thing.
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.
Watching the video would be giving Snowden more attention than he deserves.
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.”
I forgot this wasn’t the Pit so I apologize for the personal attack not getting edited in time.
nice try.
They aren’t
So, you’d be okay with the same material delivered in a Midwestern accent?