After a one-month summer hiatus, John Oliver returned to his Emmy-winning HBO series Last Week Tonight, directing his comedic scrutiny toward several high-profile subjects including Senator Ted Cruz and the contentious legal battle surrounding the Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery merger.
The segment focused heavily on the issue of health insurance claim denials, specifically highlighting the case of Kate Weissman. Her parents were forced to pay $95,000 out-of-pocket for her cancer treatment after UnitedHealthcare refused coverage; she has since recovered. Oliver connected this corporate stance to David Ellison, the CEO of Paramount Skydance, whose company is attempting to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery—the parent company of HBO—for $110.9 billion. The deal is currently navigating the court system.
Oliver noted the irony of Ellison potentially controlling Oliver’s employer while his family’s wealth provided access to superior healthcare. “Having access to wealthy parents just cannot be the system to get badly-needed health care — even if it is apparently the system that lets you be in charge of HBO,” Oliver quipped.
The host then displayed a photograph of David Ellison alongside his father, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison. “Yeah. My soon-to-be business daddy has a literal business daddy,” Oliver said, adding a satirical disclaimer: “And to be very clear: I deeply respect that and I would never make fun of you for it, unlike that pesky Stephen Colbert.”
The remarks come shortly after Oliver renewed his contract with HBO through 2027, a move made in anticipation of the Ellisons’ probable acquisition of the media giant.
Did anyone else notice John Oliver slipping in that contract renewal news? Brilliant strategic messaging right there.
I actually cried for Kate Weissman. Insurance companies are predatory, and this segment highlighted that perfectly.
The irony of Ellison buying the network while mocking his own safety net was hilarious and painfully accurate.