In a bold move against the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle public broadcasting, John Oliver concluded this year's final episode of Last Week Tonight with a unique online charity auction. The host put numerous infamous props from the show up for bid to support public media organizations facing severe funding cuts.
The Political Message Behind the Auction
Oliver directly addressed President Donald Trump's administration during the episode, highlighting how their decision to eliminate $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting has severely impacted radio and television services across the United States. The host emphasized that rural areas have been particularly affected by these cuts, prompting him and his creative team to launch this charitable initiative.
"We've actually accumulated a bunch of weird artifacts on this show over the years that we could definitely auction off to raise some much-needed money," Oliver told his audience during the Sunday episode. He proudly announced "Last Week Tonight's first-ever auction in aid of public media" and confirmed "This is real!"
Notable Items Up for Bidding
The auction features 65 props from the show, including some truly unique and valuable items. Among the most significant pieces is an original 1987 painting by late PBS icon Bob Ross titled The Cabin at Sunset. Another standout item is the leather jockstrap worn by Russell Crowe in Cinderella Man, which the show acquired following the actor's popular Art of Divorce auction.
Other notable artifacts available for bidding include Mrs. Cabbage Oliver, a sculptural interpretation of Lyndon B. Johnson's self-described anatomy, and the golden sneaker that Oliver vowed to wear if Sepp Blatter ever stepped down from his position as FIFA president.
Auction Details and Fund Allocation
The John Oliver's Junk auction will continue running until November 24, giving fans and collectors ample time to place their bids. All proceeds from the auction will be directed to the Public Media Bridge Fund, which assists local public broadcasters in collecting necessary funds amid the CPB closure.
The inspiration for this auction came from Bob Real Estate, who previously sold three of the painter's artworks for $662,000 and took similar action to support public broadcasting. Meanwhile, fans of the show can look forward to its return, as Last Week Tonight will be back for season 13 next year.
