In a spectacular display of televised fury, Last Week Tonight's John Oliver has unleashed a devastating critique of Disney CEO Bob Iger, transforming the usually analytical show into a passionate defence of fellow late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.
The blistering segment was triggered by Iger's recent interview on CNBC, where he appeared to dismiss a long-running comedic feud between Kimmel and NFL star Aaron Rodgers as insignificant "footnotes in the news." Oliver, taking profound exception to this characterisation, dedicated a significant portion of his main story to dismantling Iger's comments and championing his colleague.
A Forceful Defence of Late Night
Oliver passionately argued that Kimmel's ongoing bit with Rodgers is far from trivial. He framed it as a vital part of the late-night ecosystem, highlighting how these comedic exchanges have become a staple of the genre's identity.
"It is not a footnote," Oliver declared emphatically. "It is a continuing saga between a talk show host and a mercurial NFL star. That is not a footnote, that is a thrilling sentence."
Exposing Corporate Hypocrisy
The host then masterfully pivoted to expose what he framed as Iger's staggering hypocrisy. Oliver juxtaposed Iger's dismissal of the Kimmel-Rodgers saga with Disney's own relentless pursuit of valuable intellectual property and sprawling cinematic universes.
Oliver sarcastically noted, "This from the man currently managing the ninth sequel to 'Toy Story,' the eighth sequel to 'Cars,' and the fifth sequel to 'The Avengers.'" The audience erupted in applause at the pointed remark, which cut to the core of the argument: Disney itself built an empire on serialised storytelling.
The Heart of the Matter
Beyond the jokes, Oliver's core argument was one of respect for the craft of late-night television. He vehemently contested the idea that this brand of entertainment is a mere footnote, instead positioning it as a relevant and engaging form of contemporary cultural commentary.
The segment served as a powerful reminder of the solidarity among late-night hosts and a very public warning to corporate executives about dismissing the value and impact of their work.
