John Oliver Auctions ‘Last Week Tonight’ Items to Boost Public Broadcasting
John Oliver addressed the critical issue of public media funding during his final “Last Week Tonight” episode of 2025. He highlighted the Trump Administration’s decision to cut $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a move that significantly affects both radio and television stations, especially in rural communities.
John Oliver Launches Auction to Support Public Broadcasting
In response to this funding crisis, Oliver introduced an auction titled “John Oliver’s Junk.” The auction features 65 unique items, one of which is a painting by PBS legend Bob Ross, titled “Cabin at Sunset.” At the time of writing, this artwork was priced at $51,000. The auction was inspired by similar successful sales conducted by the Bob Ross estate, which raised $662,000 to benefit public broadcasting.
Auction Details
The auction was announced during Sunday’s episode and will run until November 24. Oliver enthusiastically stated, “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.”
- Items include:
- Russell Crowe’s jock strap from the film “Cinderella Man.”
- A large, gold-plated sculpture of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s re-created anatomy.
- Five wax figures of former U.S. Presidents.
- Golden Adidas sneakers promised to be worn by Oliver on the show.
- A case of “Cabernet SauvignJohn,” a wine developed by “Last Week Tonight.”
- Additional experiences:
- A trip to New York to meet Oliver.
- A chance to appear in a photo during a live episode.
- Two VIP tickets to a live taping of the show.
- Signed memorabilia, including a DVD set of “Mr. Bean” by Joel McHale.
The Importance of Public Media
During the episode, Oliver emphasized the significance of public media, stating its innovative contributions to underserved populations. He pointed out that public broadcasting pioneered closed captioning in the 1970s and provides diverse language programming.
He criticized the congressional cuts, mentioning that public media’s funding system is inadequate compared to other countries. In the U.S., federal funding for public media stands at less than $1.60 per person, while countries like Norway and Sweden allocate nearly $100 per capita.
Oliver’s remarks underscored the dire situation for public media and the need for a long-term funding solution, such as a tax or licensing fee. This approach would ensure stability and enable public broadcasting to thrive and continue serving communities effectively.
Conclusion
By initiating the “John Oliver’s Junk” auction, Oliver aims to raise critical funds for public broadcasting while raising awareness about the ongoing challenges facing these vital institutions. As public media grapples with financial uncertainties, initiatives like this one highlight the integral role it plays in promoting democracy and providing essential content across the nation.
