John Oliver, the witty and outspoken host of “Last Week Tonight,” is once again provoking the ire of one of the biggest entertainment powerhouses in the world. In a promotional clip for the upcoming 11th season of his HBO show, Oliver hilariously pokes fun at Disney.
Wearing a suit resembling Steamboat Willie, the 1928 version of Mickey Mouse that recently entered the public domain, Oliver poses alongside the iconic character. The poster for the show’s season premiere boldly reads, “What are they gonna do, sue?” Oliver’s cheeky sense of humor is on full display.
It’s unclear whether Disney will be a target for Oliver this season, or if he’s simply taking advantage of the legal freedom bestowed by the expiration of Steamboat Willie’s copyright. Either way, it’s a clever move by Oliver to capitalize on this moment. Unfortunately, a representative from HBO declined to provide further information at this time.
This isn’t the first time Oliver has explored this theme. Back in April 2023, he discussed the impending expiration of the Steamboat Willie copyright and introduced a Mickey Mouse-like character as the show’s mascot. “The fact is, anyone wanting to use the ‘Steamboat Willie’ Mickey Mouse will probably still be taking a risk,” Oliver quipped. “But if you know anything about this show by now, we do like to take a risk every now and then.” Oliver even conducted a mock interview with an animated Steamboat Willie, who amusingly expressed a less-than-positive sentiment towards Henry Kissinger.
Disney has a reputation for fiercely protecting its intellectual property, including Mickey Mouse. The company has made it clear that it will continue to safeguard its rights in the modern versions of Mickey and other copyrighted works. So, Oliver’s antics have certainly pushed some boundaries.
Interestingly, after Steamboat Willie entered the public domain, an independent filmmaker announced plans for a horror-comedy based on Mickey Mouse’s debut, depicting a sadistic mouse tormenting unsuspecting ferry passengers. Clearly, the implications of Steamboat Willie’s newfound freedom are reverberating.
In December, HBO confirmed that “Last Week Tonight” would be renewed for an additional three seasons, ensuring its run until 2026. The Emmy-winning series airs on Sunday nights and is available for streaming on HBO Max.
John Oliver’s trollish yet hilarious promo targeting Disney is a testament to his fearless approach to comedy and his penchant for stirring the pot. As we eagerly await the new season of “Last Week Tonight,” it’ll be interesting to see if Oliver continues to take jabs at the entertainment giant. One thing’s for sure: he’s not one to shy away from pushing the boundaries of humor and entertainment.
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