John Oliver’s Emmy Speech Interrupted, Ends with Humorous F-bomb

On September 15, 2024, comedian and television host John Oliver won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Scripted Variety Series for his show “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.” The ceremony took place at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles. Despite the achievement, the evening took an unexpected turn when Oliver’s acceptance speech was cut short, leading to a humorous yet awkward moment.

While on stage, Oliver began to deliver an emotional speech, thanking his family, HBO executives, and his team. He attempted to pay tribute to his recently deceased family dog, which had played a significant role in his life. “We had the most fantastic dog. She was at our wedding and got us through the pandemic,” he shared.

However, the speech was abruptly interrupted by the play-off music. Undeterred, Oliver continued his tribute, acknowledging the music’s persistent cue by humorously saying, “Perfect choice of music!” Eventually, he was forced to conclude his speech prematurely, uttering a playful expletive, “F**k you,” which elicited laughter from the audience.

Oliver jested about feeling like Sarah McLachlan, a Canadian singer known for her advocacy of animal rights. He further emphasized the importance of his dog and all dogs, saying, “This isn’t just for her. It’s for all dogs! You’re very good girls, very good boys. You all deserve a treat.”

“Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,” which airs on HBO, has been recognized multiple times at the Emmy Awards. Since its debut in 2014, the show has won over 30 awards, with Oliver receiving 16 individual accolades. Known for its satirical approach to current events, the series has maintained a prominent place in American late-night television.

During the event, Oliver also remarked on the potential loss of comedic material if former President Donald Trump were no longer in the public eye. He quipped about the situation, expressing willingness to forgo the content, likening it to a “gift” of comedy that could be “returned for store credit.”

This year’s Emmy Awards saw “Shōgun” leading the nominations with 25 nods, followed by popular series such as “The Bear,” “Only Murders in the Building,” and “True Detective: Night Country.” “Shōgun” notably swept the awards with 18 wins, setting a record for a single television season.