John Oliver raised $1.5 million for public media by auctioning off the wildest TV props

John Oliver raised $1.5 million for public media by auctioning off the wildest TV props

During the Season 12 finale of his rapid-fire deep-dive HBO series, Last Week Tonight, host John Oliver took a 35-minute look at the state of public media in 2025. It all culminated in a signature wash of absurdity and thoughtfulness: The comedian announced an online auction, pledging the proceeds from dozens of hilariously wacky show props and nifty fan experiences to Public Media Bridge Fund, which serves at-risk communities. According to Vari…

John Oliver's Wild Auction: Bid on Russell Crowe's Jockstrap to Save Public Media Goes Viral

John Oliver unveiled a quirky auction, featuring props like Russell Crowe’s jockstrap for public media.