John Oliver and the team at Last Week Tonight were faced with an incredibly difficult task: to somehow address the terrorist attacks in Paris with very little confirmed information. They managed to do so brilliantly with a passionate and profane rant against those responsible for the attacks.
Oliver opened the show by discussing the horrific events, pointing out that the attacks were the deadliest France had experienced since World War II. The attacks killed 129 people, and wounded 352 more, leaving the world in shock. While many fell into a stunned silence, many others responded with anger. Oliver graciously indulged that rage.
It’s hardly been 48 hours, and much is still unknown, but there are a few things we can say for certain. And this is when it actually helps to be on HBO, where those things we can say without restraint, because after the many necessary and appropriate moments of silence, I’d like to offer you a moment of premium cable profanity.
Oliver continued to provide the audience with what information could be confirmed:
As of now, we know this attack was carried out by gigantic fucking assholes; unconscionable, flaming assholes; possibly working with other fucking assholes; definitely working in service of an ideology of pure assholery.
The brilliant segment continued to express solidarity and support for the people of France while admonishing those responsible for the attacks. Oliver closed the piece by telling the people of France that “our thoughts are truly with you”.
Watch the amazing segment below.
