By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-01 20:31:54 | Updated at 2026-08-09 10:50:32
1 week ago
John Oliver has confirmed he will remain on the air with HBO for another year despite whining that he is in a state of 'total denial' over the prospect of a takeover by MAGA-friendly billionaire David Ellison.
The liberal host of Last Week Tonight told The Hollywood Reporter he is choosing to bury his head in the sand over Paramount Skydance's attempted $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros Discovery.
The merger was paused by a federal judge last month who raised concerns it could 'extinguish competition.' Oliver has repeatedly aired his concerns over the deal, which could put Trump ally Ellison at the helm.
His new contract marks a sharp break from HBO’s typical three-year pickups, potentially reflecting the uncertainty surrounding the show after Ellison won the bidding war against Netflix in February.
'There's nothing you can do, other than to make it clear that you're not going to be amenable to changes,' he said.
'I think we've made that pretty clear over the year. It's just not worth it.'
Asked about the delay, Oliver admitted he had 'absolutely no idea' what would happen, joking that his lack of control over the merger was 'almost helpful.'
'We'll just do what we've done - which is continue like it isn't happening. Nothing's happening and everything has stayed the same,' he said. 'That's the only way that we can really move forward. Total denial.'
John Oliver has confessed he is living in a state of 'total denial' as the future of his show hangs in the balance amid Paramount's $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros Discovery
The merger could see billionaire David Ellison become Oliver's new boss
A federal judge halted the merger last month after 12 state attorneys general warned that the move could be dangerous
Ellison’s growing ties to Trump have raised eyebrows, with the billionaire 'honoring' the president at an April dinner.
Oliver’s concerns center on the prospect of Paramount’s leadership aligning politically with Trump and influencing news and entertainment programming, against the backdrop of the president’s tumultuous relationships with several media outlets.
In March, the host gave a terse reaction to Paramount Skydance’s proposed Warner Bros acquisition, saying simply: 'Yeah, not great news.'
'In fact, if I may quote anyone who’s ever accidentally sat on their Roku remote, I’m in Paramount now, how the f**k do I get out of here?' he added.
When Paramount’s takeover ambitions were first unveiled in September 2025, Oliver made his feelings clear: 'Please stay the f**k away from us. You are not my real business daddy, and you never will be!'
Around the same time, Oliver also publicly criticized Paramount’s settlement with the Trump administration over its lawsuit against CBS’ 60 Minutes.
Ellison’s growing ties to Trump have raised eyebrows, with the billionaire 'honoring' the president at an April dinner
Oliver admitted he had 'absolutely no idea' what would happen with the merger, joking that his lack of control over the move was 'almost helpful'
Oliver’s concerns center on the prospect of Paramount’s leadership aligning politically with Trump's administration and influencing news and entertainment programming (Ellison pictured with the late Lindsey Graham)
Oliver revealed he had taken the option to extend his HBO contract for another year, carrying his hit show through 2027
Ellison's acquisition of Paramount ushered in a MAGA-friendly overhaul of CBS News and the abrupt end of Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show.
The bombshell cancellation was announced just days before the Trump administration approved the sale.
Oliver has routinely chosen to address the uncertainty at the network in segments on his show.
The Daily Mail has reached out to HBO, Paramount and Warner Bros for comment.
