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John Oliver “to step down” from Last Week Tonight?

By Pablo Urdiales Antelo

Sep 17, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; John Oliver accepts the award for outstanding writing for a variety series for Last Week tonight with John Oliver during the 69th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY
Sep 17, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; John Oliver accepts the award for outstanding writing for a variety series for Last Week tonight with John Oliver during the 69th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY /
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John Oliver has entertained viewers for many years on his widely popular political monologue show, Last Week Tonight. After signing for three more years with HBO back in 2020, it’s possible Oliver won’t reach a decade milestone according to predictions made by Deadline last week.

Is John Oliver leaving Last Week Tonight?

In a recently released article titled ‘And Finally… John Oliver To Step Down’, Deadline suggested 2023 may be the year John Oliver calls it quits.

The publication cited a change at this year’s upcoming Emmy Awards after it was confirmed his show will now fall under the Scripted Variety Series category, forcing the British personality to compete with Saturday Night Live.

Despite this, it’s rare for any late-night host to continue past a decade with only a handful over the years choosing to stay on. Famously, Craig Ferguson of The Late Late Show announced he’d be exiting his CBS show after a successful ten-year run. His successor, James Corden cut things a little shorter, just recently confirming continue for just a year longer after taking over in 2015.

It would make sense for Oliver to try something different after so many years on the HBO network. The host is clearly a viewer favorite. His late-night show performs notably better than any other at award ceremonies and his ratings aren’t too shabby either.

Oliver has previously admitted he favors the freedom given by non-commercial networks. It was clearly a motivating factor when HBO allocated the host full creative freedom over Last Week Tonight back in 2014 so it’s unlikely we’ll see him make that change now.

Given his British nationality, it’s possible Oliver also seeks a return to the United Kingdom, similar to the decision made by The Late Late Show‘s James Corden. Whilst Oliver may be most popular amongst US viewers, his HBO show reaches a global audience and this might well be something he chooses to consider moving forward.

What remains obvious, despite the uncertainty behind the future of Last Week Tonight, is that John Oliver will certainly have a number of offers knocking at his door if he decides to call it quits next year.

For now, though, the host will remain in his HBO role at least for another year, given his contract requirements. He’ll be in no rush to announce his exit given how admired he is in the late-night category.

Do you think John Oliver will stay on hosting Last Week Tonight? Let us know in the comments section below.

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