John Oliver didn't hold back when it came to sharing his feelings on the anti-vaccine polices adopted by Florida. The Last Week Tonight host bashed lawmakers for health polices that seem opposed to most scientific research, with Oliver even going so far as to side with an unlikely ally in the debate.
Oliver took exception with Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo's commentary about vaccines and vaccine mandates. "I am not a doctor," Oliver responded, "... but even I know there are certain things you’re allowed to tell people to put in their kids’ bodies: water, for instance; nutrients; one piece of dog food just to end the discussion and, also, life-saving vaccines.”
The comments came on the heels of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s hearing last week, where lawmakers grilled the controversial health secretary on an array of topics, including his vaccine stance. Late-night TV hasn't had a chance to sink its teeth into the hearing yet, but Oliver got the ball rolling on Sunday night's episode of Last Week Tonight.
The comedian highlighted how vaccine policies in the United States appear to be moving in the opposite direction from the rest of the world. Oliver shared clips of Kim Jong Un talking about organ harvesting to achieve immortality as an extreme example. “While it is not great that certain leaders seem to be getting obsessed with achieving immortality through science, I’d argue it is frankly humiliating that ours currently seem intent on doing the exact f***ing opposite," Oliver said.
Perhaps the biggest surprise in Oliver's commentary was when he was forced to agree with Fox News. The cable network has long been a target of late-night TV hosts like Oliver, Jon Stewart, and Stephen Colbert. But the vaccine issue isn't one that Fox seems willing to spin.
Oliver threw to a clip of a Fox News medical expert extolling the benefits of vaccines in creating herd immunity to prevent illness and death. "It is kind of shocking to hear such good health information on Fox Business," Oliver joked. "It’s just not where I’d expect to hear a passionate defense of public health. I’m glad I’m getting it. I’m just a little surprised at the source.”
It's not often that late-night TV and Fox News find common ground. It's a sign that the kind of vaccine policies promoted in Florida aren't exactly mainstream. But given Oliver's commentary, there's a growing chance that may change. If so, expect to hear more from the Last Week Tonight host.