John Oliver Isn’t Dead Yet in Last Week Tonight Season 12 Trailer

Leave it to Last Week Tonight to hype its new season with a eulogy.

“With the challenges ahead, it feels like we need his voice more than ever,” a narrator says at top of the new trailer for Last Week Tonight’s 12th season. “Which is why it’s so painful to announce John Oliver is no longer with us.”

Cut to an in-memoriam card paying tribute to Oliver, chronicling his lifespan as 1847-2024.

A black-and-white montage of the apparently 177-year-old host plays to “Amazing Grace” as the voiceover continues: “Everyone at HBO is devastated at the loss of such an important voice.”

“But at least he died doing what he loved… May we remember him the way he would have wanted,” the promo continues as it depicts Oliver eating the “extra donk” of a bear cake.

Of course, Oliver is very much alive—and the promo announces as much after the narrator realizes his error. “Actually, hold on. Sorry,” he says. “Apparently he’s not dead. He just looks that way.”

The trailer goes on to promise that “John Oliver is back and more alive than ever.” But while Oliver may not be dead, the show’s teaser doesn’t strike the most optimistic tone. 

“He’s ready to ask some hard questions and deliver some hard truths,” the promo boasts before adding a caveat. “That is, if this upcoming year doesn’t kill him.”

That sentiment is reflected in the season’s new key art. “Here we go again,” a tagline reads above a photo of Oliver resetting a “days without incident” count—presumably representing America.

Last Week Tonight returns for it twelfth season on Sunday, February 16th, on HBO and Max.

Courtesy: HBO

1 Comment

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  1. Cheryl Jones-Head says:

    So glad he’s going to be back. His show is one of my coping mechanisms.