Last Week Tonight is on hiatus this week, but for viewers needing a quick John Oliver fix, the HBO host made a surprise appearance earlier today from the stands at New York’s Citi Field.
Oliver was at this afternoon’s Mets game against the St Louis Cardinals with his wife and their two kids when he was approached by Mets field reporter Steve Gelbs, with whom he chatted for about four minutes during gameplay in the fourth inning.
With the Mets currently ranked #1 in the National League East and (as he was being interviewed) three-for-three in their current series against the Cards, Oliver—a diehard (and long suffering) fan of the team—was quick to express his excitement.
“This is absolutely amazing,” he told Gelbs. “I can’t quite believe it’s happening. It doesn’t feel real. It doesn’t feel like we’re allowed to have this many nice things in one place. I hope everything’s going to stay like this… forever, ideally.”
While likely all Mets fans shared that sentiment with Oliver, his comments as the interview progressed proved to be a bit more divisive—at least among the chattering class on social media.
John Oliver joined Mets field reporter Steve Gelbs for an impromptu interview in the stands at this afternoon's Mets-Cardinals game. pic.twitter.com/F0v2oh0ORB
— LateNighter (@latenightercom) April 20, 2025
Asked whether the speed at which news is breaking has changed the production cycle for his show which has traditionally taken weeks or even month to research and craft its main stories, Oliver responded “It has changed it a little bit, because in slower news times, we can do that slower cooking.”
“We’re still trying to do that,” he allowed. “But when things hypothetically speaking are happening, like a president suggesting sending American citizens overseas to foreign Gulags, yeah, that probably feels like something that you need to address as soon as possible.”
“So, yes,” Oliver added. “We’re working at two speeds right now. Our regular slow speed, and then crash shows, unfortunately.”
Reaction to Oliver’s comments in what’s usually a politics-free zone was predictably split, with some denouncing both Oliver and Mets broadcaster WPIX for having him on:
“John Oliver a typical leftist hack. With severe TDS who randomly has to bring up more lies on a Sunday afternoon on the Mets broadcast,” wrote one poster on X.
“Hey @Mets @wpix if looking to lose viewers then interviewing fake comedian liberal jackasses like John Oliver is the way to go,” complained another.
While others took the opposite position:
“The Mets getting to claim John Oliver makes me so happy,” wrote one poster.
“Thanks @SNY_Mets @wpix and @SteveGelbs for interviewing @LastWeekTonight host John Oliver. Other teams might have stayed away from Oliver — but you guys know your audience,” wrote another.
The Mets ended up winning the game against the Cardinals 7-4 to sweep the series in four games. Last Week Tonight returns with new episodes next Sunday April 27.
Bill Maher, another famous liberal, also a Mets fan. Actually had a 1% ownership under the Wilpons. I consider myself a conservative, but enjoy both Maher’s and Oliver’s shows. Sure, they bash Trump, but at least they are funny, unlike the seahags on the view. Let’s Go Mets
I’m not happy with giving a lying liberal with TDS a platform to speak his political bias. Stick to the game and the Mets. Please leave politics out of it.