As the 11th season of ‘Last Week Tonight’ comes to a close, its affable host, John Oliver, voiced his aspirations for an improved 2025 following a truly difficult year that was 2024. On the final episode of the year, which aired on Sunday, Oliver highlighted some of the lighter elements and ingenious pranks that have kept audiences hooked on his HBO show. These antics included managing to convince a bakery to create a teddy bear cake in his image. However, Oliver acknowledged that he had been obligated to dedicate significant portions of the show’s runtime to matters pertaining to the political landscape, at the cost of exploring more captivating subjects.
The list of such intriguing topics mentioned by Oliver was far-ranging, like covering the unusual situation when renowned actor, Liev Schreiber, accidentally dropped a large jar of vodka sauce at a Whole Foods self-checkout counter, making quite a mess! Expressing a vision for 2025, Oliver shared his lighter requests and hopes for the new year. They reflect his keen sense of humor and distinctive taste in entertainment, both of which have greatly contributed to the success of his show.
Among Oliver’s 2025 wishes were a few exceptionally humorous ones: He wished for Elon Musk to make a leap so great that he’d remain airborne indefinitely. He expressed hope for a single day without any reference to the much-anticipated movie ‘Wicked.’ However, his most unexpected wish related to ‘Mission: Impossible’, the mega-successful film franchise led by Tom Cruise.
In 2025, Oliver, showing his brilliant wit, expressed his desire to see the ending of the final ‘Mission: Impossible’ film result in an incredible twist. He imagines Tom Cruise’s character unmasking himself to reveal Shelly Miscavige, the spouse of Scientology leader David Miscavige, who has mysteriously not been seen in public since 2007. The audience reveled in the humor of his far-fetched, intriguing hopes for 2025.
John Oliver also addressed the world in his concluding monologue of the season, requesting continued eccentricity and peculiarity in the interest of fun. Oliver encouraged the creation of hilariously bad sculptures, the organization of oddball contests, and the auctioning of weird rarities. He believed such strange occurrences created a wealth of material for his show and provided much-needed relief to audiences.
Despite the light-hearted jests, Oliver acknowledged the inevitability of difficult topics he’d have to delve into the following year, expecting them to be predictably draining. He shared a somewhat somber perspective that the only expectation one should have for the coming year is to find brief moments of peace amid the inevitable trials and tribulations.
With a stoic grace, Oliver offered a humbling proposition on valuing the quiet intervals between calamities. He suggested that our collective goal ought to be to cherish and fully appreciate these fleeting moments of peace as best we can. He proposed that each day untouched by conflict or incidents should be recognized and treasured, given the erratic and unpredictable currents of the world.
After this thoughtful reflection, the camera moved to reveal a large electronic display titled ‘Days Without Incident.’ Oliver approached a prominent red ‘reset’ button, a physical manifestation of his hope for a fresh start, generating both a sense of sobering reality and vibrant optimism.
In the conclusion of the final episode of the 11th season, John Oliver brought his typically witty and insightful show to a close on a hopeful note. Displaying his unwavering commitment to his viewers, he reassured them that ‘Last Week Tonight’ would return for its 12th season in February to provide companionship amidst the highs and lows of the coming year.
Oliver’s concluding statement for the year echoed a general sentiment of support and solidarity. He emphasized that the core purpose of ‘Last Week Tonight’ was to be a dependable presence for viewers, one that navigated through the challenging times while also celebrating the moments of joy and relief.
The year’s final episode conveyed Oliver’s unique blend of light-hearted humor coupled with his insightful commentary on troubling real-world issues. The astute insights offered on his show have made Oliver a significant figure in the world of late-night television. In his sincere concluding remarks, he left viewers with a glimmer of hope and a promise to return and continue entertaining and enlightening them in the coming year.
Unveiling his last show of 2024, Oliver reassured his audience of his presence in the challenging year ahead. His optimistic note conveyed his belief in the power of resilience and the collective strength of his viewers. His desire to be there for his audience, discussing dire circumstances while highlighting the intermittent moments of happiness, solidified his position as a reliable voice in an increasingly chaotic world.
In his closing sentiment, Oliver marked the end of a season and the beginning of a hopeful new era. As a seasoned host, his promises of a returning show presented a beacon of light for his dedicated audience in an world full of uncertainties. His closing statement demonstrated his keen knowledge of the collective human experience coupled with a deep-seated belief in a better tomorrow.
In sum, the final show of 2024 was a testament to what ‘Last Week Tonight’ had always been: A space that marries humor, intelligence, and optimism, while shedding light on the darker aspects of the world. With the promise of a new season in February of the new year, Oliver ensured a continued commitment to understanding, exploring, and illuminating the world. Ending on a hopeful note, he welcomed the opportunities of a new year, rooted in resilience and ready to face whatever may come.