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John Oliver buys $15M in debt and forgives all of it on 'Last Week Tonight'

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Re: John Oliver buys $15M in debt and forgives all of it on 'Last Week Tonight'

#51

Post by lujim »

coderdude wrote: post #27
sethbannon wrote: post #18

I'm not aware of any other show that so seamlessly combines rip-roaringly funny comedy with essential insight into the way our society and system of government is deeply flawed. And on top of that, he even manages to direct action to fix the issues he draws attention to -- taking down the FCC website being one example[1]. [1] https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jun/03/john-oliv...

It's a good show (he's funny and you learn stuff) but it's way too preachy. He gets just a little too excited about things that are basically impossible for anyone to get excited about. Clearly pandering to the young, left crowd. I'm sure it makes some people feel very warm at night but it gives me a bad taste in my mouth after binge watching.

Totally. Always loved John Stewart and Steven Colbert because they were comedians first and educators/activists whatever you want to call it second. Even when you didn't agree with them politically you still got a laugh and saw what might be some ridiculous holes in your own beliefs. John Oliver was pretty funny but he has just become a left wing slacktivist at this point. Larry Wilmore doesn't seem to be a comedian at all as far as I can tell.

Re: John Oliver buys $15M in debt and forgives all of it on 'Last Week Tonight'

#52

Post by onion2k »

coderdude wrote: post #27
sethbannon wrote: post #18

I'm not aware of any other show that so seamlessly combines rip-roaringly funny comedy with essential insight into the way our society and system of government is deeply flawed. And on top of that, he even manages to direct action to fix the issues he draws attention to -- taking down the FCC website being one example[1]. [1] https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jun/03/john-oliv...

It's a good show (he's funny and you learn stuff) but it's way too preachy. He gets just a little too excited about things that are basically impossible for anyone to get excited about. Clearly pandering to the young, left crowd. I'm sure it makes some people feel very warm at night but it gives me a bad taste in my mouth after binge watching.

Clearly pandering to the young, left crowd.

John Oliver was on UK television a lot before moving to the US. He was doing the same sort of material back then - left-leaning, political, and insightful. He isn't pandering. He (and his team) is broadcasting what he actually believes.

Re: John Oliver buys $15M in debt and forgives all of it on 'Last Week Tonight'

#53

Post by dannypgh »

goda90 wrote: post #39
vittore wrote: post #33

Why there is no non-profit here that gets donations and spent them to wipe out medical and general debt that is the cheapest available on the market right now? Or are there ?

There are some. Like http://rollingjubilee.org/

The tactic seems questionable. I'd rather give money to people who provide legal assistance to folks getting hassled by debt collectors, and spread information about people's rights under the FDCPA and other laws.

The reason for that being, buying up bad paper raises the value of it, whereas letting people know their rights lowers the value of it. If bad paper was worth less, debt originators would have stronger incentives to work something out with their insolvent customers rather than sell to shady debt collectors.

Re: John Oliver buys $15M in debt and forgives all of it on 'Last Week Tonight'

#54

Post by ChicagoBoy11 »

I'm obviously wrong about this, but I'm surprised there isn't a greater arbitrage opportunity in this -- if one could average out just $10 in collection on average, you'd make a sizable profit on the debt he bought... I wonder if you were to just call and tell these people you bought these debts, and if they'd like to make a donation to help you keep doing this work in the future, I'm curious if it could be self-sustaining...

Re: John Oliver buys $15M in debt and forgives all of it on 'Last Week Tonight'

#55

Post by vas123 »

coderdude wrote: post #27
sethbannon wrote: post #18

I'm not aware of any other show that so seamlessly combines rip-roaringly funny comedy with essential insight into the way our society and system of government is deeply flawed. And on top of that, he even manages to direct action to fix the issues he draws attention to -- taking down the FCC website being one example[1]. [1] https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jun/03/john-oliv...

It's a good show (he's funny and you learn stuff) but it's way too preachy. He gets just a little too excited about things that are basically impossible for anyone to get excited about. Clearly pandering to the young, left crowd. I'm sure it makes some people feel very warm at night but it gives me a bad taste in my mouth after binge watching.

Its a good show to watch on and off. I already know what his stance will be on any given issue so I mostly watch it for the comedy aspect which tends to get repetitive.

Re: John Oliver buys $15M in debt and forgives all of it on 'Last Week Tonight'

#56

Post by lujim »

Justsignedup wrote: post #46
bedhead wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You took the words out of my mouth and I'm glad someone else feels the same. It's a difficult thing to articulate but I think he crosses a line into unbearable preachiness and pandering. It's a bummer because I think the guy is a riot, but I just can't take the lectures anymore, and yes, given that this is almost a Daily Show spinoff, it's not terribly surprising to see a heavy left-leaning slant to everything...that…

It is very preachy but the problem is that often he talks about highly abused topics. - debt collection - voter identification and voter fraud - abortion clinic laws - trump And he doesn't ever state things as "fact" when it is speculation. He only specifies facts when they are facts. And he never tries to push opinions into sort-of-kind-of factual sounding things like most news sites. How would you talk about a topi…

Not saying I do or don't agree with him, but you don't have to be wrong to be preachy. When you're a comedian you need to be at least 80% funny. If you're 50% funny 50% preachy I'm not going to bother. Southpark use to danced this line pretty successfully.

Re: John Oliver buys $15M in debt and forgives all of it on 'Last Week Tonight'

#57

Post by hellofunk »

sethbannon wrote: post #18

I'm not aware of any other show that so seamlessly combines rip-roaringly funny comedy with essential insight into the way our society and system of government is deeply flawed. And on top of that, he even manages to direct action to fix the issues he draws attention to -- taking down the FCC website being one example[1]. [1] https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jun/03/john-oliv...

The show is very entertaining and sheds some light on important issues, but don't kid yourself: you are being manipulated by masterful editing and writing, just like any other compelling "news" program. Everything in the show is filtered through a carefully worded script and is biased as hell. But I still love it. Just be sure you know what you're watching.

Re: John Oliver buys $15M in debt and forgives all of it on 'Last Week Tonight'

#58

Post by bmh_ca »

bedhead wrote: post #37
coderdude wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's a good show (he's funny and you learn stuff) but it's way too preachy. He gets just a little too excited about things that are basically impossible for anyone to get excited about. Clearly pandering to the young, left crowd. I'm sure it makes some people feel very warm at night but it gives me a bad taste in my mouth after binge watching.

You took the words out of my mouth and I'm glad someone else feels the same. It's a difficult thing to articulate but I think he crosses a line into unbearable preachiness and pandering. It's a bummer because I think the guy is a riot, but I just can't take the lectures anymore, and yes, given that this is almost a Daily Show spinoff, it's not terribly surprising to see a heavy left-leaning slant to everything...that…

Often it seems that facts, evidence, and observation are derided as "left".

I find John's commentaries to be suitably supported by substance, with constructive conclusions.

I worry that characterization as "left" is a defence against cognitive acknowledgements that just happen to be dissonant with neurostatic precepts.

Re: John Oliver buys $15M in debt and forgives all of it on 'Last Week Tonight'

#59

Post by ec109685 »

robbiep wrote: post #30
wjnc wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That would mean he could probably pay it off at a discount?

except payment isnt going to the people who were originally owed it - payment is going to the last agency which owned it, and can't collect on it

They bought the debt (at least indirectly) from the people who were originally owed it.

Re: John Oliver buys $15M in debt and forgives all of it on 'Last Week Tonight'

#60

Post by 67726e »

dannypgh wrote: post #44
qmr wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I haven't felt urge to watch a single episode with him.

You're proud of the fact you've pre-judged Trevor Noah's performance without watching a single episode?

I saw Trevor Noah do the "Africa or America"[0] bit on The Daily Show back when the news about him taking over was out. I loved it and went and found all the stand-up of his I could find. I thought it was similarly great. He's actually a large part of why I decided to sign up for Hulu, but to be honest it lacks the punch I was expecting. Maybe he'll grow into the role, but it's turned into a show I just watch in the background while I'm working.

[0] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHO1a1kvZGo

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