Last week included International Women's Day, "that one special day a year for half the population of Earth," John Oliver said on Sunday's Last Week Tonight. "Knock yourself out, three-and-a-half billion people!" There were "truly inspiring" marches around the world, he said, but "what was dispiriting was that yet again, International Women's Day inspired reactions ranging from the clumsy to the appalling."
He started with the "ham-fisted" attempts by brands to co-opt the day, like McDonald's turning its golden arches upside-down and Brawny giving a shout-out to "sheroes." "Now, the only problem with that is that we consulted some linguistics experts, and it turns out — and this is true — there's already a word for women's heroes, and it's the word 'heroes,'" Oliver said. There was also "creepy" and otherwise "inappropriate" TV news coverage of International Women's Day, he said, showing some examples, "but perhaps the worst moments this Women's Day were from male politicians." He highlighted British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson's chat with school children, and you can watch that below. There is a bit of NSFW language. Peter Weber
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Today's political cartoons - April 21, 2024Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - devilish decrees, biblical blunders, and more
-
5 carefully selected cartoons about the Trump-Daniels jury selection processCartoons Artists take on a stress-free life, rare peers, and more
-
Loire Valley Lodges review: sleep, feast and revive in treetop luxuryThe Week Recommends Forest hideaway offers chance to relax and reset in Michelin key-winning comfort
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproarSpeed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain PrizeSpeed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 winsspeed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughterspeed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopicsSpeed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 GrammysSpeed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
