John Oliver waxes poetic in his takedown of all things 'pumpkin spice'

John Oliver waxes poetic in his takedown of all things &#039;pumpkin spice&#039;

(Image credit: Last Week Tonight)

last updated 8 January 2015

America is perhaps taking its "pumpkin spice" fixation a little far — though don't fall for that "pumpkin spice condom" hoax. But John Oliver thinks even a little bit is too much. His HBO show is taking the week off, but on Sunday night, Last Week Tonight released this web-only takedown of all things pumpkin spice, especially the thing we all think of first. Pumpkin spice lattes are "the coffee that tastes like a candle," Oliver says — and not like a candle smells, but "like a candle tastes."

Oliver then gets philosophical about the appeal of the pumpkin-related flavor: "We tolerate pumpkin spice because we like the fall." But, he adds, "just about anything that reminds us of autumn is a better flavor than pumpkin spice." I can get behind his comparison of pumpkin spice lattes to "eggnog for morning people," and even his admonition to drink regular coffee instead. But he goes too far when he casts aspersions on pumpkin pie. Sorry, Oliver: No comedian from the land of a thousand "puddings" has the right to criticize America's Thanksgiving lily-gilder. --Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.

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