Last week, John Oliver traveled to Russia to interview National Security Administration leaker Edward Snowden — which, while maybe not a surprise to the NSA, was a well-kept secret at HBO and to Oliver's Last Week Tonight audience on Sunday's show. Americans don't care about foreign surveillance, and barely care about domestic surveillance, Oliver told Snowden, with person-on-the-street-interview evidence. But that all changed when Oliver's team asked about the government siphoning up "dick picks."
"This is the most visible line in the sand for these people: Can they see my dick?" Oliver explained. Then he cleverly had Snowden evaluate a series of U.S. surveillance programs based on whether they could access a photo of Oliver's own phallus that he hypothetically sent to (presumably) a loved one. In a lot of cases, Snowden said, the answer was yes. "If the American people understood this, they would be absolutely horrified," Oliver said. "I guess I never thought about putting it in the context of your junk," Snowden admitted. So nice work, John Oliver. Warning: There is some 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 - May 11, 2024Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - bathroom blues, family feud, and more
-
5 blustery cartoons about the Stormy Daniels testimonyCartoons Artists take on gag orders, lurid details, and more
-
The Idea of You review: 'impossible escapism' starring Anne HathawayThe Week Recommends Steamy romcom about a 40-year-old who falls for a boy band singer
-
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
