Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 6 Episode 4 March 10, 2019
- TV-MA
- March 10, 2019
- 29 min
-
8.3 (306)
John Oliver is back with the fourth episode of Last Week Tonight's season 6 on March 10, 2019. As usual, Oliver brings his unique comedic style to the show as he unpacks the week's news with a critical eye.
The episode kicks off with a look at President Trump's controversial decision to declare a national emergency in order to bypass Congress and fund his proposed border wall. Oliver provides a comprehensive breakdown of what's at stake, including the legal challenges this declaration is likely to face and the troubling precedent it sets for future presidents.
Next up, Oliver turns his attention to the ongoing crisis in Venezuela, which has seen the country's economy and political stability rapidly deteriorate in recent years. Oliver explains the complex history behind the crisis, including the long-standing tensions between the socialist government and business interests and the role of foreign powers such as China and Russia. He also examines the competing claims to the presidency by current leader Nicolas Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaido.
Then, Oliver issues a scathing critique of the way the media has covered the Green New Deal, a sweeping proposal to address climate change and economic inequality. Oliver praises the ambition of the plan, but laments the focus on trivial details such as the outlandish claims made by some opponents and the now-infamous "FAQ" document released by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's office. He argues that this kind of superficial coverage does a disservice to the important ideas at the heart of the Green New Deal.
The final segment of the episode sees Oliver putting the spotlight on the family separation policy implemented by the Trump administration last year, which saw thousands of migrant children taken from their parents at the US-Mexico border. Oliver decries the lasting damage this policy has inflicted on families and warns about the potential for long-term psychological harm to the children. He also highlights the ongoing confusion and lack of accountability within the government regarding this policy, including recent allegations about misconduct in detention centers.
Throughout the episode, Oliver draws on his signature blend of research, humor, and social commentary to provide an insightful and often searing analysis of the week's events. From the political machinations of Washington, D.C. to the humanitarian crises unfolding around the world, Last Week Tonight continues to deliver some of the sharpest and most engaging commentary on television.