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U.K. Broadcaster Slammed for Cutting John Oliver's Queen Elizabeth Jokes

Viewers were not thrilled that Sky deprived them of the host's comments on the late queen.
  • John Oliver. (Photo: HBO)
    John Oliver. (Photo: HBO)

    U.K. viewers missed out on John Oliver's Queen Elizabeth II jokes, and they are not happy.

    Comcast-owned network Sky reportedly cut Oliver's jests about her late majesty, including "we need to start with the U.K., which is clearly still reeling from the shocking death of a 96-year-old woman from natural causes." The broadcast then skipped to a bit about new Prime Minister Liz Truss, leaving viewers confused and frustrated about the edit. 

    British audiences took to Twitter to drag the network for axing the short segment, calling "coverage and forced mourning here" "out of hand" and accusing Sky of censoring Oliver because he "says a few edgy things about the royal family."

    This isn't the first of Oliver's episodes to be censored in the United Kingdom; in 2018, Last Week Tonight's Brexit episodes were effectively cut for utilizing clips from Parliament. 

    Last Week Tonight took home its seventh consecutive Emmy Award for Variety Talk Series last night.

    People are talking about Last Week Tonight with John Oliver in our forums. Join the conversation

    Jade Budowski is a freelance writer with a knack for ruining punchlines and harboring dad-aged celebrity crushes. She was previously a reporter/producer at Decider and is a member of the Television Critics Association. Follow her on Twitter: @jadebudowski.

    TOPICS: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, HBO, Queen Elizabeth II