Last Week Tonight Wins Third Consecutive Emmy Amid Speech Controversy

At the 2025 Emmy Awards, HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver won its third consecutive Emmy for Outstanding Scripted Variety Series, continuing a decade-long streak of recognition in its category. John Oliver delivered a brief and humorous acceptance speech, playfully cursing at host Nate Bargatze, whose charity donation penalty for long speeches added a significant amount to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America fund. The show, which has been nominated for 73 Emmys and won 30, beat out Saturday Night Live and other nominees, maintaining its dominance despite category restructuring in 2023 that separated scripted variety from talk series. The victory coincided with a wave of support from late-night hosts for Stephen Colbert following the cancellation of The Late Show, a decision linked to financial challenges and controversies involving Paramount and President Donald Trump. Oliver’s recent Emmy win also resonated with audiences due to his satirical coverage of Trump, including a viral segment mocking the feud between Trump and Elon Musk. The ceremony highlighted ongoing tensions in late-night comedy and network politics, with Oliver and others defending the space for political humor amid industry shake-ups.