John Oliver Airs His Uncensored Feelings on the Paris Terrorist Attacks: "F--k These A--holes"

Last Week Tonight host discusses latest events in France without a filter

By Samantha Schnurr Nov 16, 2015 1:11 PMTags
John OliverEmily Shur/HBO

Thanks to the liberties of cable television, John Oliver has unloaded his unfiltered feelings about the deadly terrorist attacks launched on Paris on Nov. 13.

During Sunday's episode of HBO's Last Week Tonight, the Daily Show alumnus seized the opportunity to comment just two days after the catastrophic international event, which left the city of light blanketed by a new shadow of darkness after more than 120 people were pronounced dead and many more wounded. In the comedian's signature style of "telling it like it is," Oliver had a few uncensored profanities aimed at ISIS, the militant group that later claimed responsibility for the attacks. 

"We begin with a few words about France, which on Friday suffered the deadliest attack on its soil since World War II," Oliver said. "It's hardly been 48 hours, and much is still unknown, but there are a few things we can say for certain and this is when it actually helps to be on HBO, where those things can we said without restraint."

If that wasn't enough of a warning, Oliver essentially spelled out his intentions. 

"After the many necessary and appropriate moments of silence, I'd like to offer you a moment of premium cable profanity."

David Ramos/Getty Images

"So, here is where things stand:Ffirst, as of now, we know this attack was carried out by gigantic f---ing a--holes; unconscionable, flaming a--holes; possibly working with other f---ing a--holes; definitely working in service of an ideology of pure a--holery," Oliver said unflinchingly. "Second, and this goes almost without saying, f--k these a--holes. F--k them, if I may say, sideways. And third, it's important to remember, nothing about what these a--holes are trying to do is going to work. France is going to endure, and I'll tell you why."

While fellow late-night shows elected to air their tributes to Paris on serious notes, Oliver managed to inject a subtle level of humor into the piece all while paying homage to iconic elements of French culture. 

"If you're in a war of culture and lifestyle with France, good f--king luck, because go ahead, bring your bankrupt ideology. They'll bring Jean-Paul Sartre, Edith Piaf, fine wine, Gauloises cigarettes, Camus, Camembert, madeleines, macarons, Marcel Proust and the f--king croquembouche," he listed. "You just brought a philosophy of rigorous self-abnegation to a pastry fight, my friend. You are f--ked.The is a French freedom tower."