In a recent segment on Last Week Tonight, John Oliver took a sharp look at the much-lauded “civility” displayed during the recent vice presidential debate. He compared the praise for the debate’s decorum to a ransom note crafted in elegant cursive. During this segment, which examined the intense political exchange that took place on October 1, Oliver pointed out that while JD Vance, the GOP’s vice presidential candidate, managed to evade factual scrutiny, Tim Walz, the Democratic VP candidate, delivered a performance that left much to be desired, earning him some humorous later parody from Saturday Night Live.
Oliver argued that in debates where the consequences are grave—like those impacting immigrant rights and women’s rights—the emphasis on etiquette seems trivial. He quipped that commenting on the presentation of a ransom note misses the point, highlighting the absurdity of admiring the aesthetics while ignoring the dire message.
He also scrutinized Vance’s political affiliations, including ties to extreme far-right figures like Lance Wallnau, who has controversially claimed that Kamala Harris embodies an “occult spirit.” Oliver countered that it was indeed ironic for someone like Wallnau to accuse others of witchcraft, noting that the true magic at play is in the marketing for Universal’s adaptation of Wicked.
The comedic host also recalled a moment when Vance sidestepped Walz’s question about whether he acknowledged Donald Trump’s loss in the 2020 election. Vance’s retort, focusing on the “future” and avoiding a direct answer, drew a dismissal from Walz, who characterized it as a “damning non-answer.” Oliver couldn’t help but chuckle, labeling it a textbook example of evasive responses often heard in political circles.
Throughout the segment, Oliver reinforced his critique of the debate by using humor to make light of the political posturing typical of such events. His inventive comparisons and sharp wit made it clear that while decorum might be commendable, substance should reign supreme when the stakes are high.