On Last Week Tonight this weekend, John Oliver did a deep dive into the man Trump desperately wants to be his BFF, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin.
Late night comedy has a problem. Try as they might to talk about anything else, the nation’s current Trump Anxiety Disorder responds best to segments focusing on the president. From those who still can’t believe he won, to those who still can’t believe he was inaugurated to those who can’t believe it’s been a month and he’s still the president, the fastest and easiest way to get eyeballs is to talk about him. It has shot Stephen Colbert’s rating to the top, it’s given Seth Meyers a major boost, and made Sam Bee must watch TBS TV. Even Jimmy Fallon, who desperately wants to be seen as apolitical, bowed to reality this past week and did a segment.
Which brings us to John Oliver, the lone international voice in the late night derby. Unlike the others, Oliver’s brand, if you will, has been based on reminding us here in the US that we’re not the only show in town. There’s an entire world outside our borders, which just as much political drama and interesting stories as we have.
And yet, since he’s returned this season, Oliver has also had to bow to reality. His first two shows have been 20 minutes plus of Trump related content. But unlike last week, this week’s deep dive segment comes at the story from an international perspective. Come children, let’s all learn about the man Trump wants to be his very best friend, Vladimir Putin.
And as someone eurocentric is bound to do, he uses electronic music to try and help Trump learn why being a fan of Putin probably isn’t the best of notions.
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Here, for those who would like the sing along, are the lyrics:
"A man like PutinMay seem like he’s strongBut if you think thatKnow that you’re wrongA man like PutinSure has good luckBecause journalists dieAnd he’s rich as f*ckA man like PutinOnly wants powerHe’ll fake a tapeOf your golden showerThat’s not somethingWe want to seeYour orangey faceAll covered in peeAnd critics like OliverBetter run farBecause he’ll track you downAnd he’ll sh*t on your carBeware of PutinHe’s ruthless and shrewdIf you’re not carefulWe’ll all end up screwedA man like PutinIs really badThat you need that explainedIs just so f*cking sad"