The Monarchy: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

For those of you who are curious, Sky did in fact air this segment.

Irish Times: “Having a monarchy next door is a little like having a neighbour who’s really into clowns and has daubed their house with clown murals, displays clown dolls in each window and has an insatiable desire to hear about and discuss clown-related news stories. More specifically, for the Irish, it’s like having a neighbour who’s really into clowns and, also, your grandfather was murdered by a clown.”

The level of sarcasm and derision in Lidia Thorpe's delivery of the oath. Absolutely legendary.

You know what’s more awkward than having the “Lizzie’s in a Box” song stuck in your head? Having to explain what it is to people when they catch you singing it to yourself.

When that British woman said "I think people would like what we have" all I could think was "Because you took it from them."

We will not blame him for the crimes of his ancestors if he relinquishes the royal rights of his ancestors; but as long as he claims their rights, by virtue of descent, then, by virtue of descent, he must shoulder the responsibility for their crimes.” —James Connolly on George V

I know an indigenous Canadian, my age, who, while we played disc golf, told me how whenever the Government boat came into the village's inlet he had to hide. He did this successfully, so he fully learned his people's language and did not disappear into an unmarked grave at a boarding school due to abuse. Now I hated school, but my god, there's plenty of stories about similar mistreatment of native children in the US, and we think we're good guys.

As a Kenyan I thank you for highlighting the colonialism in our country..The effects are still being felt even Up to today

John Oliver. The only Oliver who hates the monarchy more than Cromwell.

"Why they are working so hard not to offend a family who's name was branded into people skin, and who sit atop a pile of stolen wealth, wearing crowns adorned with other countries treasures" well done to whomever wrote that. Power piece of text.

Let us all remember the wisdom that lizzie in the box emparted us before she passed away, " we should embrace modest materialism" while she was sitting on her golden throne.

Devastatingly, the last residential school in Canada was Gordon Residential School in Punnichy, Saskatchewan, and it didn't close until 1996. The first one opened in 1831. It's disgusting how long it was allowed to go on, and England had a large part in that. Canada did not become its own country until 1867. Thank you for showing what they, and the white Canadian government, did to the indigenous people of our land.

This episode did in fact air in full on the Sky network. Way to go, Mr. Oliver.

My mom is 91 years old. She’s an Irish Catholic born in the north of Ireland. She’s been in Canada since 1957. She doesn’t have her citizenship cause she won’t pledge allegiance to the queen.

As an Australian, I am 10000% behind you John ! I can't wait to get rid of that ridiculous family that has nothing to do with this Country.

Kenya and other colonial atrocities were directed by Winston Churchill. I learned that this year and was truly upset. He's always been presented as a hero.

My grandfather was a detainee in one of the detention camps during the Mau Mau emergency in Kenya. For five years he endured harsh interrogations (beatings, hours in stress position, starvation, forced labor) until he was able to convincingly renounce an oath he had never taken in the first place. When he left the camp, he found two of his children had died and my grandmother and the rest of his children on the point of starvation from being forcibly housed in a concentration village (yes concentration as in WW2 concentration camps) with no access to food. Thank you JO for bringing this atrocity to light. Anyone seeking more information read Imperial Reckoning by Caroline Elkins

I find it hilarious that there's a man who's legally not allowed to purchase eggs. I'm just picturing him buying a dozen eggs at his local grocery store and an entire swat team just busts in and tackles him to the ground

How dare you insult a vital British institution? We would not be British without mushy peas. Abolish the monarchy by all means, but never, never take away our mushy peas.

I'm an American, living in Las Vegas. I've frequently run into Londoners....the first question I ask them is: "what do you think of the Monarchy ?" Literally 100% of them give me the same stock answer: "because of the Monarchy, we make millions from tourism." I've been to London...I don't remember being invited into Buckingham Palace or any of the royal gardens. If the Monarchy ends, my guess is tourism will INCREASE. The mansions, palaces and gardens will still bring tourists...nothing will change.