Football is on Financial Steroids | John Oliver Interview with Men in Blazers

One of our favorite guests John Oliver joins Rog for an end of year review that covers his love of Liverpool, the darkness of money in football, and the reason why football means so much to so many.
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[@sooyaaa7760]

Best collab ever! John is just so articulate and all funny. We just want a full time football podcast from John Oliver.

[@meninblazers]

We all love John 🥹

[@westdavies]

@@meninblazers This is my favorite episode each year. I knew that John is a huge Liverpool fan but I didn't know he appreciates Salah as much as I do!

[@eduardoescobar1906]

Jon Oliver is the reason why world football is seen as soft and beta to Americans

[@elgenkua1270]

Please make it happen

[@JKribbit]

John NAILED how all Liverpool fans feel about Darwin. It's like watching your golden retriever chase it's own tail around. Sure, it might run into and break furniture, sure it might occasionally give up and jump into a mud puddle. But when it finally catches the tail, it's magical.

[@chilibeer3912]

Sometimes it seems he has the first touch of a trampoline but also sometimes he creates magic. I’m not a Liverpool fan but for some reason I want to see him do well.

[@msonix]

I'm not a liverpool fan but Darwin is genuinely entertaining to watch. He's so unpredictable in an era that football has become so mechanical that he makes his own show.

[@martind3899]

Same for newcastle fans and Almiron

[@michaelp.2678]

The whole bit about Ronaldo's statue capturing his soul had me laughing so hard I almost passed out as tears streamed down my face. Needed that! 😂

[@jeffjefferson7384]

Brilliant chat. This hour is better than 98% of football podcasts I've heard in the last year.

[@meninblazers]

That’s lovely thanks for that Jeffjeffjeffjefferson

[@annbuckley8749]

This has been a difficult year, but those 13 minutes when Arsenal scored 4 magical goals against Lens will stay with me for a very long time. Connection, joy, everything, and nothing. Thanks to you Rog for providing so much laughter this year. Courage

[@meninblazers]

Couldn't agree more. Football means nothing and everything.

[@elchiquifru]

That was a fantastic conversation! I’m a LaLiga Madrid supporter but have full respect for British football and I’m am envious seeing you two gentlemen express your love of the game and your league in such a wildly entertaining manner. I too am finding football as therapy from the often depressing world we are living in and John Oliver’s words at the end of your podcast resonated deeply with me. Rog u are essential listening for any football fan no matter what league you support.

[@PazLeBon]

you like scottish football?

[@duran9664]

🟨🟧🟥 Pep is NOT clean 🟥🟧🟨 He is corrupt like his brother, Pere. Pep lived so long on the top until he can’t imagine himself elsewhere; thus signed the devil contract to become a villain🤏

[@frankf684]

There are two Madrid teams in la liga

[@PazLeBon]

@@frankf684 Real Madrid, Atlético, Getafe and Rayo Vallecano

[@alexjohnson-fry3778]

how, as a united fan, is someone making me cry talking about liverpool winning the league. John Oliver you bastard I love you so much

[@omarmainuddin7251]

Rog and John in this MIB special are the annual holiday gift all their own. Love and Courage from Dhaka, Bangladesh!

[@plumeofsmoke2871]

Possibly the best football podcast episode I have seen. Incredible.

[@joannec3579]

As a Liverpool born Evertonian, to say I enjoyed this is an understatement. I love Rog. I love John. I just bloody loved all of this, thank you!

[@why_not_both]

Darwin Nunez is the Uruguayan JR Smith is hilarious, and painfully accurate.

[@Masna_]

JR won a chip - so if it is accurate…

[@mr.oliverlaw8863]

Best Crossover Ever

[@meninblazers]

Cheers Mr… Oliver?!

[@hengineer]

Nah

[@fleischer236]

My favorite Liverpool fan and my favorite Everton fan ❤

[@meninblazers]

You’re too kind and you have poor taste :)

[@notoriouslybratty]

Well this proves it, I could listen to John Oliver talk about anything. Great conversation.

[@michaelfoster4191]

Two of my favorite brokers of words and news. Happy holidays gents, thanks for this continued collaboration.

[@ecuadorianpersian]

John Oliver you are gold. Thank you for always supporting Liverpool and being hilarious. Love from Texas!

[@JFranz1981]

John Oliver is THE best guest. You guys need a Comedians in Cars episode together. Maybe in a Chevy Cavalier '92

[@AnkurJaiswal]

I will pay to watch John Olivier's "Last Week a Kopite" show. He is hilarious. I love that he is a Liverpool supporter.

[@meninblazers]

That's a million dollar premium service if I've heard one

[@amrelarcher8990]

Liverpool should do some sort of collab with him. Maybe for charity

[@AnkurJaiswal]

@amrelarcher8990 100% in agreement @livepoolfc are you listening? Heck, I will even 'Join' the LFC paid YT stream for it.

[@amrelarcher8990]

@@AnkurJaiswal i wish epl clubs have personalised commentators like the NBA. imagine John Oliver calling a game for Liverpool.

[@AnkurJaiswal]

@@amrelarcher8990 OMG! I did not even think about that. Yes please. I bet that if @liverpoolfc asked, John Oliver would do it a couple of times a year.

[@Turtlefast235]

The funniest Everton fan interviewing the funniest Liverpool fan!! An instant classic. YNWA COME ON YOU REDS❤❤

[@martinw2235]

John Oliver and Stephen Colbert are so damn good at discussing hardship and loss. Incredibly moving.

[@tonylipsmire5918]

Love you Rog! We’re all backing you and your dad to to enjoy Everton’s 4th place finish and champions league qualification! John and I will be celebrating the elusive league Europa league double

[@meninblazers]

Fingers crossed!

[@vaseofflowers4619]

@@meninblazers My dad supports Everton. But he and my mum divorced when I was six and I hadn't got into football at that point. Star Wars figures, Bagpuss, Jamie and the Magic Torch et cetera were more likely to be on my mind at that point (1979) than football was. My mum supports Liverpool and my stepdad who married my mum in 1981 was at Liverpool's 1977, 1978, and 1981 European Cup finals. So I'm a Liverpool fan. But I don't want Everton relegated cos I love my dad. And he lives in the flat above me. He also lets me watch all the Liverpool matches that are on Sky Sports on his telly cos I can't afford the Sky Sports subscription. He even had BT last season, when they tricked him over the phone into getting BT for a year. They said it was free...it wasn't. I love my dad but he's easily outwitted. Lots of families on Merseyside are mixed football wise. In the mid-eighties, my Evertonian best friend and I would go to Goodison one Saturday then Anfield the next Saturday religiously. It was rare games were played on Sundays or not at 3pm in those days. Everton & Liverpool were the two best teams in the country back then. And I know for sure I felt a sense of civic pride about that as a Scouser. Football was the one arena where we could brag about our city in the eighties. Hehehe. Christ...I was 50 in May and the 80s have been on my mind an awful lot. My fiftieth birthday unleashed a tsunami of nostalgia unbidden into my middle-aged mind: "My Name?...It's J.R. Hartley" 😄😉

[@davodav7746]

Stunning video, I wasn't familiar with your content and going into this video I expected it to be uninteresting, but everything worked. The descriptions that prefaced every section were brilliant and the moments where we could se John expressing his love of the game and his club were wholeheartedly breathtaking as well as hilarious at times. This has been an excellent video, you have made my week, I cannot thank you enough.ç

[@meninblazers]

Many thanks for those kind words!

[@paulroberts7194]

As an Evertonian I want to say that last three minutes was the best moments of any type of podcast I have listened too. Thank you.

[@BevisFriend2010]

My favourite football moment ever was the time an old Evertonian gentleman gave me, an 11 year old kid, his program at the 1984 Merseyside Derby League cup final replay at Maine Rd in Manchester. They'd sold out & Reds & Blues were totally mixed, was such a brilliant day and so sweet of the old fella. I'm a Red if it wasn't obvious. Thanks for another brilliant show.

[@kylecorman7859]

Fabulous interview with a fan whose passion for his team comes out through the entire conversation. Already looking forward to hearing more from him the next time you have him back.

[@wilhelmh9495]

Best football podcast I’ve ever listened to by a country mile.

[@GustavoCaucayo]

What a great show, Glad I caught it early.. Rog's emotion at the end when considering why football means so much when it feels like it should matter the least 🥹 Just such an unmistakable feeling for fans all around the world. Want to share in the excitement for liverpool's midfield after they all get adjusted and start producing, The man united game from yesterday was grueeling just cause the score never changed! 😩 And love the praise for arteta and big ange.. The north london derby has some worthy matches coming up for years to come, AND MY GOONERS ARE WINNING THE LEAGUE ❤️🤍👌🏽 Much love for all the beautiful conversations we get to listen in for, Rog. And much love to all the team that makes them possible to live and enjoy afterwards. Courage! 🫶🏽😁

[@meninblazers]

Cheers Gustavo and thanks for your presence in livestreams. Big love!

[@suze_shi]

I could listen to John Oliver waxing poetic about Liverpool every week and it would be the highlight of my week every time.

[@Carlosweaver0147]

Hello 👋 how are you doing today? I pray2024 brings happiness, peace and love all over the world 🌎🌎I’m originally from Canada grow up in Fort Worth Texas, currently living in Key West Florida. Where are you from if i may ask?

[@jhamptonjr]

I had no idea John Oliver was a friend of the podcast. This is stellar content! He makes me laugh so hard! Peace!

[@meninblazers]

A GFOP if you will

[@KingAlanI]

I knew he was a Liverpool supporter, and he's done some Last Week Tonight bits about the sport, so I'm not surprised that he's talking about it at length in general

[@kindalike]

I look forward to this interview every year. Another great one!!! YNWA

[@plant.more.trees.]

50:34 as an Argentine, after 2014 I thought that we would never win the World Cup. But that didn’t stop me from watching each and every game of AFA USA would greatly benefit from a good hear break from their national team. Thanks for the great conversation!!❤❤❤

[@kelleesmi]

In that case I hope to see the US win the 2038 World Cup led by a determined, middle-aged Gio Reyna

[@jeffstockton534]

A highlight of the year, every year. I planned to watch this twice. I might have to watch that ending 3 times.

[@noveltyrobot]

Goodness me, the way they talk, their turns of phrase. Magical.

[@kristinnelson-patel442]

I’m not even a soccer fan but these two are so much fun to listen to that I’m still fixed here enchanted by them.

[@ecashman]

Should have talked about Aston Villa... other than that, wonderful interview, one of my favorite vids of the year. I would love to see these two talk about football every week, but perhaps having it only a few times a year makes it more special.

[@danielturley2879]

One of the best podcasts I’ve ever watched

[@lichaiepperson3009]

Like so many of us I've found this year to be pretty tough and definitely required me to step up plate and face life's harder tunes. The best moment in football was watching my Chelsea team (I can hear your boos) showing the fight and determination to level in that thriller against City. I love John Oliver's comedy and work and Men In Blazers just earned a new fan.

[@TheFormerkgbchief]

Cool. My best moment probs was winning the treble.

[@SoulSonder26]

​@@TheFormerkgbchiefdude.. feel the room...

[@blessingchiwanza9329]

Nunez v Newcastle today was such a roller coaster ride of emotions...the man puts in incredible work ethic, is smart, is quiick, and soon after all of that he missed 4 to 6 clear chances. The man is entertaining. Nunez is what Mercedes is to formula 1 car racing 😂

[@AnselmodaSilva]

Absolutely, the number one episode / podcast football ever done so to date! Beautiful and refreshing; thank you

[@darahdoyle3176]

Brilliant, isn't Oliver a wonderful man?! so funny and heartfelt.

[@xmari3goldx]

I didn’t know I needed this crossover so much. This was great!

[@JW-mw7sr]

Love John and enjoy following PL from the states. What a fun talk. John has such an energizing vibe.

[@jamesdrummond7684]

This left me crying with laughter throughout. Great collab with two legends.

[@georgedanilov8898]

What a joy to hear intelligent people entertaining each other and us along the way

[@zakmessieha9486]

I am a Manchester United Fan. I have been watching Everton simply because they come out every week wanting to prove something and it is very entertaining.

[@davidcoleman757]

I have a warmer heart having watched this. Thanks guys. YNWA

[@willh1970]

Just watched this for the 2nd time, excellent podcast, and noticed the Tracy Chapman album prominently placed. Men in Blazers are trailblaizers!!

[@jonesalex0419]

Comparing Darwin Nunez to JR Smith is perfect from John.

[@Huly241072]

Only just discovered this an absolute gem of podcast! Thank u 🙏

[@TheBluePhenom]

Im pretty sure that John loves talking football with Rog more than he loves doing his own show. You can see the joy on his face every year he comes on...well, not including the Spurs match 😂

[@chrisnewton8418]

I stumbled on your channel completely by accident. What a fabulous, fabulous interview. Thanks. I’m now a subscriber.

[@yohannesj]

entertaining, educating and moving... thank you! much love

[@meninblazers]

You are so welcome

[@rorrt]

Bloody terrific pod.. My highlight of the year, was going to Selhurst Park, on the 23rd of September. To watch a 0-0 against Fulham.. Because it was my dad's 75th, so we got the full....3 course meal. Open bar. pies at halftime. Cheese after the game.... I became what I despise.. I was part of the Prawn Sandwich brigade. And as a huge bonus... Me and my dad bumped into the Go Compare guy (he missed his flight to France, to watch Wales play in the Rugby World cup, vs Australia) on the train up to London. Which in itself was f**king hilarious my dad didn't recognise him. But we talked about football. And he said "oh yeah, I support Spurs". "Oh really. Have you been to the new stadium?" my dad asked. "Well.....I sort of closed the old stadium, and opened the new stadium..." My dad thought he was the janitor until he went to the bog, and I told him who he was...

[@1porter]

Emergency John Oliver appearance after today's news??

[@k-matsu]

Great podcast! Im disappointed that during your discussion of the midfield revolution, you failed to discuss Endo . . . who is an absolute gem of a water-carrier and fire-extiguisher in midfield. Every team needs at least a few players who can do the dirty, unrewardig work - like running 50 meters to draw a defender away from the play - a run which nobody except the coach (maybe) will ever notice. Endo is the Erling Haaland of that sort of player. I understand the "ingrained assumptions" (Ill avoid either the P word or the R word) that lead people in Engerlund to dismiss his quality ... but .... this is a guy who spoke NO German six years ago, yet was selected Captain of his Bundesliga club! This is a guy who held down the centre of the defense against Germany and Spain, at the World Cup ... and WON both matches. Endo may seem to have "come out of nowhere" but that is a testament to the low-profile, hard-working type of player that he is ... and that Liverpool needs.

[@micumatrix]

I just wrote a similar comment as VfB Stuttgart fan ;) He will have his moments and let people forget Fabinho ! Cheers and happy Hollidays and so a happy new year!

[@johnbell2722]

Normally I get bored with these sort of punditry shows. 55 minutes long? Really? However, these two are so articulate, knowledgeable, and just plain funny that I was looking for more at the end. Bravo. YNWA 🧙‍♂️😬🧙‍♂️

[@lizette6908]

I'm american and therefore know nothing and care absolutely zero about soccer, but I will watch anything John Oliver is in. They were basically speaking another language the whole time to me and I was still laughing. Love it ❤

[@meninblazers]

🫡

[@sumomaster5585]

you are not just American, but a woman as well. On avg women don't care much for sports lol

[@willowcolios5248]

46:00 This Messi in the Florida supermarket moment reminds me of the time I saw Milan Baros in Allerton Tescos in 2004. A tiny bloke in designer jeans and jacket, and some little kid screaming “Dad, dad , take a photi of ‘im”

[@TransHippie]

That Salah discussion was pitch perfect hoMoeroticism. Yes, that was a triple entendre.

[@Carlosweaver0147]

Hello 👋 how are you doing today? I pray2024 brings happiness, peace and love all over the world 🌎🌎I’m originally from Canada grow up in Fort Worth Texas, currently living in Key West Florida. Where are you from if i may ask?

[@DanyCesc83]

Greetings from California folks, this has been an incredible video to watch and I’m glad the KZbin algorithm suggested your pod 😊

[@meninblazers]

Welcome aboard!

[@1trife90]

Goodness, this was an unbelievable conversation. Can’t believe that ending.

[@ivomusician]

John Oliver = Best Man Ever! Cheers from Switzerland!! (.. and don't forget to always blue💙💙)

[@BrokenhornKT]

as a Canadian, who know the Difference of when speaking to an American or the Rest of the World. Jon Oliver , talking with Pride, being who he is,. Is Great to see. So glad i ran into this Vid.

[@mattreynolds612]

Side bar: J.R. Smith is a favorite of mine. I worked at the golf course he learned to play on in Denver. He joined my buddy and I with his Dad riding along one afternoon. Talk about an Adonis in the room... OMG😱 He wasn't good yet but with his natural coordination he drove over 300 consistently and hit one almost 400! FR. Short game not so much Lol. Super funny. Anyway a quote about him from a guy who grew up in my neighborhood, Chauncey B-B-B-Billups "I've never seen a guy take so many bad shots,... & make like most of them". 🏀⚽✌️

[@redduey222]

I love sports but like Jon said, in reality they're meaningless. But forging connections is something they can do. As a Packer's fan living in southeastern Wisconsin, no matter what your political leanings are you know conversations about being a Packers fan cross those lines.

[@meninblazers]

They mean absolutely nothing and yet everything at the same time

[@Cincinnatus-C]

Why didn't I know about this earlier?! Fantastic conversation, thank you!

[@Rob1977N]

I love John. I have to forget he's a Liverpool supporter when I watch his show.

[@d.l.d.l.8140]

Love both of these guys.

[@micumatrix]

Midfield? Endo! As a VfB Stuttgart and Liverpool fan I can tell You, that nobody adapted so fast in the midfield and became captain. He made most important goals and I think he didn’t speak a word german 😂😢❤

[@tozy_]

This was really fun to watch, thank you❤

[@ShanMMQ]

What an interview! The thing I appreciate most about Rog is his insight. 10:37 and he's talking about Mo being the baldest haired man in football. Being a crazy Liverpool supporter, I immediately picked up on what he was talking about and resonated - but at the time, most, including John Oliver would have been taken aback by that statement. And bam, a couple weeks later Liverpool play Newcastle in the rain and Twitter is bombarded with Salah hairline jokes and compared to Krusty the Clown lmaooo

[@PaulInPorirua]

Great vid; fantastic conversation. Please keep your hands down.

[@rodrigoperezpereira2340]

just watched this beautiful conversation! ❤💙 thank you, lads! in the words of a local football commentator and philosopher: - football is the most important thing amongst the least important things…

[@robinbickel4594]

What I know about football can be summed up as follows: I've heard of Liverpool and ManU. I've read about FIFA and the moral bankruptcy of having the World Cup at Qatar. As far as the actual game, a bunch of guys wearing tight shorts kick a ball. But I decided to watch this because I love John and I'm glad I did. By the end I was tearing up because he spoke an essential truth - the things that don't really matter - sports, a comic book, a silly pop song - are the things that matter most because they let us get through the dark times and connect us to those we love.

[@mabslfc]

That opening statement from John Oliver is 100% true. My love for Liverpool solidified only AFTER we lost 1-0 to United in the '96 FA Cup Final. Was heartbroken but it was the trigger.

[@rebinkawani1028]

This was brilliant. Thank you!

[@djplong]

As an American who's a new fan to the sport, I can only agree with many of the things stated when they mentioned American sports. I mean, with our "socialism for rich guys" crap in our leagues it's the antithesis of actual sports sometimes. There should NEVER be an incentive to lose - and we have that here. "Rebuilding Years".. Sigh...

[@segunakande2569]

This is just so good. So good. Well done guys.

[@chrishenderson1262]

The problem with that VAR call in the Spurs game wasn't a problem of the tech. It was that the VAR officials and the on field referee misunderstood each other. The VAR official thought he was confirming a good goal instead of the offside call which was made on the field. So when he confirmed it, he meant onside, but everyone else on the process took that as confirmation they correctly called offside.

[@ichrisho]

Fantastic stuff. Highly intelligent and entertaining craic.

[@seb_aguilera]

It's very nice to see someone that I respect as much as John share my view on Man U, even though he's a Liverpool fan he could not have said it better, trow out Bruno, Rashford, Martial, etc. and make us a proper team instead of a collection of individuals

[@christianmartens3578]

At Man U it's a recruitment problem...for example: why die they buy Onana ? Henderson isn't worse than him. It's just spending money to spent money....they have no clue what they need to built a good team

[@toddcuddington824]

I can't imagine anything better than spending a full day watching games at a pub with these two. Might be the top of my "won't happen" bucket list!

[@jasonhernandez2454]

This is my birthday gift every year, two funny english americans summing up PL halfway through and joking on everthing

[@MRelmufino]

Thanks for this, you guys really speak to fans and to lovers of football

[@georgewyndham1735]

What a genuinely lovely chat! I feel better than I did...

[@beefchampion2792]

Thank you! Beautiful 55 minutes!

[@alkumhcounseling8634]

just saying, I'd happily watch john oliver rant about football every week.

[@fredericsc4135]

the only football pod i will listen to all year :D

[@davidroske7552]

Absolute gold as ever. I could listen to you all day. The Sean Dyche statue made of lard, cigarette nubs and old farts had me crying laughing And for the record Mo Salah IS the hairiest bald man ever.... he's starting to look like Gene Simmons of Kiss 😂😂😂😂

[@kristi4113]

❤️❤️❤️❤️ I love it when John is the guest. Pure class AND pure piss!

[@Carlosweaver0147]

Hello 👋 how are you doing today? I pray2024 brings happiness, peace and love all over the world 🌎🌎I’m originally from Canada grow up in Fort Worth Texas, currently living in Key West Florida. Where are you from if i may ask?

[@danielecattabriga2168]

The JR. Smith reference was a fantastic one… as a basketball fan that was funny for him to throw in

[@codenamerishi]

I love this so much, thansk guys !

[@biertrang]

wonderful chat boys. ty

[@UK-jt3mw]

My favorite TV personality discussing my favorite sports personality

[@OrdinaryMarvel]

Rog and John interacting without restrictions or a moderator should be illegal. In my experience, whenever something is this good, it's almost always either illegal or causes diabetes or cancer. I need these two on a regular basis, I love it!!!

[@mattreynolds612]

In the context of thinking about my country's financing wars in Europe and the Middle East. I think I'd be broken by sorrow and anger and helpless frustration if not for the Denver Nuggets, Arsenal, and sports in general. The pinnacle of human improvisational art is sport IMO. At least physical art. 🤷✌️

[@turbojojol]

Thank you for flying that Shaktar Doneck flag in the background ❤️💙💛

[@LukeWildeboer]

Fantastic talk between two wonderful friends. Courage gents

[@viperswhip]

Even in football manager goals get disallowed, then in the replay it shows you were onside, but it doesn't count. The Barca and Madrid game today reduced my stress by a lot because my D also lets guys just run right by them to score. It feels horrible in when it happens in the game, but seeing it happen for real helps.

[@iabunawass]

Always makes me smile