Lead: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

[@RabblesTheBinx]

Fun fact: "Every Breath You Take" is _supposed_ to be creepy. It's not a love song, it's about possessiveness, jealousy, and stalking. To quote Sting in 1983: “I think it’s a nasty little song, really rather evil. It’s about jealousy and surveillance and ownership.” Again, it is _not_ a love song. Sting even wrote "If You Love Somebody, Set Them Free" in 1985 _specifically_ as an "antidote" to the "poison" of the earlier song.

[@mssarahjansen]

That was the point of Oliver's comment

[@redjed100]

Also, just because it’s been addressed by the creator doesn’t mean fans of it have taken said criticism to heart. The song is still played at weddings, and so long as it is, the joke will remain relevant.

[@Paulxl]

Yeah. But people miss the point of that song all the time.

[@NachoCheeseDorito-Kun]

Wasn't it also about a fan stalking him on _top_ of that?

[@NachoCheeseDorito-Kun]

@@Paulxl It's kind of like that "I'll Get You Good" song, where unlike "Every Breath You Take" it's completely unaware of being a freaky stalker story and tries to be an empowering love song???

[@qones3574]

Elmo has $1.76, and the estimated cost is about $0.50 per taxpayer per year. Elmo was literally willing to fund his share for 3 years, right there in the sketch

[@reptoidrenaissance]

That's because Elmo has a heart of gold. And stuffing, but mostly gold.

[@steinmaniac7920]

That's 'cause Elmo is a red comrade.

[@moondust2365]

@@steinmaniac7920 Yeah. Good thing Communism's become less "Communist" or "Stalinist" and more "Socialist". Otherwise, Vietnam would have the same problems as North Korea. Hopefully, if Elmo *is* communist, he's a Social Democrat and (already most likely) not a Marxist Stalinist Anti-Fair Capitalism Kill-them-all-with-a-gulag kinda guy...

[@steinmaniac7920]

@@moondust2365 You know what? I completely f*cking agree!

[@moondust2365]

@@steinmaniac7920 Ok then... Not sure if either or both of your comments are actually just you being sarcastic so I'll just leave this at: "The Soviet Anthem is great melodically, but what it represents is kinda bad. It would've been better if Lenin hadn't died and/or Stalin wasn't the one who replaced him..."

[@jbearclowater]

It's heartwarming to see John Oliver's smile as he works alongside Sesame Street. There's not street cred as good as Sesame Street cred.

[@mathpoweredbyimagination1274]

Right! John is a national treasure. I swear immigrants they get the work done because they care.

[@maxhoyle7040]

Better than how tucker Carlson treats sesame street

[@PokeMageTech]

“Immigrants! We get the job done!” (“So what happens if we win?/ I go back to France, bring freedom to my people if If I’m given the chance./We’ll be with you when you do.”)

[@buzzyboo3837]

@@PokeMageTech Go lead your men/see you on the other side?/TILL WE MEET AGAIN.

[@PokeMageTech]

Buzzy Boo Let’s go!/ I am not throwing away my shot!/ I am not throwing away my shot!/ Hey yo, I’m just like my country/ I’m young scrappy and hungry/ and I’m not throwing away my shot! I am not throwing away my shot!/ ‘Til the world turns upside-down/ ‘til the world turns upside-down!

[@nutriacubica]

People worried about vaccines giving atuism should be freaking out about this instead

[@andredeketeleastutecomplex]

Mercury is as poisonous as lead my friend.

[@dan-ty4nf]

@@andredeketeleastutecomplex not at the concentration found in vaccines!! anyway, in vaccines ethyl mercury is used as a preservative, which is easily excreted by the body. We come in contact with hundreds of times more methyl mercury (the dangerous type) every single day. If you're so concerned about mercury, then you should additionally stop touching wood, never touch soil, stop eating fish (the major source of heavy metals in the West), ect. ect. ect. Hope this has informed you!! All the best

[@theman76942]

@@dan-ty4nf You're more than a wizard, you're a scientist now!

[@victorselve8349]

@@ParaPanos actually methylmercury is the dangerous one but it also never has been in vaccines, that was thiomersal which releases ethylmercury which was assumed to behave similar to methylmercury in the human body in the past due to a lack of knowledge concerning ethylmercury however the current consensus is that it is much less dangerous although that is of course not really relevant to the topic anyway since thiomersal has been removed from vaccines just to be absolutely on the safe side anyway

[@damenwhelan3236]

@@andredeketeleastutecomplex You. You can just fuck off.

[@Amy-zb6ph]

I remember that original thing on Sesame Street about lead paint. It actually made me ask my mom about it and she told me that my parents made sure to buy a house that hadn't been painted with lead paint. There's your proof that it created awareness and a conversation when they did it back then. I hope this video does the same again.

[@JuiceHasser]

I would never try to poison you. Now eat your Pb and jelly sandwich

[@JuiceHasser]

***** Ayy

[@sinaRambo]

W

[@nelsonmongare9515]

pb 😂😂 this is the only thing chemistry is good for 😒

[@avamiller1245]

lmao

[@DhairyaKhale]

+Nelson Mongare OMg that's so true

[@Inevitable.Change]

I'm really thankful that John Oliver and his team bring up important issues in an easy to understand and humorous way. Behind the humour is great impact through awareness.

[@MagentaSpikesImprov]

I am seriously astonished by him and his show. Within a week, I've learned more than I ever did throughout all of high school. He makes every single issue matter to the viewers. We are all so caught up by building billion dollar walls, that we don't have the time to think enough about realistic issues in society that need to be addressed. Now.

[@cloudblockscus4813]

And when he uses his own money to give a good old fashioned middle finger to companies and people he despises, like with Jeff the diseased lung, helps me to have faith in Humanity again.

[@AsunAllah]

Rose Blue but does it make a difference? That's the question. I appreciate that he brings these issues to the forefront but is it enough to encourage change?

[@bcmasur]

@Magenta Spikes : build the powerwall :D

[@argentum746]

Dont want to come off negative but i actually doubt that the awareness raises that much. Or let me go on it differently. His audience already contains majorly people who are listening to these ideas, problems and viewpoints and therefore are open to them. Meaning those who watch him, probably dont even need him to bring up the attention of problems. A show like this only has a good impact if it is heard by people who dont belong to his audience already and made up their mind of something aswell. To convince those to turn in and listen, is a tough task he cant achieve with just airing a show, since those who already like him and the viewpoints he represents are already convinced. This problem is called accessibility/reachability and low threshold, and also subject of for example social programs. Its the question about, how do i reach all the people i need to reach out to and not just attract those who were already open to it from the get got? An example for that would be a program in schools against suicide or for education about suicidal topics. Initiating such a program it has to be designed in a way that it does attract those who are affected by the topic but are not attracted to the program by themselves. In short and a bit boldly worded, you can expect the nerds visit your programm anyway even when not affected, but how do i get those cool guys to be interested in what i have to say and visit it? We could argue whether for his core audience he strengthens these viewpoints and maybe even encourages action where there wasnt before (like in this case watching out for said paint), but theres a huge demographic who should be listening to him and who would even be open to these viewpoints but doesnt tune in. Many overestimate the influence such shows have on a wide scale. You and me might support the viewpoints and opinions depicted in his show regulary, doesnt mean someone whose philosophy is made up on the "opposite side" (homophobes, racist thinking people, conservatives etc.), will listen and even if they do, whether this does something. That chance is actually quite low since these people have their own channel repeating what they already believe in (like we do). What you seek for, needs people to be critical and look at a topic from different perspectives. At this point such people will tune in different channels (channels doesnt mean TV channels here, although included) and then work on their world view. As an example: When my dad is convinced that the world is segmented into people from different races which includes that races exist in the first place, he is open to channels that repeat and strengthen this view. When hes also very conservative, hes more open to channels that enrich his world view. Over time, this world view gets stronger and he builds his life, opinions and actions around it, for example who he votes for. He would never tune in John Oliver, as thats not even in the range of his attention. He will stick to stuff that belongs to his side, meaning for example shows that share the same worldview and depict it each time, newscasts that are doing the same and so on. The stronger this worldview gets, the harder it is to get these people even into the position that they are listening to something like that. They just hear stuff like "equality" and instantly switch off to another channel. The awareness might be raised by the audience such a show already has, but the impact on the bigger scope is not there because the show isnt able to go beyond the core audience, attracting more people and convincing them. And you can watch out for replies to ideologies in youtube and other media channels to see that this is showing. Under channels that are expressing their frustration over the recent net neutrality problem you will see a load of people agreeing to the video but pretty much no negative voice that criticises the video, points out counter arguments and alternative viewpoints. Because the video just serves as a repeater for the core audience. The same is true on the opposite side. I would love to agree to your comment and im sorry it is such a long one aswell. And basically you are right in nuances and depending on which topic we talk about. But looking at the truth of it all is, the impact is minimal, as is the effect on raising awareness through the channel.

[@moszczynskieng]

Great case study John Oliver and team! It would be nice if you could release an update on this topic discussing the implications of leaded aviation fuel- the last remaining exemption to the leaded fuel ban in the United States and Canada. Based on my experience as an aerospace engineer, most aerospace engineers and certainly the majority of people at large are not even aware that lead is still added in very large quantities to aviation grade gasoline for piston engine aircraft. People living near airports are largely unaware that their neurological fitness is being eroded daily. You could rapidly spread awareness of this with even a short 4 minute segment in one of your shows. Thank you for some of the best investigative journalism and comedy in our time!

[@MaidMirawyn]

Thank you! I had no idea.

[@overdose8329]

What do European countries use instead?

[@Cooe.]

Except piston engine aircraft make up only an absolutely freaking TINY fraction of all the aviation fuel used on Earth... Here in reality, aircraft use almost entirely unleaded jet fuel. But way to make a mountain out of a molehill while misleading a ton of people! John Oliver has WAY bigger issues to deal with than something that irrelevant. Piston engine aircraft are naturally disappearing, and so is their leaded fuel.

[@OneRandomLeo]

Thanks for this comment, glad awareness is out there!

[@emilymoore7754]

It would also be cool if they talked about how lead bullets used in hunting has led to lead poisoning in carrion birds, with nearly 50% of bald eagles in the US showing signs of lead poisoning

[@thiruc]

I did not expect to watch Elmo today.

[@yonkers7525]

Same

[@hotdog2841]

A pleasant surprise.

[@ghenulo]

+Hot Dog So much more entertaining than when Cosmos did it.

[@darwincity]

+UndeadWaffle On the other hand, you should expect to watch some Sesame Street during a "Last Week Tonight" show...

[@t.b.studios2305]

Subscribe to my chnannel

[@Izzy-vg8jv]

Hey at least we are Lead-ing in something!

[@daniellenza1651]

BA DUM TSSS

[@swapanjain892]

why cant i like comments on android?

[@Whatevsman27]

HEYOOOOO

[@thegamezone4778]

This lead problem in America in 2016 is absolutely ridiculous. They tried to save $5 million over less than two years by switching to Flint River. Yet lawsuits will make them lose a lot more than that. Did they not test the water and check the pipes thoroughly?

[@ecosemx]

+Israel Hadar Get Out! :D

[@docking9532]

John Oliver has realised that the only way to communicate with Americans effectively is through childrens songs

[@thatoneactor1020]

Then we've hit rock bottom if thats the case...

[@Poldovico]

Probably because of all the lead...

[@johndoe-gt4rx]

Will you dock with me baby?

[@equalssign44]

WEEEE ARE THE LEAD POLICE!!!

[@horstherbert35]

lead it go!

[@aduotayieny1261]

This guy is amazing. I have lived in China isolated from the world for 4 years after leaving the United States and he is so good at explaining my life story as a South Sudanese black immigrant and all that I went through before I packed up and threw the peace sign to the good old USA. This guy has nailed all the major issues right on the head and managed to bring me up on world events and history during a non-stop “how the fuck did I miss all this shit” marathon watching his videos. I’m on summer break so I have been up for four days straight laughing, crying and rejoining the world like I have been stuck on a desert island. Thank you John Oliver. I had never heard of you till four days ago. Sorry I’m watching this on KZbin, There is no HBO in China.🤷🏿‍♂️ 没办法。

[@GermanLeftist]

The Michigan primary is over, and who's the only candidate of both parties still talking about Flint? Bernie Sanders. #feelthebern

[@docteurindri5258]

#felthimburn

[@sad_depressed_weeb4996]

#FeelTheBern

[@OpticalEclipse]

Lmao he has no chance

[@KarizmjhgvnRaiha]

+Mario Quade feeling the bern even in Gelsenkirchen

[@OpticalEclipse]

M. Woller Wow what a well thought-out and educated response. Seriously thank you so much for your insight.

[@stevenewart3873]

They banned tomatoes in Britain hundreds of years ago because it was thought that they could cause severe stomach ailments and death. It was in fact the tomato juice that reacted with the lead in the plates that they used.

[@heatherjasper97]

steven ewart And that's why audiences threw tomatoes at bad performances; they were trying to poison them

[@bluckq]

damn dropping knowledge

[@TheNarwhalGal]

BOY WERE THEY WRONG!

[@TheSarahskaninchen]

I thought one factor was that they also ate the green parts of the tomatoes which have toxic ingredients. But what you say about the plates could be right, too. I think the tomato juice is pretty sour and easily able to react with metals.

[@beereazul2026]

@@TheSarahskaninchen they ate the green, toxic fruit of the potato plant, but that actually looks a lot like green tomatoes because they are close relatives (solanum genus)

[@ripapa6355]

It's sad that the person who seems the most concerned about america is a brit with a tv show.

[@_tobii]

truth

[@violetinthesun1756]

Ikr

[@colinsilver1041]

And how many concerned Americans do you know with a TV show?

[@lightside4]

+RIPapa Does it matter where he's from? All it takes is to be a good person and care.. with a TV show.

[@ripapa6355]

Colin Silver Almost everyone else who has their own show in the US is american, hence the sad part.

[@GlennDavey]

"[SUBJECT]...... It's that thing you never think about, until I devote a segment to it." - Every John Oliver show

[@Jaysay_I]

Hey guys, on this episode i’m talking about the pizza industry and how its working with the government to make all restaurants a pizza hut.

[@willy-johndejager6810]

accurate

[@nigelT16]

Respect for John Oliver is higher than people will be in 24 hours.

[@nigelT16]

+Ikallicrates well it is 4/20, so you figure that one out!

[@novastellavoid]

Lol

[@Doubleagentaron]

"How high?" To the sky my friend, to the sky

[@insomniacwriter6613]

+Doubleagentaron Bam zoom! Straight to the moon~

[@johnsmith-sp6yl]

+Ikallicrates higher than the iss, higher than the moon, higher than jupiter, HELL, probably out near one of those goldilocks planets.

[@drakekoefoed1642]

They still sell lead based paints for use on boats. They sandblast them at a shipyard on Bayou Lafource just south of Golden Meadow, Louisiana. The dust goes in the water.

[@pawpkitty]

I hate people

[@Alucard-gt1zf]

Drake Koefoed to be fair lead paint is the only type of paint that can actually withstand the hazards of constant water contact but sand blasting it should have the blaster executed for gross incompetence

[@jamesscannell7951]

Drake Koefoed that's crazy because I have a buddy with the bridge painters in NYC and he said that you can't let any dust get unto the water when your blasting it away. All the dust has to be swept up and contained. Just goes to show the differences in regulations from State to state

[@silenthunger3472]

That is frankly astounding to hear! Can we send them hate mail or something?

[@SnorrioK]

We don't use lead based paints on ships in Iceland. So something is amiss in the US, as per usual.

[@FloridaCracker-c3q]

Oscar lives in a trash can, probably learned to talk from mimicing the other muppets, yet still knows more about economics then the average american.

[@sandedra329]

IKR DAMN OSCAR

[@BeefPapa]

the amount of newspapers that are thrown in that trash can every day must be considered. just skim through the shoppers and obituaries, and there's some valuable info to be read there. you go Oscar.

[@FishFreddy]

I think you are discriminating against Muppets living in trashcans. Like they are less of a Muppet than others. You are a Trashcanofobe.

[@FloridaCracker-c3q]

FreddyFish On the contrary, Oscar himself was living in a horrible economic territory. So this was more about him, but I do respect and honor them, they are noble people.

[@AriellaLilien]

#NotAllMuppetsLivingInTrashCans

[@Oly1]

Have you ever felt like Last Week Tonight is "Sesame Street" for Adults?

[@WilliamHasMelted]

Well, it does star a muppet teaching us important lessons

[@silvanasoleen1705]

Yes, in the piece about prison :D

[@Taffoman]

Sure. It gives insights to wide range of problems people should have some notion of. Knowing something is half of the battle. There was a really interesting piece on the funding of sports arenas. A subject i didn't know and after I saw it thought "What the fuck?"

[@WilliamHasMelted]

@Damon Weil then let it be known that I love John Oliver more than Carol Baskins loves murdering her husband

[@jebwatersheep3458]

Wait...that makes too much sense

[@digitalbrentable]

Gotta watch out when passionate copper gets together with extremely racist tin; that's how you get fascist bronze.

[@chucksteptoe]

this sound silly but that comment is so good you should send it in to them!!!!!!!!

[@99growlithe99]

Donald Trump's childhood was probably full of eating fascist bronze house paint. Contributed to both his personality and his skin color.

[@cyperus4589]

B.K. Laughton oh woah. Some really deep naming

[@Pencilskickass]

Or Nazi gold?

[@nathraxx]

B.K. Laughton dude you should be writing for the show LMFAO

[@irmathesperma8548]

"Elmo has some money in his piggy bank!" My heart melted, he's too precious 😢😢😢😢😢😭😭😭😭

[@connor2525]

John Oliver is the true heir to the daily show.

[@jakespencer1508]

He is the true hair but Samantha Bee's show is pretty good too.

[@jakespencer1508]

+Jake Spencer *heir

[@ihategoogle2382]

+Connor Kenney Nah, he's on a whole other level

[@tomislavjovicin5439]

+Modus Pwnens i would like to think that you are trolling

[@emsavings]

+Modus Pwnens they're probably referring to the comedy and popular reception over the race of the host

[@gloomyblackfur399]

John Oliver really makes use of HBO's buying of Sesame Street whenever he can.

[@jamesflynn4951]

HBO and sesame street is just a weird combo.

[@whitmanashby2616]

"Even low level exposure can lead to irreversible damage like lower IQs, antisocial behaviour, reduced attention span." Someone should check the plumbing in Trump tower!

[@nehalpaul6786]

@@whitmanashby2616 😂

[@ApocalypticJoker]

@@jamesflynn4951 but every episode is now brought to you by the letters H, B, and O

[@BeerHandStrong]

John Oliver is a modern day Super Hero, his Super power is GIVING A FUCK! my favorite show hands down and I'm glad he won an Emmy, well deserved.

[@stanley-5323]

John Oliver for supreme chancellor of America 2k16

[@alguitr]

seconded

[@thekhguy1]

** of the world! We need him too.

[@TheNeybor]

thirded

[@pmf98]

Aye!

[@royalcypress1668]

I would vote for him! GO JOHN OLIVER!

[@jasperbakker2321]

"The lead industry reasured us it was safe" well that's capitalism for you right there

[@Pit.Gutzmann]

"Even low level exposure can lead to irreversible damage like lower IQs, antisocial behaviour, reduced attention span." Someone should check the plumbing in Trump tower!

[@writerconsidered]

That is just a case of genetics and epigenetics.

[@frankjones43]

Sounds like you’re discriminating against people with disabilities, asswhole

[@mcspankiez3605]

Frank Jones I wouldn’t be surprised

[@frankjones43]

TomTheBomb12 nobody understands irony anymore

[@mcspankiez3605]

Frank Jones if you were implying I didn’t get the joke I did

[@AnomalousAppendages]

This is one of those "Why would anyone downvote this?" videos.

[@PeterK1984]

+Anomalous AP Mainly because it is an environmental issue that concerns mostly the poor and the guys who voted against had little "R"s in their titles. At this point the Republicans are literally TV villains from the 50s: Small minded, racist and delighting in evil for the sake of being evil.

[@lunealexandre6788]

+PeterK1984 They even have their own Hitler caricature as their presidential candidate.

[@PeterK1984]

Lune Alexandre Well, I am loosing the ability to laugh about that one. I think we kinda crossed the line from parody to reenactment. And I am starting to get worried how far it will go.

[@MiauFrito]

+PeterK1984 Stop with your partisan nonsense. The whole Liberal/Conservative argument is a false dichotomy designed to Divide and Conquer.

[@0Clewi0]

+MiauFrito it not a problem of which party the candidate is, it's still terrible it has a chance to become president when all the hints are clear +PeterK1984 I stopped being afraid, worse case scenario the stablishment will throw the hack the machines card and we will suffer 8 more years of the same bullshit.

[@xanderlong6595]

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, it's not...

[@onemanbikergang7461]

Lorax

[@OrganicWheat]

what a wonderful contribution

[@novastellavoid]

Perfect for this

[@codes5218]

yes! the Grinch! perfect comment!!!

[@novastellavoid]

Code S lol its from the Lorax :) I wanted to tell you before someone rude did

[@mattm1982]

How come HBO can post full 20 minute videos, but every other network cuts their stuff up into like 3 minute clips?

[@LizLuvsCupcakes]

They don't have advertising. It's much more complex than that, but that's the long and the short of the reason.

[@SyntheticFuture]

HBO owns Game of Thrones, they basically have infinite money :P So they don't need the ad-money from KZbin ;)

[@LizLuvsCupcakes]

I did say there was more to it than that. Thanks for your input.

[@trevorpollo]

Because HBO is awesome.

[@borntobebroken]

Because.

[@milkteamachine]

This came out in 2016. It's now 2019. Flint still does not have clean water.

[@hassanbeydoun2460]

It's now 2020 from my comment. Flint, Michigan still has lead water. I hope after the COVID-19 pandemic, John and his team make/release a "Lead II" video.

[@4philipp]

So Flint doesn’t care enough about its water.

[@21dazzer]

@@4philipp Caring about the water is one thing. Caring about the people who drink it? Hmmm...

[@birdn4t0r7]

@@hassanbeydoun2460 false. do not spread misinformation without checking it; flint's lead levels have been fallen back in line with government-approved limits, and has fallen below many other cities. however, the issues at flint are still emblematic of wider systemic problems, and lead wasn't the only problem in flint; another problem was the legionnaire's outbreak the switch caused, the investigation into which was shut down even though people died. additionally, even though the water is safe now, the problem has undermined the people of flint's faith in their government, potentially permanently. and as we can see with what happened in iran with coronavirus, the public being unable to trust the government can have catastrophic effects.

[@christopherpham975]

If one watches LWT long enough, it really looks like the USA are a third world country with nukes.

[@Sorenzo]

Three words: The precautionary principle. In America, the government has to prove that something is dangerous before they regulate it. This is nuts. It leads to corporations printing cartoons about the wonders of lead. In most civilized countries, corporations have to prove something is safe before they can put it in everything and your childrens' toys. That's the precautionary principle.

[@MiauFrito]

The US has a complete disregard for the safety of its citizens and yet won't think twice about spending endless sums of money in wars that are a direct result of Uncle Sam's intervention (e.g. giving military aid to "freedom-fighters" to help them topple their dictators, and then oops... they become terrorists)

[@MrAdventure31]

That's more then 3 words

[@a.s.5262]

+MiauFrito That's Capitalism mixed with Neo-Liberalism for you

[@Chainsawctopus]

and this is precisely why europe gets nothing done and is going broke :)

[@a.s.5262]

Chainsawctopus *the whole world, Brexit just accelerated that process for the Brits.

[@AlexKimAegislashing]

John Oliver is actually the best form of liberal in existence. I wish to be like him.

[@reptoidrenaissance]

Accurate, topical, compassionate, and funny? There are definitely worse things to be! :)

[@notinsane4165]

Nah fam whatever the fuck your pfp is I wanna be that, the cutie looks happy as fuck

[@LunaTulpa]

@@notinsane4165 it's from pokemon, there's a move that will create a "substitute" (name of the move) and take damage instead of it, his pfp is what replaces the pokemon

[@ishan8491]

@Jeseentha You are so factually incorrect. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_migration "Liberal economic reasoning advocates for open borders" As for asylum: cis.org/Kammer/Asylum-Policy-Case-Study-LiberalConservative-Divide "In their responses to the current asylum crisis, liberals are demanding that the Trump administration release asylum-seekers pending their appearance before an immigration judge. Liberals believe that as a wealthy nation, implicated historically in Central America's instability, we are obligated to welcome all asylum seekers into our national family. Many also believe that that immigration is a human right and that boundaries are a system of oppression. Inclusiveness is their most sacred value." Furthermore, John has previous said things like, "Economic inequality is like a bit like cinnamon. You definitely want a little of it to spice life up a bit, but too much of it can make life dangerous. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpfKhHitn6aYpNE Go to 3:20. Advocating for any degree of economic inequality makes you not a leftist. John Oliver is a liberal, by definition. Don't talk out of your ass when you don't have a basic understanding of the topic.

[@Last_March_of_the_Gents]

I dont think he identifies as a liberal. That's a really knob approach. He identifies as a decent human being who dislikes apathy and suffering

[@princess_ama]

I remember seeing that old Sesame Street video when I was kindergarten. We were sent home with a copy of the DVD, a Sesame Street lead information pamphlet, and a plush Elmo toy that I still have today. 😂

[@mcsuibhne005]

Let's not forget Troy McLure's wise word's: "Lead paint! Delicious,but deadly !"

[@rachaeldangelo1337]

Are you talking about TV's troy McClure from the simpsons lol

[@rosarioferreira3680]

LWT never lets me down! It's amazing how they take important issues that, let's face it, we wouldn't think about much and make them interesting and funny, even when most of the time they're actually sad or infuriating topics. This is the kind of journalism we need; so, thanks for all the hard work.

[@canyousmellasmell]

+Ro Ferreira thanks mrs oliver....

[@Red88Rex]

I love when he has Sesame Street characters on!

[@pittagiiya]

"What's a C-section?"

[@sonmiagaylord4659]

"Oh like the LETTER C!!!"

[@pratyayamrit608]

Red88Rex m

[@RyGuyDCL]

If we had fixed the lead issues back in the 70's we wouldn't be dealing with Trump voters today.

[@autodelta93]

ahah

[@QuikVidGuy]

+Ryan Kuehl Trump voters weren't poisoned by lead *dramatic gaze into the distance* They were poisoned by hatred

[@johnsmith5996]

Roasted

[@RyGuyDCL]

Trump said that he loves the poorly educated but maybe it's not their fault.

[@PimpDaddyJesus]

+Ryan Kuehl Imagine if you guys banned it in the 20s like a lot of other countries. We would have flying cars by now :)

[@tomokolovecraft3792]

Elmo's face at 16:15 when he finds out Oscar knows way more than hen he lets on is perfect.

[@XJIcequeen]

I know how you feel, Elmo

[@kd1s]

A few years ago the Providence Water Supply Board went bonkers replacing main lines and feeders - but left the lead pipes directly connecting to homes in place. You could pay to have that removed and replaced. Or you can just attach a water filter that strips out lead to the kitchen faucet. Much cheaper that way. And regards lead paint - I worked at the RI AG's office when the state sued lead paint producers. They got them to pay for remediation of lead. That was pretty damned good.

[@johnmcclure40]

"You're ripped."Things you should not say to a puppet.

[@EinSophistry]

I'm surprised more emphasis wasn't given to the proposed link between lead and violent crime. The increased use and subsequent phasing out of leaded gasoline is probably the primary contributor to, respectively, the increase in violent crime incidence from the 1960s to the early 1990s, and the decrease following that period.

[@tengkuadam1399]

That's the study conducted by Rick Nevin from the ICF. It has some pretty solid points but experts say it's not the one and only factor, but it's a factor nonetheless. I wouldn't be surprised in the next 10 - 20 year, crime rates will increase at Flint.

[@RappinPicard]

tengku adam Nevin’s the biggest advocate for that theory but Stephen Billings and Kevin Schnepel at UNC Charlotte did a paper not too long ago that showed a .184 standard deviation decrease in antisocial behavior when intervention efforts were taken to reduce childhood blood lead levels. So there is a statistically significant impact on antisocial behavior and likelihood of criminality from lead exposure.

[@Quants0]

I was drinking a Mtn Dew Code Red while watching this. I expect to be taken to the emergency room any minute now.

[@dontspikemydrink9382]

That is liquid Corona

[@stevethepocket]

I think I'm a little more OK with HBO owning _Sesame Street_ after that.

[@pbliable]

they do? do they have a buncha naked chicks now?

[@anthonykerr3509]

monkeyCheezzz Jones No, they just get first broadcasting rights. It still plays on PBS, just a few months later.

[@Kobolds_in_a_trenchcoat]

AnnMarie Kerr good people who can't afford HBO shouldn't be denied sesame street.

[@georgeweber5333]

ratregoondoof except they literally just said they aren't denied Sesame Street, it just airs on HBO before it airs on PBS.

[@Kobolds_in_a_trenchcoat]

@@georgeweber5333 yea looking back I'm not entirely sure why I said this. I think I was celebrating because this is entirely the correct move. HBO plays first then pbs/whoever a bit later. Of course I could've just been stupid. Idk.

[@MixmanD28]

We need to stop calling them "lawmakers" and "leaders". They are REPRESENTATIVES, and urgently need reminding of the fact.

[@AntsanParcher]

+MixmanD28 Heheh, "leaders".

[@rinrat6754]

One moment, I need to go google lead control in canada.

[@heyitsvamsi]

rofl

[@soler225]

Canada has had the same issues with lead contro as in the USA. or pretty close at least.

[@stijnvandrongelen5625]

Remember folks, the rest of the world already implemented laws against lead paint in indoor environments before the second World War.

[@AluminumHaste]

+Rin Rat Just looked it up found this article: www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/contaminants/prms_lead-psgr_plomb/index-eng.php#a5 "Nearly 90% of refined lead produced in Canada is exported to the United States." Hmmm. Lead is used in lots of legit ways though, it was just a bad idea to put it where it could come into contact with drinking water.

[@daddyodipshit]

+AluminumHaste I don't think I have ever clicked like on a comment I hate more.

[@davidh3858]

It used to be said, in Flint we build cars & in Mexico you don't drink the water. Now its they build cars in Mexico & in Flint you don't drink the water!

[@WilliamCarterII]

"This trashcan is rent controlled" rofffl

[@Jaysay_I]

Did you just- Rofl? Was rofl a still a thing 2 years ago?

[@catsandcaffine3635]

@@Jaysay_I ikr

[@Independentfellow]

Another example of public interests taking a back seat to business interests and kicking the problem down the line for future generations to fund.

[@rozieredz]

It's so adorable how John Oliver sings along with Sesame Street puppets on the same show where he talks about serious world problems

[@Jomil4]

+Rose Hannaquist whats adorable is how he has to dumb it down to that level to make a valid point and draw attention to it. If only you cared about the problem as much as the medium used to relay the message

[@posadist681]

+Jomil4 Some people use comedy because they can't deal with reality

[@posadist681]

+Jomil4 Some people use comedy because they can't deal with reality

[@jbearclowater]

Revisiting this at the news of Caroll Spinney (the puppeteer for both Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch) passing away yesterday. The man's goodness was immeasureable, and he will be greatly missed.

[@Defhrone]

God dammit John Oliver. Thanks to you I'm now a grown man with a favorite character on Sesame Street: Oscar

[@charlieg1175]

Defhrone You are NOT ALONE

[@dragonoax]

As a high school student and going to University next year, I identify with Oscar. "I don't f**king care, leave me the f**k alone"

[@Pro_Butcher_Amateur_Human]

If you don't have a favourite Sesame Street character, frankly I don't want to know you. It's like having a favourite Ninja Turtle or Power Ranger, it's a legal requirement. Swedish Chef, Leonardo, and Red then White after season 2 btw.

[@jmhanelineiv]

The more of his videos I watch the stronger my desire to move and live somewhere else becomes.

[@efl3319]

Me too

[@user-rx2ur5el9p]

@44444 777 boi

[@DavidWoods255]

MY god, LWT is the greatest. If/when I have a kid, I'll make them watch every episode because John's show educates people far more than any other source

[@Gambit22003]

John Oliver is simply one of America's greatest National Treasures. Keep doing what you do, John!! Who would have guessed that the best Journalist in America wouldn't actually be FROM America? But if you ask me, He's doing more, and is more patriotic, than any of our American born Journalist are.

[@DipayanPyne94]

He is a person of the world, like me.

[@matthewblack1978]

Frozen Flint Version: Lead it go! Lead it go!

[@takashi.mizuiro]

Matthew Black lol

[@ASHl33164]

The juxtaposition of heartwarming and terrifying is SO effective! I love John and I love Sesame Street. Excellent job all around, guys!

[@gogal2277]

I just want to apreciate the fact that Jon didnt swear on the Sesame Street part, considering Elmo and Rosita's age

[@blakemiliano4176]

Elmos old as shit tho...

[@zahraf.777]

Just as a side note, can you imagine some secretary of Oliver's running down to HBO's budgeting department and asking for the Sesame Street set?

[@mariokarter13]

For real though, Code Red is the worst Mountain Dew.

[@harley.j.indigo]

true

[@halyomorpha]

:c

[@syedmahdi3123]

+mariokarter13 Glad to see the important messages got across XD

[@AmatMiguel]

+mariokarter13 I disagree, Mountain Dew Throwback taste MUCH worse.

[@mittensfastpaw]

I like code red..... :c

[@CheapSushi]

In case anyone is wondering why lead is bad is because in the body it gets mistaken for calcium. They compete for the same space (bones for example). Then think about brain function where calcium ions are important for signaling.

[@jesusolvera8108]

Thanks for the insight

[@OneRandomLeo]

+

[@MissOliveKnight]

John Oliver singing is one of my favourite things in the world!

[@billsabado9393]

I think this was Jon Oliver's singing audition tape for The Lion King

[@mo7sino575]

That happy moment when you see a new John Oliver video on your KZbin feed 🙌

[@CaylexT]

I still unequivocally, unironically love Sesame Street.

[@Estarile]

+Caylex T same.

[@daddy9minnich777]

John Oliver, if only you could run for President... you rock dude, as does your entire production crew...best darn shiznit on KZbin!!!

[@franzkissel1369]

daddy9minnich777 I love Last Week Tonight and think John Oliver is great. But the USA has to stop voting for celebrities. Didn't you learn anything from Trump? And just because someone is nice or funny or intelligent, doesn't mean he's suited for politics.

[@reptoidrenaissance]

@@franzkissel1369 Don't forget Reagan, he was a fairly well-known actor before his political life. That didn't go so well, either. That said, Oliver couldn't do a worse job than the current fruitloop, but he'd probably be better suited as some kind of advisor (or whoever heads his fact-checking team would do nicely).

[@dillongeditz3768]

Moxie Miscellany Reagan is one of the top three most influential, productive presidents of all time. Fuck you.

[@sixpomegranateseeds6893]

As Elmo once said: “Just because something’s hard doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it.”

[@MrHeems]

I have lead paint in my house. The only legal way I can have it removed is to have it done professionally, and that costs more than my house is worth.

[@tnevitt]

+MrHeems Move?

[@MrHeems]

Furen I can only afford to do that, if someone buys my house. Want to buy a lead tainted house?

[@tnevitt]

Sure. I just gotta get a job... And move from Canada ;)

[@jtsupersized]

+MrSafetymeeting Not a long term solution. At best you've paid to kick the can down the road a bit and you still have a house with lead paint that no one is going to want to buy for fear that they're in the same spot.

[@EebstertheGreat]

Right, leaving the paint in place is, for most people, the safest remotely economical solution. Lead paint isn't _that_ dangerous if you paint over it. Obviously it doesn't solve the underlying problem in the long term, but doing so typically isn't realistic. Removing lead paint generates a lot of dust and is dangerous, so doing it safely is very costly. If the government won't subsidize its removal, it simply won't happen.

[@TheWtfanime]

Just because something is hard doesn't mean you shouldn't try... Can't believe Elmo still has to say that to adults now

[@rapid9940]

Let's list everything the 40's was wrong about: Smoking Lead Drinking Drugs Hitting Children The wonderful 40's everyone!

[@CraftyVegan]

spouse abuse "The Future" Martians Creationism etc.... X-Rays Gamma Radiation... actually, every mutated superhero, now that I think about it..... Childcare

[@Jaxymann]

Homosexuality Other races Anyone to the left of Joseph McCarthy

[@cartooncritic7045]

+5Oblivion McCarthy didn't become active until a decade or so later. However, those other points still hold true.

[@nicholasavasthi9879]

You might have missed segregation there

[@thetechyitalian5360]

Nicholas Avasthi true

[@Kartissa]

6:00 He's not wrong. That's literally what 'Every Breath You Take' is about, according to the writer.

[@mssarahjansen]

Also it's obvious

[@maritimeretro2855]

so 160 billion dollars over 10 years Tell me again how much you guys spend on your military yearly?

[@emperorzerg1138]

About $600 billion a year.

[@chrisbearne9191]

+Zuri Rashad Lol!!!

[@kills456]

But we got to kill and stuff shhh

[@ManiaMac1613]

+Maritime Retro Massacre If we could quit killing people for even a year we could use that money to cut down lead poisoning by a huge amount over the course of a decade and still have money left over. But that's not going to happen, because if we don't meet our annual quota of dead brown people who don't speak English, Jesus will hate us.

[@thedman05]

+Maritime Retro Massacre Gotta keep those welfare queen military contractors and multinational corporations rolling in that sweet, sweet, subsidy money that they get from our taxes, you know? I mean what else could we do bro? Stop letting the rich cocksuckers who don't care about anything but their bottom line win? That almost makes sense man. This is America lol, where we're determined to let the unpatriotic private interests hollow out our treasury while buying into their BS, even while the 600 Billion + portion of the budget they eat up stares us in the face.

[@RustinChole]

This (LWT) really is a brilliant mix of being consistently informative and entertaining.

[@fakku000]

Oscar's decision to reject work in the violently capitalistic environment of the Sesame Street is great. He fights for anarchy. I respect Oscar.

[@hmcguin]

Yes.

[@Soletestament]

+Julian I'm actually surprised to see him. I thought the was retired a couple years ago due to people being offended, feeling he stereotyped homeless people.

[@scoobydoo982]

+Soletestament lol people are stupid, he obviously has a home •-• it's a trashcan but it's still a home ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@e.corellius4495]

yeah, they got rid of a bunch of stuff just to be all PC... its kinda dumb... no oscar, the cookie minster doesn't eat cookies... makes no sense to me. i dont know anyone who was actually offended. sounds like it was all just one whiny ass hole who ruined it for everyone

[@jimk4929]

+E. Corellius It is a bit of a leap, but I believe Oscar is supposed to espouse Diogenes in his barrel. He is very much missed, and as an intensely cynical person, about the only reason I could make myself watch sesame street. Strangely, years later, I saw George Carlin at a small theatre, and I don't think at age 20 I was quite ready for a comedy act that cynical. But now at age 30 I wish I could see him again.

[@carlfloor4788]

"That's a lot of economic insight from someone who lives in a trashcan"

[@TheDrZandi]

John Oliver doesn't know what to do with his hands, but he seems to have taken singing lessons. Bravo!

[@CassiusColeman]

"Oh, hi Mr. Oliverrrr!!!" Oh Elmo, you kill me.

[@dontblink5503]

I was going to go to bed buttt..

[@manava13skplayer50]

+BLAIR M Schirmer isn't that obvious its a bed that look like a butt

[@confused_gaymer1868]

+Manava13 Skplayer dont let the bed butts bite ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[@manava13skplayer50]

Lol

[@intergalacticspacecanoe4659]

+Matt Lhee bed butt. ha. thats an interesting mental image.

[@OwnerOfOwn]

+Intergalactic Spacecanoe Bed Butt and Beyond

[@potatoskin5168]

I love the shade John Oliver throws at the end of every show. This is literally what is getting me through this stupid virus right now.

[@BrennanMerone]

Did anyone else die of laughter when Elmo started counting to 100 million?

[@Captain-Jinn]

Is it weird how happy Sesame Street makes me in my 20's? I don't watch it or anything, but clips of it and Mr. Rogers and all that stuff are just too damn heart warming.

[@DeViLzzz2006]

Anyone that disliked this video obviously doesn't care about their fellow man or children. Seriously this world is a complete mess and I am glad John Oliver is trying to bring more attention to things we need to change/fix.

[@canyousmellasmell]

+Sean “DeViLzzz” DeMarco Hello.....do you have a brain?

[@mothiestman4995]

For whatever weird reason, this evoked the happy memory of my Grammy and me repainting an entire dollhouse, doll furniture, and dolls because she recognized the lead paint. This wasn't supposed to make me feel nostalgic. Wtf.

[@siembacon]

this issue is now brought up on the news here. The Netherlands. The force is strong with this show.

[@megadeathx]

+Peder Hansen A country that has been fighting the ocean for over 800 years (and winning) knows a lot more about how to deal with global warming than any one else. What do you think those windmills are REALLY for?

[@aundreatavakkoly6581]

that's what happens with no regulations, everyone's health suffers. Business is not god.

[@CF-3300]

Aundrea Tavakkoly If only ppl got this through their f*ing heads ffs!

[@CF-3300]

I know exactly how you feel. You preach it!

[@Jaysay_I]

Thanks, capitalism!

[@TheSpiderjaws]

These are the issues you should be talking about, Mr. President.

[@chrisbeecraft]

The tree of truth planted by Jon Stewart is alive and well.

[@anastasial.8507]

You know you watch too much John Oliver when you realise in the first 10 seconds of this video he probably had a cold that night...

[@ozymandiaspbs]

I noticed he sounded congested.

[@tinashechikukwa8083]

I know right?

[@skylar4602]

Thank god I’m not the only one 🤣

[@OneRandomLeo]

Yep, it's very obvious at the end when he sings as well. The things this man sacrifices to bring us knowledge and entertainment. He's a world treasure.

[@aaronaasbury5959]

Good grief, we started figuring out how bad lead was when the Romans ruled the world.

[@nimblehuman]

Right? You'd think this would be universally-accepted knowledge by now, but those who do not study are doomed to repeat it. Our powers that be clearly haven't done their reading.

[@BuiltByBoyer]

We Lead in something lol!

[@noasleeper9527]

+Ryan Boyer ayye

[@BuiltByBoyer]

***** 😄😄

[@TheVideoChain]

so your saying that our stupidity is making America great again!?!...I'm on board.. vote drumpf

[@BuiltByBoyer]

Yes'sir

[@AmiPropagator]

#lmao

[@HellFaust84]

The part at 7:50 reminds me of the scene in 'American experience The Poisoner's Handbook' where leaded gas came up. During a hearing a scientist employed by the fuel industry showed how 'safe' leaded gas was by washing his hands with the stuff... he wasn't available for subsequent hearings due to acute lead poisoning.

[@justinekessner2645]

I LOVE JOHN OLIVER, please Sir, can I have some more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@faceLESS559]

The bit about POISONED reminded me of Josh from Drake and Josh cx

[@maxter202]

concerned...CONCERNED!

[@Longest_boi]

spherical... SPHERICAL

[@1Kitty19]

I repeat things for emphasis... EMPHASIS!

[@zhaoziyang-c5h]

Cx???

[@sumairb9978]

cheddar... CHEDDAR

[@IsabelleLily]

Where I live in Italy, there's arsenic in most of the tap water. Instead of fixing it, the authorities just raised the 'safe' level so they wouldn't have to deal with it.

[@notyourdamnbusiness8795]

where i live we can vote people like this out of office.

[@Starbits7]

Ick. That's horrible. Hope someone better gets into power and fixes that. My city's water has lead & cocaine in it (don't know how but two years in a row they said the levels are pretty high too...)

[@TheMaddestHatter234]

Starbits7 I get the lead, but how did cocaine get into it?

[@bigboineptune9567]

James Rozenshteyn The police were probably about to bust somebody, and they flushed their stash.

[@TheSarahskaninchen]

You can detect higher levels of cocaine in the sewage system after problems at the stock markets. But I always thought that a good sewage system would filter substances like this out before the water reaches the household again.

[@hyperionparthalan]

watching this in the mist of Covid in my house glaring at the painted walls... damn quarantine can kill me too....

[@PsyQoBoy]

Hey mayor how many people have been exposed to large amounts of lead. Mayor: It's over 9000!

[@paulmahoney7619]

WHAT 9000!?

[@kasane1337]

"THERE'S NO WAY THIS COULD BE RIGHT!"

[@shrike6243]

*children, that's 9000 children exposed to large amounts of lead.

[@kasane1337]

Shrike What are you trying to do.

[@kevinsmithgaming]

+Shrike you don't get the reference do you?

[@tristanneal9552]

John Oliver: Making us feel strong emotions about problems we didn't even realize were problems.

[@jaydentownsend5402]

Lead based paint is beyond common in cheap oil paint, sold mainly to younger/student artists. As proper oil paint is 5 times the price. They dont record it on their packaging. Hence how it gets into the west. Honestly, an old art teacher showed me a trick. Rub the tinniest bit of the paint between your forearm and your palm on the vein side. Wait 5-10 minutes and if your viens are black/purple its got lead in it. It's disgusting what has been so easily allowed to flow into the markets of countries which have "banned" lead based paint. Especially when it hits the youngsters and the students worse than anyone else.

[@jaydentownsend5402]

***Lead based white oil paint. It's what drove Lucian Freud into mania.

[@sineadmadden272]

Your teacher recommended you rub toxic paint on yourself?

[@OneRandomLeo]

@@sineadmadden272 I'm hoping as well there are other methods to test this, but that really sucks as an artist.

[@thatwgigeek]

"Kids will not get lead poisoning at our schools." OK lady. Tell that to the metallic taste in our drinking fountains. Tell that to the discolored water that comes out of our pipes after winter break. Tell that to the staff-only water coolers in the office. Tell that to the warning signs above every drinking fountain and sink in the school- On first use of the day, run for 30 seconds before use. All other times, run for ten seconds before use. Then stand in front of us and tell it to us again, that there's no need to worry, because it's coming from homes that haven't been painted with lead paint in thirty years. Then wonder why we call you out of touch.

[@urishitapawar]

A. 👏 M. 👏 E. 👏 N. 👏

[@DLuniz]

if your tasting it, and seeing what I assume is a redish tinge in the water. That is manganese or copper in the water, not lead (still bad, but technically, "no lead poisoning Lady" is right.) Youll get poisoned by any number of OTHER heavy metals in the pipes.

[@sticks4632]

Did you not read the full quote? She wasnt stating that you cant get it from school shes say that the place you are more likly to get it is in your house. You are stupid.