John Oliver on Running Into ‘Law & Order’ Stars at Emmys After Slamming Franchise

Meredith Jacobs
13 Comments
Mariska Hargitay, Christopher Meloni, John Oliver at 2022 Emmys
Chris Haston/NBC (2)

John Oliver, on Last Week Tonight, criticized Law & Order just one day before he and two of the franchise’s stars appeared at the 2022 Emmys on September 12.

Oliver, who won an Emmy for Variety Talk Series, was asked in the press room if he’d run into the stars — Mariska Hargitay of SVU and Christopher Meloni of Organized Crime presented Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. “Not yet,” Oliver said, adding, “It’s almost like I hadn’t considered the Emmys were on NBC this year. I don’t know how that will go. I hope it’s OK.”

As for why he chose to do a segment about the franchise’s positive take on law enforcement, he said he did so “just because it’s such an iconic program. I hope we made it pretty clear [the] separation between not just what the cast and the writers are doing and what Dick Wolf wants but also what the problem really is. It’s the ad for the defective product. I hope the story speaks for itself.”

During the segment on the September 11 episode of his show, Oliver said, “Crucially, [Law & Order] makes a lot of choices that significantly distort the big picture of police.” He added, “Law & Order is never going to grapple with the reality of policing in a meaningful way. Because fundamentally, the person who is responsible for Law & Order and its brand is Dick Wolf, and he knows exactly what he wants his shows to do and, importantly, not to do.”

Mariska Hargitay & Christopher Meloni Tease Fans With Almost Kiss at Emmys
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Mariska Hargitay & Christopher Meloni Tease Fans With Almost Kiss at Emmys

The Emmys introduced Hargitay and Meloni as presenters by having them do a bit where they “caught” someone trying to steal an Emmy. They then teased fans with an almost-kiss — some have wanted to see Benson and Stabler get together for years — before turning to the nominees.

— Reporting by Michael Maloney

EmmysLast Week Tonight With John OliverLaw & OrderJohn Oliver



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  1. G

    GoldGlasses

    They actually have taken on police brutality when George Floyd was murdered ,no one came out looking great in those episodes.

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    CyanPopcorn

    "Blue Bloods" depiction of Policing is FAR MORE offensive than "Law and Order". In that trash, the Police are never wrong about ANYTHING. These poor, put-upon heroes under attack by the vicious poor and minority populations.

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      OrangeGuitar

      Probably why no one watches it

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    PurpleBug

    Absolutely! It’s a real turn-off unfortunately. Too self-righteous. Surely the writers see what happens in real life. Look at the stats guys unless you’re pandering to a key demographic. At least L&O has shown some police brutality being admonished a few times. Main issue with Blue is it’s simplistic all tied in a bow. Waste of good actors.

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      CyanPopcorn

      "Blue Bloods" is a waste of good almost everything. The actors are good, the cinematography is beautiful, the direction is some of the best on Broadcast, even the music is good.

      Too bad it's written as a Right Wing Propaganda smoochfest.

  4. C

    CyanWeights

    None of these late night commentators are funny. Oliver, Colbert, Kimmel are as funny as concrete compared to real hosts like Carson, Leno and Letterman. Look at the FBI uniform crime report. All law enforcement, those actually making arrests, number only 800,000 for billions of people. With millions if interactions per year there are few arrests. There are even fewer logged complaints. The general public commits offenses at a rate of 10% of the population, officers are at 4%. The complaints about police are coming from people who don't educate themselves.

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    1. G

      GreenBulb

      lol how old are you?

      2 1

    2. O

      OrangeGuitar

      Ok Boomer

      1 1

    3. R

      RedSushi

      This short busser thinks there are billions of Americans. And then complains that people don't educate themselves. That's FUNNY

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    GreenPalmtree

    Meloni. Sucks the oxygen out of any room or scene he is in. It is so disgusting that he is around. I have always muted any scene he is in.

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    1. R

      RedLobster

      How sad. I would not watch at all if I had to mute someone. Don’t hate. Is looking at Mariska worth it? Find a stupid reality show to watch.

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  6. C

    CyanGuitar

    PS re J Oliver’s 52nd win, enough already!!! He’s Not the most clever nor intelligent late night comedic commentator, especially after his first couple of Emmy’s. Geez How about rewarding Stephen Colbert??!!

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      CyanPopcorn

      I think Colbert deserves one, but John Oliver is a weekly political lecture at a good University that happens to be really funny. Adults actually learn by watching John Oliver.

      6 2