EXCLUSIVE: UK pay TV service Sky cut portions of Last Week Tonight With John Oliver yesterday evening over tongue-in-cheek comments related to the death of Queen Elizabeth II.Angered viewers took to social media to question why two segments had been dropped from the British version of the HBO satire show, which followed the UK royal’s passing last Friday.The comments in question came in a post-opening credits segment.
During this, Oliver lampooned several unexpected social media tributes to the Queen from the likes of cartoon character The Crazy Frog and Dominos Pizza, saying: “Obviously, we have to start with the UK, which is clearly still reeling from the shocking death of a 96-year-old woman from natural causes.
It is a big moment this week and for some reason absolutely everyone felt they had to wade in on [it].”In another comment minutes later, Oliver responded to new UK leader Liz Truss’ praise of profit-making companies by saying: “The nicest thing the Queen of England ever did for anyone was die the week that woman became Prime Minister.
Because for at least a week, she’s not going to be getting justifiably destroyed for answers like that.”Neither joke specifically targeted the Queen, but Deadline understands the broadcaster will not air Oliver’s comments on its UK and Ireland platforms.Sky declined to comment.
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