"Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" tackled a very popular topic that can easily start a conversation: abortion. After teasing his audience that he will talk about breast implants, he switched the phrase to abortion to everyone's surprise.
According to Vanity Fair, "Oliver argues that while abortion may be 'theoretically legal' it's far from 'literally accessible' to many U.S. residents." He then pointed out states that actually have one legal abortion clinic while pointing out the excruciating legal challenges each clinic has to face just to get approved.
The show even posted a story of an abortion clinic in Alabama that has to comply with additional laws even after complying with everything the state requires to the point of absurdity.
Slate also pointed out that the segment of Oliver highlights the absurdity of such requirements, "the requirements often fly in the face of reason and medical necessity, or even accuracy. Oliver notes that all the fuss over women's 'safety' is pretty trumped up...other laws-like mandatory waiting periods or requiring that doctors show women their ultrasound videos before allowing them to have abortions-have nothing to do with safety."
Oliver acknowledged the heavy discussion with regards to abortion so he ends the segment with something entertaining: an actual sloth in bedtime dress.
Aside from the heavy discussion of John Oliver with regards to abortion, the ever entertaining and informative "How is This Still a Thing" segment focused on another controversial topic: Hollywood whitewashing. Since the Academy Awards is coming soon, the segment focuses on the casting choices in the past and even in upcoming movies.
According to The Washington Post, "The show noted that 'even when there are roles for non-white actors, they still sometimes get played by white people.' A series of films set in ancient Egypt and Emma Stone's controversial casting as a part Native Hawaiian, part Chinese character in 'Aloha' are recent examples."
