John Oliver Extends but Still Wants Paramount to Stay Away

John Oliver isn't leaving HBO anytime soon—but he's not exactly locking in for the long haul, either. The Last Week Tonight host has extended his deal with the network through 2027, Variety reports, keeping his Emmy-magnet series in place for at least one more year beyond its current commitment. This time, with the network's future ownership unknown because of the stalled deal for Paramount to take over HBO's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, the two sides agreed to not sign the usual three-year renewal.

The host has been openly wary of the deal, joking on air to the prospective owners that "you are not my real business daddy, and you never will be" and criticizing Paramount's past legal settlements with the Trump administration. The company has said it's pausing the takeover attempt until at least next June while the issue is in the courts. Oliver, who responded to the takeover news last fall by asking Paramount to just stay away, is in no hurry. "Nothing's happening and everything has stayed the same," he told the Hollywood Reporter. "That's the only way that we can really move forward. Total denial." The show has won 28 Emmys.