There are three things you need to know about John Oliver. One: He is British (but currently lives in New York City). Two: He is an Emmy Award-winning comedian for his work on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Three: He is much more than a comedian.
On Friday, students have the opportunity to see Oliver in action at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. The laughs are a given because the man is a stand-up genius, hence the reason A&O decided to bring him to Northwestern. His show will be even better for those students who know of the wide array of Oliver's talents as an entertainer, ranging from the satirical news podcast The Bugle to a recurring gig on audience favorite Community. Check out some of his notable work below so come Friday, you'll understand the man behind the accent.
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Most people know about John Oliver through his work as Senior British Correspondent on The Daily Show. He joined the show in 2006 and became a writer by 2007. According to the show's website, Oliver "has done everything from interviewing UN Ambassadors to breaking his nose fighting for the Confederate army." His unique perspective and biting wit make him one of the most memorable correspondents on the show.
John Oliver: a lesson in satire
Oliver rests his comedic talent in his extensive understanding of satire. Perfect timing, a facial expression conveying a certain intensity and the perfectly serious way he can deliver an absolutely absurd statement are all trademarks of his style. It's hard to watch him and not find yourself having to reconcile between his earnest demeanor and cartoonish actions.
The Bugle
Together with British comedian Andy Zaltzman, Oliver hosts a weekly satirical news broadcast called The Bugle. Don't worry: He is just as animated without the video as he is in front of the camera. The British newspaper The Times initially produced this series, but since January it has been independent. The Bugle features severalepisodes of back-and-forthpunning as well as plenty of the political coverage Oliver is known for. No topic is safe.
Stand-up
The Cambridge graduate first appeared on the British stand-up scene in 2001, and he performed his first solo show in 2002. He became more well-known throughout this time, and when he moved to New York City for The Daily Show, he continued to gain popularity as he made his way through the comedy circuits of the city. He continues to perform stand-up in between working on The Daily Show and acting in severalfilms.
Community
Oliver plays Ian Duncan, a psychology professor at Greendale Community College in this NBC sitcom. He has appeared in 12 episodes and has even rapped in one of them. He turned down becoming a regular in favor of keeping his recurring role and continuing work on The Daily Show. But for now he occasionally shows up on Community to bring his unique comedic style to the array of other comedically talented actors on the show.