John Oliver jokes about future of 'Last Week Tonight' at charity event

NEW YORK –John Oliveris worried about the future of his show "Last Week Tonight," which airs on HBO. But the pending merger between HBO's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Paramount Skydance is only one of the reasons for his concern.

And Oliver joked that it may not even be his top reason.

"I'm worried about my show all the time, regardless of mergers," the comedian, 48, told USA TODAY at the2026 Garden of Laughs All-Star Comedy Benefit, where he performed. "(Mergers are) going to have to get in line in terms of the constant anxiety that I have. I'll get to you when I have time, corporate overlords. I've got a lot of self-loathing to go through first."

Earlier on Monday, April 13, over 1,000 filmmakers, actors, and industry professionalssigned an open letteropposingWarner Bros. Discovery's proposed $110 billion merger with Paramount Skydance, warning of the negative impacts it would have on the U.S. media sector.

"I think consolidation is a huge problem," Oliver said. "I haven't seen the letter, though."

The TV host struck a similar tone after Netflix's $72 billion bid to merge with Warner Bros. Discovery. In December, Netflix announced the pending merger, but Paramount Skydance reentered the picture with a hostile takeover attempt and eventually a more lucrative offer.

"I think that mergers are generally bad," Oliver said in January on Trevor Noah's "What Now?" podcast. "I will act assuming nothing is going to happen. We’re not going to change, right?"

If the deal receives regulatory approval by the Trump administration and international governments, it will mark the third time HBO has changed hands since Oliver began "Last Week Tonight," which is currently in its 13th season. In 2018, AT&T acquired HBO as part of its $85.4 billion TimeWarner purchase.

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In 2022, then-WarnerMedia was spun off into Warner Bros. Discovery.

John Oliver jokes about his facial hair at charity comedy event

Oliver took part in the stand-up comedy event held by theGarden of Dreams Foundation, the charitable arm of Madison Square Garden Company. The event took place at one of the company's sister venues, Radio City Music Hall.

Oliver joined a lineup that included Ronny Chieng, Zarna Garg, Josh Johnson, Hasan Minhaj,Andrew Schulz, and Iliza Shlesinger.

"I just love what they do in terms of supporting these kids and giving them a great experience," Oliver said of the nonprofit. The Garden of Dreams works with Madison Square Garden's partners and other charities to bring once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to young people in need.

The cause hits home for Oliver, whose father was a social worker in Liverpool, England. "There is something to showing kids something absolutely amazing that can give them a deep sense of joy that you can feed off for a long time."

A-listers are welcoming in spring 2026 by stepping out at star-studded events, including the premieres of "The Drama" and "You, Me & Tuscany." Still to come this month will be the premiere of the Michael Jackson biopic "Michael" and the annual CinemaCon convention.

Scroll through for the best celebrity photos of April so far, starting with Robert Pattinson, left, and Zendaya at the premiere of "The Drama" on April 2, 2026, in New York City.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Joe Jonas toasts to Coachella Weekend One ahead of a surprise appearance at the Aperol Day Club during day one of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 10, 2026, in Indio, California.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> It's a "Scrubs" reunion! Creator Bill Lawrence (from left), Donald Faison, Zach Braff, John C. McGinley, Sarah Chalke, Christa Miller, Aseem Batra, Judy Reyes, moderator Vanessa Bayer and Neil Flynn arrive for ABC's "Scrubs" panel during the 2026 PaleyFest LA at Dolby Theatre on April 11, 2026, in Hollywood, California.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Sarah Chalke

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Donald Faison

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Zach Braff

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Donald Faison, Zach Braff and Sarah Chalke

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Olivia Wilde attends the Fashion Trust Awards at Nya Studios on April 8, 2026, in Los Angeles.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Chrissy Teigen

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Selma Blair

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Uzo Aduba

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melissa McCarthy

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jurnee Smollett

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Lili Reinhart

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Emily V. Gordon, left, and Kumail Nanjiani

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Alison Brie

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Mindy Kaling

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Frankie Muniz attends the premiere of "Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair" in New York on April 7, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jane Kaczmarek

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Bryan Cranston

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> From left, Jane Kaczmarek, Frankie Muniz and Bryan Cranston

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Christopher Masterson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Justin Berfield

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Zendaya attends the premiere of "Euphoria" Season 3 on April 7, 2026, in Hollywood, California.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jacob Elordi

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Sydney Sweeney

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Alexa Demie

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Hunter Schafer

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Chloe Cherry

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Yvette Nicole Brown attends the PaleyFest presentation of "Pluribus" in Hollywood, California, on April 4, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Rhea Seehorn

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Robert Pattinson attends the premiere of "The Drama" on April 2, 2026, in New York City.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Zendaya

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Alana Haim

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Mamoudou Athie

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Paul Dano

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Matt Rogers

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Heidi Klum

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Halle Bailey, left, and Chloe Bailey attend a screening of "You, Me & Tuscany" on April 2, 2026, in Los Angeles.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Halle Bailey, left, and Chloe Bailey

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Halle Bailey speaks at a screening of "You, Me & Tuscany" at Spelman College on April 1, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Sharon Stone visits SiriusXM Studios on April 1, 2026, in New York City.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

See Zendaya, Justin Bieber in best celeb photos of April

A-listers are welcoming in spring 2026 by stepping out at star-studded events, including the premieres of "The Drama" and "You, Me & Tuscany." Still to come this month will be the premiere of the Michael Jackson biopic "Michael" and the annual CinemaCon convention.Scroll through for the best celebrity photos of April so far, starting with Robert Pattinson, left, and Zendaya at the premiere of "The Drama" on April 2, 2026, in New York City.

The "Last Week Tonight" host is gearing up to return to his show after a two-week break. Sporting a scruffy look, the comedian jokes that his face also took a two-week break.

"And you didn't ask, but just for the record, my kids hate it," Oliver continued. "'Your face is scratchy. Get away from me.' That's a direct quote."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:John Oliver is always worried about the future of 'Last Week Tonight'

byCreto Bactum

in

April 14, 2026

John Oliver jokes about future of 'Last Week Tonight' at charity event

NEW YORK –John Oliveris worried about the future of his show "Last Week Tonight," which airs on HBO. But the pending merger b...

Read More

Ashley Parker Angel Shares Scary Memory of Being Alone with Lou Pearlman in a Hotel Room When His Manager Warned, 'Get Out' (Exclusive)

Ashley Parker Angel was among several boy band members who received warnings about Lou Pearlman's behavior

NEED TO KNOW

• Pearlman was responsible for the formation of O-Town through season one of Making the Band

• In an exclusive clip from ID's Boy Band Confidential shared with PEOPLE, the singer recalls an instance where he was alone with Pearlman in a hotel room

Ashley Parker Angelfelt conflicted about Lou Pearlman.

The music executive promised him a dream as he tookO-TownfromMaking the Bandto becoming one of the most popular boy bands of their day. Still, people warned Angel to proceed with caution he reveals in an exclusive clip shared with PEOPLE from the two-part finale ofBoy Band Confidential: A Hollywood Demons Event.

"People are pulling you aside and saying, 'Hey, don't be alone with Lou. Don't go into a hotel room alone with Lou," he recalled.

Angel found himself alone with Pearlman in a hotel room when he called upon him for a conversation, then offered a massage instead.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

"We were out on the road with O-Torwn and I went into his room and he's like, 'Take off your shirt,' " he recalled.

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Pearlman told him he could "give his muscles a pump, in the same way as if you actually worked out and lifted weights... just by massaging you."

He continued to prod him to "lay down on the couch and let me massage your muscles." Reluctantly, Angel agreed, "And then Lou's giving you this intesne massage. It's getting really uncomfortable."

Angel recalls it feeling "abusive and predatory," and felt saved by repeated calls from his manager, looking for the singer.

"He's like, 'Where are you? You're not in Lou's room, are you?' And I was like, 'I am.' And he's like, 'Get out of there. Don't be alone in Lou's room."

The two-part finale ofBoy Band Confidentialairs tonight at 9/8c on ID and streams on HBO Max.

Read the original article onPeople

byCreto Bactum

in

April 14, 2026

Ashley Parker Angel Shares Scary Memory of Being Alone with Lou Pearlman in a Hotel Room When His Manager Warned, 'Get Out' (Exclusive)

Ashley Parker Angel was among several boy band members who received warnings about Lou Pearlman's behavior NEED TO KNOW ...

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All the Bruno Mars songs on The Romantic Tour setlist

LAS VEGAS - It's been almost a decade sinceBruno Marswas on tour, as the "I Just Might" singer primarily situated himself in Las Vegas for his longstanding residency at Park MGM or jaunted overseas for a slate of shows between 2022 and 2024.

But on April 10, at the first of two sold-out shows at Allegiant Stadium in the city that justnamed a streetin his honor, Marsreturned in a massive waywith The Romantic Tour.

Mars' 2-hour-plus show supporting his recently released fourth studio album,"The Romantic,"tapped into every era of his 15-year career. Songs spanning his early days - "Just the Way You Are," "Marry You" - paired smoothly with current smash "I Just Might" and opener "Risk It All," while pal Anderson .Paak sauntered out for a groovy trio of Silk Sonic tunes.

As a performer, Mars, 40, was captivating as he danced in lockstep with his fun band, the Hooligans, and sweat through many a headband. Talk about an auspicious outing for his first-ever stadium run.

The demand for Mars to return to touring ‒ especially in North America ‒ was so strong that an additional 32 shows were announced following the quick sellouts of his originally planned 39-date stadium run.Tickets for all of the showssold so briskly that Marsset a recordfor the largest single-day ticket sales in Live Nation history across North America, Europe and the UK. He also achieved a Ticketmaster record for the most tickets sold in a single day ‒ 2. 1 million.

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Mars' touralso benefits from the inclusion of some familiar names. His Silk Sonic pal .Paak (appearing asDJ Pee .Wee) joins him for every date, while his other openers areLeon Thomasthrough May 30,Victoria Monétfor the European and UK dates this summer andRAYE,back in North America, from August through October.

Here are the songs from opening night of The Romantic Tour.

'Bruno Mars Day' takes over Las Vegas Strip. See the photos

More:Bruno Mars album is here: The best songs on 'The Romantic'

Bruno Mars The Romantic Tour setlist

"Risk It All""Cha Cha Cha""Treasure""God Was Showing Off""I Just Might""Why You Wanna Fight (Car)""Low Rider Medley (Oh Girl, Miss You, Everything, Wannabe)""Something Serious""Blast Off ""Smoking Out the Window""Marry You""Die With a Smile""It Will Rain""Talking to the Moon""When I Was Your Man""Just the Way You Are""On My Soul""24K Magic""Perm" "That’s What I Like""Something Serious""777""Fly as Me""Leave the Door Open""Locked Out of Heaven""Uptown Funk""Dance With Me"

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Bruno Mars setlist: All the songs on The Romantic Tour

byCreto Bactum

in

April 13, 2026

All the Bruno Mars songs on The Romantic Tour setlist

LAS VEGAS - It's been almost a decade sinceBruno Marswas on tour, as the "I Just Might" singer primarily situated himself...

Read More