This British-American Host and Indian Journalist Had a Spat and the Internet Is In Splits

Several American late show hosts are worthy of kudos – quite simply because they are scathing in the indictment of their government and its missteps. In other words, they do job of being the country’s conscience; something our pusillanimous press can learn from. Award-winning late show host, political commentator and satirist John Oliver certainly counts among the best among them. Recently, India’s shouter in chief Arnab Goswami became incensed with John Oliver which initiated something of a public spat.

Some context

In one recent episode of his show Last Week Tonight, John Oliver turned his gaze India-ward. He made some less than complimentary observations; about divisiveness, the CAA and the crackdown against protestors.

This ruffled a lot of feathers

Arnab Goswami was very upset with John Oliver. Goswami called him an ‘ignoramus’, a ‘fool’, ‘malicious’, 'third rate'. Oliver responded like this, almost in the passing; dismissing Goswami as India’s Tucker Carlson (American host and dedicated Trump supporter). He reserved most of his ire for Disney and Hotstar’s self-censoring that prevented airing of the episode in question in India. 

Hilarious

A lot of people found the whole exchange between the two public personalities hilarious. Some also pointed out that Goswami said 'Olivier' and not 'Oliver' for some reason.

Some pointed this out

Apparently, there was more self-censoring from Disney and Hotstar since many had not seen this part of the show.

Many were upset with Oliver too

Comments such as this rambling, rather incoherent one, hurl abuse at Oliver and compare Goswami favourably to him.

Some spoke out against Goswami

A former colleague spoke out against Goswami and the shouting matches that pass for debates on his shows.

Many were deeply amused

They found Oliver’s reply, where he managed to laugh both at himself and at Goswami, to be highly amusing and wished that the rather public spat would continue.

Going easy

Many of the tweeple are admirers of Oliver and his brand of biting satire; they thought Oliver went easy on Goswami. Some such as this commentator felt that Goswami would be very angry that he hadn’t managed to rile Oliver too much.

Not even the same league

John Oliver's shows typically display sharp satire and incisive political/social commentary as well as the deep research into any particular subject. Many of the tweeple thought that Goswami is simply not in the same league.

“Nation wants to know”

Using Goswami’s own pet phrase, some recalled another recent public episode involving the journalist and another comic; namely Kunal Kamra.

Bottom line

As a reply to Arnab Goswami’s outraging and name-calling, John Oliver said that he was very capable of embarrassing is own self. By being self-effacingly mocking of himself he came out looking like the bigger man. By making such a big issue about Oliver on his show, Goswami gave him the kind of publicity that can only benefit Oliver – introducing him to a vast number of Indians who had never even heard of him before.  I'm afraid it was game, set and match Oliver, here.

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