Commencing the latest episode of Last Week Tonight, John Oliver delved into the resolution of the SAG-AFTRA strike, expressing relief for the imminent return of movie productions. However, Oliver playfully pondered the continued necessity of films, confessing, “Honestly, I’m not even sure if I need movies anymore.”
The charismatic host shared his recent fascination with a 17-minute video featuring what he whimsically dubbed a “hamster Gatsby” living its best life. With a touch of humor, Oliver showcased the video, depicting a hamster frolicking and sliding down a miniature slide, declaring it a “complete masterpiece.”
Amidst the cinematic banter, Oliver casually mentioned a certain “Barbenheimer,” describing it as “fine” but candidly admitted, “To be honest, it’s just not as good as” the aforementioned hamster spectacle.
The SAG-AFTRA strike, spanning 118 days, concluded earlier in the week with a newfound three-year agreement between the actors’ union and studios. This accord marked a pivotal moment for the industry, allowing actors to resume work and revitalizing Hollywood by reigniting productions that had been temporarily halted.
Reflecting on the resolution, SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher highlighted the significance of securing protections in the realm of artificial intelligence, along with the essential funds for a burgeoning revenue stream. Drescher affirmed, “It was really important to us that we got the protections we felt absolutely needed to sustain this contract until the next one.” Looking ahead, she acknowledged ongoing efforts to address additional concerns in future contracts, emphasizing the numerous milestones achieved in the current agreement.
