# John Oliver mocks David Ellison's HBO access

> John Oliver jokes about David Ellison's HBO access and wealthy parents.
- Title: John Oliver mocks David Ellison's HBO access · Mashable
- Summary: John Oliver jokes about David Ellison's HBO access and wealthy parents. John Oliver mocked David Ellison for having HBO access through his father Larry…
- Keywords: john oliver, david ellison, paramount skydance, hbo, larry ellison, unitedhealth group, unitedhealthcare, warner bros discovery, technology, culture, John, Oliver
- Source: Mashable — https://mashable.com/entertainment/john-oliver-mocks-david-ellison-last-week-tonight
- Author: Sam Haysom
- Published: 2026-09-21T12:12:15+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: john oliver, david ellison, paramount skydance, hbo, larry ellison, unitedhealth group, unitedhealthcare, warner bros discovery, technology, culture
## John Oliver's target
John Oliver focused on UnitedHealth Group and its insurance arm UnitedHealthcare during Last Week Tonight.
## David Ellison's deal
David Ellison, CEO of Paramount Skydance, is trying to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, which would give his company HBO.
## HBO access
Oliver noted that having access to wealthy parents cannot be the system for getting healthcare, even if it lets you control HBO.
## Larry Ellison's pledge
Larry Ellison personally pledged $40 billion to support Paramount's bid for Warner Bros. Discovery.
## Oliver's comment
Oliver said, 'Having access to wealthy parents just cannot be the system to get badly-needed healthcare, even if it is apparently the system that lets you be in charge of HBO.'

> having access to wealthy parents just cannot be the system to get badly-needed healthcare, even if it is apparently the system that lets you be in charge of hbo
## Oliver's respect
Oliver expressed deep respect for Ellison's business background, contrasting it with Stephen Colbert.
## Key takeaway

John Oliver mocked David Ellison for having HBO access through his father Larry Ellison's $40 billion pledge to Paramount Skydance.