John Oliver's PBS auction leverages his own brand power for good

"Items like the giant Reese's mug that made its first appearance during a 2017 episode about net neutrality are now up for auction alongside Oliver's "on-screen wife," Mrs. Cabbage, and a quintet of bad wax replicas of presidents originally purchased by the show from the now-closed Hall of Presidents and First Ladies in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. All the proceeds from the auctions will go to the Public Media Bridge Fund."

"Oliver said Last Week Tonight originally tried bidding on one of the recently auctioned Ross paintings in hopes of flipping it to raise even more money for public television. "Sadly, those prices were outside of our budget," Oliver said. So instead, the show is tapping its own archives with the auction site johnoliversjunk.com."

"Though Last Week Tonight didn't have the budget to drop six figures on an original Bob Ross painting at last week's auction, Bob Ross Inc. did donate one to Oliver's auction. "Cabin at Sunset" was created during an 1987 episode of Ross's PBS show The Joy of Painting, and it's presently the first item shown on Oliver's auction site."

John Oliver dedicated the close of a season finale to local public television facing a severe funding crisis, noting federal budget cuts could close up to 115 public TV and radio stations serving 43 million Americans. Bob Ross Inc. auctioned 30 paintings to pay licensing fees, with three selling for over $600,000. Last Week Tonight attempted to bid on a Ross painting but found prices beyond its budget, so the show launched johnoliversjunk.com to sell show artifacts. Auction items include a giant Reese's mug, Mrs. Cabbage, and wax presidential replicas, with all proceeds to the Public Media Bridge Fund. Bob Ross Inc. donated "Cabin at Sunset," created in 1987, as the first item on the auction site.

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