During the latest episode of “Last Week Tonight,” on HBO Sunday night, Aug. 30, Oliver offered to donate $55,000 to charities in Danbury if Boughton followed through on the joke of renaming the city’s sewage plant in his honor.
Oliver said that he would donate $25,000 to the Connecticut Food Bank, $25,000 to Donors Choose fund for Danbury teachers, and $5,000 to ALS Connecticut if Boughton went through with what was initially a tongue-in-cheek joke posted on Facebook.
The comedian and variety show host also said he would pay to have a sign bearing the new name.
But Boughton has a one-week deadline to approve Oliver's terms.
“I will happily do all of that if — and only if — your mayor makes good on his promise to officially name that sewage plant after me because I want this. I need this,” Oliver said. “I didn’t know that I wanted my name on your (expletive) factory, but now that you floated it, it is all that I want.”
During his latest show, Oliver showed videos of Danbury residents responding to his initial rant about the city, praising them for their quality. He also commended Boughton for his innovative idea as well as a video done by Casey Bryant of the Danbury Hat Tricks. (See a video of the segment above. Warning: Graphic language.)
In his show last week, Oliver inexplicably took potshots at Danbury, leading to the exchange between the two.
“If you’re going to forget a town in Connecticut, why not Danbury?” he mused. “Because, and it’s true, (expletive deleted) Danbury.
"From its charming railway museum to its history half-stone castle, Danbury, Connecticut can (expletive deleted).
“I know exactly three things about Danbury,” he continued. “USA Today ranked it as the second-best city to live in in 2015. …
"It was once the center of the American hat industry … and if you’re from there, you have a standing invite to come get a thrashing from John Oliver, children included.”
Boughton responded by musing that the city will name the sewage plant after the Emmy winner.
“Behind me, you’ll see the city of Danbury sewer plant,” he said. “And we’re going to rename it the John Oliver Memorial Sewer Plant. Why? Because it’s full of crap, just like you John.”
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