British comedian and host of “Last Week Tonight,” John Oliver is known for his quick-witted political commentary. And now, he’s taking his passion for pettiness to the next level.
In late July, Oliver spoke about the beaver-laden convenience store chain, Buc-ee’s, and its commitment to suing any small business with wildlife-themed mascots.
“Buc-ee’s loves to sue other companies, particularly those with animal mascots,” Oliver said on his HBO show. “They’ve filed over a dozen lawsuits over the years and threatened a bunch more.”
“And incredibly, to date, Buc-ee’s has won nearly all of the cases it’s brought, usually because other companies opt to settle and redesign their logos, or just fold completely,” he added. “That is probably because most just don’t have the resources to fight a company this big.”
So, a staunch advocate against corporate greed, Oliver wanted to go to bat for the little guys.
“Buc-ee’s should be careful here, because as one legal expert has said, ‘The more you do this … the more you might run into somebody who has the means or the will to fight with you about it,’” Oliver said.
“And that is where we come in.”
It was at this moment he debuted his new online merch store: “Last Week Tonight’s Buc-Off Shop.” It is filled with apparel, accessories, stickers, and umbrellas featuring a red-and-yellow logo with the existing “Last Week Tonight” mascot, a squirrel named Mr. Nutterbutter.
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver/Facebook
“You can buy all of these items for a limited time at Buc-Off.com, with all profits going to Hunger Free America,” Oliver joyfully announced on his July 27th show.
According to the online shop, all of the items will be available to purchase until September 8, 2026.
It’s only been a couple of weeks since he set it up, effectively daring the Texas-based company to sue him for trademark infringement, and Oliver says he still hasn’t heard from their corporate lawyers — though Buc-ee’s continues to sue other small businesses.
“The good news is, we’ve raised almost half a million dollars for Hunger Free America so far,” Oliver exclaimed in an update earlier this week.
“The bad news is, it doesn’t seem that Buc-ee’s got the message.”
He then went on to say that Buc-ee’s recently sued Beaver Mini Mart, a small, independently owned convenience store in Beavercreek, just outside of Dayton, Ohio. In response, locals have begun shopping at Beaver Mini Mart with even more loyalty.
“It made me want to come out and support them and just help a local business that is being, what really feels like, bullied by a big corporation,” one Beavercreek resident, Sam Bryan, told the local news.
“Reading into it more, that Buc-ee’s has gone after other companies over this, it just put a bad taste in my mouth.”
In response, Oliver promised that “we’re keeping our Buc-Off Shop open until further notice.”
“There’s still time to go Buc Wild in our Buc-Off Shop, which obviously has nothing to do with one very litigious gas station chain,” a Facebook post from “Last Week Tonight” reads, reminding the audience that proceeds go to Hunger Free America.
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver/Facebook
While donation totals climb, and it seems Oliver won’t be letting up on Buc-ee’s any time soon, it’s unclear how much the parody shop will ultimately raise for the charity.
And Hunger Free America is taking the campaign in stride.
On the home page of the nonprofit’s website, Mr. Nutterbutter is displayed proudly with a banner that reads, “As Seen on Last Week Tonight: The Buc-Off Shop Supports Our Work.”
The nonprofit then thanks Oliver for his support and reminds people they can also donate directly to the cause.
“48 million Americans and 1 in 5 children in the U.S. face hunger and struggle to get enough to eat, while massive cuts to federal food and nutrition programs are putting even more families at risk,” Hunger Free America’s website reads.
“Donations of any amount make a real difference.”
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Featured Image: Courtesy of HBO
