HBO’s John Oliver voiced his disapproval of those who praised the vice presidential debate between JD Vance and Tim Walz for its civility on Sunday’s installment of Last Week Tonight. Oliver wondered “why do manners matter” because the GOP ticket is proposing a list of things he does not like.

Oliver began by teeing up a montage of news clips, “In contrast to the presidential debate, Walz and Vance seemed at pains to be courteous to one another, something many commentators saw as a plus.”

The package concluded with CBS White House correspondent Ed O’Keefe declaring, “In many ways, that's what the country has been saying they want more of.”

Oliver did not hesitate to show his dismay, “Okay, first: On the list of things America's been saying it wants more of, civility is, at best, number six, after affordable healthcare, gun control, cheaper housing, reproductive rights, and starring vehicles for Nicola Coughlan.”

He also wondered, “Why do manners matter here?” because "The debate included discussions on how to carry out mass deportations and whether women should have control over their own bodies. Etiquette is kind of beside the point. It's like reading a ransom note and going, 'This cursive is just so lovely. Look at the capital Y in ‘You have 24 hours before he dies.’ There are still some people who were raised right.’”

Oliver lives in such a thick bubble that he can’t imagine that Republicans have moral beliefs too, and that they find Walz’s defense of abortion or education standards repulsive. Additionally, Walz has a history of making things up about his personal life, but Vance still managed to be polite to him.

Speaking of Vance, Oliver was also not thrilled that anyone could say anything remotely positive about him, “And complimenting Vance on his civil tone is a little hard to take, given how he spent the rest of his week. Just days before the debate, he took part in an event called The Courage Tour, hosted by Lance Wallnau, a prominent far-right Christian nationalist, and someone who's talked about Kamala Harris like this.”

In the clip, Wallnau went on a bender about Harris doing “witchcraft” and using “that occult spirit” to manipulate people into thinking she looks presidential. Is that cringe? Sure, but so is associating with a pro-Hamas imam, but again, Oliver can’t even imagine Republicans being able to throw his criticisms right back at him.

Here is a transcript for the October 6 show:

HBO Last Week Tonight

10/6/2024

11:05 PM ET

JOHN OLIVER: In contrast to the presidential debate, Walz and Vance seemed at pains to be courteous to one another, something many commentators saw as a plus.

VICKY NGUYEN: The debate was so polite. It's being called "A night of Midwest nice"

MARY CALVI: Despite their differences, they still managed to be civil.

AINSLEY EARHARDT: It was so refreshing to see these two guys, though. They were so polite to one another.

STEVE DOOCY: They were.

BRIAN KILMEADE: I liked it.

STEVE FABIAN This was a civil debate. It almost seemed like these guys, kind of, liked each other.

ED O’KEEFE: In many ways, that's what the country has been saying they want more of.

OLIVER: Okay, first: On the list of things America's been saying it wants more of, civility is, at best, number six, after affordable healthcare, gun control, cheaper housing, reproductive rights, and starring vehicles for Nicola Coughlan. 

But also, why do manners matter here? The debate included discussions on how to carry out mass deportations and whether women should have control over their own bodies. Etiquette is kind of beside the point. It's like reading a ransom note and going, "This cursive is just so lovely. Look at the capital Y in ‘You have 24 hours before he dies.’ There are still some people who were raised right." 

And complimenting Vance on his civil tone is a little hard to take, given how he spent the rest of his week. Just days before the debate, he took part in an event called The Courage Tour, hosted by Lance Wallnau, a prominent far-right Christian nationalist, and someone who's talked about Kamala Harris like this:

LANCE WALLNAU: She can look presidential and that's, we'll go to this later, that's the seduction of what I would say is witchcraft, that's the manipulation of imagery that creates an impression contrary to the truth. But it seduces you into seeing it. So that spirit, that occult spirit, I believe, is operating on her and through her.

OLIVER: Okay, first: Kamala Harris isn't the one who's been relentlessly promoting witchcraft, you're thinking of Universal's marketing department. And this guy clearly shouldn't be commenting on the election. He should be standing in a tent in 1856 selling children mercury tonics he claims will let them talk to ghosts.