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HBO says 2 more seasons for Oliver

FILE - In this Oct. 14, 2014 file photo, John Oliver arrives at The 20th Annual Fulfillment Fund Stars Benefit Gala in Beverly Hills, Calif. HBO says it has picked up two more seasons of John Oliver’s “Last Week Tonight,” which puts to rest any thought that Oliver would return to Comedy Central to replace Jon Stewart on “The Daily Show.” Oliver just began his second season at HBO, and his weekly comedy show has been a critical hit. HBO said it has agreed to air 35 new episodes each in 2016 and 2017. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File) FILE - In this Oct. 14, 2014 file photo, John Oliver arrives at The 20th Annual Fulfillment Fund Stars Benefit Gala in Beverly Hills, Calif. HBO says it has picked up two more seasons of John Oliver’s “Last Week Tonight,” which puts to rest any thought that Oliver would return to Comedy Central to replace Jon Stewart on “The Daily Show.” Oliver just began his second season at HBO, and his weekly comedy show has been a critical hit. HBO said it has agreed to air 35 new episodes each in 2016 and 2017. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

By Associated Press February 17, 2015 1 min read

NEW YORK (AP) – HBO says it has picked up two more seasons of John Oliver’s “Last Week Tonight,” which puts to rest any thought that Oliver would return to Comedy Central to replace Jon Stewart on “The Daily Show.”

Oliver just began the second season at HBO of his critically acclaimed comedy show. HBO said it has agreed to air 35 new episodes each in 2016 and 2017.

Michael Lombardo, president of HBO programming, said Tuesday that Oliver’s “unique ability to deliver socially significant commentary week after week, along with his innate comedic brilliance, puts John in a class by himself.”

Oliver came to HBO’s attention when he subbed for Stewart at “The Daily Show” during the summer of 2013. Stewart announced last week he was leaving “The Daily Show.”