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John Oliver Launches 65-Item Auction to Aid Local Public Media

Proceeds support a bridge fund intended to keep local stations operating following the loss of CPB financing.

Overview

  • The online sale, titled John Oliver’s Junk, is live through November 24 with all bids placed at JohnOliversJunk.com.
  • Sixty-five lots range from an original Bob Ross painting to Russell Crowe’s Cinderella Man jockstrap, Mrs. Cabbage Oliver, and a gold-plated LBJ sculpture, plus chances to meet Oliver and appear on the show.
  • All proceeds are pledged to the Public Media Bridge Fund to provide immediate relief to local public TV and radio stations.
  • Coverage notes strong early bidding on marquee items, though reported bid amounts vary across outlets and remain in flux.
  • The fundraiser follows Congress’s $1.1 billion cut to CPB, with industry analyses warning up to 115 stations—especially in rural and tribal communities—could close by mid-2026 without new funding.