Last Week Tonight as Philosophy: The Importance of Jokalism

This chapter will explore the concept of jokalism, a word that first appeared in The Daily Show with Jon Stewart without a real definition and that could, as of now, be used to explain and understand a new way to tackle social and political issues on television. Exploring HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver as a typical case of jokalism, this chapter will demonstrate how satire and information, supported by journalistic techniques, can build an argument about sensitive social and political issues. If Last Week Tonight is understood as a vehicle for critical thinking, one can consequently ask how it can be categorized as philosophy and comedy and still remain a serious, trusted, and entertaining media outlet.