John Oliver auctioning bidet signed by Gwar's Blöthar for public media.

3 hours ago7 min read4 comments

In a move that feels less like a traditional fundraiser and more like a bizarre, beautiful collision of cultural universes, John Oliver is auctioning a bidet personally signed by Blöthar, the intergalactic barbarian frontman of the shock metal band Gwar. This isn't just a quirky item for collectors of the strange; it's a headline act in a charity auction designed to bolster public media, a cause Oliver has championed with both his wallet and his wit on his show 'Last Week Tonight.' The bidet itself, an object dedicated to posterior cleanliness, now bears the mark of a creature whose stage presence typically involves spraying audiences with fake blood and viscera—a juxtaposition so perfectly absurd it could only exist in the orbit of Oliver's particular brand of comedy. Alongside this throne of glory, the auction block features a genuine Bob Ross painting, a serene landscape from the king of happy little trees, and a trip to New York to meet Oliver himself, creating a curated selection of prizes that reads like a surrealist's wish list.This isn't Oliver's first rodeo in the fundraising ring; he has a history of creative stunts aimed at supporting public broadcasting, often framing his efforts as a necessary counterbalance to political threats against institutions like PBS and NPR. By enlisting Gwar, a band built on a foundation of theatrical excess and satirical commentary on society, Oliver is tapping into a vein of fanaticism that parallels his own.Gwar's followers are a dedicated tribe, collectors of props and memorabilia from a decades-long saga of interplanetary conquest and rock and roll debauchery. The signature of Blöthar—the latest in a lineage of grotesque frontmen—transforms a mundane household appliance into a relic of performance art, a piece of music history that also happens to be a functional piece of plumbing.The auction cleverly operates on multiple levels: it's a genuine call for support for a vital public service, a piece of performance art in its own right, and a testament to how modern philanthropy can leverage internet culture and niche fandoms to achieve a broader goal. It reflects a growing trend where the lines between high art, lowbrow comedy, and civic duty are not just blurred but cheerfully obliterated.The proceeds are destined for organizations that provide a bedrock of educational and informational programming, often free from commercial pressures, making the contrast between the dignified mission and the utterly undignified methods all the more potent. It’s a symphony of the ridiculous played for a profoundly serious cause, a reminder that sometimes the most effective way to get people to care is to first make them laugh, scratch their heads, and wonder just what they might bid on to own a piece of the joke.

#John Oliver

#Gwar

#Blöthar

#bidet

#auction

#public media

#fundraising

#featured

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