An unusual fundraising effort has brought the Russell Crowe jockstrap auction under the spotlight, with John Oliver using this quirky sale to challenge recent public media funding cuts by Congress. The auction, featuring unique items from Oliver’s “Last Week Tonight,” seeks to support local public broadcasting stations after a significant $1.1 billion budget reduction.
John Oliver Responds to Public Media Funding Cuts
During a recent episode of
“Last Week Tonight With John Oliver,”
the host announced a fundraising auction to benefit public media, highlighting the government’s decision to eliminate crucial funding for public broadcasting. By offering a collection of memorable show props—including the jockstrap worn by Russell Crowe in “Cinderella Man”—Oliver aims to boost donations to the Public Media Bridge Fund, which directly assists local stations facing financial shortfalls.
The Russell Crowe jockstrap auction wasn’t an impulsive idea. In April 2018, Oliver surprised viewers by revealing that his team had acquired the jockstrap, along with several other memorabilia pieces from Crowe’s well-publicized divorce auction, for $7,000. Additional items included movie set seat backs used by Crowe and Denzel Washington in “American Gangster”, the vest from “Les Miserables”, a hood from “Robin Hood”, and a satin robe and shorts worn in “Cinderella Man”, adding a star-studded dimension to the fundraising initiative.
Auction Items That Cross from Unusual to Outrageous
The current auction features a total of 65 items, with bids accepted through November 24. In true “Last Week Tonight” fashion, the range spans from bizarre to practical, many drawn from inside jokes and memorable moments from the show’s long history. The focal point—the Russell Crowe jockstrap—has surpassed $20,000, testifying to its unique place in pop culture.
Other highlights for bidders include Mrs. Cabbage Oliver—a cabbage “married” by Oliver during the show’s ninth season, currently fetching $10,000—and an autographed bucket of dolls that washed up on a Texas beach, also from season nine, now going for $2,500. Perhaps most outrageous is the giant sculpture of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s scrotum, a prop from a segment on presidential libraries inspired by an audio recording of LBJ describing his anatomy.
“season 12 segment on presidential libraries in which an audio recording of President Johnson describing his undercarriage in detail is played,”
per the listing.
The Urgency Behind the Fundraiser
Oliver did not hold back in criticizing the decision to cut funding, describing the elimination of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s budget as part of a troubling pattern from the Trump administration. Explaining the impact on air, he said:
“It is true in July, Congress approved Trump’s plan to eliminate the [Corporation for Public Broadcasting]’s funding entirely,”
— John Oliver, TV host
“It is one of many egregious actions this administration has taken, which is why the number one search on Google this year is probably going to end up being, ‘Wait, can the government do that?’ And all of this has understandably upset a lot of people.”
— John Oliver, TV host
The removal of $1.1 billion threatens the future of local stations, especially smaller outlets that rely on public grants for survival. Oliver’s auction, as well as the suggestion to donate directly at adoptastation.org, are meant to provide critical immediate funding as the sector faces increased uncertainty.
Challenges in Securing Long-Term Public Media Funding
John Oliver offered insight into the systemic issues affecting public broadcasting, highlighting the precarious nature of its funding structure. He discussed potential solutions that might better protect public media in the future, noting:
“So, what can we do? Well, in a universe in which a competent, effective government were in place, we’d ideally work on a long-term fix for the way the CPB is funded, and instead of giving Congress the power to take its money away every two years, we’d institute some kind of tax or licensing fee that could reliably fund it. That is something people have been recommending since the CPB was first created. Sadly, we do not live in that universe right now, and until we do, public media is in a dire situation.”
— John Oliver, TV host
This ongoing vulnerability leaves public media and their audiences at risk, intensifying the emotional response among supporters and further fueling the high stakes of the auction.
What Lies Ahead for Public Broadcasting
With the deadline for bids on November 24, the Russell Crowe jockstrap auction and its array of oddities continue to draw widespread interest. Local stations, many in desperate need of resources, could benefit significantly if the auction and donations exceed expectations. The current debate, sparked in part by Oliver’s unconventional approach, underscores how critical and contentious funding for public broadcasting remains in today’s media landscape. As the auction wraps up, advocates and viewers alike will closely monitor whether this wave of support can help offset the severe funding loss and sustain a vital service for communities nationwide.
