John Oliver: HBO Announces 'Last Week Tonight' Deal Through 2017

HBO has renewed John Oliver’s “Last Week Tonight” for two more seasons, ensuring the comedian won’t leave the network to replace Jon Stewart, who announced last week that he is leaving "The Daily Show" on Comedy Central.

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," said Michael Lombardo, president of HBO programming.

“Last Week Tonight” is in its second season.

A recent poll placed Oliver as the top pick to replace Stewart, who will leave “The Daily Show” later this year. According to Progressive Change Campaign Committee, 44 percent of those surveyed said Oliver should take over “The Daily Show.”

Oliver filled in for Stewart in 2013. He recently has gotten attention for taking on the tobacco industry, introducing Jeff the diseased lung as a new mascot for tobacco companies on his show and sparking a #JeffWeCan hastag on Twitter.

Twitter users cheered HBO’s decision to renew Oliver’s show.

Smart move, HBO: 'Last Week Tonight with John Oliver' renewed for 2 seasons http://t.co/04fVeaCUUC via @mashable

— Sue (@GolfGalSue) February 17, 2015

Glad to see @iamjohnoliver signed on to his HBO gig til 2017. What he's done with his weekly format is too good to return to the Daily Show.

— Ethan Fields (@ethanhf) February 17, 2015

Excellent decision HBO. Now please renew #LookingHBO already!!! http://t.co/xuz9T85Kxs

— Annamari (@readatallhours) February 17, 2015

Congrats, @iamjohnoliver! Ensuring I renew my @HBO subscription... http://t.co/LQk3oTW75P

— Emily Kuhn (@emkuhn) November 14, 2013

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