John Oliver mocked David Ellison as his “soon-to-be business daddy” while discussing UnitedHealthcare’s denial of insurance claims on Last Week Tonight. The joke referred to Ellison’s family wealth and his expected role overseeing HBO amid the proposed Paramount Global–Warner Bros. merger, while also teasing Stephen Colbert.

Oliver cited a cancer patient who reportedly had to pay $95,000 after an insurance claim was denied, arguing that wealthy family connections should not determine access to healthcare. He also referenced Colbert’s departure from The Late Show, which CBS said would end in May 2026 after Paramount’s acquisition by Skydance; the broadcaster described Colbert as irreplaceable and said the franchise would be retired.