Witty Brit John Oliver — who substituted for Jon Stewart on “The Daily Show” this summer, while Stewart directed his first movie — has been inked by HBO to star in a “topical comedy series” that is scheduled to debut next year.
According to HBO programming president Michael Lombardo, the new Sunday show will be a satirical look at the week in news, politics and current events.
Lombardo admitted that while the network wasn’t planning on launching another weekly talk show, “but when we saw John Oliver handling host duties on ‘The Daily Show,’ we knew that his singular perspective and distinct voice belonged on HBO.”
Along with thanking Stewart and Comedy Central for his seven-plus years gig on “The Daily Show,” Oliver also quipped that “I presume this means I get free HBO now.”
He also humorously zinged Stewart as well: “I’d like to thank Jon Stewart. He taught me everything I know. In fact, if I fail in the future, it’s entirely his fault.”
Oliver joined “The Daily Show” as a correspondent in 2006, following a career as a political standup performer in the United Kingdom.