Mickey Mouse (Last Week Tonight with John Oliver)

Mickey Mouse is a fictional character and mascot from the American late-night talk show Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. Based on the Disney character of the same name, the character was created to taunt the Walt Disney Company preceding Disney's version of Mickey Mouse imminently entering the public domain in 2024. The character first appeared in season 10, episode 6 (episode 275 overall), in which the show's host John Oliver publicly dared Disney to take legal action against him.

Mickey Mouse
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver character
Mickey Mouse as he appears in Last Week Tonight alongside John Oliver
First appearance
Based onMickey Mouse
by Walt Disney
Adapted byJohn Oliver

Creation

The show's April 2, 2023, episode ("Solitary Confinement") featured a segment examining the imminent expiration of copyright for Disney's Steamboat Willie and past actions taken by Disney to protect their mascot, such as lobbying in favor of extending copyright duration in the United States.[1] Oliver suggested that without copyright protection to stop the unauthorized use of Mickey Mouse, the Walt Disney Company would likely use trademark law to achieve the same results, potentially arguing that Mickey Mouse is so closely associated with their brand that any unauthorized use would cause consumer confusion. Oliver then revealed that Last Week Tonight's opening titles had been using an image from Steamboat Willie since the start of the season and that he would begin to use his own version of Mickey Mouse as a mascot of the show. He stated:[2][3]

We are staking our claim to Mickey Mouse right now and, I know Disney’s lawyers might argue that this Mickey is closely associated with their brand, although they should know that he's pretty associated with our brand now too.

Oliver also debuted a costume of Mickey Mouse in the episode, which he stated would be available for birthday parties, funerals, theme park openings, and sex dungeons beginning on January 1, 2024.[4] He concluded by saying that while Disney likely has many legal arguments to defend Mickey Mouse, they would only become apparent "if and when" they sue him.[2][5]

Characterization

Last Week Tonight's version of Mickey Mouse contrasts heavily with the original Disney character, and regularly makes inflammatory political comments. The character has several catchphrases, including "Jeffrey Epstein didn't kill himself", "Where's Shelly Miscavige?", and "I hope Henry Kissinger dies soon".[6]

References
  1. Gonzalez, Elisandro (April 3, 2023). "John Oliver Calls Dibs on Mickey Mouse When He Enters Public Domain". Inside the Magic. Archived from the original on June 16, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  2. "John Oliver 'riskily' taunts Disney with Mickey Mouse stunt on Last Week Tonight". The Independent. April 3, 2023. Archived from the original on June 16, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  3. "John Oliver Dares Disney to Sue Over Use of Mickey Mouse's 'Steamboat Willie' Image". Vanity Fair. April 3, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  4. Harrington, Kayla (April 12, 2023). "John Oliver Just Took On His Biggest Foe Yet". The Mary Sue. Archived from the original on June 16, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  5. Tinoco, Armando (April 3, 2023). "John Oliver Tests Disney's Lawyers By Staking Claim On Mickey Mouse Ahead Of 'Steamboat Willie' Version Entering Public Domain". Deadline. Archived from the original on May 22, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  6. Lang, Jamie (April 3, 2023). "Mickey Mouse Joins 'Last Week Tonight' As The Show Aims To Provoke Disney's Copyright Lawyers". Cartoon Brew. Archived from the original on June 11, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
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