johnoliversjunk.com
What johnoliversjunk.com is
John Oliver’s Junk is an online auction site used by the show Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. They’re selling a variety of off-beat items—some collectible, some simply odd—to raise funds for public media. (John Oliver's Junk)
The items listed include things like:
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Original paintings, including a piece by Bob Ross (“Cabin at Sunset”) donated to the site. (Fast Company)
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Miscellaneous show-artifacts: wax statues, jackets, mugs, knives emblazoned with the show’s branding. (Instagram)
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Experiences: e.g., being in a photograph behind John Oliver’s shoulder on future episodes. (Fast Company)
The whole thing is framed as a fundraiser to support public media, such as local stations. (Fast Company)
How it works
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The site hosts auctions of items; people place bids. E.g., one article notes the “top bid” for the Bob Ross painting has exceeded a million dollars at one point. (Fast Company)
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The show promotes the auction on its platforms (social media posts referencing “go to JohnOliversJunk.com to bid”). (Instagram)
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All proceeds (or at least a declared portion) are directed to help public-media organizations. From the Fast Company article: the show created the auction because original Bob Ross pieces were being sold to raise funds, and this is their way of contributing. (Fast Company)
Why it matters
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Public media in the U.S. is facing financial pressure: the article mentions that federal cuts could close many stations. (Fast Company)
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By using quirky/special items tied to the show, they’re leveraging the audience of Last Week Tonight to raise funds in a non-traditional way (not just direct donation).
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It’s interesting from a branding-perspective: a late-night satirical show using its “archives” and props to enable a campaign with social good.
Potential benefits & who it might appeal to
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For fans of the show, or collectors: these auctions offer unique items (signed mugs, show-props, Bob Ross painting).
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For public media: this raises awareness and money for stations that might otherwise have limited funding.
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For people who like novelty or charity-driven auctions: combining entertainment with fundraising can be more engaging.
Things to keep in mind / caveats
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Auctions: Bidding means you may end up paying a high price depending on competition. An item listed as “over $1M” bid implies serious competition. (Fast Company)
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Authenticity, condition, shipping: When you buy odd items (props, wax statues, etc), you’ll want to check condition, shipping/delivery terms, return policy. I didn’t find details in the sources on those specifics for every item.
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Timing: Many auctions have deadlines (one example: “You have until Monday at 11:59 pm to bid”). (Instagram)
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Cause clarity: While the campaign states proceeds go to public media, always good to check which organizations specifically and what percentage goes. The article says the campaign is tied to the Public Media Bridge Fund, which aims to help communities at risk due to public-media budget cuts. (Fast Company)
Recent highlight
A few recent headlines:
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The Bob Ross original painting “Cabin at Sunset” donated and listed for auction. (Indianapolis Star)
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The auction campaign is live and being promoted through the show’s social media channels. (Threads)
Key takeaways
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JohnOliversJunk.com is an auction platform tied to the show Last Week Tonight, offering quirky items and experiences.
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The purpose is fundraising for public-media stations rather than purely commercial selling.
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Items range from high-visibility art (Bob Ross) to show-memorabilia and experiences.
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Participation involves bidding, so likely costlier items go to higher bidders; you’ll want to check terms and timing.
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Good cause, but as with any auction: check item details, shipping, authenticity.
FAQ
Q: Who benefits from the money raised?
A: The stated beneficiary is public media stations through the Public Media Bridge Fund and similar entities. The campaign explicitly mentions the risk of station closures and budget cut impacts. (Fast Company)
Q: Can anyone bid or is it limited to U.S.-only?
A: The sources don’t clearly specify geographic restrictions. If you’re outside the U.S., you’d need to review the site’s terms (shipping, import duties, etc) separately.
Q: Are the items authentic?
A: At least some items are clearly described (the Bob Ross painting donated by Bob Ross Inc.). (Fast Company) But for other items (props, show artifacts) you should verify condition and provenance via the auction listing.
Q: When do auctions end?
A: Examples show deadlines: e.g., “until Monday at 11:59 pm” in one promotion. (Instagram) So you’ll need to check the listing for each item.
Q: Why is the show doing this instead of simply selling merchandise or asking for donations?
A: Because they have unique items (show props, archives) and an audience interested in unusual/fun items. This approach uses the show’s brand and assets to raise funds in a creative way. The article says they tried to buy Bob Ross paintings themselves but found it expensive, so instead they used their own archives. (Fast Company)
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