Watch John Oliver and Michael Bolton Serenade the Unsung Heroes Working for the IRS


Everyone hates the IRS. And as Tax Day nears, complaints about the much-despised agency grow louder and angrier. On the latest “Last Week Tonight,” John Oliver dedicated his show to defending the IRS and its employees, who are subjected to working a thankless, challenging job everyday.

“Blaming the IRS because you hate paying your taxes is a bit like slapping your checkout clerk because the price of eggs has gone up,” Oliver said. “It’s not her fault, she’s just trying to help you get out of the store.”

Recent budgets cuts, coupled with constant changes to complicated tax laws only make the situation worse.

Of course, asking viewers to sympathize with the IRS is a difficult task. To help, Oliver recruited singer Michael Bolton to serenade a wonderful ode to the agency, “the anus of our country.” Because as the lyrics note, you’ll never “miss your anus till it’s gone.” Watch below:

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PLEASE—BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things it doesn’t like—which is most things that are true.

We’ll say it loud and clear: At Mother Jones, no one gets to tell us what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please do your part and help us reach our $150,000 membership goal by May 31.

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