The host of Last Week Tonight examined the content on NRA’s small-screen network and how it paints ‘a bleak vision’ of the US

John Oliver has taken aim at the content shared on NRA’s small-screen network, calling it the “dumbest and most transparent” element of the association’s output.

John Oliver on Trump's plan to arm teachers: 'a terrible idea in a tone deaf way' Read more

On Last Week Tonight, the comic spoke about the many brands who have cut ties with the NRA since the Parkland shooting but there’s been growing concern over major tech companies still showing NRA TV, a collection of shows available on Amazon and Apple.

Oliver showed a clip from the channel which saw a spokesperson smash a television that featured a montage of clips, including one of Oliver himself. “Now, don’t laugh, he’s absolutely right,” he said. “If NRA members are annoyed with what I’m saying now they should do the exact same thing and smash their expensive televisions with large sledgehammers.”

He said that while most of the shows were “essentially just trolling for your attention” there were also more insidious underlying motivations.

“The NRA is actually making a big push for women and they are pretty clear about their motivations,” he said before detailing female-aimed shows like Armed and Fabulous and Love at First Shot.

Oliver also played footage from hunting shows that matched impressive footage of nature with a sinister voiceover, talking about the inevitability of death. “I’d respect the NRA a lot more if the slogan were just: NRA – because death is an undeniable fuel of life,” he said.

There’s also an alarming amount of scare tactics employed, usually revolving around the threat of immigrants. “The final defining characteristic of the network is painting a bleak vision of America with threats around every single corner and one solution,” he said.

A number of hosts explained that the only thing to keep your family safe is an AR-15. “They are using the same techniques as an informercial,” he said. “Is human traffic getting you down? Do you have Isis sympathizers in those hard-to-reach places? Are you tired of getting 9/11-ed? There’s got to be a better way. Try the AR-15, available at way too many stores near you.”

He continued: “The whole point here is the answer to the question ‘what the fuck is NRA TV?’ is it’s just a vessel to sell America guns. That’s pretty much it … There is a lot to be concerned about regarding the NRA’s activities but NRA TV might actually the dumbest and most transparent thing that it does.”