Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Death Investigations

May 21, 2019 5:04 AM - Season 6, Episode 12

This week's topic is on the subject of the folk who's job it is to examine dead bodies in forensic autopsies, coroners and medical examiners, jobs that are often woefully underfunded and ill-equipped, and in the case of coroners, doesn't even require a medical license or degree to perform, often being an elected position. Cases of abuse and incompetence are rife, and we've known this since 1857. Here it is on Youtube (22m). Also covered is a group entered in the Eurovision contest, Hatari, who are, in their own words, an "Islandic Award-Winning Anti-Capitalist Techno Performance BDSM Band." LWT is off next week.
posted by JHarris (10 comments total)

My gods I love Hatari. I have no idea what their music is like, but they are absolutely magnetic.
posted by Etrigan at 5:47 AM on May 21, 2019 [5 favorites]

It always surprises me (and then I'm surprised at my surprise) that there are so many positions of authority in the U.S. that, because they're elected and/or appointed positions, don't require, by law, the knowledge, licenses, or even expertise to perform those positions. It's a scary thing, honestly.
posted by xingcat at 7:53 AM on May 21, 2019 [9 favorites]

I have no idea what their music is like

Well, here's the music video for the song they performed in Eurovision.
posted by dnash at 8:43 AM on May 21, 2019 [2 favorites]

I found this episode pretty shocking. like I, a mid mannered web developer, could potentially be elected to the position of coroner and have the authority to make such important decisions. its so fucked.
posted by supermedusa at 9:22 AM on May 21, 2019 [4 favorites]

there are so many positions of authority in the U.S. that, because they're elected and/or appointed positions, don't require, by law, the knowledge, licenses, or even expertise to perform those positions. It's a scary thing, honestly.

My wife and I were driving the States once during (Mid-term?) election season, and she gobsmacked by all the elected position billboard ads. Eventually I'd start to yell "SO MUCH DEMOCRACY!!!" whenever we'd see a new one.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 11:29 AM on May 21, 2019 [3 favorites]

Also, please vote me for official proof-reader
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 11:42 AM on May 21, 2019

That wasn't a bad use of Glenn Close.
posted by orange swan at 7:16 PM on May 21, 2019 [1 favorite]

Hatari's music is amazing. I hope they aren't so anti-capitalist that they will refuse to record albums. Because my wallet is ready.
posted by heatvision at 8:53 AM on May 22, 2019 [1 favorite]

Glenn Close' Spleen for America 2020.
posted by mce at 7:12 PM on May 22, 2019 [2 favorites]

Spotted another AUTOPSY license plate in the wild, and would love to know who else would pay for such a thing.

(Also, yes, Hatari!)
posted by asperity at 8:35 AM on June 17, 2019