John Oliver Cracks 'Most Influential' List for Political Media

Mediaite's ranking of movers and shakers puts Roger Ailes at No. 1

By Jenn Gidman, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 30, 2015 9:17 AM CST

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John Oliver Cracks 'Most Influential' List for Political Media — In this image released by HBO, John Oliver appears in a scene from "Last Week Tonight With John Oliver." (Eric Liebowitz/HBO via AP)

It's been a "contentious, bizarre, and always entertaining primary season" so far in the world of politics, Mediaite notes in its roundup of the 25 "biggest movers and shakers" in the political media arena. And that type of season may have served as the perfect breeding ground for TV host John Oliver, who squeaked onto the list at No. 25. Mediaite calls HBO's Last Week Tonight With John Oliver show "arguably more important to the political and social climate of comedic commentary than any other" and notes that Oliver's "comedic voice is effecting real change," including shining a light on FIFA corruption and televangelism. Making up the list's top five:

Fox News' Roger Ailes
NBC's Chuck Todd
CNN's Jeff Zucker
Matt Drudge
Dean Baquet of the New York Times

Complete list here. (More John Oliver stories.)

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