John Oliver used 13 minutes of his HBO show Last Week Tonight on Sunday to criticize the convenience store chain Buc-ee’s over its history of trademark lawsuits. He pointed to cases the company has filed against other stores, T-shirt companies, and even an underwear brand called “Nut Huggers,” accusing them of copying its branding.
Oliver said Buc-ee’s usually wins these cases because smaller companies cannot afford to fight back in court. Many end up settling and changing their logos, while others shut down completely.
To make his point, Oliver launched his own line of merchandise mocking the chain, daring Buc-ee’s to sue him too. As of writing, Buc-ee’s hasn’t reacted to the segment.
Oliver launches “Buc-Off” merchandise line featuring his own mascot
During the segment, Oliver referenced a legal expert who warned that Buc-ee’s could eventually run into a company willing to fight back. “But Buc-ee’s should be careful here because, as one legal expert has said, the more you do this, the more you might run into somebody who has the means or the will to fight with you,” Oliver said.
He then introduced his response: a new merchandise line featuring the logo “Buc-Off” placed under a circular image of his show’s mascot, Mr. Nutterbutter. Oliver described the character as “everyone’s favorite cartoon animal who doesn’t sue small businesses.”
Chron reports that the products, sold at Buc-Off.com until September 8, include pajamas, hats, tumblers, T-shirts, onesies, mugs, umbrellas, stickers, socks, and underwear. All profits go to Hunger Free America.
Oliver directly challenged Buc-ee’s to respond. “If any prominent gas station chain out there has an issue with our new logo and products and wants to get lawyers involved, then you know what? Bring it the f–k on,” he said. He added a warning that doing so “would be directly taking food out of hungry people’s mouths,” since proceeds go toward fighting hunger.
This is not the first time Oliver and Mr. Nutterbutter have faced legal trouble. In 2017, Bob Murray, CEO of Ohio-based Murray Energy Corporation, sued Oliver after the mascot presented an on-air check for three acorns and 18 cents made out to “eat s–t, Bob.”
The moment referenced an incident where a Murray Energy employee had reportedly used the same phrase while returning a bonus to Murray. A West Virginia judge, Jeffrey Cramer, is said to have dismissed the defamation lawsuit, ruling that the segment was protected under the First Amendment.
Oliver brought up that lawsuit again during Sunday’s episode. “It’s also worth knowing that Mr. Nutterbutter currently has a perfect record in court, and the last guy who sued us over him is technically dead now. That’s not a threat, it’s just an objective fact,” Oliver said. The segment highlighted how Buc-ee’s brand extends beyond its stores, as seen when a woman pulled up to a Buc-ee’s in her Rivian and showed everyone they’ve been wasting $200.
He closed the segment by addressing Buc-ee’s directly: “So at this point, Buc-ee’s, I guess the beaver nugget is in your court.” The show then cut to a set built to resemble a parody of a Buc-ee’s travel center, complete with a statue of Mr. Nutterbutter and a mascot wearing a hat for what Oliver called “completely arbitrary” reasons.
An Instagram clip of the segment, posted by the show’s official account, included a caption describing the merchandise as “totally original Mr. Nutterbutter merch” sold through the “arbitrarily named Buc-Off Shop.” The video also cited a Fast Company article from March 30, 2026, titled “Why Buc-ee’s is protecting its logo at all costs,” which included the quote about companies eventually finding someone with “the means or the will” to fight back in court.
Viewers responded to the post with a mix of support for Oliver and criticism of Buc-ee’s. One commenter wrote, “We don’t love John Oliver nearly enough.” Another said, “I really enjoy when John Oliver raises money for charity and pisses off corporations.”
Some commenters focused on the legal angle of the segment. One wrote, “It’s hilarious because Buc-ees would legitimately lose in court because satire is protected.” Others reacted with humor, including one comment that read, “I want to buy a shirt and then wear one to the beaver store.”
A few commenters shared opinions about Buc-ee’s itself, unrelated to the lawsuits. One wrote, “Buc-ee’s is the most overrated store. It’s basically a glorified Walmart.” The segment’s critique of corporate overreach highlights a broader pattern of out-of-touch decisions, such as when Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy launched a road trip reality show while gas hit $4.50 a gallon.
Published: Jul 28, 2026 02:33 pm