"What Are They Gonna Do, Sue?" – John Oliver Taunts Disney With Foul-Mouthed Mickey Mouse Teaser

If you’ve been keeping a running count on all the ways Mickey Mouse has been desecrated since January 1st, 2024, then be prepared to add one more to your total.

Steamboat Willie

Mickey Mouse as Steamboat Willie became public domain on the first day of 2024. That means that anyone can use his likeness in the black and white, un-gloved form however we want to without being sued by Disney, per copyright laws. Disney did their best to hold off the end of Steamboat Willie’s copyright, but it officially ended. Now, people continue to use Mickey in ways our Disney-loving hearts can’t handle — including John Oliver.

As a word of caution, there may be foul and offensive language in the following post.

John Oliver recently took to X to promote his show Last Week Tonight. There’s nothing inherently odd about the host advocating for his show’s return on February 18th, but if you see the picture and read the caption, Mickey lovers might spot an issue.

“What are they gonna do, sue?”

©Last Week Tonight

Oliver used Mickey Mouse as Steamboat Willie to promote the return of his show. He added the caption and taunted Disney, stating, “We’re back February 18th, and we’re pretty sure this was an okay way to let you know about it!! Ya, probably fine.” I don’t know, we’re not fine!

Steamboat Willie

According to Deadline, Last Week Tonight also used Steamboat Willie in their last show of 2023, on December 17th (before the legal end of the copyright). On the show, you could hear Mickey saying foul things. Oliver tested his luck with some commentary.

“Did Disney ever sue us over that?” Oliver asked about using Mickey in the background of his show. “Nope,” answered Mickey. To which Oliver replied, “So, should we take that as a green light that we could do whatever we want in the future?” and then Mickey said (!!!), “I don’t see why the f*** not.”

This is not the first, nor the last (probably) time we’ll be seeing Mickey as Steamboat Willie being used in a very un-Mickey-like way. Mickey is soon to be starring in a horror movie and horror game, and he was used by AdultSwim in a suggestive YouTube video. Our big Mickey-loving hearts are slowly breaking.

We’re not even a full month into 2024, so we’ll be keeping our eyes out for more wild uses of Mickey Mouse! In the meantime, keep following AllEars for all your Disney news!