Stay Up Late

Stay Up Late is a 1992 erotic furry watercolor painting by Brian Swords. It depicts two anthropomorphic rats embracing. The painting gained prominence when John Oliver offered to buy the painting in the 29 March 2020 episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.

This article is about the painting. For the Talking Heads song, see Little Creatures.
Stay Up Late
ArtistBrian Swords
Year1992
MediumWatercolor
MovementFurry fandom
Dimensions46 cm × 61 cm (18 in × 24 in)
OwnerJohn Oliver

Stay Up Late was created in 1992 by York, Pennsylvania artist Brian Swords.[1] It was one of several of Swords's paintings, such as The Smell of Wet Fur and Sheets and Pillowcases, that depict anthropomorphic rats, named Alice and Bob, in sexually suggestive poses.[2] Between 1988 and 1993, Swords donated his paintings to "Gallery 33", WITF-TV's yearly auction. His pieces sold well, but the donated paintings steadily became more explicit.[2] Out of fear of alienating their audience and losing their FCC licence, erotica was banned from the auction in 1993.[1]

The painting depicts two anthropomorphic rats in an embrace. Both of the rats are sitting on a large bed that is illuminated by candles. Behind them there is a large pump bottle of K-Y Jelly and an ashtray with cigarette butts in it.[1]

Stay Up Late was sold for $80 to an unknown buyer in 1992.[1] On 29 March 2020, John Oliver offered to buy the painting for $1,000 and a $20,000 donation to a local food bank of the owner's choice.[3] Two weeks later, on 12 April 2020, Oliver was shown with the painting as part of his closing monologue of the episode.[4] The seller remains anonymous, but did receive the $1,000, and Oliver did not mention which food bank received the donation, except that it was in Pennsylvania.[5]

The point of Oliver's stunt was to show how much easier it is to buy a particular painting from an unknown artist than it is to get tested for COVID-19.[6] Emily Chambers, writing for politics blog Pajiba, referred to the extended joke as "greatest story of the past century."[7] Virginia Streva, writing for Philly Voice, called the quest for the painting a "comedic victory."[8]

In the 4 October, 2020 episode, which included a segment on the difficulties that small museums were having as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Oliver offered the painting, alongside two other pieces (a portrait of broadcaster Wendy Williams eating a lamb chop, and a painting by Judith Kudlow of her husband's assorted ties), as a travelling exhibit on a national tour. Museums were invited to apply to display the paintings, with the five chosen not only allowed to exhibit them for two weeks, but also receiving $10,000, plus a matching donation to a local food bank.[9]

The painting was later referenced again on the 8 November, 2020 episode of Last Week Tonight about the 2020 United States election results, in reference to alleged voter fraud, for which a slang term is ratfucking.[10]

References
  1. Whalen, Andrew (30 March 2020). "The True Story Behind 'Last Week Tonight's' Rat Erotica Painting". Newsweek. Archived from the original on 1 April 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  2. Scolforo, Liz Evans (30 March 2020). "No joke: John Oliver wants Yorker's rat erotica, and he's willing to pay top dollar". York Dispatch. Archived from the original on 1 April 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  3. Streva, Virginia (30 March 2020). "John Oliver desperately wants to buy rat-erotica painting by Pennsylvania artist". Philly Voice. Archived from the original on 1 April 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  4. Stairiker, Kevin (13 April 2020). "John Oliver of HBO's 'Last Week Tonight' receives York man's 'furry' art". Lancaster Online. Archived from the original on 13 April 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  5. Argento, Mike (14 April 2020). "John Oliver gives the world hope in the form of rat erotica painted by a Pa. artist". York Daily Record. USA Today. Archived from the original on 15 April 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  6. Argento, Mike (30 March 2020). "John Oliver wants York artist's painting, offering $1K and $20K donation to local food bank". York Daily Record. USA Today. Archived from the original on 31 March 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  7. Chambers, Emily (13 April 2020). "Prepare To Have Your T*ts Blown Off With Inspiration By 'Last Week Tonight'". Pajiba. Archived from the original on 16 April 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  8. Streva, Virginia (13 April 2020). "John Oliver obtains sought-after rat-erotica painting by Pennsylvania artist". Philly Voice. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  9. "Which US museums will show John Oliver's rat erotica and Wendy Williams pork chop portrait?". The Art Newspaper. 6 October 2020. Archived from the original on 14 October 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  10. "Election Results 2020: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)". YouTube. 13 April 2020. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
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