- The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is being questioned as to why it still exists.
- The issue was created in 1964 to boost sales between sports seasons.
- Despite societal changes, the swimsuit issue has become a key selling point for the magazine.
- It sold over 800,000 copies in 2013, significantly more than a regular issue.
- The availability of internet access to view similar content raises the question of why people still buy the magazine.
- Sports Illustrated seems to provoke controversy each year to maintain attention.
- Examples include using other countries' citizens as props and objectifying women with Barbie.
- The magazine's provocative cover designs have also sparked outrage.
- The question remains: why is the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue still popular?

We’ve noticed that the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue still exists but can’t quite figure out why.

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And now, last week tonight asks, how is this still a thing?

This week, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

Sports Illustrated, the preferred magazine of dads and a crapper since 1954, highlighting great moments in sport, from the miracle on ice to that 1 time Vince Lombardi got punched in the balls by the Green Bay Packers.

And every February, SI releases its most popular annual issue to a creepy chorus of approval.

The swimsuit issue is coming out next Tuesday on newsstands.

And it's even worse when the models are in the studio.

I definitely want the chocolate but there's a little bit of a waiting list.

Expecting their first child any moment now.

The Swimsuit Edition was created by editor Andre Laguerre in 1964 to boost sales between sports seasons.

And it was a perfect expression of the 60s, a time of such rampant casual sexism that it eventually gave birth to the sexual harassment in the workplace film.

Hey, if you 2 chicks want to get knocked up, John, I'm glad to help you.

But as society moved on, the swimsuit issue not only hung around, it became the magazine's key selling point.

You get basketball, football, tennis, and the famous swimsuit issue.

Revealing 1991 swimsuit issue and the free sneaker phone.

And the swimsuit issue is still moving copies.

It sold more than 800,000 copies on newsstands in 2013.

Reportedly more than 10 times what a regular issue of Sports Illustrated sold, which raises the question, why?

Sure, at 1 point, it was tantalizing to receive a once-annual printed magazine of scantily clad women, but do People not understand they could now just type naked ladies into the internet and see what Google throws at them.

Even SI seems to know it's losing relevance.

Which may be why every year, like clockwork, they provoke an attention-grabbing controversy.

Whether it's using other country's citizens as props.

Some are calling them at best culturally insensitive.

Objectifying women with an actual object.

Yes, Barbie is on the cover of the swimsuit issue.

And as you can imagine, there is outrage.

Or this year, baiting the media with this bullshit.

Some are questioning whether the cover is too lewd.

When the line goes this far, what's left?

And 1 of these years, in an act of desperation, SI will probably put 1 on the cover.

And until that time, it's left to the rest of us to ask ourselves, the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, how is this still a thing?


Speaker 0: And now, last week tonight asks, how is this still a thing? This week, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. How is this still a thing? Sports Illustrated, the preferred magazine of dads and a crapper since 1954, highlighting great moments in sport, from the miracle on ice to that 1 time Vince Lombardi got punched in the balls by the Green Bay Packers. And every February, SI releases its most popular annual issue to a creepy chorus of approval.

All right, check it out. Mike Jurek, look at the screen. Yes! You. The swimsuit issue is coming out next Tuesday on newsstands.

It is a great great magazine. You. And it's even worse when the models are in the studio. Will you be my valentine? I definitely want the chocolate but there's a little bit of a waiting list.

Thank you so much. Courtney I love you baby. Courtney is Darren's wife. Expecting their first child any moment now. The Swimsuit Edition was created by editor Andre Laguerre in 1964 to boost sales between sports seasons.

And it was a perfect expression of the 60s, a time of such rampant casual sexism that it eventually gave birth to the sexual harassment in the workplace film. Hey, if you 2 chicks want to get knocked up, John, I'm glad to help you. But as society moved on, the swimsuit issue not only hung around, it became the magazine's key selling point. You get basketball, football, tennis, and the famous swimsuit issue. Revealing 1991 swimsuit issue and the free sneaker phone.

The swimsuit issue. That's the icing on the cake. Eww. And the swimsuit issue is still moving copies. It sold more than 800,000 copies on newsstands in 2013.

Reportedly more than 10 times what a regular issue of Sports Illustrated sold, which raises the question, why? Sure, at 1 point, it was tantalizing to receive a once-annual printed magazine of scantily clad women, but do People not understand they could now just type naked ladies into the internet and see what Google throws at them. Even SI seems to know it's losing relevance. Which may be why every year, like clockwork, they provoke an attention-grabbing controversy. Whether it's using other country's citizens as props.

Some are calling them at best culturally insensitive. Objectifying women with an actual object. Barbie. Yes, Barbie is on the cover of the swimsuit issue. And as you can imagine, there is outrage.

Or this year, baiting the media with this bullshit. Some are questioning whether the cover is too lewd. Is it too risque? When the line goes this far, what's left? The vagina.

The vagina is what's left. And 1 of these years, in an act of desperation, SI will probably put 1 on the cover. And until that time, it's left to the rest of us to ask ourselves, the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, how is this still a thing? You

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Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue - How Is This Still a Thing?: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver