Names and faces

■ It’s official. Every time residents of Danbury, Conn., flush, they’ll be sending their special deliveries to the John Oliver Memorial Sewer Plant. The City Council voted 18-1 Thursday night to rename the sewage plant after the comedian, who began a tongue- in- cheek battle with Danbury when he went on an expletive-filled rant against the city on HBO’s “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” in August. Mayor Mark Boughton didn’t waste any time responding on social media. He posted a video of himself at the sewage plant saying the city was going to name it after Oliver. “Why?” the Republican mayor asked. “Because it’s full of crap just like you, John.” That drew a delighted response from Oliver, but he went off against the city again because Boughton later said he was just joking. Oliver upped the stakes on his Aug. 30 show by offering to donate $55,000 to local charities if Danbury actually followed through with renaming the plant. “I didn’t know that I wanted my name on your … factory, but now that you floated it as an option, it is all that I want,” Oliver said. Boughton said Friday that the feud has been a good distraction from the coronavirus and other troubles of the times. He also said Oliver’s promised donations have helped spur fundraising efforts for area food banks that could end up collecting a few hundred thousand dollars to feed needy families. The mayor added that he will be offering tours of the sewer plant for $500 donations to food pantries. “I think it’s been a home run. It’s been a lot of fun,” Boughton said of the spat. “If I can put food on people’s table for Thanksgiving by naming a sewer plant after a very popular comedian, we’ll do it all day long.” Oliver has offered to provide the new sign for the plant that includes his name, as well as attend the ribbon-cutting, Boughton said.

■ Jack White will be the last-minute replacement musical guest on “Saturday Night Live” after country singer Morgan Wallen was dropped for breaking pandemic protocols. Wallen was removed as musical guest Thursday after TikTok videos showed him partying last weekend without a mask on among a large group. Lorne Michaels announced White as a fillin Friday on the “Today” show. “Calling somebody on a Thursday to be here for Friday, it’s complicated,” said Michaels. “It has to be people who are ready to go. And he’s always good on the show.” Michaels said the show will invite Wallen again in the future. “Saturday Night Live,” which will be hosted tonight by comedian Bill Burr, resumed live in-studio shows last weekend with a smaller audience. Guests were required to take coronavirus tests and have their temperatures checked at arrival, and wear masks in the building.

Oliver

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