Last night, a new quest began when comedian and host of Last Week Tonight, John Oliver, announced that he was on the hunt for a very specific piece of rat erotica to decorate his incredibly white background in his makeshift studio, thanks to the current quarantine. Oliver announced that while he knows that someone purchased the painting in 1992, he is not aware of its current whereabouts and would like to purchase it for $1,000 in addition to a $20,000 donation to the lucky finder's local food bank.

The reaction to this story on Twitter was met with sincere amusement and an eagerness to find the very special painting. It also led many to question if the comedian was in fact a furry for wanting the piece of art so badly. If you happen to know who owns the painting, please be sure to submit any information you have to Oliver's brand new email address that he created: John@JohnOliverWantsYourRatErotica.com.

He said it, folks. Let's find this painting. pic.twitter.com/vXg4I2pxQu

— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) March 30, 2020

 
Many couldn't wait to share the video and ask for help.

The full episode covered the below which is terrifying & emotional then ended w/ iamjohnoliver asking the audience to help him find a rat erotica painting from the 1990s. That segment was hilarious. So please watch the rest of the episode on HBO & help him find this work of art. https://t.co/hz9BnF9RI0

— Ben Schwartz (rejectedjokes) March 30, 2020

 

Anyone in Pennsylvania own this painting? John Oliver is offering $1000 and a donating of $20,000 to your local food bank if you do!!’ LETS HELP JOHN FIND THE RAT EROTICA!!! https://t.co/AgX82TJIhQ

— Kat (@Kate_P31) March 30, 2020

 

Someone find John Oliver that rat erotica painting please 😂😂

— Baby Local (@kami_kazi) March 30, 2020

 

I dont care what country he is from. John Oliver is our national treasure. And that is is all. Now someone find him that rat erotica painting.

— Susan 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️ (@LiteracyBatman) March 30, 2020

 
Some users were happy for a new distraction.

My mentions are full of people talking about John Oliver's desire for rat erotica art and I'm OK with this.

— Zaskyl (@Zaskyl) March 30, 2020

 

Watching John Oliver's pitch to blow some of his shows budget on some 1992 rat erotica cleverly disguised as a huge food bank donation is why John Oliver is a national treasure #lastweektonight @iamjohnoliver pic.twitter.com/4165NYevfY

— Manwell (@Manwell33) March 30, 2020

 
It appeared the furry community was ready to help out.

I’m fully emotionally invested in John Oliver getting this furry rat erotica. I need you all to send me any and all updates that you acquire regarding his acquisition of this masterpiece. https://t.co/TuSAli9Hn7

— 🐻💖🐰Eevachu🏳️‍🌈✨ (@Eevachu) March 30, 2020

 
Especially because many users now believed the comedian was a part of that community.

also wtf is John Oliver gonna do with that painting? he a furry??

— usagi 🇻🇪 comms open (@SumHoppingBunny) March 30, 2020

 

Furries: I'm not sure John Oliver knows what he's getting himself into asking for someone to find a painting of rat yiff yesterdayMe: Oh trust me guys John Oliver knows EXACTLY what he's doing when he put the request out

— MechaDragon101 (@MechaDragon101) March 30, 2020

 

I'm both excited and upset that I recognized the artist immediately. I haven't seen them around the fandom since the mid 2000s, though.

— Lord Headcheez (@Lordheadcheez) March 30, 2020

 

John Oliver is talking about the furry rat porn on the TV auction Gallery 33

— Infectious Umbredrone (@KhordAftfurDark) March 30, 2020

 

I really hope John Oliver finds his rat erotica. It would be such an inspiration in this trying time.

— Jack “I’d hit that” Vaglietti (@JackOnSkates) March 30, 2020

 

DO YOU OWN THIS PAINTING? IF SO, JOHN OLIVER WOULD LIKE TO BUY THIS FROM YOU.PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL TO JOHN@JOHNOLIVERWANTSYOURRATEROTICA.COM AND HE WILL GIVE YOU $1000 PLUS DONATE $20000 TO A LOCAL FOOD BANK OF YOUR CHOICE.THANK YOU. #LastWeekTonight pic.twitter.com/R4KXMbSQT6

— Zaskyl (@Zaskyl) March 30, 2020

 

I better wake up to the news that someone found John Oliver’s rat picture in the morning. Do your work internet!

— Nicole Schoeppner (@nicoleschoep) March 30, 2020

 

Oh my god I love you @iamjohnoliver. Only you could perfectly sum up the real situation we're in and wrap it all up with a reference to the procurement of erotic artwork about rat sex. Only time I've really laughed today. Thank you.

— Your Comic Muse (@YourComicMuse) March 30, 2020

 

For context, John Oliver did a whole segment on Biohazard’s rat artwork from 1993. He wants the hot tub pic and will pay handsomely for it to charity.

— Duncan Roo (@duncanroo) March 30, 2020

 
We truly do live in an amazing time.

I just watched John Oliver spend 10 minutes lovingly salivating over furry rat porn and offered to pay 21,000 dollars to buy a painting of two rats going at it WHAT A GODDAMN TIME WE LIVE IN.

— Kennedy Phillips (@MagusSerling) March 30, 2020