John Oliver: Don't Call Me A Journalist, It's An Insult To Journalists

John Oliver has long maintained that he is a comedian, not a journalist.

Fusion host Jorge Ramos pressed Oliver further on the issue Tuesday night, asking the "Last Week Tonight" host why former NSA contractor Edward Snowden chose to sit down for an interview with him in April rather than "a more respected journalist."

"I'm not a journalist," Oliver said. "I'm a comedian."

"But you're doing the job of a journalist," Ramos responded.

"No, I'm doing the job of a comedian," Oliver repeated. "I make jokes about the news."

Oliver has previously rejected the idea that he is a real journalist. Others in the media world argue that he absolutely is.

"You have more credibility than most journalists here in the United States," Ramos continued.

"That is more of an insult to the current state of journalism than it is a compliment for the state of comedy," Oliver replied.

On the subject of being named to Time's annual list of 100 most influential people, Oliver jokingly suggested the magazine had made some sort of mistake.

"It's pretty bad news for the world," he quipped.