{
  "id": 15957282,
  "title": "Adam McKay enlists Woody Harrelson for darkly satirical Exxon ad",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/adam-mckay-enlists-woody-harrelson-for-darkly-satirical-exxon-ad",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-21T17:13:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The A.V. Club",
    "slug": "the-a-v-club",
    "url": "https://www.avclub.com/adam-mckay-woody-harrelson-fake-exxon-commercial"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Director Adam McKay has enlisted actor Woody Harrelson to create a darkly satirical advertisement for Exxon, in response to the pressing issue of climate change. The satirical commercial, released through Yellow Dot Studios, highlights the deceptive nature of oil companies' messaging and their role in exacerbating environmental destruction. McKay, known for his sharp social commentary, employs Harrelson's folksy and ironic narration to deliver a scathing critique of oil executives, climate scientists, and politicians. The advertisement features charming visuals of flowers, babies, and beachgoers, which gradually transition to harrowing images of wildfires, flooding, and collapsed buildings. Harrelson's calm yet patronizing voice explains that \"poor immigrants and refugees\" are ultimately responsible for the climate crisis. The ad also mocks climate scientists, associating them with a lavish lifestyle and illicit activities, while presenting oil executives and corporate CEOs as the true villains. The commercial concludes with Harrelson's narrator reassuring viewers that Exxon loves them and encouraging them to visit www.elninowarning.com for more information.",
  "summary": "In the ad narrated by Woody Harrelson, the Don't Look Up director ties the coming El Niño weather disasters to oil company policies.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}