Arts and Entertainment

HBO’s John Oliver would like to give Russell Crowe’s jockstrap to Anchorage’s last Blockbuster store

Television host John Oliver would like to give the last remaining Blockbuster video store in Anchorage actor Russell Crowe's jockstrap.

Oliver, the host of the HBO show "Last Week Tonight," said on his program Sunday night that he had purchased what he called "pointless Russell Crowe memorabilia" from an auction the actor arranged to celebrate his divorce.

In addition to the leather jockstrap from the 2005 movie "Cinderella Man" that Oliver purportedly paid more than $7,000 for, the collection also includes a hood from "Robin Hood," a vest from "Les Miserables" and director's chairs for Crowe and Denzel Washington.

Oliver said Washington's chair cost more.

Oliver suggested that the Blockbuster store could put the items on display as a "fun, movie-themed way" to draw customers and stay in business.

"I can think of no more perfect place for them to reside than an Alaskan Blockbuster store," Oliver told the audience.

[Even in Alaska, Blockbuster is fading. 'We're just managing the decline as best we can.']

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Of the four remaining Blockbuster stores, three are in Alaska.

"To the manager of the only remaining Blockbuster in Anchorage, Alaska at 5600 Debarr Road #5 … all of this s— is yours," Oliver said. "Just call us in the next 48 hours and we will send it to you."

Kevin Daymude, the longtime general manager of the DeBarr Road Blockbuster, said he would take the offered memorabilia. He wasn't sure how to get hold of Oliver or the show to say yes.

"Yes, I'd display it," said Daymude, who first heard about Oliver's offer when his Facebook page "blew up" with messages Sunday night.

"I mean, I'm not sure I want a Russell Crowe jockstrap. But if they are going to give it to us at Blockbuster video in Alaska …"

Michelle Theriault Boots

Michelle Theriault Boots is a longtime reporter for the Anchorage Daily News. She focuses on in-depth stories about the intersection of public policy and Alaskans' lives. Before joining the ADN in 2012, she worked at daily newspapers up and down the West Coast and earned a master's degree from the University of Oregon.

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