The Blockbuster from 'Last Week Tonight' just closed

:(
 By 
Proma Khosla
 on 
The Blockbuster from 'Last Week Tonight' just closed
A closed Blockbuster exterior in Scotland in 2013. Credit: John Linton Photography/REX/Shutterstock

The dream of Blockbuster was alive in Alaska, but no longer. The Blockbuster stores chugging along up North – including the one that John Oliver's Last Week Tonight donated Russell Crowe-themed movie props to – are closing down. The last surviving Blockbuster will be in Bend, Or.

According to Deadline, the stores officially close on Monday, but will sell off their remaining inventory from Tuesday until the end of August.

In April, Oliver donated Russell Crowe memorabilia from a Sotheby's auction to the Blockbuster in Anchorage to draw in movie buffs and keep business afloat. Alaskans, Oliver reported, still depend on Blockbuster since they have limited access to the kind of internet that can support the rest of the nation's streaming habits. An employee interviewed for the segment noted that many people simply photograph or enter the store for the novelty and memories.

Blockbuster Alaska District Manager Kelli Vey and General Manager Kevin Daymude issued a statement:

"Thank you for sticking by us throughout all these years," he wrote. "I can’t tell you how much it means to us. We hope to see you at our stores during the closing, even if it’s just to say 'Hello'."

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Proma Khosla

Proma Khosla is a Senior Entertainment Reporter writing about all things TV, from ranking Bridgerton crushes to composer interviews and leading Mashable's stateside coverage of Bollywood and South Asian representation. You might also catch her hosting video explainers or on Mashable's TikTok and Reels, or tweeting silly thoughts from @promawhatup.

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