Add John Oliver to the growing list of critics calling on South Carolina to stop flying the Confederate flag at the state house.  The comedian and host of HBO's "Last Week Tonight" blasted the state for allowing the symbol, viewed by many as racist,to fly at the building in Columbia — particularly in the afternath of the murder ofnine black worshippersinside Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston last week. Accused gunman Dylann Roof was reportedly motivated to commit the crime by the white supremacist beliefs heexpressed in a hate-filled manifesto discovered after the crime, including his contention that he "had no choice" but to kill the black churchgoers.  OBAMA: PUT THE CONFEDERATE FLAG IN A MUSEUM  Oliver began his show by pointing out little has been done to address gun control laws despite a number of high profile mass killings, but he quickly shifted his analysis, focusing on a "symbol" that he said represents the racist attitudes in the South that could have contributed to this tragedy.  Oliver said that South Carolina and other states that fly the flag immediately take it down.  He also suggested where they could put it.  "Fold it, or don't bother, put it in a box, label it 'bad flag' and put it somewhere no one can see it," he said as his audience cheered. "Just a thought. It's just a simple, good thought."  The host said now would be a good time, "out of respect not just for the events of this week, but for the events of the past several centuries," he said.  "The Confederate flag is one of those symbols that should really only be seen on T-shirts, belt buckles and bumper stickers to help the rest of us identify the worst people in the world," he said.  He also disputed the notion that the flag is merely a symbol of history.  "I believe the first time the Confederate flag was used in a racist way was the exact second they finished sewing the very first one," he said. "It was around that time."  Many politicians, including President Obama andsome influential Republicans, have condemned the use of the flag since the shooting.  Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who is running for his party's presidential nomination, said on Twitter his state removed the flag from "the state grounds to a museum where it belonged."  Former 2012 Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney was clear in his position.  "Take down the Confederate flag at the SC Capitol. To many, it is a symbol of racial hatred. Remove it now to honor Charleston victims," he tweeted.  Republican South Carolina State Rep. Norman (Doug) Brannon said he will introduce legislation to the state governing bodies to remove the offending flag.  Oliver's strong comments followed a position shared by his former boss, "The Daily Show" host Jon Stewart, who apologized on Thursday's show for not being able to find anything funny to say in the wake of the sobering incident.  In addition to the flag, Stewart pointed out several roads in the city's capital bear the names of Confederate generals.  "And the white guy is the one who feels his country is being taken away from him," the comedian said.  USING A MOBILE DEVICE? WATCH THE VIDEO HERE.
John Oliver demanded South Carolina remove the Confederate flag from its state house on Sunday's episode of "Last Week Tonight."