John Oliver
Jesse Dittmar/Redux
Before John Oliver launched his Sunday night mock news show, Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, nobody ever tried to spin comedic gold out of complicated subjects critical to Americans' financial health. During the show's first two seasons, Oliver had already managed to cover the wage gap, predatory lending, and paid family leave. But he doubled down on personal finance in 2016, devoting entire shows to credit reports, debt collection, retirement planning, and auto lending.
His team's extensively reported deep dives—complete with detailed explanations, investigative reporting, exhortations for viewers to take action, and even practical advice—make Oliver the Money Champion of the Year 2016.