Council rejects John Oliver’s outrageous bid for Fitzroy’s ‘demonic f----ing banana’ sculpture

An outrageous deal was offered for Melbourne’s skull-faced banana sculpture — and comedian John Oliver may be dismayed by the response.

A comedian’s outrageous offer to purchase Fitzroy’s controversial banana sculpture has been rebuffed, as it continues to languish in storage.

Comedian John Oliver this week offered to “take it off the hands” of Melbourne, with an offer than included replacing it with a large alligator sculpture giving the finger.

“Fallen Fruit”, a 1.8m peeled banana statue with a skull face, polarised Victorians when it was installed on Rose St in Fitzroy late last year.

It was at the centre of the comedian’s Last Week Tonight segment aired overnight, despite the fact it was replaced by a “plant installation” in May.

“It’s basically the Cate Blanchett of banana sculptures in that it’s a hauntingly pale Australian creature with a very striking bone structure,” he said.

The host joked that the point of the banana was lost on him, and on many others.

A buyer has emerged for Fitzroy’s banished $22,000 banana sculpture. Picture: Alex Coppel

“The aim of the sculpture was that it would remind the community about road safety by forcing people to slow down.

“Although, I would argue this is less of a reminder to slow down and more an encouragement to speed up in order to get away from this demonic f---ing banana as soon as possible.”

But Oliver said he had a solution for the residents of Fitzroy.

“I will gladly take that banana off your hands,” he said.

“I am willing to buy that gigantic banana off you for exactly $10 Australian dollars.

“Plus, a $10,000 donation to your local food bank. And $5000 to help further fund the Koala Chlamydia Ward.”

As a sweetener, Oliver also offered up his show’s large alligator sculpture — giving the finger — as a replacement.

TV comedian John Oliver has offered to buy the banana …

… and trade it with this alligator statue.

“What can be more Australian than a dangerous animal telling anyone who comes near it to go f--- themselves?” he said.

“If you take us up on your offer, this guy is yours, Melbourne.

“You have exactly one week to get back to us. Send us your banana!”

But Yarra Mayor Sophie Wade said the banana was not going anywhere, instead inviting Oliver to visit Melbourne and see the sculpture.

“We are so excited to hear John Oliver loves our banana sculpture as much as we do, but I am sad to say the City of Yarra is not ready to part with it just yet,” Cr Wade said.

“We recognise its value and we appreciate John Oliver’s offer to buy the banana.

“Yarra is known as the arts and culture capital of Melbourne for good reason. I would like to officially extend an invitation to John Oliver to come down under and visit Yarra.

“I would be happy to take him on a tour of our wonderful city and organise a private viewing of the banana so they can get acquainted.

Cr Wade also thanked people who had expressed concern about the banana.

“The banana is currently recuperating after the traumatic experience late last year and we will keep the community updated on how the banana is travelling,” she said.

It comes after Yarra Residents Collective spokesman Adam Promnitz said the Oliver offer might be the best result for the city.

“It’s a unique opportunity for a bit of fun. And the best offer we will ever get for the banana and a great outcome for local charities,’’ he said.

Social media was abuzz with people imploring the City of Yarra to take Oliver up on his offer.

“A giant crocodile giving you the finger plus $15k in exchange for a decommissioned banana,” one Twitter user said. “A great deal!”

It's an appealing offer @YarraCouncil! https://t.co/6bg9dXV00o

— The Melbourne Banana 🍌 (@MelbourneBanana) June 6, 2022

“Please, please, please honor John Oliver’s request of trading the Melbourne Banana for the Greeting Alligator,” another said.

“And, you’ll receive that lovely charity money.”

A new Twitter account posing as the sculpture also emerged overnight to weigh in on the debate.

“I know where I’m wanted,” @MelbourneBanana wrote, imploring the council to “get me out of lockdown”.

The $22,000 Adam Stone sculpture shot to notoriety after it was unveiled on the corner of Rose and Brunswick streets late last year.

The City of Yarra spent one-fifth of a $100,000 taxpayer-funded grant from the TAC on the artwork.

A 300-word description on the council’s website said the piece attempted to “subvert” the 1970s phenomenon of oversized, kitsch roadside objects.

This yellow plant installation replaced the original artwork.

But it was vandalised days after making headlines, after a man tried to “decapitate” it with a hacksaw in late November.

It was sent for repairs and replaced by a plant installation, but the Herald Sun revealed it had been tucked away in Yarra Council’s storage.

“Officers are investigating options and no decisions have yet been made about whether and how it might be reinstated,’’ a council spokeswoman said.

It’s not the first time Australian news has caught the comedian’s attention, with ex-One Nation senator Fraser Anning and former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce previously copping a spray on his show in recent years.

In 2018, Hollywood star Russell Crowe and the Irwin family joined forces to unveil The John Oliver Koala Chlamydia Ward at Australia Zoo.