The Best Episodes Directed By Paul Pennolino

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   10.0/10(1 votes)

   #1 - Post-Election

   S1:E3010/8/2016

   Samantha reacts to the news of Donald Trump's election to the Presidency.

   Director:Paul Pennolino

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   Director:Paul Pennolino

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2. 

   8.5/10(2 votes)

   #2 - Episode 239

   S8:E3011/14/2021

   John Oliver discusses the mechanics of union busting, why the companies who do it face so few consequences, and what it really means when your manager wants to talk to you about "your attendance."

   Director:Paul Pennolino

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3. 

   8.4/10(8 votes)

   #3 - April 10, 2022: Data Brokers

   S9:E74/10/2022

   John Oliver discusses how much data brokers know about us, what they’re doing with our personal information, and one unusual way to change privacy laws. Plus, Russian State TV lies about the Ukraine war; DirecTV drops OAN; John says goodbye to AT&T.

   Director:Paul Pennolino

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4. 

   8.3/10(6 votes)

   #4 - SLAPP Suits

   S6:E2911/10/2019

   After winning a legal battle involving a coal executive and a giant squirrel, John Oliver explains how SLAPP suits are designed to stifle public dissent.

   Director:Paul Pennolino

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   Director:Paul Pennolino

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5. 

   8.3/10(10 votes)

   #5 - Brexit

   S3:E166/19/2016

   John Oliver on “Brexiting” from the EU: There might be an innate British desire to diss Europe, but Last Week Tonight lays out exactly why it’s a mistake to leave the EU.

   Director:Paul Pennolino

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   Director:Paul Pennolino

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6. 

   8.3/10(7 votes)

   #6 - Doping

   S3:E176/26/2016

   John talks about the aftermath of the Brexit vote in the United Kingdom and doping in sports with the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio on the horizon.

   Director:Paul Pennolino

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7. 

   8.2/10(8 votes)

   #7 - Puerto Rico

   S3:E104/24/2016

   Puerto Rico is suffering a massive debt crisis. Lin-Manuel Miranda joins John Oliver to call for relief.

   Director:Paul Pennolino

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8. 

   8.2/10(6 votes)

   #8 - November 12, 2023: Israel-Hamas War

   S10:E1711/12/2023

   John Oliver discusses the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

   Director:Paul Pennolino

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9. 

   8.1/10(7 votes)

   #9 - October 29, 2023: Chocolate

   S10:E1510/29/2023

   John Oliver discusses chocolate, cocoa farming, and, of course, some facts that will make Halloween a little weird.

   Director:Paul Pennolino

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10. 

    8.1/10(7 votes)

    #10 - November 5, 2023: Abortion Rights

    S10:E1611/5/2023

    John Oliver discusses the ongoing fallout from the overturning of Roe v. Wade as the November elections approach.

    Director:Paul Pennolino

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11. 

    8.1/10(7 votes)

    #11 - Medicare for All

    S7:E12/16/2020

    Main story: The pros and cons of Medicare for All; plus, Bill Barr does Trump's personal bidding; and Flyers mascot Gritty is exonerated!

    Director:Paul Pennolino

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12. 

    8.1/10(9 votes)

    #12 - Congressional Fundraising

    S3:E74/3/2016

    Lawmakers have to raise money to keep their jobs, but a surprising amount of their job now consists of raising money. John Oliver sits down with Congressman Steve Israel to discuss the costs of political spending.

    Director:Paul Pennolino

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13. 

    8.1/10(9 votes)

    #13 - Primaries and Caucuses

    S3:E135/22/2016

    Last Week Tonight Tackles U.S. Primaries and Caucuses: The United States selection process for presidential nominees is convoluted — to say the least. Nevertheless, John Oliver reminds Americans that the "middle of the game" is the worst possible time to change the rules.

    Director:Paul Pennolino

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14. 

    8.0/10(6 votes)

    #14 - Workplace Sexual Harassment

    S5:E187/29/2018

    With a national dialogue underway about sexual harassment in the workplace, John Oliver sits down with Anita Hill to discuss the recent response to a not-so-recent problem.

    Director:Paul Pennolino

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15. 

    8.0/10(7 votes)

    #15 - Episode 214: Tucker Carlson

    S8:E53/14/2021

    Main story: Where Tucker Carlson came from and why he's admired by white nationalists; plus, reaction to the Biden COVID-19 relief bill.

    Director:Paul Pennolino

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16. 

    8.0/10(6 votes)

    #16 - Episode 222: Sponcon

    S8:E135/23/2021

    John Oliver explains why the integrity of local news is so important, how sponsored content could damage that integrity, and why the Venus Veil is so much more than a blanket. (It's not.)

    Director:Paul Pennolino

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17. 

    8.0/10(3 votes)

    #17 - Episode 238

    S8:E2911/7/2021

    John Oliver discusses the current state of the nation's power grid, why it needs fixing, and, of course, how fun the balloons are.

    Director:Paul Pennolino

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18. 

    8.0/10(7 votes)

    #18 - Special Districts

    S3:E43/6/2016

    Special districts spend more public money than all city governments combined. That's odd considering most of us don't know they exist.

    Director:Paul Pennolino

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19. 

    8.0/10(9 votes)

    #19 - Lead

    S3:E94/17/2016

    Lead poisoning is a national problem. If only lawmakers were as concerned as the puppets on Sesame Street.

    Director:Paul Pennolino

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20. 

    8.0/10(11 votes)

    #20 - Scientific Studies

    S3:E115/8/2016

    John Oliver on Sticking to the Facts: Media outlets often report new findings from scientific studies, but how many are true?

    Director:Paul Pennolino

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21. 

    8.0/10(4 votes)

    #21 - Freedom

    S1:E210/14/2021

    Americans love freedom. But what price are they willing to pay for it—and what can be learned from other countries that are fighting to be free?

    Director:Paul Pennolino

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22. 

    7.9/10(8 votes)

    #22 - Encryption

    S3:E53/13/2016

    Strong encryption poses problems for law enforcement, is weakening it worth the risks it presents? It's…complicated.

    Director:Paul Pennolino

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23. 

    7.9/10(8 votes)

    #23 - 911

    S3:E125/15/2016

    John Oliver on 911 Reliability: Things you never want to hear: there are no guarantees when you call 911. Emergency call centers are in desperate need of funding and new technology, so “no guarantees” is the unfortunate reality.

    Director:Paul Pennolino

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24. 

    7.9/10(9 votes)

    #24 - March 13, 2022: Tickets

    S9:E43/13/2022

    John Oliver explains why concert tickets are so expensive, who’s making money off of them, and which One Direction is his favorite. Plus, the introduction of some appalling anti-LGBT laws in several states.

    Director:Paul Pennolino

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25. 

    7.9/10(7 votes)

    #25 - May 22, 2022: Subway

    S9:E125/22/2022

    John Oliver discusses one of the largest franchises in the U.S., how their business model doesn’t always serve franchisees, and what it all has to do with Korean dramas.

    Director:Paul Pennolino

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