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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2. 

   8.6/10(8 votes)

   #2 - 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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3. 

   8.5/10(4 votes)

   #3 - 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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4. 

   8.5/10(10 votes)

   #4 - 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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5. 

   8.4/10(8 votes)

   #5 - 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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6. 

   8.2/10(8 votes)

   #6 - 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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7. 

   8.2/10(8 votes)

   #7 - 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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8. 

   8.2/10(15 votes)

   #8 - 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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9. 

   8.2/10(9 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.

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10. 

    8.2/10(9 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(9 votes)

    #11 - 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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12. 

    8.0/10(7 votes)

    #12 - 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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13. 

    8.0/10(4 votes)

    #13 - Episode 237

    S8:E2810/31/2021

    With homelessness increasing nationwide, John Oliver takes a look at the way we discuss the unhoused, what policy failures are making the problem worse, and how we can help.

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14. 

    8.0/10(9 votes)

    #14 - April 17, 2022: Police Interrogations

    S9:E84/17/2022

    John Oliver discusses the tactics that can make police interrogations so damaging, particularly to the innocent. Plus, a look at Dr. Oz's campaign for U.S. Senate.

    Director:Paul Pennolino

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15. 

    8.0/10(12 votes)

    #15 - 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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16. 

    8.0/10(7 votes)

    #16 - October 8, 2023: Homeschooling

    S10:E1210/8/2023

    John Oliver discusses homeschooling, its surprising lack of regulation in many states, and, crucially, Darth Vader's parenting skills.

    Director:Paul Pennolino

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17. 

    8.0/10(4 votes)

    #17 - 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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18. 

    7.9/10(9 votes)

    #18 - 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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19. 

    7.9/10(7 votes)

    #19 - August 22, 2021: Afghanistan

    S8:E228/22/2021

    John Oliver discusses the end of America's war with Afghanistan and the humanitarian crisis being left behind.

    Director:Paul Pennolino

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20. 

    7.9/10(11 votes)

    #20 - 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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21. 

    7.9/10(9 votes)

    #21 - June 12, 2022: Tech Monopolies

    S9:E146/12/2022

    John Oliver discusses tech monopolies such as Apple, Google, Amazon, and Facebook, and how to address the hidden harm they can do. Plus, a look at the hotly contested U.S. Senate race in Arizona, which includes Trump-endorsed candidate Blake Masters.

    Director:Paul Pennolino

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22. 

    7.9/10(9 votes)

    #22 - April 2, 2023: Solitary Confinement

    S10:E64/2/2023

    John Oliver discusses solitary confinement, how prevalent it is, how damaging it can be, and, of course, how to hit the woah.

    Director:Paul Pennolino

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23. 

    7.9/10(11 votes)

    #23 - 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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24. 

    7.9/10(9 votes)

    #24 - 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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25. 

    7.8/10(5 votes)

    #25 - Episode 219: Vaccine

    S8:E105/2/2021

    John Oliver explains why some people don't want to get the Covid-19 vaccine and how they might be reassured.

    Director:Paul Pennolino

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