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The Best Episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Every episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver!

Binge this in 8d 14h•Peaking at 9.2/10

A half-hour satirical look at the week in news, politics and current events.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 Episode 8 - Government Surveillance
    9.2/10(8 votes)

    #1 - Government Surveillance

    S2:E8

    There are very few government checks on what America’s sweeping surveillance programs are capable of doing. John Oliver sits down with Edward Snowden to discuss the NSA, the balance between privacy and security, and dick-pics.

    Director:Jim Hoskinson
    Writers:Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim Carvell

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  2. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 Episode 25 - Church
    9.0/10(8 votes)

    #2 - Church

    S2:E25

    John discusses predatory churches and televangelism, and how the U.S. tax law allows them to get away with almost anything. Plus, the raising of the American flag in Cuba, the redesign of New Zealand's flag, and President Harding's illegitimate child.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 Episode 15 - FIFA II
    8.8/10(8 votes)

    #3 - FIFA II

    S2:E15

    After the arrests of numerous top officials, John Oliver decided to give an update on the state of FIFA. Also, Thailand's ignorance about the world's history involving Hitler might require some re-education.

    Director:Jim Hoskinson
    Writers:Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim Carvell

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  4. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 Episode 17 - Torture
    8.8/10(6 votes)

    #4 - Torture

    S2:E17

    The US Senate Torture Report revealed horrifying details of America's interrogation program. Helen Mirren will fill you in. Plus, information about the 2015 European Games and the Canadian Senate expenses scandal.

    Director:Jim Hoskinson
    Writers:Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim Carvell

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  5. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 Episode 18 - The Internet
    8.7/10(6 votes)

    #5 - The Internet

    S2:E18

    Online harassment is a major problem, but it’s rarely prosecuted. If only we’d been warned about this in the early days of the internet.

    Director:Jim Hoskinson
    Writers:Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim Carvell

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  6. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 Episode 19 - Transgender Rights
    8.7/10(6 votes)

    #6 - Transgender Rights

    S2:E19

    This week’s gay rights victory was historic, but the transgender community still faces staggering challenges. John Oliver focuses on the “T” in “LGBT."

    Director:Jim Hoskinson
    Writers:Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim Carvell

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

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  7. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 21 - Military Translators
    8.6/10(8 votes)

    #7 - Military Translators

    S1:E21

    Translators who have aided the U.S. Military in Afghanistan and Iraq are in great danger in their home countries, but red tape is making it impossible for many of them to leave. John Oliver interviews FNU Mohammad, one translator who made it out. Plus, since cameras aren’t allowed in the Supreme Court discussions, most coverage of the important cases looks like garbage. John fixes that problem with real animals and fake paws.

    Director:Joe Perota
    Writers:Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman

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  8. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 Episode 24 - Sex Education
    8.6/10(8 votes)

    #8 - Sex Education

    S2:E24

    Sex education varies widely between school districts, leaving many teens without comprehensive information. We made a video that covers what some schools are too embarrassed to teach.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 4 Episode 11 - Net Neutrality II
    8.6/10(14 votes)

    #9 - Net Neutrality II

    S4:E11

    Equal access to online information is once again under serious threat. John Oliver encourages internet commenters to voice their displeasure to the FCC by visiting www.gofccyourself.com.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 6 Episode 29 - SLAPP Suits
    8.6/10(8 votes)

    #10 - SLAPP Suits

    S6:E29

    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.

    Directors:Paul Pennolino, Christopher Werner
    Writers:Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner

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  11. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 Episode 5 - U.S. Territories
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #11 - U.S. Territories

    S2:E5

    A set of Supreme Court decisions made over 100 years ago has left U.S. territories without meaningful representation. That’s weird, right? Plus, daylight saving time doesn’t actually benefit anyone. Strangely, it’s still a thing!

    Director:Jim Hoskinson
    Writers:Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim Carvell

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  12. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 Episode 10 - Patents
    8.5/10(6 votes)

    #12 - Patents

    S2:E10

    For inventors, patents are an essential protection against theft. But when patent trolls abuse the system by stockpiling patents and threatening lawsuits, businesses are forced to shell out tons of money. Also, CNN produced an actual doomsday video to broadcast when the world is ending and it’s incredibly dull. We've enlisted Martin Sheen to help make humanity’s final moments happier!

    Director:Jim Hoskinson
    Writers:Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim Carvell

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  13. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 Episode 13 - Paid Family Leave
    8.5/10(6 votes)

    #13 - Paid Family Leave

    S2:E13

    Many American companies do not offer paid leave after the birth of a child, which means they probably shouldn’t run sappy Mother’s Day ads. Also, the Japanese have some unhealthy obsession with mascots and John proposes to adopt some of that culture in the U.S. government agencies as well.

    Director:Jim Hoskinson
    Writers:Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim Carvell

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  14. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 Episode 16 - Bail
    8.5/10(6 votes)

    #14 - Bail

    S2:E16

    John Oliver explains why America’s bail system is better for the reality TV industry than it is for the justice system.

    Director:Jim Hoskinson
    Writers:Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim Carvell

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  15. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 Episode 23 - District of Columbia
    8.5/10(6 votes)

    #15 - District of Columbia

    S2:E23

    Washington DC experiences taxation without representation. It's also missing from rhyming state songs. John Oliver and a group of singing children fix one of these problems. Plus, a sex scandal involving the Chairman of the British House of Lords.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 4 Episode 15 - Brexit II
    8.5/10(10 votes)

    #16 - Brexit II

    S4:E15

    In the wake of a divisive election, the UK will begin the process of leaving the European Union. John Oliver and an intergalactic space lord propose a plan.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 4 Episode 19 - Alex Jones
    8.5/10(11 votes)

    #17 - Alex Jones

    S4:E19

    Alex Jones is known for pushing conspiracy theories, but he also spends a lot of time promoting his own products. John Oliver and a “doctor” “from” M.I.T. test out his marketing strategy.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 30 - Episode 239
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #18 - Episode 239

    S8:E30

    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."

    Directors:Paul Pennolino, Christopher Werner
    Writers:John Oliver, Greg Iwinski, Seena Vali, Owen Parsons, Chrissy Shackelford, Daniel O'Brien, Charlie Redd, Joanna Rothkopf, Johnathan Appel, Liz Hynes, Ali Barthwell, Mark Kramer

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  19. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9 Episode 7 - April 10, 2022: Data Brokers
    8.5/10(10 votes)

    #19 - April 10, 2022: Data Brokers

    S9:E7

    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
    Writers:John Oliver, Seena Vali, Owen Parsons, Chrissy Shackelford, Daniel O'Brien, Charlie Redd, Joanna Rothkopf, Johnathan Appel, Liz Hynes, Ali Barthwell, Taylor Kay Phillips, Ryan Ken, Sofía Manfredi, Mark Kramer

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  20. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 4 - The Right to Be Forgotten
    8.4/10(10 votes)

    #20 - The Right to Be Forgotten

    S1:E4

    John talks about the product recall going on at General Motors, the EU Court of Justice "Right to be Forgotten" ruling and updates us on how the Indian election is going with help from Fareed Zakaria.

    Director:Joe Perota
    Writers:Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Tim Carvell

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  21. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 Episode 21 - Food Waste
    8.4/10(7 votes)

    #21 - Food Waste

    S2:E21

    Producers, sellers, and consumers waste tons of food. John Oliver discusses the shocking amount of food we don’t eat.

    Director:Jim Hoskinson
    Writers:Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim Carvell

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  22. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 Episode 31 - Canada
    8.4/10(5 votes)

    #22 - Canada

    S2:E31

    Canada is about to have a major election. John Oliver enlists Mike Myers, a beaver, and a moose to give voters some advice. Plus, the unpopularity of the Mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto and the habit of American politicians to misquote historical figures.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 3 Episode 19 - Democratic National Convention
    8.4/10(12 votes)

    #23 - Democratic National Convention

    S3:E19

    John covers the rocky Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. Plus, the military coup in Turkey and its aftermath, the voter ID laws targeting the minorities and how are tanning beds still a thing.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 4 Episode 2 - Putin
    8.4/10(14 votes)

    #24 - Putin

    S4:E2

    Vladimir Putin is known as a ruthless leader and master manipulator. John Oliver enlists a group of singing dancers to explain that to Donald Trump.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 4 Episode 9 - French Elections
    8.4/10(14 votes)

    #25 - French Elections

    S4:E9

    The presidential election in France could determine the political future of Europe. John Oliver visits an excessively French bistro to deliver an urgent message to voters.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"Government Surveillance" is the best rated episode of "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver". It scored 9.2/10 based on 8 votes. Directed by Jim Hoskinson and written by Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim Carvell, it aired on 4/5/2015. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Church".