Last Week Tonight with John Oliver backdrop
Talk•Comedy•News

The Best Episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1

Every episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1!

Binge this in 12h 0m•Peaking at 8.8/10

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

Airs on
HBO
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons12

All123456789101112

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 1 - POM Wonderful v. Coca-Cola
    8.4/10(513 votes)

    #1 - POM Wonderful v. Coca-Cola

    S1:E1

    John talks about the Indian election, Pom Wonderful and talks with the former NSA Director General Keith Alexander.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 2 - Capital Punishment
    8.2/10(465 votes)

    #2 - Capital Punishment

    S1:E2

    John talks about the recent issues of the death penalty, François Hollande and the rising issues happening in Brunei.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 3 - Climate Change Denial
    8.3/10(451 votes)

    #3 - Climate Change Denial

    S1:E3

    John talks about Eurovision, Ukraine and Russia's relations and interviews Bill Nye about Climate Change.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 4 - The Right to Be Forgotten
    8.1/10(419 votes)

    #4 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 5 - Net Neutrality
    8.8/10(514 votes)

    #5 - Net Neutrality

    S1:E5

    John talks about the rise of the far-right political parties in Europe, the Ukrainian election, Afghanistan, Net Neutrality, Australia's hard-line right-wing Prime Minister Tony Abbott and the 2014 Scripps National Spelling Bee.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 6 - FIFA and the World Cup
    8.6/10(474 votes)

    #6 - FIFA and the World Cup

    S1:E6

    John talks about California Chrome and the Belmont Stakes, FIFA and the 2014 World Cup, and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

    READ
  7. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 7 - Immigration Reform
    8.3/10(391 votes)

    #7 - Immigration Reform

    S1:E7

    John talks about US Immigration and interviews Professor Stephen Hawking.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 8 - Dr. Oz
    8.3/10(408 votes)

    #8 - Dr. Oz

    S1:E8

    John talks about Iraq, Antarctica tourism and Dr. Oz's "Miracle Drug".

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 9 - Burwell v. Hobby Lobby
    7.9/10(402 votes)

    #9 - Burwell v. Hobby Lobby

    S1:E9

    John Oliver sheds light on recent Supreme Court cases and discusses gay rights in Uganda with activist Pepe Julian Onziema.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 10 - Income and Wealth Inequality
    8.1/10(391 votes)

    #10 - Income and Wealth Inequality

    S1:E10

    John talks about modern American income inequality, Warren G. Harding's love letters and President Obama's "Day In The Life" tour.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 11 - Incarceration in the United States
    8.2/10(381 votes)

    #11 - Incarceration in the United States

    S1:E11

    John talks about the Gaza crisis, the decay of American prisons and the gambling addiction problem in Singapore.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 12 - Nuclear Weapons and the United States
    8.3/10(383 votes)

    #12 - Nuclear Weapons and the United States

    S1:E12

    John talks about human rights violations in the Middle East, nuclear disarmament and Russia's science satellite that lost communication.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 13 - Native Advertising
    8.0/10(369 votes)

    #13 - Native Advertising

    S1:E13

    John talks about Uganda's anti-gay laws, the CIA's recent report on their use of torture, the New York Port Authority, Argentina's default on debt and native advertising.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 14 - Payday Loans
    8.1/10(369 votes)

    #14 - Payday Loans

    S1:E14

    John talks about the return of US military actions in Iraq, replacing all passwords due to a global security breach and the terrible practices of the Payday Loan industry.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 15 - Shooting of Michael Brown and Police Militarization
    8.1/10(381 votes)

    #15 - Shooting of Michael Brown and Police Militarization

    S1:E15

    Focuses on the shooting of Michael Brown and police militarization in Ferguson, MO. John also discusses the topic of equal pay for equal work.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 16 - Student Debt
    8.2/10(378 votes)

    #16 - Student Debt

    S1:E16

    John talks about ISIS and student loan debt. Musical group A Great Big World make a special appearance.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 17 - Scottish Independence Referendum
    8.2/10(372 votes)

    #17 - Scottish Independence Referendum

    S1:E17

    John talks about the NFL's decision on Ray Rice's contract, the international response to ISIS, Scotland's separation from the United Kingdom and Twitter hashtags that are being misused by corporations.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 18 - United States Embargo Against Cuba, Miss America 2015
    8.3/10(370 votes)

    #18 - United States Embargo Against Cuba, Miss America 2015

    S1:E18

    John covers the results of the Scottish referendum that took place the week before and explains why the policy of United States having embargo against Cuba doesn't make sense . The main story focuses on the Miss America pageant and their scholarships to women. John explains how outdated and absurd the requirements for the contestants are and to illustrate these problems, stages his own pageant with the help of a guest star - Kathy Griffin.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 19 - Drones
    8.0/10(372 votes)

    #19 - Drones

    S1:E19

    John discusses U.S. military drones and the Kansas state budget shortfall. Also, Narendra Modi, the Prime Minster of India visited New York and did some classic New York things.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 20 - Civil Forfeiture
    8.7/10(420 votes)

    #20 - Civil Forfeiture

    S1:E20

    Main story: how desperate the American law enforcement is to make money out of everyone by using the process called the "civil asset forfeiture," and how it would make for a weird episode of "Law and Order." Plus, John wants to host the 2022 Winter Olympics and how is Columbus Day still a thing.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 21 - Military Translators
    8.5/10(377 votes)

    #21 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 22 - Sugar
    8.1/10(364 votes)

    #22 - Sugar

    S1:E22

    John Oliver talks about a Russian submarine in Sweden, ebola in New York, added sugar in food, Rob Ford's brother and interviews Jane Goodall.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 23 - State Legislatures and ALEC
    8.1/10(369 votes)

    #23 - State Legislatures and ALEC

    S1:E23

    While midterm coverage is largely focused on the parts of Congress that do very little, vital (and bizarre) midterm elections are going unexamined. State legislators pass a lot of bills, and some of that efficiency is thanks to a group called ALEC that writes legislation for them. It’s as shady as it sounds!

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 24 - The Lottery
    8.7/10(430 votes)

    #24 - The Lottery

    S1:E24

    The Lottery: State lotteries claim to be good for education and the general wellbeing of citizens. But are they? (Spoiler alert: No.) Also, there is a cannon that shoots salmon over dams. It’s awesome. Check it out.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Season 1 Ratings Summary

"POM Wonderful v. Coca-Cola" is the best rated episode of "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" season 1. It scored 8.4/10 based on 513 votes. Directed by Joe Perota and written by Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Tim Carvell, it aired on 4/27/2014. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "Capital Punishment".