Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

The Best Episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2

Genres:TalkComedyNews
Network:HBO

Every episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2!

A half-hour satirical look at the week in news, politics and current events.
Episodes
35
Avg. Rating
8.3
S1
S2
S3
S4
E1
E2
E3
8.4
8.8
8.1

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  1. 9.5/10(756 votes)

    #1 - Government Surveillance

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    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.

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  2. 9.3/10(627 votes)

    #2 - Church

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    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.

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  3. 8.8/10(447 votes)

    #3 - Tobacco

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    S2:E2

    Thanks to tobacco industry regulations and marketing restrictions in the U.S., smoking rates have dropped dramatically. John Oliver explains how tobacco companies are keeping their business strong overseas and how Phillip Morris International in particular is employing some unethical legal practices while suing some of the world's poorest countries. Plus, we've noticed that the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue still exists but can’t quite figure out why.

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  4. 8.8/10(463 votes)

    #4 - FIFA II

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    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.

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  5. 8.8/10(452 votes)

    #5 - Sex Education

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    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.

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    Director:N/A
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  6. 8.5/10(380 votes)

    #6 - Food Waste

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    S2:E21

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

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  8. 8.4/10(421 votes)

    #7 - Marketing to Doctors

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    S2:E1

    John Oliver discusses the growing issues of pharmaceutical companies marketing directly to and through doctors. Also, since RadioShack has filed for bankruptcy, John has created a farewell message for them. Plus, the online sessions by Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa to address the public aren't going too well.

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  9. 8.4/10(382 votes)

    #8 - U.S. Territories

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    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!

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  10. 8.4/10(370 votes)

    #9 - Bail

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    S2:E16

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

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  11. 8.4/10(363 votes)

    #10 - Torture

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    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.

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  12. 8.4/10(374 votes)

    #11 - Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Laws

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    S2:E22

    Mandatory minimums require fixed prison sentences for certain crimes. John Oliver explains why we treat some turkeys better than most low-level offenders.

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  13. 8.4/10(340 votes)

    #12 - Refugees & Pennies

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    S2:E35

    John reflects on the aftermath of Paris attacks and how it affects refugees worldwide. Plus, he questions the usefulness of the U.S. penny, since minting the coins costs more than they're actually worth.

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  14. 8.3/10(405 votes)

    #13 - Infrastructure

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    S2:E4

    America's crumbling infrastructure: It's not a sexy problem, but it is a scary one.

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  15. 8.3/10(375 votes)

    #14 - The NCAA

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    S2:E6

    The NCAA doesn’t pay athletes because they consider them amateurs. The NCAA considers them amateurs because they don’t get paid.

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  16. 8.3/10(364 votes)

    #15 - Public Defenders

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    S2:E27

    The Miranda warning includes the right to a public defender. It doesn’t include the fact that public defenders are highly overworked and grossly underpaid. Plus, a Michigan state legislature scandal, Guatemala's unusual election, and the longevity of Queen Elizabeth II.

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    Director:N/A
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  17. 8.2/10(364 votes)

    #16 - Municipal Violations

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    S2:E7

    If you have money, committing a municipal violation may pose you a minor inconvenience. If you don’t, it can ruin your life. Also, the New Hampshire legislature refused to make the red-tailed hawk the official raptor of their state... so Last Week Tonight made it the official raptor of the show.

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  18. 8.2/10(359 votes)

    #17 - Paid Family Leave

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    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.

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  19. 8.2/10(363 votes)

    #18 - The Internet

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    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.

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  20. 8.2/10(369 votes)

    #19 - Stadiums

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    S2:E20

    Cities spend massive amounts of public money on privately-owned stadiums. Cities issue tax-exempt municipal bonds that — wait, don’t fall asleep!

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  21. 8.2/10(355 votes)

    #20 - District of Columbia

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    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.

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    Director:N/A
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  22. 8.2/10(356 votes)

    #21 - LGBT Discrimination

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    S2:E26

    This year’s gay marriage ruling was a milestone, but LGBT discrimination is still surprisingly legal. John Oliver explains why we need a federal anti-discrimination law. Plus, the rising tensions on the border between North and South Korea, and why Vladimir Putin has started a war on food.

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    Director:N/A
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  23. 8.2/10(360 votes)

    #22 - Migrants and Refugees

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    S2:E28

    Millions of migrants seeking asylum in Europe face hostility, racism, and red tape. John Oliver does one admittedly tiny thing for one of them. Plus Pope's visit to the U.S., the unsavory practices of Volkswagen car manufacturer, and some shocking allegations about the activities of former British PM David Cameron.

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    Director:N/A
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  24. 8.1/10(364 votes)

    #23 - Elected Judges

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    S2:E3

    The vast majority of US judges are elected, forcing many judges to pander to the electorate and accept campaign money in order to keep their jobs. This seems slightly troubling... The UK's Labour Party has painted a campaign van pink in an attempt to attract women voters. We are glad they didn't keep going with that strategy.

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  25. 8.1/10(359 votes)

    #24 - Fashion

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    S2:E11

    John explores the concept of changing and cheap fashion and some of the ugliest truths of the manufacturing process.

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  26. 8.1/10(350 votes)

    #25 - Chickens

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    S2:E14

    John Oliver explains how chicken farming can be unfair, punishing, and inhumane. And not just for the chickens!

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Season 2 Ratings Summary

"Government Surveillance" is the best rated episode of "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" season 2. It scored 9.5/10 based on 756 votes. Directed by Jim Hoskinson and written by Dan Gurewitch, Jeff Maurer, Jill Twiss, Juli Weiner, John Oliver, Kevin Avery, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Will Tracy, Josh Gondelman, Tim Carvell, it aired on 4/5/2015. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "Church".