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The Best Episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8

Every episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8!

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

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 1 - Episode 210: The Next Pandemic
    7.7/10(346 votes)

    #1 - Episode 210: The Next Pandemic

    S8:E1

    Main story: What could cause the next pandemic, what we can do to avoid it, and why you shouldn’t kiss pigs; plus, Impeachment Part 2.

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

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  2. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 2 - Episode 211: Meatpacking
    7.7/10(314 votes)

    #2 - Episode 211: Meatpacking

    S8:E2

    Main story: Working conditions in the meatpacking industry; plus, the Texas power crisis in the wake of severe winter weather.

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

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  3. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 3 - Episode 212: Raids
    8.3/10(335 votes)

    #3 - Episode 212: Raids

    S8:E3

    Main story: How few guardrails there are on the use of police raids; plus, New York governor Andrew Cuomo faces multiple scandals.

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

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  4. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 4 - Episode 213: Unemployment
    7.6/10(297 votes)

    #4 - Episode 213: Unemployment

    S8:E4

    Main story: The many obstacles that impede access to unemployment benefits; plus, Fox News freaks out over Dr. Seuss.

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

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  5. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 5 - Episode 214: Tucker Carlson
    7.8/10(354 votes)

    #5 - Episode 214: Tucker Carlson

    S8:E5

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

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

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  6. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 6 - Episode 215: Plastics
    8.0/10(303 votes)

    #6 - Episode 215: Plastics

    S8:E6

    Main story: How plastics are harming the planet, and why recycling isn’t the solution you think it is; plus, the Atlanta mass shootings and hate crimes against Asian-Americans.

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

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  7. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 7 - Episode 216: The National Debt
    7.6/10(289 votes)

    #7 - Episode 216: The National Debt

    S8:E7

    Main story: How national debt works and why it might be more helpful than you'd think; plus, Giuliani freaks over Lil Nas X; Amazon's anti-union tactics; Peeps and Pepsi form an unholy alliance.

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

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  8. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 8 - Episode 217: Long-Term Care
    7.5/10(282 votes)

    #8 - Episode 217: Long-Term Care

    S8:E8

    Main story: Why nursing homes and assisted living facilities need fixing; plus, the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program; Matt Gaetz and Venmo; R.I.P. Yahoo! Answers.

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

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  9. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 9 - Episode 218: Bankruptcy
    7.4/10(278 votes)

    #9 - Episode 218: Bankruptcy

    S8:E9

    John Oliver details why people file for bankruptcy, how needlessly difficult the process can be, and the ways we can better serve people struggling with debt.

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

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  10. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 10 - Episode 219: Vaccine
    7.8/10(281 votes)

    #10 - Episode 219: Vaccine

    S8:E10

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

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

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  11. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 11 - Episode 220: Hair
    6.6/10(361 votes)

    #11 - Episode 220: Hair

    S8:E11

    John Oliver discusses the importance of black hair, the ways it can be a target of discrimination, and some ideas to address that.

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

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  12. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 12 - Episode 221: Stand Your Ground
    7.4/10(328 votes)

    #12 - Episode 221: Stand Your Ground

    S8:E12

    Main Story: John Oliver takes a look at why “stand your ground” laws were created, who they protect, and, crucially, who they don’t. Plus, a look at the past week’s events in Israel.

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

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  13. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 13 - Episode 222: Sponcon
    8.2/10(291 votes)

    #13 - Episode 222: Sponcon

    S8:E13

    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.)

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

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  14. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 14 - Episode 223: Asian Americans
    7.4/10(273 votes)

    #14 - Episode 223: Asian Americans

    S8:E14

    John Oliver discusses the large and diverse group of people who fall under the term "Asian American", the history of the model minority stereotype, and why our conversations on the subject need to be better-informed.

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

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  15. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 15 - Episode 224: Prison Heat
    7.5/10(239 votes)

    #15 - Episode 224: Prison Heat

    S8:E15

    John Oliver explains how the failure to air-condition prisons can cause both physical and mental health issues for incarcerated people, and why the solution is simpler than you might think. Plus, some truly unique local car dealership ads.

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

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  16. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 16 - Episode 225: PACE
    7.3/10(237 votes)

    #16 - Episode 225: PACE

    S8:E16

    John Oliver explains how PACE, a program meant to pay for environmentally-friendly home renovations, is fundamentally flawed and can put people at risk of losing their homes. Plus, why hosting summer Olympics in Tokyo this year is a bad idea and why dog shows are weird.

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

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  17. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 17 - Episode 226: Health Care Sharing Ministries
    7.6/10(246 votes)

    #17 - Episode 226: Health Care Sharing Ministries

    S8:E17

    Health Care Sharing Ministries, or HCSMs, advertise themselves as a more affordable, faith-based alternative to health insurance. But John Oliver explains some of the massive limitations these plans can have.

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

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  18. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 18 - Episode 227: Housing Discrimination
    7.7/10(261 votes)

    #18 - Episode 227: Housing Discrimination

    S8:E18

    John Oliver breaks down the long history of housing discrimination in the U.S., the damage it's done, and, crucially, what we can do about it.

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

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  19. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 19 - Episode 228: Emergency Medical Services
    7.9/10(236 votes)

    #19 - Episode 228: Emergency Medical Services

    S8:E19

    John Oliver explains how emergency medical services function in the U.S., why they can be so expensive, and what we can do to fix things.

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

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  20. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 20 - Episode 229: Opioids III – The Sacklers
    7.7/10(249 votes)

    #20 - Episode 229: Opioids III – The Sacklers

    S8:E20

    John Oliver explains how the Sackler family has been handling lawsuits related to the opioid crisis, how hard they've been fighting to defend their name, and why you should judge the situation for yourself.

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

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  21. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 21 - Episode 230: Ransomware
    7.7/10(238 votes)

    #21 - Episode 230: Ransomware

    S8:E21

    John Oliver discusses ransomware attacks, why they’re on the rise, and what can be done about them.

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

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  22. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 22 - Episode 231: Afghanistan
    8.1/10(260 votes)

    #22 - Episode 231: Afghanistan

    S8:E22

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

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

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  23. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 23 - Episode 232: Lukashenko
    7.9/10(269 votes)

    #23 - Episode 232: Lukashenko

    S8:E23

    John Oliver discusses the longtime leader of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, and the many reasons his country's citizens have not to like him.

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

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  24. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 24 - Episode 233: Voting Rights
    7.8/10(251 votes)

    #24 - Episode 233: Voting Rights

    S8:E24

    John Oliver discusses the current attacks on voting rights, who's behind them, and what we can do about it. Plus, John enters several paintings in the annual Duck Stamp contest.

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

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  25. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 25 - Episode 234: PFAS
    8.0/10(245 votes)

    #25 - Episode 234: PFAS

    S8:E25

    John Oliver discusses PFAS - a class of chemicals linked to an array of health issues - and why their widespread use isn't as magical as it may seem.

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

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Season 8 Ratings Summary

"Episode 210: The Next Pandemic" is the best rated episode of "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" season 8. It scored 7.7/10 based on 346 votes. Directed by Paul Pennolino, Christopher Werner and written by John Oliver, Greg Iwinski, Seena Vali, Mark Kramer, Owen Parsons, Chrissy Shackelford, Daniel O'Brien, Charlie Redd, Joanna Rothkopf, Ben Silva, Johnathan Appel, Liz Hynes, Ali Barthwell, it aired on 2/14/2021. This episode is rated 0.0 points higher than the second-best, "Episode 211: Meatpacking".