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The Worst Episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Every episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver!

The Worst Episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

A half-hour satirical look at the week in news, politics and current events.
  1. Background image for Episode 220: Hair
    6.6/10(354 votes)

    #1 - 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.

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  2. Background image for April 6, 2025: Trans Athletes
    7.0/10(334 votes)

    #2 - April 6, 2025: Trans Athletes

    S12:E7

    John Oliver discusses Donald Trump's sweeping new set of tariffs and why trans athletes seem to be at the center of U.S. politics.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  3. Background image for June 8, 2025: Med Spas
    7.2/10(210 votes)

    #3 - June 8, 2025: Med Spas

    S12:E14

    John Oliver discusses the feud between Donald Trump and Elon Musk, Mike Lindell's trial, the lack of regulation at med spas, and a fun new way to spell "scumbag."

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  4. Background image for October 5, 2025: Presidential Libraries
    7.2/10(158 votes)

    #4 - October 5, 2025: Presidential Libraries

    S12:E25

    John Oliver discusses what presidential libraries are exactly, how presidents use them to fundraise in office, how Donald Trump might make existing problems even worse and – of course – some stuff about one president's unique inseam.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  5. Background image for October 26, 2025: Medicare Advantage
    7.2/10(101 votes)

    #5 - October 26, 2025: Medicare Advantage

    S12:E27

    John Oliver examines Trump's recent actions lacking due process, then explains Medicare Advantage's similarities to private insurance and its drawbacks compared to standard Medicare.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  6. Background image for Episode 218: Bankruptcy
    7.3/10(275 votes)

    #6 - 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.

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    The 20 BEST Episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

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  8. Background image for Episode 225: PACE
    7.3/10(234 votes)

    #7 - 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.

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  9. Background image for October 16, 2022: Transgender Rights II
    7.3/10(288 votes)

    #8 - October 16, 2022: Transgender Rights II

    S9:E26

    John Oliver discusses the latest round of attacks on transgender rights, what’s at stake, and how kids are schooling the ignorant adults on this topic. Plus, why the Crimean Bridge is having a bad time these days.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  10. Background image for August 17, 2025: Make America Healthy Again
    7.3/10(187 votes)

    #9 - August 17, 2025: Make America Healthy Again

    S12:E21

    John Oliver discusses why Donald Trump seized control of the police in Washington, D.C., where the "Make America Healthy Again" movement in the U.S. could be headed, and whether or not you can buy testicles on Amazon. Three issues of equal importance.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  11. Background image for September 7, 2025: Higher Education
    7.3/10(174 votes)

    #10 - September 7, 2025: Higher Education

    S12:E22

    John Oliver discusses Florida's move to end vaccine mandates, Trump's war on higher education, and why universities should start acting more like tough little shrimp. Ya, you heard us: tough little shrimp.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  12. Background image for Prisons & Jails
    7.4/10(283 votes)

    #11 - Prisons & Jails

    S7:E16

    In the latest episode on coronavirus John talks about US prisons and jails. These confined spaces have frightening number of COVID-19 infections. And there has been insufficient initiatives to address the matter. Consequently, in some cases inmates are taking matters in their own hand to raise concern about situation behind bars.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  13. Background image for Episode 221: Stand Your Ground
    7.4/10(324 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.

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  14. Background image for Episode 223: Asian Americans
    7.4/10(268 votes)

    #13 - 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.

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  15. Background image for April 21, 2024: UFOs
    7.4/10(266 votes)

    #14 - April 21, 2024: UFOs

    S11:E9

    John Oliver explains why we need honest inquiry into UFO sightings, covers the week's protests in the US over the war in Gaza, and recaps Adeel Mangi's confirmation hearing.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  16. Background image for August 18, 2024: Hospice Care
    7.4/10(202 votes)

    #15 - August 18, 2024: Hospice Care

    S11:E21

    John Oliver discusses hospice scams, the Trump campaign's attempt to appear "not weird," and the Republican primary candidates who are making the party seem stranger and stranger.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  17. Background image for October 6, 2024: Traffic Stops
    7.4/10(188 votes)

    #16 - October 6, 2024: Traffic Stops

    S11:E25

    John Oliver discusses the power given to cops during traffic stops and some simple ways we can start to change that, and J.D. Vance's week surrounding the vice presidential debate.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  18. Background image for June 29, 2025: Trump's Big Beautiful Bill
    7.4/10(213 votes)

    #17 - June 29, 2025: Trump's Big Beautiful Bill

    S12:E17

    John Oliver discusses the race for mayor in New York City and what could happen if Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" is passed, and unveils the new mascot for Erie, Pennsylvania's Minor League Baseball team. A mascot to eclipse all other mascots.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  19. Background image for August 3, 2025: Deferred Prosecution Agreements
    7.4/10(192 votes)

    #18 - August 3, 2025: Deferred Prosecution Agreements

    S12:E19

    John Oliver discusses how Israel is starving civilians in Gaza by blocking vital aid, how deferred prosecution agreements are helping corporations sweep serious crimes under the rug, and the least horny message you could possibly get on Hinge.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  20. Background image for Juries
    7.5/10(274 votes)

    #19 - Juries

    S7:E21

    John Oliver takes a look at why people of color are routinely excluded from becoming jurors, who their absence impacts, and what we can do to create a fairer system.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  21. Background image for Episode 213: Unemployment
    7.5/10(294 votes)

    #20 - Episode 213: Unemployment

    S8:E4

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

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  22. Background image for Episode 217: Long-Term Care
    7.5/10(279 votes)

    #21 - 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.

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  23. Background image for Episode 224: Prison Heat
    7.5/10(236 votes)

    #22 - 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.

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  24. Background image for August 7, 2022: Monkeypox
    7.5/10(230 votes)

    #23 - August 7, 2022: Monkeypox

    S9:E19

    John Oliver discusses the recent monkeypox outbreak in the U.S., how the authorities have fumbled the response to it, and some aspirations for this coming autumn. Plus, Walter from Butler, Indiana, likes to share stuff, perhaps a little too much.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  25. Background image for September 11, 2022: Law & Order
    7.5/10(250 votes)

    #24 - September 11, 2022: Law & Order

    S9:E22

    John Oliver discusses the wildly popular television franchise, what it’s been teaching us about law enforcement, and how it differs from the reality. Plus, some important developments in British politics.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  26. Background image for March 12, 2023: TANF
    7.5/10(241 votes)

    #25 - March 12, 2023: TANF

    S10:E4

    John Oliver discusses TANF - a federal program designed to help families with little to no income – who’s currently receiving these vital funds, who should be receiving them, and what it all has to do with Brett Favre. Plus, a look at Tennessee’s new law about drag performances and the lieutenant governor who supports the law.

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Episode 220: Hair" is the worst rated episode of "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver". It scored 6.6/10 based on 354 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 5/9/2021. This episode scored 0.4 points lower than the second lowest rated, "April 6, 2025: Trans Athletes".