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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(352 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
    7.1/10(280 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  3. Background image for Episode 218: Bankruptcy
    7.3/10(271 votes)

    #3 - 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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  4. Background image for Episode 225: PACE
    7.3/10(233 votes)

    #4 - 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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  5. Background image for October 16, 2022: Transgender Rights II
    7.3/10(287 votes)

    #5 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  6. Background image for June 8, 2025: Med Spas
    7.3/10(127 votes)

    #6 - 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."

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  8. Background image for Prisons & Jails
    7.4/10(282 votes)

    #7 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  9. Background image for Episode 221: Stand Your Ground
    7.4/10(322 votes)

    #8 - 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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  10. Background image for Episode 223: Asian Americans
    7.4/10(267 votes)

    #9 - 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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  11. Background image for April 21, 2024: UFOs
    7.4/10(260 votes)

    #10 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  12. Background image for August 18, 2024: Hospice Care
    7.4/10(196 votes)

    #11 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  13. Background image for October 6, 2024: Traffic Stops
    7.4/10(179 votes)

    #12 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  14. Background image for Juries
    7.5/10(273 votes)

    #13 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
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  15. Background image for Episode 217: Long-Term Care
    7.5/10(275 votes)

    #14 - 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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  16. Background image for Episode 224: Prison Heat
    7.5/10(235 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.

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  17. Background image for August 7, 2022: Monkeypox
    7.5/10(227 votes)

    #16 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
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  18. Background image for September 11, 2022: Law & Order
    7.5/10(249 votes)

    #17 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  19. Background image for March 12, 2023: TANF
    7.5/10(238 votes)

    #18 - 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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  20. Background image for April 30, 2023: Biden and the Border
    7.5/10(239 votes)

    #19 - April 30, 2023: Biden and the Border

    S10:E10

    A look at the things Biden has promised to fix about our southern border, what he has and hasn’t done, and a magnificent pile of gators.

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  21. Background image for October 1, 2023: Prison Health Care
    7.5/10(224 votes)

    #20 - October 1, 2023: Prison Health Care

    S10:E11

    John Oliver discusses the health care offered in prisons; plus, a look at the past five months, from the WGA strike to Lauren Boebert.

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  22. Background image for November 10, 2024: 2024 Election Results
    7.5/10(205 votes)

    #21 - November 10, 2024: 2024 Election Results

    S11:E29

    John Oliver discusses Donald Trump's reelection, what happens next, and why the whole thing is – arguably – Katy Perry's fault.

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    Director:Unknown
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  23. Background image for Venezuela
    7.6/10(310 votes)

    #22 - Venezuela

    S5:E11

    John Oliver discusses the devastating economic crisis in Venezuela and enlists the help of a large bird who bears a striking resemblance to Wilmer Valderrama.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  24. Background image for State Attorneys General
    7.6/10(258 votes)

    #23 - State Attorneys General

    S5:E27

    State AGs have become major partisan players in national politics, so the races to elect them are worth your attention.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  25. Background image for United States Postal Service
    7.6/10(294 votes)

    #24 - United States Postal Service

    S7:E11

    John discusses the United States Postal Service which is in dire need of economic assistance from the government. He examines some of the essential services of the USPS and why it is facing such financial trouble due to a 2006 law requiring it to pre-pay health care benefits on a fifty year schedule while at the same time putting price caps on services and products.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  26. Background image for Coronavirus IX: Evictions
    7.6/10(280 votes)

    #25 - Coronavirus IX: Evictions

    S7:E17

    Like coronavirus and unemployment issues evictions is something that USA could prepared for. While people are choosing between rent and food due to the pandemic, John Oliver presented the flaws of current system and flawed solution. He urges federal government to come with a proper solution for the affected soon. Also, some people refuse to wear masks, and Papa John embraces TikTok.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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 352 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 0.5 points lower than the second lowest rated, "April 6, 2025: Trans Athletes".