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

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!

Binge this in 7d 23h•Peaking at 9.5/10

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

Airs on
HBO
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons13

All12345678910111213

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
    Click to reveal
    Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 11 - Episode 220: Hair
    6.6/10(362 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.

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 7 - April 6, 2025: Trans Athletes
    7.0/10(348 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 14 - June 8, 2025: Med Spas
    7.2/10(226 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 27 - October 26, 2025: Medicare Advantage
    7.2/10(178 votes)

    #4 - October 26, 2025: Medicare Advantage

    S12:E27

    John Oliver details what Medicare Advantage is, and why it basically has all the pitfalls of private insurance.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9 Episode 26 - October 16, 2022: Transgender Rights II
    7.3/10(290 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 21 - August 17, 2025: Make America Healthy Again
    7.3/10(208 votes)

    #6 - 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

    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 12 Episode 25 - October 5, 2025: Presidential Libraries
    7.3/10(192 votes)

    #7 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 28 - November 2, 2025: Police Chases
    7.3/10(170 votes)

    #8 - November 2, 2025: Police Chases

    S12:E28

    John Oliver discusses the prevalence of police chases, and why the risks involved can massively outweigh the benefits.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 7 Episode 16 - Prisons & Jails
    7.4/10(286 votes)

    #9 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 9 - Episode 218: Bankruptcy
    7.4/10(279 votes)

    #10 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 12 - Episode 221: Stand Your Ground
    7.4/10(329 votes)

    #11 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 14 - Episode 223: Asian Americans
    7.4/10(274 votes)

    #12 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 16 - Episode 225: PACE
    7.4/10(238 votes)

    #13 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 11 Episode 9 - April 21, 2024: UFOs
    7.4/10(270 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 11 Episode 21 - August 18, 2024: Hospice Care
    7.4/10(206 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 11 Episode 25 - October 6, 2024: Traffic Stops
    7.4/10(191 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 19 - August 3, 2025: Deferred Prosecution Agreements
    7.4/10(217 votes)

    #17 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 22 - September 7, 2025: Higher Education
    7.4/10(198 votes)

    #18 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 26 - October 12, 2025: Paramount Skydance Merger
    7.4/10(203 votes)

    #19 - October 12, 2025: Paramount Skydance Merger

    S12:E26

    John Oliver discusses the Paramount Skydance merger, and how they've named Bari Weiss the new Editor-in-Chief of CBS News.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 7 Episode 21 - Juries
    7.5/10(277 votes)

    #20 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 8 - Episode 217: Long-Term Care
    7.5/10(283 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.

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 15 - Episode 224: Prison Heat
    7.5/10(240 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.

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9 Episode 19 - August 7, 2022: Monkeypox
    7.5/10(233 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9 Episode 22 - September 11, 2022: Law & Order
    7.5/10(254 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 10 Episode 4 - March 12, 2023: TANF
    7.5/10(244 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.

    Director:Paul Pennolino
    Writers:John Oliver, Seena Vali, Mark Kramer, Owen Parsons, Chrissy Shackelford, Daniel O'Brien, Charlie Redd, Joanna Rothkopf, Johnathan Appel, Liz Hynes, Ali Barthwell, Taylor Kay Phillips, Ryan Ken, Sofía Manfredi, Tim Carvell

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

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 362 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".