The Best Episodes Written By Ali Barthwell

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   8.5/10(2 votes)

   #1 - Episode 239

   S8:E3011/14/2021

   John Oliver discusses the mechanics of union busting, why the companies who do it face so few consequences, and what it really means when your manager wants to talk to you about "your attendance."

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   Writer:Ali Barthwell

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2. 

   8.4/10(8 votes)

   #2 - April 10, 2022: Data Brokers

   S9:E74/10/2022

   John Oliver discusses how much data brokers know about us, what they’re doing with our personal information, and one unusual way to change privacy laws. Plus, Russian State TV lies about the Ukraine war; DirecTV drops OAN; John says goodbye to AT&T.

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   Writer:Ali Barthwell

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3. 

   8.2/10(6 votes)

   #3 - November 12, 2023: Israel-Hamas War

   S10:E1711/12/2023

   John Oliver discusses the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

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   Writer:Ali Barthwell

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4. 

   8.1/10(7 votes)

   #4 - October 29, 2023: Chocolate

   S10:E1510/29/2023

   John Oliver discusses chocolate, cocoa farming, and, of course, some facts that will make Halloween a little weird.

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   Writer:Ali Barthwell

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5. 

   8.1/10(7 votes)

   #5 - November 5, 2023: Abortion Rights

   S10:E1611/5/2023

   John Oliver discusses the ongoing fallout from the overturning of Roe v. Wade as the November elections approach.

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   Writer:Ali Barthwell

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   Writer:Ali Barthwell
6. 

   8.0/10(7 votes)

   #6 - Episode 214: Tucker Carlson

   S8:E53/14/2021

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

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   Writer:Ali Barthwell

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7. 

   8.0/10(6 votes)

   #7 - Episode 222: Sponcon

   S8:E135/23/2021

   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.)

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   Writer:Ali Barthwell

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8. 

   8.0/10(3 votes)

   #8 - Episode 238

   S8:E2911/7/2021

   John Oliver discusses the current state of the nation's power grid, why it needs fixing, and, of course, how fun the balloons are.

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   Writer:Ali Barthwell

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9. 

   7.9/10(9 votes)

   #9 - March 13, 2022: Tickets

   S9:E43/13/2022

   John Oliver explains why concert tickets are so expensive, who’s making money off of them, and which One Direction is his favorite. Plus, the introduction of some appalling anti-LGBT laws in several states.

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   Writer:Ali Barthwell

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10. 

    7.9/10(7 votes)

    #10 - May 22, 2022: Subway

    S9:E125/22/2022

    John Oliver discusses one of the largest franchises in the U.S., how their business model doesn’t always serve franchisees, and what it all has to do with Korean dramas.

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    Writer:Ali Barthwell

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11. 

    7.8/10(6 votes)

    #11 - May 1, 2022: Environmental Racism

    S9:E95/1/2022

    John Oliver discusses environmental racism, how both government and industry are failing people of color and how zoning is manipulating the same people to live in adverse conditions. Plus, pandas doing some weird things and 'gas math' by Shaquille O'Neal.

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    Writer:Ali Barthwell

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12. 

    7.8/10(6 votes)

    #12 - October 8, 2023: Homeschooling

    S10:E1210/8/2023

    John Oliver discusses homeschooling, its surprising lack of regulation in many states, and, crucially, Darth Vader's parenting skills.

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    Writer:Ali Barthwell

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13. 

    7.8/10(10 votes)

    #13 - February 20, 2022: Critical Race Theory

    S9:E12/20/2022

    John Oliver explains what critical race theory is, what it isn't, and why we can expect to hear more about it in the coming months. Plus, the Canadian trucker protests.

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    Writer:Ali Barthwell

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14. 

    7.8/10(9 votes)

    #14 - March 6, 2022: Wrongful Convictions

    S9:E33/6/2022

    John Oliver talks about the current practices of overturning wrongful convictions and how it is quite unsupportive of even apparently innocent people. He advocates for urgent reforms in the flawed system which is clearly not working in favor of the innocents. Plus, the heroic resistance of Ukrainians against the invasion of Russia.

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    Writer:Ali Barthwell

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15. 

    7.8/10(9 votes)

    #15 - April 23, 2023: Cryptocurrencies II

    S10:E94/23/2023

    John Oliver discusses cryptocurrency, the collapse of three big crypto companies, and what to do if your office gives off “crime vibes.”

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    Writer:Ali Barthwell

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16. 

    7.8/10(4 votes)

    #16 - Episode 219: Vaccine

    S8:E105/2/2021

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

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    Writer:Ali Barthwell

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17. 

    7.8/10(8 votes)

    #17 - October 22, 2023: McKinsey

    S10:E1410/22/2023

    John Oliver discusses the oldest and largest management consulting firm: McKinsey & Company.

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    Writer:Ali Barthwell

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18. 

    7.7/10(7 votes)

    #18 - April 17, 2022: Police Interrogations

    S9:E84/17/2022

    John Oliver discusses the tactics that can make police interrogations so damaging, particularly to the innocent. Plus, a look at Dr. Oz's campaign for U.S. Senate.

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    Writer:Ali Barthwell

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19. 

    7.7/10(7 votes)

    #19 - May 15, 2022: Utilities

    S9:E115/15/2022

    John Oliver discusses the incredible amount of power we give electric utility companies, how weakly regulated they are, and why they get such bad Yelp reviews. Plus, a look at Alabama's extreme anti-trans law and some ridiculous participants of the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.

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    Writer:Ali Barthwell

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20. 

    7.7/10(7 votes)

    #20 - June 5, 2022: School Police

    S9:E136/5/2022

    In the wake of the mass shooting in Uvalde, John Oliver discusses the push for more police in schools and whether they are the answer to school safety issues, or a new problem altogether. Plus, John makes an offer for a banana sculpture in Australia.

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    Writer:Ali Barthwell

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21. 

    7.7/10(7 votes)

    #21 - June 12, 2022: Tech Monopolies

    S9:E146/12/2022

    John Oliver discusses tech monopolies such as Apple, Google, Amazon, and Facebook, and how to address the hidden harm they can do. Plus, a look at the hotly contested U.S. Senate race in Arizona, which includes Trump-endorsed candidate Blake Masters.

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    Writer:Ali Barthwell

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22. 

    7.7/10(6 votes)

    #22 - May 8, 2022: Abortion Ruling/Philippines Election

    S9:E105/8/2022

    John Oliver discusses the current presidential election in The Philippines and why Bongbong Marcos is - albeit in a very limited and unflattering way - sort of like Ant-Man. Plus, the leaked anti-abortion draft opinion that looks set to overturn Roe v. Wade, how we got to this point, and where we may be headed.

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    Writer:Ali Barthwell

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23. 

    7.6/10(8 votes)

    #23 - February 27, 2022: Sex Work

    S9:E22/27/2022

    As long as sex work has existed, so have efforts to end it. John Oliver explains why criminalizing the trade hasn’t helped the most vulnerable people involved, and why we should start listening to those at the center of the conversation: sex workers. Plus, Russian invasion into Ukraine, that has placed the whole world at the brink of WW3.

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    Writer:Ali Barthwell

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24. 

    7.6/10(5 votes)

    #24 - Episode 231: Afghanistan

    S8:E228/22/2021

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

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    Writer:Ali Barthwell

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25. 

    7.6/10(5 votes)

    #25 - Episode 232: Lukashenko

    S8:E239/12/2021

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

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    Writer:Ali Barthwell

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