The Best Episodes Written By Dan Gurewitch

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   9.2/10(6 votes)

   #1 - Government Surveillance

   S2:E84/5/2015

   There are very few government checks on what America’s sweeping surveillance programs are capable of doing. John Oliver sits down with Edward Snowden to discuss the NSA, the balance between privacy and security, and dick-pics.

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2. 

   8.7/10(6 votes)

   #2 - FIFA II

   S2:E155/31/2015

   After the arrests of numerous top officials, John Oliver decided to give an update on the state of FIFA. Also, Thailand's ignorance about the world's history involving Hitler might require some re-education.

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3. 

   8.6/10(5 votes)

   #3 - Torture

   S2:E176/14/2015

   The US Senate Torture Report revealed horrifying details of America's interrogation program. Helen Mirren will fill you in. Plus, information about the 2015 European Games and the Canadian Senate expenses scandal.

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4. 

   8.5/10(2 votes)

   #4 - U.S. Territories

   S2:E53/8/2015

   A set of Supreme Court decisions made over 100 years ago has left U.S. territories without meaningful representation. That’s weird, right? Plus, daylight saving time doesn’t actually benefit anyone. Strangely, it’s still a thing!

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5. 

   8.4/10(7 votes)

   #5 - Military Translators

   S1:E2110/19/2014

   Translators who have aided the U.S. Military in Afghanistan and Iraq are in great danger in their home countries, but red tape is making it impossible for many of them to leave. John Oliver interviews FNU Mohammad, one translator who made it out. Plus, since cameras aren’t allowed in the Supreme Court discussions, most coverage of the important cases looks like garbage. John fixes that problem with real animals and fake paws.

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   Writer:Dan Gurewitch

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6. 

   8.4/10(5 votes)

   #6 - Paid Family Leave

   S2:E135/10/2015

   Many American companies do not offer paid leave after the birth of a child, which means they probably shouldn’t run sappy Mother’s Day ads. Also, the Japanese have some unhealthy obsession with mascots and John proposes to adopt some of that culture in the U.S. government agencies as well.

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7. 

   8.4/10(5 votes)

   #7 - Bail

   S2:E166/7/2015

   John Oliver explains why America’s bail system is better for the reality TV industry than it is for the justice system.

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8. 

   8.4/10(5 votes)

   #8 - The Internet

   S2:E186/21/2015

   Online harassment is a major problem, but it’s rarely prosecuted. If only we’d been warned about this in the early days of the internet.

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9. 

   8.4/10(5 votes)

   #9 - Transgender Rights

   S2:E196/28/2015

   This week’s gay rights victory was historic, but the transgender community still faces staggering challenges. John Oliver focuses on the “T” in “LGBT."

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10. 

    8.4/10(9 votes)

    #10 - The Right to Be Forgotten

    S1:E45/18/2014

    John talks about the product recall going on at General Motors, the EU Court of Justice "Right to be Forgotten" ruling and updates us on how the Indian election is going with help from Fareed Zakaria.

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11. 

    8.3/10(6 votes)

    #11 - SLAPP Suits

    S6:E2911/10/2019

    After winning a legal battle involving a coal executive and a giant squirrel, John Oliver explains how SLAPP suits are designed to stifle public dissent.

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12. 

    8.2/10(6 votes)

    #12 - Shooting of Michael Brown and Police Militarization

    S1:E158/17/2014

    Focuses on the shooting of Michael Brown and police militarization in Ferguson, MO. John also discusses the topic of equal pay for equal work.

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13. 

    8.2/10(5 votes)

    #13 - Patents

    S2:E104/19/2015

    For inventors, patents are an essential protection against theft. But when patent trolls abuse the system by stockpiling patents and threatening lawsuits, businesses are forced to shell out tons of money. Also, CNN produced an actual doomsday video to broadcast when the world is ending and it’s incredibly dull. We've enlisted Martin Sheen to help make humanity’s final moments happier!

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14. 

    8.2/10(5 votes)

    #14 - Fashion

    S2:E114/26/2015

    John explores the concept of changing and cheap fashion and some of the ugliest truths of the manufacturing process.

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15. 

    8.2/10(5 votes)

    #15 - Standardized Testing

    S2:E125/3/2015

    American students face a ridiculous amount of testing. John Oliver explains how standardized tests impact school funding, the achievement gap and how often the kids are expected to throw up while taking one.

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16. 

    8.2/10(6 votes)

    #16 - Food Waste

    S2:E217/19/2015

    Producers, sellers, and consumers waste tons of food. John Oliver discusses the shocking amount of food we don’t eat.

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17. 

    8.2/10(6 votes)

    #17 - Daily Fantasy Sports

    S2:E3411/15/2015

    John talks about the recent Paris attacks, China's Singles Day, the Koh-i-Noor diamond and Daily Fantasy Sports.

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18. 

    8.2/10(8 votes)

    #18 - Puerto Rico

    S3:E104/24/2016

    Puerto Rico is suffering a massive debt crisis. Lin-Manuel Miranda joins John Oliver to call for relief.

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19. 

    8.1/10(8 votes)

    #19 - Student Debt

    S1:E169/7/2014

    John talks about ISIS and student loan debt. Musical group A Great Big World make a special appearance.

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20. 

    8.1/10(7 votes)

    #20 - Scottish Independence Referendum

    S1:E179/14/2014

    John talks about the NFL's decision on Ray Rice's contract, the international response to ISIS, Scotland's separation from the United Kingdom and Twitter hashtags that are being misused by corporations.

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21. 

    8.1/10(9 votes)

    #21 - Voting

    S3:E12/14/2016

    John talks about the late Antonin Scalia's love of the Letter of the Law, Chipotle's food safety problems, how Voter IDs laws should be applied to those who write them, and New Zealand's economic development minister Steven Joyce.

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22. 

    8.1/10(7 votes)

    #22 - Dr. Oz

    S1:E86/22/2014

    John talks about Iraq, Antarctica tourism and Dr. Oz's "Miracle Drug".

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23. 

    8.1/10(7 votes)

    #23 - Nuclear Weapons and the United States

    S1:E127/27/2014

    John talks about human rights violations in the Middle East, nuclear disarmament and Russia's science satellite that lost communication.

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24. 

    8.1/10(9 votes)

    #24 - Congressional Fundraising

    S3:E74/3/2016

    Lawmakers have to raise money to keep their jobs, but a surprising amount of their job now consists of raising money. John Oliver sits down with Congressman Steve Israel to discuss the costs of political spending.

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25. 

    8.1/10(9 votes)

    #25 - Primaries and Caucuses

    S3:E135/22/2016

    Last Week Tonight Tackles U.S. Primaries and Caucuses: The United States selection process for presidential nominees is convoluted — to say the least. Nevertheless, John Oliver reminds Americans that the "middle of the game" is the worst possible time to change the rules.

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