The Best Episodes Written By John Oliver

Every TV Episode Written by John Oliver Ranked from Best to Worst by Thousands of Voters

  1. 9.0/10(5 votes)

    #1 - Government Surveillance

    Missing info
    S2:E8

    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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    Director:Jim Hoskinson
  2. 8.7/10(7 votes)

    #2 - April 10, 2022: Data Brokers

    Missing info
    S9:E7

    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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  3. 8.5/10(2 votes)

    #3 - U.S. Territories

    Missing info
    S2:E5

    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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    Director:Jim Hoskinson
  4. 8.5/10(6 votes)

    #4 - Episode 214: Tucker Carlson

    Missing info
    S8:E5

    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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  5. 8.5/10(2 votes)

    #5 - Episode 238

    Missing info
    S8:E29

    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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  6. 8.5/10(2 votes)

    #6 - Episode 239

    Missing info
    S8:E30

    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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  7. 8.4/10(5 votes)

    #7 - FIFA II

    Missing info
    S2:E15

    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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    Director:Jim Hoskinson
  8. 8.4/10(5 votes)

    #8 - Episode 222: Sponcon

    Missing info
    S8:E13

    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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  9. 8.4/10(7 votes)

    #9 - February 26, 2023: Artificial Intelligence

    Missing info
    S10:E2

    Artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming part of our lives, from self-driving cars to ChatGPT. John Oliver discusses how AI works, where it might be heading next, and, of course, why it hates the bus.

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  10. 8.3/10(3 votes)

    #10 - Episode 219: Vaccine

    Missing info
    S8:E10

    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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  11. 8.2/10(8 votes)

    #11 - The Right to Be Forgotten

    Missing info
    S1:E4

    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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    Director:Joe Perota
  12. 8.2/10(6 votes)

    #12 - Military Translators

    Missing info
    S1:E21

    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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    Director:Joe Perota
  13. 8.2/10(4 votes)

    #13 - Torture

    Missing info
    S2:E17

    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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    Director:Jim Hoskinson
  14. 8.2/10(8 votes)

    #14 - Puerto Rico

    Missing info
    S3:E10

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

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  15. 8.2/10(5 votes)

    #15 - May 1, 2022: Environmental Racism

    Missing info
    S9:E9

    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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  16. 8.2/10(6 votes)

    #16 - May 22, 2022: Subway

    Missing info
    S9:E12

    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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  17. 8.2/10(5 votes)

    #17 - October 8, 2023: Homeschooling

    Missing info
    S10:E12

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

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  18. 8.2/10(5 votes)

    #18 - October 29, 2023: Chocolate

    Missing info
    S10:E15

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

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  19. 8.2/10(5 votes)

    #19 - November 5, 2023: Abortion Rights

    Missing info
    S10:E16

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

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  20. 8.1/10(9 votes)

    #20 - Brexit

    Missing info
    S3:E16

    John Oliver on “Brexiting” from the EU: There might be an innate British desire to diss Europe, but Last Week Tonight lays out exactly why it’s a mistake to leave the EU.

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  21. 8.1/10(8 votes)

    #21 - March 13, 2022: Tickets

    Missing info
    S9:E4

    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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  22. 8.1/10(8 votes)

    #22 - February 19, 2023: Psychedelic Assisted Therapy

    Missing info
    S10:E1

    John Oliver discusses psychedelic assisted therapy: its history, its potential, and what it has to do with A$AP Rocky’s relationship to rainbows. Plus, the Fox News lawsuit and the Ohio train derailment.

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  23. 8.1/10(8 votes)

    #23 - April 23, 2023: Cryptocurrencies II

    Missing info
    S10:E9

    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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  24. 8.0/10(4 votes)

    #24 - Paid Family Leave

    Missing info
    S2:E13

    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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    Director:Jim Hoskinson
  25. 8.0/10(3 votes)

    #25 - Bail

    Missing info
    S2:E16

    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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    Director:Jim Hoskinson

John Oliver Ratings Summary

"Government Surveillance" is the best rated episode written by John Oliver. It scored 9/10 based on 5 votes. It was directed by Jim Hoskinson. It aired on 4/5/2015 and is rated 0.3 points higher than their second-best episode, "April 10, 2022: Data Brokers".