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The Best Episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Every episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver!

Binge this in 8d 8h•Peaking at 9.3/10

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

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 Episode 8 - Government Surveillance
    9.3/10(783 votes)

    #1 - Government Surveillance

    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.

    Director:Jim Hoskinson
    Writers:Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim Carvell

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  2. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 Episode 25 - Church
    9.0/10(656 votes)

    #2 - Church

    S2:E25

    John discusses predatory churches and televangelism, and how the U.S. tax law allows them to get away with almost anything. Plus, the raising of the American flag in Cuba, the redesign of New Zealand's flag, and President Harding's illegitimate child.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 Episode 15 - FIFA II
    8.9/10(472 votes)

    #3 - FIFA II

    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.

    Director:Jim Hoskinson
    Writers:Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim Carvell

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  4. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 Episode 17 - Torture
    8.8/10(373 votes)

    #4 - Torture

    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.

    Director:Jim Hoskinson
    Writers:Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim Carvell

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  5. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 3 Episode 20 - Journalism
    8.8/10(367 votes)

    #5 - Journalism

    S3:E20

    John Oliver has some bad news about the state of the industry that gives us our news. Plus, the coverage of the Opening Ceremony of Rio Olympics.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 Episode 18 - The Internet
    8.7/10(373 votes)

    #6 - The Internet

    S2:E18

    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.

    Director:Jim Hoskinson
    Writers:Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim Carvell

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

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  7. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 Episode 19 - Transgender Rights
    8.7/10(375 votes)

    #7 - Transgender Rights

    S2:E19

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

    Director:Jim Hoskinson
    Writers:Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim Carvell

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  8. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 3 Episode 19 - Democratic National Convention
    8.7/10(344 votes)

    #8 - Democratic National Convention

    S3:E19

    John covers the rocky Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. Plus, the military coup in Turkey and its aftermath, the voter ID laws targeting the minorities and how are tanning beds still a thing.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 3 Episode 30 - President-Elect Trump
    8.7/10(509 votes)

    #9 - President-Elect Trump

    S3:E30

    The presidential race has been a hell of a ride. ‘Last Week Tonight’ closes out the election and Season 3 with a bang.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 21 - Military Translators
    8.6/10(381 votes)

    #10 - Military Translators

    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.

    Director:Joe Perota
    Writers:Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman

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  11. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 Episode 23 - District of Columbia
    8.6/10(364 votes)

    #11 - District of Columbia

    S2:E23

    Washington DC experiences taxation without representation. It's also missing from rhyming state songs. John Oliver and a group of singing children fix one of these problems. Plus, a sex scandal involving the Chairman of the British House of Lords.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 4 Episode 11 - Net Neutrality II
    8.6/10(350 votes)

    #12 - Net Neutrality II

    S4:E11

    Equal access to online information is once again under serious threat. John Oliver encourages internet commenters to voice their displeasure to the FCC by visiting www.gofccyourself.com.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 6 Episode 29 - SLAPP Suits
    8.6/10(831 votes)

    #13 - SLAPP Suits

    S6:E29

    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.

    Directors:Paul Pennolino, Christopher Werner
    Writers:Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner

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  14. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 Episode 5 - U.S. Territories
    8.5/10(389 votes)

    #14 - U.S. Territories

    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!

    Director:Jim Hoskinson
    Writers:Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim Carvell

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  15. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 Episode 10 - Patents
    8.5/10(372 votes)

    #15 - Patents

    S2:E10

    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!

    Director:Jim Hoskinson
    Writers:Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim Carvell

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  16. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 Episode 13 - Paid Family Leave
    8.5/10(369 votes)

    #16 - Paid Family Leave

    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.

    Director:Jim Hoskinson
    Writers:Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim Carvell

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  17. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 Episode 16 - Bail
    8.5/10(381 votes)

    #17 - Bail

    S2:E16

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

    Director:Jim Hoskinson
    Writers:Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim Carvell

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  18. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 3 Episode 21 - Auto Lending
    8.5/10(343 votes)

    #18 - Auto Lending

    S3:E21

    Auto lenders can steer vulnerable people into crushing debt. Keegan-Michael Key and Bob Balaban help John Oliver show exactly how.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 3 Episode 22 - Charter Schools
    8.5/10(363 votes)

    #19 - Charter Schools

    S3:E22

    Charter schools are privately run, publicly funded, and irregularly regulated. John Oliver explores why they aren’t at all like pizzerias.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 4 Episode 1 - Trump vs. Truth
    8.5/10(563 votes)

    #20 - Trump vs. Truth

    S4:E1

    Donald Trump spreads a lot of false information thanks to his daily consumption of morning cable news. If only we could sneak some facts into the president’s media diet.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 4 Episode 2 - Putin
    8.5/10(419 votes)

    #21 - Putin

    S4:E2

    Vladimir Putin is known as a ruthless leader and master manipulator. John Oliver enlists a group of singing dancers to explain that to Donald Trump.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 4 Episode 15 - Brexit II
    8.5/10(345 votes)

    #22 - Brexit II

    S4:E15

    In the wake of a divisive election, the UK will begin the process of leaving the European Union. John Oliver and an intergalactic space lord propose a plan.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 4 Episode 19 - Alex Jones
    8.5/10(362 votes)

    #23 - Alex Jones

    S4:E19

    Alex Jones is known for pushing conspiracy theories, but he also spends a lot of time promoting his own products. John Oliver and a “doctor” “from” M.I.T. test out his marketing strategy.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 4 - The Right to Be Forgotten
    8.4/10(424 votes)

    #24 - The Right to Be Forgotten

    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.

    Director:Joe Perota
    Writers:Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Tim Carvell

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  25. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 Episode 21 - Food Waste
    8.4/10(391 votes)

    #25 - Food Waste

    S2:E21

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

    Director:Jim Hoskinson
    Writers:Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim Carvell

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Best Episodes Summary

"Government Surveillance" is the best rated episode of "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver". It scored 9.3/10 based on 783 votes. Directed by Jim Hoskinson and written by Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim Carvell, it aired on 4/5/2015. This episode scored 0.3 points higher than the second highest rated, "Church".