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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 17h•Peaking at 9.5/10

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 6 Episode 29 - SLAPP Suits
    9.5/10(841 votes)

    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, Dan Gurewitch, Jeff Maurer, Juli Weiner

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  2. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 Episode 8 - Government Surveillance
    9.4/10(784 votes)

    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, Dan Gurewitch, Jeff Maurer, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, John Oliver, Scott Sherman, Will Tracy, Geoff Haggerty, Josh Gondelman, Tim Carvell

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  3. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 Episode 25 - Church
    9.2/10(659 votes)

    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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  4. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 3 Episode 3 - Donald Trump
    9.2/10(791 votes)

    S3:E3

    John talks about the Egyptian president and economic crisis, the Guantanamo Bay shutdown and Donald Trump.

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

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  5. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 4 Episode 1 - Trump vs. Truth
    8.9/10(567 votes)

    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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  6. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 11 Episode 1 - February 18, 2024: Supreme Court
    8.9/10(410 votes)

    S11:E1

    John Oliver discusses the Supreme Court, the ethically questionable gifts some of the justices receive, and an offer for Clarence Thomas that could ruin John's life. Genuinely. You'll see.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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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 1 Episode 5 - Net Neutrality
    8.8/10(519 votes)

    S1:E5

    John talks about the rise of the far-right political parties in Europe, the Ukrainian election, Afghanistan, Net Neutrality, Australia's hard-line right-wing Prime Minister Tony Abbott and the 2014 Scripps National Spelling Bee.

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

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  8. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 Episode 2 - Tobacco
    8.8/10(458 votes)

    S2:E2

    Thanks to tobacco industry regulations and marketing restrictions in the U.S., smoking rates have dropped dramatically. John Oliver explains how tobacco companies are keeping their business strong overseas and how Phillip Morris International in particular is employing some unethical legal practices while suing some of the world's poorest countries. Plus, we've noticed that the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue still exists but can’t quite figure out why.

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

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  9. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 Episode 15 - FIFA II
    8.8/10(474 votes)

    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, Dan Gurewitch, Jeff Maurer, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, John Oliver, Scott Sherman, Will Tracy, Geoff Haggerty, Josh Gondelman, Tim Carvell

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  10. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 Episode 24 - Sex Education
    8.8/10(469 votes)

    S2:E24

    Sex education varies widely between school districts, leaving many teens without comprehensive information. We made a video that covers what some schools are too embarrassed to teach.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 7 Episode 14 - Police
    8.8/10(477 votes)

    S7:E14

    This episode tackles the hard truth about the history of Police in the United States and the many problems that are faced in fixing those problems.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 20 - Civil Forfeiture
    8.7/10(425 votes)

    S1:E20

    Main story: how desperate the American law enforcement is to make money out of everyone by using the process called the "civil asset forfeiture," and how it would make for a weird episode of "Law and Order." Plus, John wants to host the 2022 Winter Olympics and how is Columbus Day still a thing.

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

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  13. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 24 - The Lottery
    8.7/10(436 votes)

    S1:E24

    The Lottery: State lotteries claim to be good for education and the general wellbeing of citizens. But are they? (Spoiler alert: No.) Also, there is a cannon that shoots salmon over dams. It’s awesome. Check it out.

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

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  14. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 3 Episode 11 - Scientific Studies
    8.7/10(429 votes)

    S3:E11

    John Oliver on Sticking to the Facts: Media outlets often report new findings from scientific studies, but how many are true?

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

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  15. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 3 Episode 30 - President-Elect Trump
    8.7/10(513 votes)

    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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  16. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 4 Episode 4 - Dalai Lama
    8.7/10(422 votes)

    S4:E4

    Tibetan Buddhists have suffered deep persecution by the Chinese government. John Oliver sits down with the Dalai Lama to discuss China, the conditions in Tibet, and horse milk.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 4 Episode 30 - The Trump Presidency
    8.7/10(338 votes)

    S4:E30

    One year after the presidential election, John Oliver discusses what we've learned so far and enlists our catheter cowboy to teach Donald Trump what he hasn't.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 5 Episode 10 - Rudy Giuliani
    8.7/10(396 votes)

    S5:E10

    Rudy Giuliani is new to Trump’s legal team, but not to public controversy. Last Week Tonight examines his turbulent record in the wake of his recent political upsets.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 7 Episode 30 - Trump & Election Results
    8.7/10(326 votes)

    S7:E30

    A week after Joe Biden’s win in the US presidential election, John Oliver discusses Donald Trump’s various attempts to overturn the results, why his claims don’t hold water, and the consequences of indulging him.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 11 Episode 15 - June 16, 2024: Trump's Second Term
    8.7/10(303 votes)

    S11:E15

    John Oliver discusses the plans for Donald Trump's second term, an interesting campaign choice from a conservative congressional candidate in Michigan, and the bakery that has very successfully turned John into a cake bear.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 6 - FIFA and the World Cup
    8.6/10(482 votes)

    S1:E6

    John talks about California Chrome and the Belmont Stakes, FIFA and the 2014 World Cup, and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

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

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  22. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 3 Episode 2 - Abortion Laws
    8.6/10(440 votes)

    S3:E2

    John talks about the South Carolina Republican primary, the Supreme Court vacancy and abortion, which theoretically is legal in the U.S., but some states make it practically inaccessible. Plus, how is Hollywood whitewashing still a thing?

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

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  23. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 3 Episode 14 - Debt Buyers
    8.6/10(420 votes)

    S3:E14

    John Oliver Takes On Debt Buyers: Companies that purchase debt on the cheap will aggressively collect on it. 'Last Week Tonight’ took a hands-on approach to addressing this issue.

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

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  24. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 4 Episode 15 - Brexit II
    8.6/10(348 votes)

    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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  25. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 5 Episode 30 - Authoritarianism
    8.6/10(307 votes)

    S5:E30

    John Oliver discusses the growing number of authoritarian leaders around the world, their common characteristics, and whether or not one of them is currently our president.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"SLAPP Suits" is the best rated episode of "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver". It scored 9.5/10 based on 841 votes. Directed by Paul Pennolino, Christopher Werner and written by Jill Twiss, Dan Gurewitch, Jeff Maurer, Juli Weiner, it aired on 11/10/2019. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Government Surveillance".