Last Week Tonight with John Oliver backdrop
Talk•Comedy•News

The Best Episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1

Every episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1!

Binge this in 12h 0m•Peaking at 8.8/10

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

Airs on
HBO
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons13

All12345678910111213

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 1 - POM Wonderful v. Coca-Cola
    8.4/10(527 votes)

    S1:E1

    John talks about the Indian election, Pom Wonderful and talks with the former NSA Director General Keith Alexander.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 21 - Military Translators
    8.4/10(381 votes)

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

    READ
  7. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 3 - Climate Change Denial
    8.3/10(457 votes)

    S1:E3

    John talks about Eurovision, Ukraine and Russia's relations and interviews Bill Nye about Climate Change.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 7 - Immigration Reform
    8.3/10(398 votes)

    S1:E7

    John talks about US Immigration and interviews Professor Stephen Hawking.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 12 - Nuclear Weapons and the United States
    8.3/10(388 votes)

    S1:E12

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

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 18 - United States Embargo Against Cuba, Miss America 2015
    8.3/10(375 votes)

    S1:E18

    John covers the results of the Scottish referendum that took place the week before and explains why the policy of United States having embargo against Cuba doesn't make sense . The main story focuses on the Miss America pageant and their scholarships to women. John explains how outdated and absurd the requirements for the contestants are and to illustrate these problems, stages his own pageant with the help of a guest star - Kathy Griffin.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 2 - Capital Punishment
    8.2/10(474 votes)

    S1:E2

    John talks about the recent issues of the death penalty, François Hollande and the rising issues happening in Brunei.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 8 - Dr. Oz
    8.2/10(415 votes)

    S1:E8

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

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 11 - Incarceration in the United States
    8.2/10(387 votes)

    S1:E11

    John talks about the Gaza crisis, the decay of American prisons and the gambling addiction problem in Singapore.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 16 - Student Debt
    8.2/10(382 votes)

    S1:E16

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

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 4 - The Right to Be Forgotten
    8.1/10(423 votes)

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 14 - Payday Loans
    8.1/10(374 votes)

    S1:E14

    John talks about the return of US military actions in Iraq, replacing all passwords due to a global security breach and the terrible practices of the Payday Loan industry.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 17 - Scottish Independence Referendum
    8.1/10(378 votes)

    S1:E17

    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.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 22 - Sugar
    8.1/10(369 votes)

    S1:E22

    John Oliver talks about a Russian submarine in Sweden, ebola in New York, added sugar in food, Rob Ford's brother and interviews Jane Goodall.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 23 - State Legislatures and ALEC
    8.1/10(374 votes)

    S1:E23

    While midterm coverage is largely focused on the parts of Congress that do very little, vital (and bizarre) midterm elections are going unexamined. State legislators pass a lot of bills, and some of that efficiency is thanks to a group called ALEC that writes legislation for them. It’s as shady as it sounds!

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 10 - Income and Wealth Inequality
    8.0/10(396 votes)

    S1:E10

    John talks about modern American income inequality, Warren G. Harding's love letters and President Obama's "Day In The Life" tour.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 15 - Shooting of Michael Brown and Police Militarization
    8.0/10(395 votes)

    S1:E15

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

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 19 - Drones
    8.0/10(375 votes)

    S1:E19

    John discusses U.S. military drones and the Kansas state budget shortfall. Also, Narendra Modi, the Prime Minster of India visited New York and did some classic New York things.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 9 - Burwell v. Hobby Lobby
    7.9/10(409 votes)

    S1:E9

    John Oliver sheds light on recent Supreme Court cases and discusses gay rights in Uganda with activist Pepe Julian Onziema.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 13 - Native Advertising
    7.9/10(375 votes)

    S1:E13

    John talks about Uganda's anti-gay laws, the CIA's recent report on their use of torture, the New York Port Authority, Argentina's default on debt and native advertising.

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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Net Neutrality" is the best rated episode of "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" season 1. It scored 8.8/10 based on 519 votes. Directed by Joe Perota and written by Jill Twiss, Dan Gurewitch, Jeff Maurer, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, John Oliver, Scott Sherman, Will Tracy, Geoff Haggerty, Tim Carvell, it aired on 6/1/2014. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Civil Forfeiture".