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The Best Episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12

Every episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12!

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

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 23 - September 21, 2025: Jimmy Kimmel Suspension
    8.1/10(268 votes)

    S12:E23

    John Oliver discusses ABC's move to pull Jimmy Kimmel off the air, what it has to do with Brendan Carr and the FCC, and what it means for free speech in the United States, plus some pertinent information about one very depressed loaf of bread.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 1 - February 16, 2025: Trump 2.0
    8.0/10(317 votes)

    S12:E1

    John Oliver discusses the first four weeks of Donald Trump's second term as president, the strategy behind some of the choices his administration has made, and why it is indeed f**k time. You heard us: It's f**k time.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 10 - May 4, 2025: Deportations
    8.0/10(251 votes)

    S12:E10

    John Oliver discusses the recent deportations by the Trump administration.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 9 - April 27, 2025: Health Agency Cuts
    7.9/10(248 votes)

    S12:E9

    John Oliver discusses the budget and staffing cuts being made to public health agencies in the U.S. under RFK Jr.'s leadership, the many ways those cuts will impact all of us, and some sad news about a beloved cereal mascot.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 12 - May 18, 2025: Trump in the Press
    7.9/10(252 votes)

    S12:E12

    John Oliver discusses how Donald Trump is becoming an increasing threat to the press, reveals which Minor League Baseball team we've chosen for a rebrand, and explores what it means to "serve kant"!

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 24 - September 28, 2025: Benjamin Netanyahu
    7.8/10(243 votes)

    S12:E24

    John Oliver discusses Benjamin Netanyahu's grip on power in Israel, why he's allied with some of the most extreme voices in his country today, and finally, a summary of one iconic meltdown we think TikTok is gonna wanna revisit.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 3 - March 2, 2025: Tipping
    7.7/10(277 votes)

    S12:E3

    John Oliver discusses the right-wing personalities who are now in charge of the FBI, the White House's disastrous meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and why tipping is more complicated and fraught than you might realize.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 8 - April 13, 2025: Trump & Tariffs
    7.7/10(269 votes)

    S12:E8

    John Oliver discusses the ongoing chaos surrounding Donald Trump and tariffs, and why it's important to understand exactly how stupid the past week has been. Plus: Some stuff about fish having sex, why a doorbell is involved, and one very special guest.

    Director:Paul Pennolino
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 15 - June 15, 2025: Child Incarceration
    7.7/10(233 votes)

    S12:E15

    John Oliver discusses the past week's protests against ICE's escalating deportation strategies, how the U.S. is incarcerating kids at a rate that may exceed other nations, and what it looks like to be teargassed in a chill way.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 16 - June 22, 2025: AI Content
    7.7/10(247 votes)

    S12:E16

    John Oliver discusses the U.S.'s involvement in the war between Israel and Iran, the recent influx of AI-generated online content, and the unexpected downsides of hiking near the Hollywood sign.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 30 - November 16, 2025: Public Media
    7.7/10(168 votes)

    S12:E30

    John Oliver discusses Jeffrey Epstein's emails about Donald Trump, the vital role public media plays in the lives of many Americans, and some absolutely essential questions about a squirrel named Peapod.

    Director:Paul Pennolino
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 4 - March 9, 2025: ICE Detention Facilities
    7.6/10(265 votes)

    S12:E4

    John Oliver discusses Donald Trump's address to Congress, why Republicans have been having a rough time at town halls, the reality of ICE detention facilities, and one very special establishment in Maine.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 5 - March 16, 2025: Sports Betting
    7.6/10(264 votes)

    S12:E5

    John Oliver discusses the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, the continued firing of federal workers, the world of sports betting, and what John likes to read in his spare time. You'll see.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 6 - March 30, 2025: Tasers
    7.6/10(258 votes)

    S12:E6

    John Oliver discusses whether Tasers are as safe and effective as the company that makes them claims, the broader effect Tasers have had on policing, and why you shouldn't test Tasers out on any of your family members.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 13 - June 1, 2025: Air Traffic Controllers
    7.6/10(252 votes)

    S12:E13

    John Oliver discusses the working conditions of air traffic controllers, why those conditions are impacting us all, and – for those under 30 – what a "floppy disk" is.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 2 - February 23, 2025: Facebook
    7.5/10(288 votes)

    S12:E2

    John Oliver discusses Facebook's controversial new plans for content moderation and DOGE's continued firing of government workers, including some of America's best dorks: park rangers.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 11 - May 11, 2025: Alliance Defending Freedom
    7.5/10(247 votes)

    S12:E11

    John Oliver takes a look at the Alliance Defending Freedom – the legal organization behind several landmark Supreme Court cases, including the Dobbs case that overturned Roe v. Wade. Plus, a five-star book review of a one-star book.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 17 - June 29, 2025: Trump's Big Beautiful Bill
    7.5/10(248 votes)

    S12:E17

    John Oliver discusses the race for mayor in New York City and what could happen if Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" is passed, and unveils the new mascot for Erie, Pennsylvania's Minor League Baseball team. A mascot to eclipse all other mascots.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 18 - July 27, 2025: Gang Databases
    7.5/10(239 votes)

    S12:E18

    John Oliver discusses why Donald Trump spent the past week deflecting from developments concerning Jeffrey Epstein, the massive problems caused by gang databases, and what happened at Erie's inaugural Moon Mammoths game.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 20 - August 10, 2025: Deportation Promise
    7.5/10(233 votes)

    S12:E20

    John Oliver discusses the Trump administration's promise to deport one million immigrants, what the follow through on that promise looks like in practice, and what the actual rules are about the masked police arresting civilians across the country.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 26 - October 12, 2025: Paramount Skydance Merger
    7.5/10(226 votes)

    S12:E26

    John Oliver discusses the Paramount Skydance merger, and how they've named Bari Weiss the new Editor-in-Chief of CBS News.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 29 - November 9, 2025: Felony Murder
    7.5/10(202 votes)

    S12:E29

    John Oliver discusses felony murder, a way you can wind up in prison for murder without actually killing anyone, and why Cillian Murphy won an Oscar, not his parents whose hot Irish sex led to his existence. Those last two things are related. We swear.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 19 - August 3, 2025: Deferred Prosecution Agreements
    7.4/10(234 votes)

    S12:E19

    John Oliver discusses how Israel is starving civilians in Gaza by blocking vital aid, how deferred prosecution agreements are helping corporations sweep serious crimes under the rug, and the least horny message you could possibly get on Hinge.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 22 - September 7, 2025: Higher Education
    7.4/10(216 votes)

    S12:E22

    John Oliver discusses Florida's move to end vaccine mandates, Trump's war on higher education, and why universities should start acting more like tough little shrimp. Ya, you heard us: tough little shrimp.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 21 - August 17, 2025: Make America Healthy Again
    7.3/10(224 votes)

    S12:E21

    John Oliver discusses why Donald Trump seized control of the police in Washington, D.C., where the "Make America Healthy Again" movement in the U.S. could be headed, and whether or not you can buy testicles on Amazon. Three issues of equal importance.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Season 12 Ratings Summary

"September 21, 2025: Jimmy Kimmel Suspension" is the best rated episode of "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" season 12. It scored 8.1/10 based on 268 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 9/21/2025. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "February 16, 2025: Trump 2.0".