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The Best Episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8

Every episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8!

Binge this in 13h 5m•Peaking at 8.3/10

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

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 3 - Episode 212: Raids
    8.3/10(341 votes)

    S8:E3

    Main story: How few guardrails there are on the use of police raids; plus, New York governor Andrew Cuomo faces multiple scandals.

    Directors:Paul Pennolino, Christopher Werner
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Greg Iwinski, Ben Silva, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Mark Kramer

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  2. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 13 - Episode 222: Sponcon
    8.2/10(300 votes)

    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.)

    Directors:Paul Pennolino, Christopher Werner
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Greg Iwinski, Ben Silva, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Mark Kramer

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  3. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 22 - August 22, 2021: Afghanistan
    8.1/10(267 votes)

    S8:E22

    John Oliver discusses the end of America's war with Afghanistan and the humanitarian crisis being left behind.

    Directors:Paul Pennolino, Christopher Werner
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Greg Iwinski, Ben Silva, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Mark Kramer

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  4. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 30 - Episode 239
    8.1/10(241 votes)

    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."

    Directors:Paul Pennolino, Christopher Werner
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Greg Iwinski, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Mark Kramer

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  5. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 6 - Episode 215: Plastics
    8.0/10(311 votes)

    S8:E6

    Main story: How plastics are harming the planet, and why recycling isn’t the solution you think it is; plus, the Atlanta mass shootings and hate crimes against Asian-Americans.

    Directors:Paul Pennolino, Christopher Werner
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Greg Iwinski, Ben Silva, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Mark Kramer

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  6. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 25 - October 3, 2021: PFAS
    8.0/10(253 votes)

    S8:E25

    John Oliver discusses PFAS - a class of chemicals linked to an array of health issues - and why their widespread use isn't as magical as it may seem.

    Director:Paul Pennolino
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Greg Iwinski, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Mark Kramer

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  7. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 26 - Episode 235
    8.0/10(248 votes)

    S8:E26

    John Oliver discusses how misinformation spreads among immigrant diaspora communities, how little some platforms have done to stop it, and, most importantly, how to have a very good morning.

    Director:Paul Pennolino
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Greg Iwinski, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Mark Kramer

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  8. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 19 - Episode 228: Emergency Medical Services
    7.9/10(242 votes)

    S8:E19

    John Oliver explains how emergency medical services function in the U.S., why they can be so expensive, and what we can do to fix things.

    Directors:Paul Pennolino, Christopher Werner
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Greg Iwinski, Ben Silva, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Mark Kramer

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  9. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 23 - September 12, 2021: Lukashenko
    7.9/10(277 votes)

    S8:E23

    John Oliver discusses the longtime leader of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, and the many reasons his country's citizens have not to like him.

    Director:Paul Pennolino
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Greg Iwinski, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Mark Kramer

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  10. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 27 - Episode 236
    7.9/10(251 votes)

    S8:E27

    John Oliver discusses Taiwan's history of being governed by other countries, its fraught present-day relationship with China, and what its citizens would want their future to look like.

    Director:Paul Pennolino
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Greg Iwinski, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Mark Kramer

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  11. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 5 - Episode 214: Tucker Carlson
    7.8/10(361 votes)

    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.

    Directors:Paul Pennolino, Christopher Werner
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Greg Iwinski, Ben Silva, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Mark Kramer

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  12. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 10 - Episode 219: Vaccine
    7.8/10(288 votes)

    S8:E10

    John Oliver explains why some people don't want to get the Covid-19 vaccine and how they might be reassured.

    Directors:Paul Pennolino, Christopher Werner
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Greg Iwinski, Ben Silva, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Mark Kramer

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  13. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 18 - Episode 227: Housing Discrimination
    7.8/10(268 votes)

    S8:E18

    John Oliver breaks down the long history of housing discrimination in the U.S., the damage it's done, and, crucially, what we can do about it.

    Directors:Paul Pennolino, Christopher Werner
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Greg Iwinski, Ben Silva, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Mark Kramer

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  14. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 21 - Episode 230: Ransomware
    7.8/10(246 votes)

    S8:E21

    John Oliver discusses ransomware attacks, why they’re on the rise, and what can be done about them.

    Directors:Paul Pennolino, Christopher Werner
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Greg Iwinski, Ben Silva, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Mark Kramer

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  15. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 24 - September 26, 2021: Voting Rights
    7.8/10(258 votes)

    S8:E24

    John Oliver discusses the current attacks on voting rights, who's behind them, and what we can do about it. Plus, John enters several paintings in the annual Duck Stamp contest.

    Director:Paul Pennolino
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Greg Iwinski, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Mark Kramer

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  16. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 28 - Episode 237
    7.8/10(225 votes)

    S8:E28

    With homelessness increasing nationwide, John Oliver takes a look at the way we discuss the unhoused, what policy failures are making the problem worse, and how we can help.

    Director:Paul Pennolino
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Greg Iwinski, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Mark Kramer

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  17. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 29 - Episode 238
    7.8/10(234 votes)

    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.

    Director:Paul Pennolino
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Greg Iwinski, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Mark Kramer

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  18. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 1 - Episode 210: The Next Pandemic
    7.7/10(355 votes)

    S8:E1

    Main story: What could cause the next pandemic, what we can do to avoid it, and why you shouldn’t kiss pigs; plus, Impeachment Part 2.

    Directors:Paul Pennolino, Christopher Werner
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Greg Iwinski, Ben Silva, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Mark Kramer

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  19. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 2 - Episode 211: Meatpacking
    7.7/10(321 votes)

    S8:E2

    Main story: Working conditions in the meatpacking industry; plus, the Texas power crisis in the wake of severe winter weather.

    Directors:Paul Pennolino, Christopher Werner
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Greg Iwinski, Ben Silva, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Mark Kramer

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  20. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 7 - Episode 216: The National Debt
    7.7/10(298 votes)

    S8:E7

    Main story: How national debt works and why it might be more helpful than you'd think; plus, Giuliani freaks over Lil Nas X; Amazon's anti-union tactics; Peeps and Pepsi form an unholy alliance.

    Directors:Paul Pennolino, Christopher Werner
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Greg Iwinski, Ben Silva, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Mark Kramer

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  21. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 20 - Episode 229: Opioids III – The Sacklers
    7.7/10(257 votes)

    S8:E20

    John Oliver explains how the Sackler family has been handling lawsuits related to the opioid crisis, how hard they've been fighting to defend their name, and why you should judge the situation for yourself.

    Directors:Paul Pennolino, Christopher Werner
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Greg Iwinski, Ben Silva, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Mark Kramer

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  22. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 4 - Episode 213: Unemployment
    7.6/10(305 votes)

    S8:E4

    Main story: The many obstacles that impede access to unemployment benefits; plus, Fox News freaks out over Dr. Seuss.

    Directors:Paul Pennolino, Christopher Werner
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Greg Iwinski, Ben Silva, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Mark Kramer

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  23. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 17 - Episode 226: Health Care Sharing Ministries
    7.6/10(253 votes)

    S8:E17

    Health Care Sharing Ministries, or HCSMs, advertise themselves as a more affordable, faith-based alternative to health insurance. But John Oliver explains some of the massive limitations these plans can have.

    Directors:Paul Pennolino, Christopher Werner
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Greg Iwinski, Ben Silva, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Mark Kramer

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  24. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 8 - Episode 217: Long-Term Care
    7.5/10(290 votes)

    S8:E8

    Main story: Why nursing homes and assisted living facilities need fixing; plus, the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program; Matt Gaetz and Venmo; R.I.P. Yahoo! Answers.

    Directors:Paul Pennolino, Christopher Werner
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Greg Iwinski, Ben Silva, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Mark Kramer

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  25. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 12 - Episode 221: Stand Your Ground
    7.5/10(335 votes)

    S8:E12

    Main Story: John Oliver takes a look at why “stand your ground” laws were created, who they protect, and, crucially, who they don’t. Plus, a look at the past week’s events in Israel.

    Directors:Paul Pennolino, Christopher Werner
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Greg Iwinski, Ben Silva, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Mark Kramer

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Season 8 Ratings Summary

"Episode 212: Raids" is the best rated episode of "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" season 8. It scored 8.3/10 based on 341 votes. Directed by Paul Pennolino, Christopher Werner and written by John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Greg Iwinski, Ben Silva, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Mark Kramer, it aired on 2/28/2021. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Episode 222: Sponcon".