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The Best Episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9

Every episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9!

Binge this in 14h 50m•Peaking at 8.5/10

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

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9 Episode 7 - April 10, 2022: Data Brokers
    8.5/10(311 votes)

    S9:E7

    John Oliver discusses how much data brokers know about us, what they’re doing with our personal information, and one unusual way to change privacy laws. Plus, Russian State TV lies about the Ukraine war; DirecTV drops OAN; John says goodbye to AT&T.

    Director:Paul Pennolino
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Taylor Kay Phillips, Ryan Ken, Sofía Manfredi, Mark Kramer

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  2. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9 Episode 8 - April 17, 2022: Police Interrogations
    8.2/10(280 votes)

    S9:E8

    John Oliver discusses the tactics that can make police interrogations so damaging, particularly to the innocent. Plus, a look at Dr. Oz's campaign for U.S. Senate.

    Director:Paul Pennolino
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Taylor Kay Phillips, Ryan Ken, Sofía Manfredi, Mark Kramer

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  3. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9 Episode 12 - May 22, 2022: Subway
    8.2/10(309 votes)

    S9:E12

    John Oliver discusses one of the largest franchises in the U.S., how their business model doesn’t always serve franchisees, and what it all has to do with Korean dramas.

    Director:Paul Pennolino
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Taylor Kay Phillips, Ryan Ken, Sofía Manfredi, Mark Kramer

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  4. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9 Episode 6 - April 3, 2022: Trucks
    8.1/10(298 votes)

    S9:E6

    John Oliver explains how truck drivers get paid, how they often don’t, and how companies exploit them to increase profits. Plus, Republican congressman Madison Cawthorn's tales of GOP orgies and drug use has him in trouble with his own party.

    Director:Paul Pennolino
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Taylor Kay Phillips, Ryan Ken, Sofía Manfredi, Mark Kramer

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  5. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9 Episode 10 - May 8, 2022: Abortion Ruling/Philippines Election
    8.1/10(252 votes)

    S9:E10

    John Oliver discusses the current presidential election in The Philippines and why Bongbong Marcos is - albeit in a very limited and unflattering way - sort of like Ant-Man. Plus, the leaked anti-abortion draft opinion that looks set to overturn Roe v. Wade, how we got to this point, and where we may be headed.

    Director:Paul Pennolino
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Taylor Kay Phillips, Ryan Ken, Sofía Manfredi, Mark Kramer

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  6. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9 Episode 28 - November 6, 2022: Election Subversion
    8.1/10(226 votes)

    S9:E28

    With the U.S. midterm elections approaching, John Oliver discusses what happens after the votes are in, how some elected officials might try to negate legitimate election results, and which teletubby would taste best. Plus, the Halloween costume of Heidi Klum.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9 Episode 30 - November 20, 2022: Qatar World Cup
    8.1/10(253 votes)

    S9:E30

    John Oliver discusses the Qatar World Cup, the human-rights violations happening in the sporting event’s host country, and what perfection really means to David Beckham. Plus, the chaos Twitter is experiencing after Elon Musk took over the company and more of AI-generated art featuring John Oliver.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9 Episode 2 - February 27, 2022: Sex Work
    8.0/10(319 votes)

    S9:E2

    As long as sex work has existed, so have efforts to end it. John Oliver explains why criminalizing the trade hasn’t helped the most vulnerable people involved, and why we should start listening to those at the center of the conversation: sex workers. Plus, Russian invasion into Ukraine, that has placed the whole world at the brink of WW3.

    Director:Paul Pennolino
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Taylor Kay Phillips, Ryan Ken, Sofía Manfredi, Mark Kramer

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  9. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9 Episode 3 - March 6, 2022: Wrongful Convictions
    8.0/10(298 votes)

    S9:E3

    John Oliver talks about the current practices of overturning wrongful convictions and how it is quite unsupportive of even apparently innocent people. He advocates for urgent reforms in the flawed system which is clearly not working in favor of the innocents. Plus, the heroic resistance of Ukrainians against the invasion of Russia.

    Director:Paul Pennolino
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Taylor Kay Phillips, Ryan Ken, Sofía Manfredi, Mark Kramer

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  10. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9 Episode 14 - June 12, 2022: Tech Monopolies
    8.0/10(247 votes)

    S9:E14

    John Oliver discusses tech monopolies such as Apple, Google, Amazon, and Facebook, and how to address the hidden harm they can do. Plus, a look at the hotly contested U.S. Senate race in Arizona, which includes Trump-endorsed candidate Blake Masters.

    Director:Paul Pennolino
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Taylor Kay Phillips, Ryan Ken, Sofía Manfredi, Mark Kramer

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  11. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9 Episode 13 - June 5, 2022: School Police
    7.9/10(264 votes)

    S9:E13

    In the wake of the mass shooting in Uvalde, John Oliver discusses the push for more police in schools and whether they are the answer to school safety issues, or a new problem altogether. Plus, John makes an offer for a banana sculpture in Australia.

    Director:Paul Pennolino
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Taylor Kay Phillips, Ryan Ken, Sofía Manfredi, Mark Kramer

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  12. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9 Episode 15 - June 19, 2022: Rent
    7.9/10(251 votes)

    S9:E15

    John Oliver discusses why rent has become increasingly unaffordable, what we can do to combat a system that is stacked against tenants, and, of course, Dakota Johnson’s complex relationship to limes. Plus, a look at GOP primary winners claiming the 2020 election was stolen.

    Director:Paul Pennolino
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Taylor Kay Phillips, Ryan Ken, Sofía Manfredi, Mark Kramer

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  13. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9 Episode 17 - July 24, 2022: Inflation
    7.9/10(258 votes)

    S9:E17

    John Oliver discusses the causes of inflation and what we've done about it; plus, updates on the beach dolls and the banana sculpture.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9 Episode 29 - November 13, 2022: The Monarchy
    7.9/10(245 votes)

    S9:E29

    John Oliver discusses the future of the British monarchy, what they have and have not acknowledged about their past, and how Winston Churchill preferred to go down waterslides. Plus, Steve Kornacki and his big board.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9 Episode 4 - March 13, 2022: Tickets
    7.8/10(296 votes)

    S9:E4

    John Oliver explains why concert tickets are so expensive, who’s making money off of them, and which One Direction is his favorite. Plus, the introduction of some appalling anti-LGBT laws in several states.

    Director:Paul Pennolino
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Taylor Kay Phillips, Ryan Ken, Sofía Manfredi, Mark Kramer

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  16. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9 Episode 5 - March 27, 2022: Harm Reduction
    7.8/10(278 votes)

    S9:E5

    John Oliver discusses why overdoses in the U.S. have been on the rise and what we should, and shouldn't, be doing to prevent them. Plus, a rather odd yearly tradition in Nenana, Alaska.

    Director:Paul Pennolino
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Taylor Kay Phillips, Ryan Ken, Sofía Manfredi, Mark Kramer

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  17. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9 Episode 16 - June 26, 2022: Water
    7.8/10(252 votes)

    S9:E16

    John Oliver discusses the water shortage in the American west; plus, the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

    Director:Paul Pennolino
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Taylor Kay Phillips, Ryan Ken, Sofía Manfredi, Mark Kramer

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  18. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9 Episode 21 - August 21, 2022: Carbon Offsets
    7.8/10(249 votes)

    S9:E21

    John Oliver explains what carbon offsets are, what they claim to do, how they might be making climate change even worse, and, of course, how Oscar Isaac is getting hotter.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9 Episode 24 - October 2, 2022: Museums
    7.8/10(252 votes)

    S9:E24

    John Oliver discusses some of the world's most prestigious museums, why they contain so many stolen goods, the market that continues to illegally trade antiquities, and a pretty solid blueprint for revenge. Plus, the disappearance of the British PM Liz Truss.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9 Episode 9 - May 1, 2022: Environmental Racism
    7.7/10(270 votes)

    S9:E9

    John Oliver discusses environmental racism, how both government and industry are failing people of color and how zoning is manipulating the same people to live in adverse conditions. Plus, pandas doing some weird things and 'gas math' by Shaquille O'Neal.

    Directors:Paul Pennolino, Elliot Mendelson
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Taylor Kay Phillips, Ryan Ken, Sofía Manfredi, Mark Kramer

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  21. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9 Episode 20 - August 14, 2022: Afghanistan
    7.7/10(250 votes)

    S9:E20

    John Oliver discusses what’s happened since the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan, how their ongoing crisis has even more to do with our decisions than you might think, and how to properly modify the verb “feel”. Plus, some true masterpieces of an AI-generated art.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9 Episode 27 - October 30, 2022: Bail Reform
    7.7/10(224 votes)

    S9:E27

    With the U.S. midterm elections approaching, John Oliver discusses the issue at the core of many republican attack ads: bail reform. Plus, the turmoil in British politics after the resignation of PM Liz Truss.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9 Episode 1 - February 20, 2022: Critical Race Theory
    7.6/10(380 votes)

    S9:E1

    John Oliver explains what critical race theory is, what it isn't, and why we can expect to hear more about it in the coming months. Plus, the Canadian trucker protests.

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

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  24. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9 Episode 11 - May 15, 2022: Utilities
    7.6/10(258 votes)

    S9:E11

    John Oliver discusses the incredible amount of power we give electric utility companies, how weakly regulated they are, and why they get such bad Yelp reviews. Plus, a look at Alabama's extreme anti-trans law and some ridiculous participants of the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.

    Director:Paul Pennolino
    Writers:John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Taylor Kay Phillips, Ryan Ken, Sofía Manfredi, Mark Kramer

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  25. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9 Episode 18 - July 31, 2022: Mental Health Care
    7.6/10(239 votes)

    S9:E18

    John Oliver discusses the cracks in our broken mental health care system; plus, a look at who's running to become the UK's prime minister.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Season 9 Ratings Summary

"April 10, 2022: Data Brokers" is the best rated episode of "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" season 9. It scored 8.5/10 based on 311 votes. Directed by Paul Pennolino and written by John Oliver, Daniel O'Brien, Chrissy Shackelford, Seena Vali, Joanna Rothkopf, Ali Barthwell, Liz Hynes, Charlie Redd, Owen Parsons, Johnathan Appel, Taylor Kay Phillips, Ryan Ken, Sofía Manfredi, Mark Kramer, it aired on 4/10/2022. This episode is rated 0.3 points higher than the second-best, "April 17, 2022: Police Interrogations".