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

The Worst Episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Every episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst 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.

Airs on
HBO
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons13

All12345678910111213

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
    Click to reveal
    Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 11 - Episode 220: Hair
    6.5/10(369 votes)

    S8:E11

    John Oliver discusses the importance of black hair, the ways it can be a target of discrimination, and some ideas to address that.

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 7 - April 6, 2025: Trans Athletes
    7.0/10(360 votes)

    S12:E7

    John Oliver discusses Donald Trump's sweeping new set of tariffs and why trans athletes seem to be at the center of U.S. politics.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 13 Episode 15 - June 14, 2026: UK Elections
    7.0/10(185 votes)

    S13:E15

    John Oliver discusses the upcoming elections in the UK, why the race for Prime Minister hinges on 76,000 voters who live in a small area called Makerfield, and which party leader looks like his first words were "British East India Company."

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 13 Episode 6 - March 22, 2026: Police Stings
    7.1/10(201 votes)

    S13:E6

    John Oliver discusses police stings, why they can seem like they're creating more crime than they're stopping, and the best alias for any undercover cop, ever, in history. Ok, fine, we'll just tell you: It's a tie between "Angelo Lasagna" and "Rico Rigatone."

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 13 Episode 12 - May 17, 2026: Structured Settlements
    7.1/10(200 votes)

    S13:E12

    John Oliver discusses structured settlements – the incremental payments designed to sustain victims of injury or wrongful death over long periods of time.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 14 - June 8, 2025: Med Spas
    7.2/10(240 votes)

    S12:E14

    John Oliver discusses the feud between Donald Trump and Elon Musk, Mike Lindell's trial, the lack of regulation at med spas, and a fun new way to spell "scumbag."

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    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 12 Episode 27 - October 26, 2025: Medicare Advantage
    7.2/10(207 votes)

    S12:E27

    John Oliver details what Medicare Advantage is, and why it basically has all the pitfalls of private insurance.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 13 Episode 14 - June 7, 2026: New College of Florida
    7.2/10(190 votes)

    S13:E14

    John Oliver discusses New College of Florida – the small liberal arts school that has been taken over by Governor Ron DeSantis – and why we think their new mascot would really get Samantha from Sex and the City going.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 13 Episode 16 - June 21, 2026: Feral Hogs
    7.2/10(190 votes)

    S13:E16

    John Oliver discusses one of the most destructive invasive species in America: feral hogs. How they got here, the damage they're doing, and why the Discovery Channel should really consider doing "Cow Week."

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9 Episode 26 - October 16, 2022: Transgender Rights II
    7.3/10(296 votes)

    S9:E26

    John Oliver discusses the latest round of attacks on transgender rights, what’s at stake, and how kids are schooling the ignorant adults on this topic. Plus, why the Crimean Bridge is having a bad time these days.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 25 - October 5, 2025: Presidential Libraries
    7.3/10(215 votes)

    S12:E25

    John Oliver discusses what presidential libraries are exactly, how presidents use them to fundraise in office, how Donald Trump might make existing problems even worse and – of course – some stuff about one president's unique inseam.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 12 Episode 28 - November 2, 2025: Police Chases
    7.3/10(196 votes)

    S12:E28

    John Oliver discusses the prevalence of police chases, and why the risks involved can massively outweigh the benefits.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 13 Episode 5 - March 15, 2026: J.D. Vance
    7.3/10(227 votes)

    S13:E5

    John Oliver discusses the Trump Administration's mixed messaging surrounding the U.S.'s ongoing war with Iran, then explores J.D. Vance's ideologies past and present, including but not limited to who J.D. thinks is a real stupidhead.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 13 Episode 7 - March 29, 2026: Hungary
    7.3/10(210 votes)

    S13:E7

    John Oliver discusses the elections on the horizon for Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán, why conservatives in the US are so invested in him maintaining power, and what it all has to do with Rob Schneider.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 13 Episode 8 - April 19, 2026: Prediction Markets
    7.3/10(217 votes)

    S13:E8

    John Oliver discusses prediction markets – platforms where you can bet on basically anything, from the weather to the war in Iran – and the legal and moral questions posed by their existence.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 13 Episode 10 - May 3, 2026: Gas Station Drugs
    7.3/10(198 votes)

    S13:E10

    John Oliver discusses the sprawling industry of "gas station drugs" – a world of questionable supplements and boner pills – which is posing a risk to the public by putting under-regulated substances over the counter.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 13 Episode 24 - September 27, 2026: Brazil's Presidential Election
    7.3/10(140 votes)

    S13:E24

    John Oliver discusses Brazil's upcoming presidential election, the baggage associated with the two leading candidates, and some insight into acting from John – a person who has acted. Twice.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 13 Episode 25 - October 4, 2026: Secret Service
    7.3/10(126 votes)

    S13:E25

    John Oliver discusses the Secret Service, why they're in a worrying state, and how ethernet cables became disturbingly crucial to the nation's safety.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 7 Episode 16 - Prisons & Jails
    7.4/10(292 votes)

    S7:E16

    In the latest episode on coronavirus John talks about US prisons and jails. These confined spaces have frightening number of COVID-19 infections. And there has been insufficient initiatives to address the matter. Consequently, in some cases inmates are taking matters in their own hand to raise concern about situation behind bars.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 9 - Episode 218: Bankruptcy
    7.4/10(285 votes)

    S8:E9

    John Oliver details why people file for bankruptcy, how needlessly difficult the process can be, and the ways we can better serve people struggling with debt.

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 14 - Episode 223: Asian Americans
    7.4/10(279 votes)

    S8:E14

    John Oliver discusses the large and diverse group of people who fall under the term "Asian American", the history of the model minority stereotype, and why our conversations on the subject need to be better-informed.

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 8 Episode 16 - Episode 225: PACE
    7.4/10(243 votes)

    S8:E16

    John Oliver explains how PACE, a program meant to pay for environmentally-friendly home renovations, is fundamentally flawed and can put people at risk of losing their homes. Plus, why hosting summer Olympics in Tokyo this year is a bad idea and why dog shows are weird.

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 11 Episode 9 - April 21, 2024: UFOs
    7.4/10(281 votes)

    S11:E9

    John Oliver explains why we need honest inquiry into UFO sightings, covers the week's protests in the US over the war in Gaza, and recaps Adeel Mangi's confirmation hearing.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 11 Episode 25 - October 6, 2024: Traffic Stops
    7.4/10(202 votes)

    S11:E25

    John Oliver discusses the power given to cops during traffic stops and some simple ways we can start to change that, and J.D. Vance's week surrounding the vice presidential debate.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Worst Episodes Summary

"Episode 220: Hair" is the worst rated episode of "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver". It scored 6.5/10 based on 369 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 5/9/2021. This episode scored 0.5 points lower than the second lowest rated, "April 6, 2025: Trans Athletes".