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The Best Episodes Written By John Oliver

Every TV Episode Written by John Oliver Ranked from Best to Worst by Thousands of Voters

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    undefined Season 2 Episode 8 - Government Surveillance
    9.2/10(8 votes)

    S2:E8

    There are very few government checks on what America’s sweeping surveillance programs are capable of doing. John Oliver sits down with Edward Snowden to discuss the NSA, the balance between privacy and security, and dick-pics.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Oliver

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  2. undefined Season 2 Episode 15 - FIFA II
    8.8/10(8 votes)

    S2:E15

    After the arrests of numerous top officials, John Oliver decided to give an update on the state of FIFA. Also, Thailand's ignorance about the world's history involving Hitler might require some re-education.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Oliver

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  3. undefined Season 2 Episode 17 - Torture
    8.8/10(6 votes)

    S2:E17

    The US Senate Torture Report revealed horrifying details of America's interrogation program. Helen Mirren will fill you in. Plus, information about the 2015 European Games and the Canadian Senate expenses scandal.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Oliver

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  4. undefined Season 2 Episode 18 - The Internet
    8.7/10(6 votes)

    S2:E18

    Online harassment is a major problem, but it’s rarely prosecuted. If only we’d been warned about this in the early days of the internet.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Oliver

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  5. undefined Season 2 Episode 19 - Transgender Rights
    8.7/10(6 votes)

    S2:E19

    This week’s gay rights victory was historic, but the transgender community still faces staggering challenges. John Oliver focuses on the “T” in “LGBT."

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Oliver

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  6. undefined Season 1 Episode 21 - Military Translators
    8.6/10(8 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:N/A
    Writer:John Oliver

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  7. undefined Season 10 Episode 17 - November 12, 2023: Israel-Hamas War
    8.6/10(9 votes)

    S10:E17

    John Oliver discusses the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Oliver

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  8. undefined Season 8 Episode 30 - Episode 239
    8.5/10(4 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."

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Oliver

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  9. undefined Season 2 Episode 5 - U.S. Territories
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    S2:E5

    A set of Supreme Court decisions made over 100 years ago has left U.S. territories without meaningful representation. That’s weird, right? Plus, daylight saving time doesn’t actually benefit anyone. Strangely, it’s still a thing!

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Oliver

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  10. undefined Season 2 Episode 10 - Patents
    8.5/10(6 votes)

    S2:E10

    For inventors, patents are an essential protection against theft. But when patent trolls abuse the system by stockpiling patents and threatening lawsuits, businesses are forced to shell out tons of money. Also, CNN produced an actual doomsday video to broadcast when the world is ending and it’s incredibly dull. We've enlisted Martin Sheen to help make humanity’s final moments happier!

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Oliver

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  11. undefined Season 2 Episode 13 - Paid Family Leave
    8.5/10(6 votes)

    S2:E13

    Many American companies do not offer paid leave after the birth of a child, which means they probably shouldn’t run sappy Mother’s Day ads. Also, the Japanese have some unhealthy obsession with mascots and John proposes to adopt some of that culture in the U.S. government agencies as well.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Oliver

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  12. undefined Season 2 Episode 16 - Bail
    8.5/10(6 votes)

    S2:E16

    John Oliver explains why America’s bail system is better for the reality TV industry than it is for the justice system.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Oliver

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  13. undefined Season 9 Episode 7 - April 10, 2022: Data Brokers
    8.5/10(11 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:N/A
    Writer:John Oliver

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  14. undefined Season 2 Episode 21 - Food Waste
    8.4/10(7 votes)

    S2:E21

    Producers, sellers, and consumers waste tons of food. John Oliver discusses the shocking amount of food we don’t eat.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Oliver

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  15. undefined Season 1 Episode 4 - The Right to Be Forgotten
    8.4/10(10 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:N/A
    Writer:John Oliver

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  16. undefined Season 8 Episode 13 - Episode 222: Sponcon
    8.3/10(9 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.)

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Oliver

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  17. undefined Season 1 Episode 24 - The Lottery
    8.3/10(9 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:N/A
    Writer:John Oliver

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  18. undefined Season 2 Episode 11 - Fashion
    8.3/10(6 votes)

    S2:E11

    John explores the concept of changing and cheap fashion and some of the ugliest truths of the manufacturing process.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Oliver

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  19. undefined Season 2 Episode 12 - Standardized Testing
    8.3/10(6 votes)

    S2:E12

    American students face a ridiculous amount of testing. John Oliver explains how standardized tests impact school funding, the achievement gap and how often the kids are expected to throw up while taking one.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Oliver

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  20. undefined Season 2 Episode 20 - Stadiums
    8.3/10(6 votes)

    S2:E20

    Cities spend massive amounts of public money on privately-owned stadiums. Cities issue tax-exempt municipal bonds that — wait, don’t fall asleep!

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Oliver

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  21. undefined Season 10 Episode 16 - November 5, 2023: Abortion Rights
    8.3/10(10 votes)

    S10:E16

    John Oliver discusses the ongoing fallout from the overturning of Roe v. Wade as the November elections approach.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Oliver

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  22. undefined Season 1 Episode 17 - Scottish Independence Referendum
    8.2/10(8 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:N/A
    Writer:John Oliver

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  23. undefined Season 1 Episode 8 - Dr. Oz
    8.2/10(8 votes)

    S1:E8

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

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Oliver

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  24. undefined Season 1 Episode 12 - Nuclear Weapons and the United States
    8.2/10(8 votes)

    S1:E12

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

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Oliver

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  25. undefined Season 3 Episode 11 - Scientific Studies
    8.2/10(15 votes)

    S3:E11

    John Oliver on Sticking to the Facts: Media outlets often report new findings from scientific studies, but how many are true?

    Director:N/A
    Writer:John Oliver

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John Oliver Ratings Summary

"Government Surveillance" is the best rated episode written by John Oliver. It scored 9.2/10 based on 8 votes. It was directed by N/A. It aired on 4/5/2015 and is rated 0.4 points higher than their second-best episode, "FIFA II".