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The Best Episodes Written By Tim Carvell

Every TV Episode Written by Tim Carvell 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:Tim Carvell

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  2. 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:Tim Carvell

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  3. 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:Tim Carvell

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  4. 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:Tim Carvell

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  5. 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:Tim Carvell

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  6. 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:Tim Carvell

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  7. 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:Tim Carvell

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  8. 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:Tim Carvell

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  9. 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:Tim Carvell

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  10. 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:Tim Carvell

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  11. 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:Tim Carvell

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  12. 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:Tim Carvell

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  13. 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:Tim Carvell

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  14. 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:Tim Carvell

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  15. 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:Tim Carvell

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  16. 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:Tim Carvell

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  17. 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:Tim Carvell

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  18. 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:Tim Carvell

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  19. 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:Tim Carvell

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  20. 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:Tim Carvell

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  21. undefined Season 10 Episode 15 - October 29, 2023: Chocolate
    8.2/10(10 votes)

    S10:E15

    John Oliver discusses chocolate, cocoa farming, and, of course, some facts that will make Halloween a little weird.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Tim Carvell

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  22. undefined Season 2 Episode 22 - Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Laws
    8.1/10(8 votes)

    S2:E22

    Mandatory minimums require fixed prison sentences for certain crimes. John Oliver explains why we treat some turkeys better than most low-level offenders.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Tim Carvell

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  23. undefined Season 2 Episode 7 - Municipal Violations
    8.1/10(7 votes)

    S2:E7

    If you have money, committing a municipal violation may pose you a minor inconvenience. If you don’t, it can ruin your life. Also, the New Hampshire legislature refused to make the red-tailed hawk the official raptor of their state... so Last Week Tonight made it the official raptor of the show.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Tim Carvell

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  24. undefined Season 2 Episode 34 - Daily Fantasy Sports
    8.1/10(7 votes)

    S2:E34

    John talks about the recent Paris attacks, China's Singles Day, the Koh-i-Noor diamond and Daily Fantasy Sports.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Tim Carvell

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  25. undefined Season 2 Episode 3 - Elected Judges
    8.1/10(7 votes)

    S2:E3

    The vast majority of US judges are elected, forcing many judges to pander to the electorate and accept campaign money in order to keep their jobs. This seems slightly troubling... The UK's Labour Party has painted a campaign van pink in an attempt to attract women voters. We are glad they didn't keep going with that strategy.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Tim Carvell

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Tim Carvell Ratings Summary

"Government Surveillance" is the best rated episode written by Tim Carvell. 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, "Torture".