The BEST Episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Every episode ever - ranked by fan votes!
Last Updated: Feb 26, 2021
Network: HBO
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver is an American late-night talk and news satire television program. L.W.T draws its comedy and satire from recent news stories, political figures, media organizations, pop culture and often aspects of the show itself.
#1 - Episode 32
Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired Apr 5, 2015
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.
8.69 
#2 - Episode 90
Season 4 - Episode 1 - Aired Feb 12, 2017
Donald Trump spreads a lot of false information thanks to his daily consumption of morning cable news. If only we could sneak some facts into the president’s media diet.
8.45 
#3 - Episode 178
Season 6 - Episode 29 - Aired Nov 10, 2019
Main story: How SLAPP suits are designed to stifle public dissent (including an update on Bob Murray’s lawsuit); plus, Trump “caught” the swamp; Lindsey Graham’s desperate defense of Trump; Roger Stone’s trial begins.
8.43 
#4 - Episode 20
Season 1 - Episode 20 - Aired Oct 5, 2014
Did you know police can just take your stuff if they suspect it's involved in a crime? They can! It’s a shady process called “civil asset forfeiture,” and it would make for a weird episode of Law and Order.
8.41 
#5 - Episode 193
Season 7 - Episode 14 - Aired Jun 7, 2020
Main story: As nationwide protests over the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor are met with police brutality, John discusses how the histories of policing and white supremacy are intertwined, the roadblocks to fixing things, and some potential paths forward.
8.34 
#6 - Episode 62
Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired Feb 28, 2016
Our main story was about Donald Trump. We can't believe we're saying that either.
8.33 
#7 - Episode 6
Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired Jun 8, 2014
John talks about California Chrome and the Belmont Stakes, FIFA and the 2014 World Cup, and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
8.32 
#8 - Episode 21
Season 1 - Episode 21 - Aired Oct 19, 2014
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 Mohammad, one translator who made it out. Cameras aren’t allowed in the Supreme Court, so most coverage of our most important cases looks like garbage. We fixed that problem with real animals and fake paws.
8.31 
#9 - Episode 8
Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired Jun 22, 2014
John talks about Iraq, Antarctica tourism and Dr. Oz's "Miracle Drug".
8.29 
#10 - Episode 100
Season 4 - Episode 11 - Aired May 7, 2017
Equal access to online information is once again under serious threat. John Oliver encourages internet commenters to voice their displeasure to the FCC by visiting www.gofccyourself.com and clicking “express” to file your comment.
8.24 
#11 - Episode 89
Season 3 - Episode 30 - Aired Nov 13, 2016
Donald Trump will be the next president of the United States. How did we get to this point? And what do we do now?
8.24 
#12 - Episode 26
Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired Feb 15, 2015
Thanks to tobacco industry regulations and marketing restrictions in the US, smoking rates have dropped dramatically. John Oliver explains how tobacco companies are keeping their business strong overseas. We've noticed that the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue still exists but can’t quite figure out why.
8.23 
#13 - Episode 73
Season 3 - Episode 14 - Aired Jun 5, 2016
John Oliver Takes On Debt Buyers: Companies that purchase debt on the cheap will aggressively collect on it. 'Last Week Tonight’ took a hands-on approach to addressing this issue.
8.23 
#14 - Episode 49
Season 2 - Episode 25 - Aired Aug 16, 2015
U.S. tax law allows television preachers to get away with almost anything. We know this from personal experience.
8.23 
#15 - Episode 41
Season 2 - Episode 17 - Aired Jun 14, 2015
The US Senate Torture Report revealed horrifying details of America's interrogation program. Helen Mirren will fill you in.
8.21 
#16 - Episode 149
Season 5 - Episode 30 - Aired Nov 18, 2018
Main story: A look at the growing number of authoritarian leaders around the world, including our president. Plus, the fate of Russell Crowe’s jockstrap; a Brexit update; Trump’s reaction to California’s wildfires.
8.20 
#17 - Episode 108
Season 4 - Episode 19 - Aired Jul 30, 2017
Main story: Alex Jones; plus, Trump Transgender military ban; Sen. McCain’s dramatic Obamacare repeal vote; amusing press coverage of Anthony Scaramucci’s expletive-filled interview.
8.20 
#18 - Episode 119
Season 4 - Episode 30 - Aired Nov 12, 2017
Main story: The Trump Presidency; plus, a look back on the year’s segments.
8.19 
#19 - Episode 39
Season 2 - Episode 15 - Aired May 31, 2015
After the arrests of numerous top officials, John Oliver decided to give an update on the state of FIFA.
8.19 
#20 - Episode 45
Season 2 - Episode 21 - Aired Jul 19, 2015
Producers, sellers, and consumers waste tons of food. John Oliver discusses the shocking amount of food we don’t eat.
8.18 
#21 - Episode 3
Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired May 11, 2014
John talks about Eurovision, Ukraine and Russia's relations and interviews Bill Nye about Climate Change.
8.18 
#22 - Episode 209
Season 7 - Episode 30 - Aired Nov 15, 2020
Main story: Trump’s spurious attempts to overturn the US presidential election results; plus, Jon Voight disgraces himself; FaceTime with Adam Driver; 2020 goes out with a bang.
8.16 
#23 - Episode 91
Season 4 - Episode 2 - Aired Feb 19, 2017
Vladimir Putin is known as a ruthless leader and master manipulator. John Oliver enlists a group of singing dancers to explain that to Donald Trump.
8.15 
#24 - Episode 93
Season 4 - Episode 4 - Aired Mar 5, 2017
John Oliver sits down with the Dalai Lama to discuss China, the conditions in Tibet, and horse milk.
8.15 
#25 - Episode 104
Season 4 - Episode 15 - Aired Jun 11, 2017
Main story: U.K. elections and Brexit with special appearance by Lord Buckethead; plus, “Stupid Watergate” update: James Comey edition; And Now: There Is No Group More Easily Amazed Than the Audience of ’America’s Got Talent.’
8.15