The BEST Episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

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

853 votes

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#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

2,005 votes

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#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

616 votes

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#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

663 votes

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#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

563 votes

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#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

1,009 votes

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#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

645 votes

Directors: Joe Perota

Writers: Dan Gurewitch, Geoff Haggerty, Jeffrey Scott, Jill Twiss, John Oliver, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Scott Sherman, Tim Carvell, Will Tracey

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#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

647 votes

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#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

569 votes

Directors: Joe Perota

Writers: Dan Gurewitch, Geoff Haggerty, Jeffrey Scott, Jill Twiss, John Oliver, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Scott Sherman, Tim Carvell, Will Tracey

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#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

1,714 votes

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#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?

8.23

1,679 votes

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#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

669 votes

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#13 - 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

812 votes

Directors: Jim Hoskinson

Writers: Dan Gurewitch, Geoff Haggerty, Jeff Maurer), Jill Twiss, John Oliver, Josh Gondelman, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Scott Sherman, Tim Carvell, Will Tracy

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#14 - 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.

8.22

1,202 votes

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#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

739 votes

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#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

693 votes

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#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

1,522 votes

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#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

1,153 votes

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#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

714 votes

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#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.

8.19

723 votes

Directors: Jim Hoskinson

Writers: Dan Gurewitch, Geoff Haggerty, Jeff Mauer, Jill Twiss, John Oliver, Josh Gondelman, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Scott Sherman, Tim Carvell, Will Tracy

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#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.

8.17

695 votes

Directors: Joe Perota

Writers: Dan Gurewitch, Geoff Haggerty, Jeffrey Scott, Jill Twiss, John Oliver, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Scott Sherman, Tim Carvell, Will Tracey

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#22 - 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

1,519 votes

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#23 - 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.

8.15

503 votes

Directors: Christopher Werner

Writers:

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#24 - 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

1,827 votes

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#25 - Episode 12

Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired Jul 27, 2014

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

8.15

606 votes

Directors: Joe Perota

Writers: Dan Gurewitch, Geoff Haggerty, Jeffrey Scott, Jill Twiss, John Oliver, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Scott Sherman, Tim Carvell, Will Tracey

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