The BEST episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver season 8

Every episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver season 8, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver season 8!

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.

Last Updated: 10/12/2024Network: HBOStatus: Continuing
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May 23, 2021: Sponcon
star
7.81
404 votes

#1 - May 23, 2021: Sponcon

Season 8 - Episode 13 - Aired 5/23/2021

Main story: why the integrity of local news is so important; plus, how some red states are trying to overturn Roe v. Wade and why the Venus Veil is so much more than a blanket. (It's not.)

February 28, 2021: Raids
star
7.76
447 votes

#2 - February 28, 2021: Raids

Season 8 - Episode 3 - Aired 2/28/2021

Main story: How few guardrails there are on the use of police raids; plus, New York governor Andrew Cuomo faces multiple scandals.

October 10, 2021: Misinformation
star
7.73
368 votes

#3 - October 10, 2021: Misinformation

Season 8 - Episode 26 - Aired 10/10/2021

Main story: how misinformation spreads among immigrant diaspora communities; plus, AT&T’s involvement with far-right One America News.

Directors: Paul Pennolino
November 14, 2021: Union Busting
star
7.73
384 votes

#4 - November 14, 2021: Union Busting

Season 8 - Episode 30 - Aired 11/14/2021

Main story: the mechanics of union busting, and why the companies who do it face so few consequences; plus, John checks in on the insurrection—the story that kicked the year off wrong.

August 15, 2021: Ransomware
star
7.72
352 votes

#5 - August 15, 2021: Ransomware

Season 8 - Episode 21 - Aired 8/15/2021

Main story: ransomware attacks, why they’re on the rise, and what can be done about them; plus, the spread of the Delta variant.

October 3, 2021: PFAS
star
7.71
365 votes

#6 - October 3, 2021: PFAS

Season 8 - Episode 25 - Aired 10/3/2021

Main story: PFAS—a class of chemicals linked to an array of health issues—and why their widespread use isn’t as magical as it may seem.

Directors: Paul Pennolino
September 12, 2021: Lukashenko
star
7.71
370 votes

#7 - September 12, 2021: Lukashenko

Season 8 - Episode 23 - Aired 9/12/2021

Main story: the longtime leader of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko; plus, what a new abortion law in Texas means for Roe v. Wade.

November 7, 2021: The Power Grid
star
7.70
368 votes

#8 - November 7, 2021: The Power Grid

Season 8 - Episode 29 - Aired 11/7/2021

Main story: the state of the nation’s power grid; plus, how world leaders aren’t living up to their promises on climate action.

Directors: Paul Pennolino
March 14, 2021: Tucker Carlson
star
7.68
447 votes

#9 - March 14, 2021: Tucker Carlson

Season 8 - Episode 5 - Aired 3/14/2021

Main story: Where Tucker Carlson came from and why he’s admired by white nationalists; plus, reaction to the Biden COVID-19 relief bill.

May 16, 2021: Stand Your Ground
star
7.67
397 votes

#10 - May 16, 2021: Stand Your Ground

Season 8 - Episode 12 - Aired 5/16/2021

Main story: why “stand your ground” laws were created, who they protect, and, crucially, who they don’t. Plus, a look at the past week’s events in Israel.

August 8, 2021: Opioids III – The Sacklers
star
7.66
367 votes

#11 - August 8, 2021: Opioids III – The Sacklers

Season 8 - Episode 20 - Aired 8/8/2021

Main story: How the Sackler family has been handling lawsuits related to the opioid crisis; plus, Russia’s participation in the Tokyo Olympics.

February 14, 2021: Next Pandemic
star
7.65
512 votes

#12 - February 14, 2021: Next Pandemic

Season 8 - Episode 1 - Aired 2/14/2021

Main story: What could cause the next pandemic, what we can do to avoid it, and why you shouldn’t kiss pigs; plus, fallout from Trump’s second impeachment trial.

May 2, 2021: Vaccine Misinformation
star
7.64
399 votes

#13 - May 2, 2021: Vaccine Misinformation

Season 8 - Episode 10 - Aired 5/2/2021

Main story: Why some people don’t want to get the COVID-19 vaccine; plus, when governments try to tweet; Dana Perino grew up on a ranch.

September 26, 2021: Voting Rights
star
7.63
353 votes

#14 - September 26, 2021: Voting Rights

Season 8 - Episode 24 - Aired 9/26/2021

Main story: the current attacks on voting rights, who’s behind them, and what we can do about it. Plus, how thousands of migrants were treated at the U.S. border last week, and why the Biden Administration needs to take a firmer stance on immigration reform; and a look at the federal duck stamp contest.

February 21, 2021: Meatpacking
star
7.61
467 votes

#15 - February 21, 2021: Meatpacking

Season 8 - Episode 2 - Aired 2/21/2021

Main story: Working conditions in the meatpacking industry; plus, the Texas power crisis in the wake of severe winter weather.

October 24, 2021: Taiwan
star
7.61
366 votes

#16 - October 24, 2021: Taiwan

Season 8 - Episode 27 - Aired 10/24/2021

Main story: Taiwan’s history of being governed by other countries, and its relationship with China; plus, why some cops are refusing vaccinations.

Directors: Paul Pennolino
August 22, 2021: Afghanistan
star
7.59
383 votes

#17 - August 22, 2021: Afghanistan

Season 8 - Episode 22 - Aired 8/22/2021

Main story: the end of America’s war with Afghanistan, and the humanitarian crisis being left behind; plus, why two attorneys are locked in a legal battle, and how they could come to a resolution outside of court.

April 4, 2021: Debt
star
7.59
414 votes

#18 - April 4, 2021: Debt

Season 8 - Episode 7 - Aired 4/4/2021

Main story: How national debt works and why it might be more helpful that you think; plus, Giuliani freaks over Lil Nas X; Amazon’s anti-union tactics; Peeps and Pepsi form an unholy alliance.

March 21, 2021: Plastics
star
7.54
427 votes

#19 - March 21, 2021: Plastics

Season 8 - Episode 6 - Aired 3/21/2021

Main story: How plastics are harming the planet, and why recycling isn’t the solution you think it is; plus, the Atlanta mass shootings and hate crimes against Asian-Americans.

October 31, 2021: Homelessness
star
7.53
366 votes

#20 - October 31, 2021: Homelessness

Season 8 - Episode 28 - Aired 10/31/2021

Main story: With homelessness increasing nationwide, John Oliver examines the way we discuss the unhoused; plus, a look at Biden’s spending plan.

Directors: Paul Pennolino
June 27, 2021: Health Care Sharing Ministries
star
7.53
374 votes

#21 - June 27, 2021: Health Care Sharing Ministries

Season 8 - Episode 17 - Aired 6/27/2021

Main story: The limitations of Health Care Sharing Ministries, a faith-based alternative to health insurance; plus, the ItalyGate conspiracy theory.

March 7, 2021: Unemployment
star
7.53
426 votes

#22 - March 7, 2021: Unemployment

Season 8 - Episode 4 - Aired 3/7/2021

Main story: The many obstacles that impede access to unemployment benefits; plus, Fox News freaks out over Dr. Seuss; Texas lifts its mask mandate; Neil Cavuto really loves Adele.

June 6, 2021: Asian Americans
star
7.51
377 votes

#23 - June 6, 2021: Asian Americans

Season 8 - Episode 14 - Aired 6/6/2021

Main story: Examining the diverse group of people who fall under the term “Asian American,” and the history of the model minority stereotype. Plus, Jair Bolsonaro is jeopardizing the national and global health.

April 11, 2021: Long Term Care
star
7.51
397 votes

#24 - April 11, 2021: Long Term Care

Season 8 - Episode 8 - Aired 4/11/2021

Main story: Why nursing homes and assisted living facilities need fixing; plus, the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program; Matt Gaetz and Venmo; R.I.P. Yahoo! Answers.

August 1, 2021: Emergency Medical Services
star
7.50
358 votes

#25 - August 1, 2021: Emergency Medical Services

Season 8 - Episode 19 - Aired 8/1/2021

Main story: how emergency medical services function in the U.S., why they can be so expensive, and what we can do to fix things.