The WORST episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Every episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst 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. LWT draws its comedy and satire from recent news stories, political figures, media organizations, pop culture, and often aspects of the show itself.
#1 - June 20, 2021: PACE
Season 8 - Episode 16 - Aired 6/20/2021
Main story: How PACE, a program meant to pay for environmentally-friendly home renovations, is fundamentally flawed and can put people at risk of losing their homes; plus, a look at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.
#2 - May 9, 2021: Hair
Season 8 - Episode 11 - Aired 5/9/2021
Main story: The ways Black hair can be a target of discrimination; plus, the race for governor in California, and GOP voter suppression.
#3 - June 13, 2021: Prison Heat
Season 8 - Episode 15 - Aired 6/13/2021
Main story: How the failure to air-condition prisons can cause health issues for incarcerated people; plus, a look at the NYC mayoral candidates.
#4 - April 21, 2024: UFOs
Season 11 - Episode 9 - Aired 4/21/2024
John Oliver explains why we need honest inquiry into UFO sightings, covers the week’s protests in the US over the war in Gaza, and recaps Adeel Mangi’s confirmation hearing.
#5 - April 18, 2021: Bankruptcy
Season 8 - Episode 9 - Aired 4/18/2021
Main story: Why people file for bankruptcy and how difficult the process can be; plus, a look at police brutality in the U.S.
#6 - April 9, 2023: Homeowners Associations
Season 10 - Episode 7 - Aired 4/9/2023
John Oliver discusses homeowners associations, the surprising power they have, and how to tell if a tree is ‘’tree-shaped.’’
#7 - Episode 200
Season 7 - Episode 21 - Aired 8/16/2020
Main story: people of color are routinely excluded from becoming jurors; plus, Republicans embrace QAnon; Trump brings back birtherism.
#8 - March 30, 2025: Tasers
Season 12 - Episode 6 - Aired 3/30/2025
John Oliver discusses whether Tasers are as safe and effective as the company that makes them claims, the broader effect Tasers have had on policing, and why you shouldn’t test Tasers out on any of your family members.
#9 - March 12, 2023: TANF
Season 10 - Episode 4 - Aired 3/12/2023
John Oliver discusses TANF – a federal program designed to help families with little to no income – who’s currently receiving these vital funds, who should be receiving them, and what it all has to do with Brett Favre. Plus, a look at Tennessee’s new law about drag performances and the lieutenant governor who supports the law.
#10 - April 14, 2024: Medicaid
Season 11 - Episode 8 - Aired 4/14/2024
John Oliver discusses why millions of people have been kicked off of Medicaid, why Medicaid access was difficult even before the current "unwinding," and what would happen if fruits and vegetables could talk.
#11 - July 25, 2021: Housing Discrimination
Season 8 - Episode 18 - Aired 7/25/2021
Main story: the long history of housing discrimination in the U.S., the damage it’s done, and, crucially, what we can do about it; plus, John is headed back to the studio and makes a new friend along the way.
#12 - Episode 56
Season 2 - Episode 32 - Aired 11/1/2015
John Oliver discusses the impact of the upcoming US elections on the status of Medicaid and tries to calm tensions in the East China Sea through Kenny G. In other news the peace talks in Syria feature no Syrians, the link between the Ukraine and Star Wars, and Andrew Lloyd Webber has some opinions on UK tax credits.
#13 - August 18, 2024: Hospice Care
Season 11 - Episode 21 - Aired 8/18/2024
John Oliver discusses hospice scams, the Trump campaign’s attempt to appear “not weird,” and the Republican primary candidates who are making the party seem stranger and stranger.
#14 - May 12, 2024: Opioid Settlements
Season 11 - Episode 11 - Aired 5/12/2024
John Oliver discusses how state and local governments in the US are spending opioid settlements, a new deportation plan in the UK, and, of course, his favorite contestant at Eurovision.
#15 - 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.
#16 - Episode 55
Season 2 - Episode 31 - Aired 10/18/2015
In order to help Canada with their upcoming election, John Oliver enlists Mike Myers, a beaver, and a moose to give some advice to voters. In other news the New Zealand Prime Minister admits to some interesting habits, Mexico isn't happy with it's president and a zoo in Denmark tries to educate visitors by butchering animals.
#17 - December 3, 2023: Organ & Body Donations
Season 10 - Episode 19 - Aired 12/3/2023
John Oliver discusses the systems in place for donating our organs and bodies, why those donations don't always go where we might think they're going, and which airline is the Greyhound bus of the sky.
#18 - August 11, 2024: Hawaii
Season 11 - Episode 20 - Aired 8/11/2024
John Oliver discusses how Hawaii has long been run for the benefit of everyone but Hawaiians, whether or not J.D. Vance is ok, and the Trump campaign’s weak attacks on Tim Walz and Kamala Harris.
#19 - 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.
#20 - Episode 57
Season 2 - Episode 33 - Aired 11/8/2015
John Oliver explains the hurdles for prisoner re-entry in the US with help from a real life ex-convict. In other news, the UK introduces new surveillance measures, US patriotism is an advertising gimmick, and the Washington Redskins defend their trademark.
#21 - March 10, 2024: State Medical Boards
Season 11 - Episode 4 - Aired 3/10/2024
John Oliver discusses how state medical boards fail to protect patients, Kamala Harris' awkward call for a ceasefire in Gaza, the North Carolina Republican running for governor, and which reality show would benefit from becoming a government psyop.
#22 - 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.
#23 - 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.
#24 - March 19, 2023: Timeshares
Season 10 - Episode 5 - Aired 3/19/2023
John Oliver discusses timeshares, how people get into them, why it’s so difficult to get out, and one exciting new business venture.
#25 - 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.