Last episode
Episode 21
s13e21 · 2026-08-17
Running · US
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
HBO Talk Show
What it is
On Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, John Oliver presents a satirical look at the week in news, politics and current events.
Episode highlights
Next episode
None captured
Episode guide
35 this season · 371 totals02e01 Marketing to Doctors 2015-02-09 04:00
Marketing to Doctors
John Oliver discusses the growing issues of pharmaceutical companies marketing directly to and through doctors.
s02e02 Tobacco 2015-02-16 04:00
Tobacco
John riffs on Yemen. Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa, '50 Shades of Grey', and the unethical legal practices of tobacco company Phillip Morris International.
s02e03 Elected Judges 2015-02-23 04:00
Elected Judges
John discusses United Kingdom general elections, judicial elections, and the Chinese New Year.
s02e04 Infrastructure 2015-03-02 04:00
Infrastructure
John demonstrates the importance of infrastructure with a special sketch starring Edward Norton, Vincent D'Onofrio, and Steve Buscemi. He also discusses the death of Putin opposition Boris Nemstov.
s02e05 U.S. Territories 2015-03-09 03:00
U.S. Territories
John Oliver discusses a Fanta controversy in Germany, citizenship grievances for those in U.S. territories, and cigarette packaging.
s02e06 The NCAA 2015-03-16 03:00
The NCAA
The NCAA doesn't pay students athletes because they are considered to be amateurs. They are considered to be amateurs because they don't get paid.
s02e07 Municipal Violations 2015-03-23 03:00
Municipal Violations
If you have money, committing a municipal violation may pose you a minor inconvenience. If you don't, it can ruin your life.
s02e08 Government Surveillance 2015-04-06 03:00
Government Surveillance
John heads to Russia to interview Edward Snowden as part of a segment on government surveillance.
s02e09 The IRS 2015-04-13 03:00
The IRS
John discusses the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), with a special appearance from Michael Bolton.
s02e10 Patents 2015-04-20 03:00
Patents
John discusses patents, Earth Day, and doomsday, with a special appearance from Martin Sheen.
s02e11 Fashion 2015-04-27 03:00
Fashion
John Oliver explores the concept of changing and cheap fashion and some of the ugliest truths of the manufacturing process.
s02e12 Standardized Testing 2015-05-04 03:00
Standardized Testing
John takes a look back at the news from the last week.
s02e13 Paid Family Leave 2015-05-11 03:00
Paid Family Leave
John discusses Victory Day in Russia, paid parental leave, and Japanese government mascots.
s02e14 Chickens 2015-05-18 03:00
Chickens
John takes a look back at last week's news.
s02e15 FIFA II 2015-06-01 03:00
FIFA II
John discusses the 2015 FIFA corruption case.
s02e16 Bail 2015-06-08 03:00
Bail
John explains why America's bail system is better for the reality TV industry than it is for the justice system.
s02e17 Torture 2015-06-15 03:00
Torture
John discusses the 2015 European Games, the Canadian Senate expenses scandal, and torture with the voice of special guest Helen Mirren.
s02e18 Online Harassment 2015-06-22 03:00
Online Harassment
Online harassment is a major problem, but it is rarely prosecuted. If only we'd been warned about this in the early days of the internet.
s02e19 Transgender Rights 2015-06-29 03:00
Transgender Rights
John discusses US Supreme Court decisions on gay marriage and Obamacre, former President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, transgender rights and leap second.
s02e20 Stadiums 2015-07-13 03:00
Stadiums
John discusses how taxpayer money is funding private sports stadiums.
s02e21 Food Waste 2015-07-20 03:00
Food Waste
Iran nuclear treaty; El Chapo prison escape; North Korea hosting Laibach band; food waste.
s02e22 Mandatory Minimums 2015-07-27 03:00
Mandatory Minimums
John explains why mandatory minimum sentences, especially for drug-related crimes, are in desperate need of reform.
s02e23 Washington DC Statehood 2015-08-03 03:00
Washington DC Statehood
John explains why Washington, D.C. deserves to be the 51st state - or at least get full voting rights in Congress.
s02e24 Sex Education 2015-08-10 03:30
Sex Education
Sex education in America; GOP Debate; India's short-lived porn-site ban; overpricing at Whole Foods.
s02e25 Televangelists 2015-08-17 03:00
Televangelists
John discusses predatory churches and TV evangelism, the raising of the American flag in Cuba, the redesign of New Zealand's flag, and President Harding's illegitimate child.
s02e26 LGBT Anti-Discrimination 2015-08-24 03:00
LGBT Anti-Discrimination
Despite the victory for marriage equality this summer, there is a long way to go to end LGBT discrimination, as John explains.
s02e27 Public Defenders 2015-09-14 03:00
Public Defenders
John talks about problems concerning public defenders in the American Judicial system, a Michigan state legislature scandal, Guatemala's unusual election, and Queen Elizabeth II and delivers a message from the Lady of Perpetual Exemption.
s02e28 Migrant Crisis 2015-09-28 03:00
Migrant Crisis
About Syrian refugees trying to get to Europe.
s02e29 Mental Health 2015-10-05 03:00
Mental Health
John discusses Russia's involvement in Syria, the U.N. General Assembly, and the problems with the national system for treating mental illness.
s02e30 North Dakota 2015-10-12 03:00
North Dakota
John takes a look at the harmful effects of the oil boom in North Dakota.
s02e31 Canada 2015-10-19 03:00
Canada
John discusses the upcoming Canadian election and urges Canadians not to vote for Stephen Harper.
s02e32 Elections/Medicaid Gap 2015-11-02 04:00
Elections/Medicaid Gap
Main story: Election 2015 and the Medicaid Gap; plus, China & Kenny G.; Syria peace talks; 'Star Wars' impact on Ukraine elections; United Kingdom tax credit vote.
s02e33 Prisoner Re-Entry 2015-11-09 04:00
Prisoner Re-Entry
United Kingdom proposed online mass surveillance law, Veterans Day, Washington Redskin trademark, Prisoner Reentry. Interview with Bilal Chapman.
s02e34 Daily Fantasy 2015-11-16 04:00
Daily Fantasy
John talks about the recent Paris attacks, China's Singles Day, the Koh-i-Noor diamond and Daily Fantasy Sports.
s02e35 Pennies 2015-11-23 04:02
Pennies
John reflects about the Paris attacks aftermath and how useless the U.S. penny is.