Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Season 2

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Former Daily Show host and correspondent John Oliver brings his persona to this weekly news satire program.

Where to Watch Season 2

35 Episodes

Marketing to Doctors
E1
Marketing to DoctorsJohn Oliver discusses the growing issues of pharmaceutical companies marketing directly to and through doctors. Also, since RadioShack has filed for bankruptcy, John has created a farewell message for them. Plus, the online sessions by Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa to address the public aren't going too well.
Tobacco
E2
TobaccoIn typical John Oliver style HBO raises the budgets for a full out attack against international tobacco companies like Marlboro with mascots, signs and T-Shirts, John Olive succeeds in patting the tobacco industries on the back and punching them, hard, in the face.
Elected Judges
E3
Elected JudgesThe vast majority of US judges are elected, forcing many judges to pander to the electorate and accept campaign money in order to keep their jobs. This seems slightly troubling... The UK's Labour Party has painted a campaign van pink in an attempt to attract women voters. We are glad they didn't keep going with that strategy.
Infrastructure
E4
InfrastructureJohn demonstrates the importance of infrastructure with a trailer for a movie thriller about civil engineering, starring Edward Norton, Vincent D'Onofrio, and Steve Buscemi. He also discusses Boris Nemstov.
U.S. Territories
E5
U.S. TerritoriesA set of Supreme Court decisions made over 100 years ago has left U.S. territories without meaningful representation. That’s weird, right? Plus, daylight saving time doesn’t actually benefit anyone. Strangely, it’s still a thing!
The NCAA
E6
The NCAAThe NCAA doesn’t pay athletes because they consider them amateurs. The NCAA considers them amateurs because they don’t get paid.
Municipal Violations
E7
Municipal ViolationsIf you have money, committing a municipal violation may pose you a minor inconvenience. If you don’t, it can ruin your life. Also, the New Hampshire legislature refused to make the red-tailed hawk the official raptor of their state... so Last Week Tonight made it the official raptor of the show.
Government Surveillance
E8
Government SurveillanceThere 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.
The IRS
E9
The IRSNobody likes the IRS. But recent budget and staff cuts have made it increasingly difficult for the department to do its very important job. Don’t take our word for it. Ask Michael Bolton.
Patents
E10
PatentsFor inventors, patents are an essential protection against theft. But when patent trolls abuse the system by stockpiling patents and threatening lawsuits, businesses are forced to shell out tons of money. Also, CNN produced an actual doomsday video to broadcast when the world is ending and it’s incredibly dull. We've enlisted Martin Sheen to help make humanity’s final moments happier!
Fashion
E11
FashionJohn explores the concept of changing and cheap fashion and some of the ugliest truths of the manufacturing process.
Standardized Testing
E12
Standardized TestingAmerican students face a ridiculous amount of testing. John Oliver explains how standardized tests impact school funding, the achievement gap and how often the kids are expected to throw up while taking one.
Paid Family Leave
E13
Paid Family LeaveMany American companies do not offer paid leave after the birth of a child, which means they probably shouldn’t run sappy Mother’s Day ads. Also, the Japanese have some unhealthy obsession with mascots and John proposes to adopt some of that culture in the U.S. government agencies as well.
Chickens
E14
ChickensJohn Oliver explains how chicken farming can be unfair, punishing, and inhumane. And not just for the chickens!
FIFA II
E15
FIFA IIAfter the arrests of numerous top officials, John Oliver decided to give an update on the state of FIFA. Also, Thailand's ignorance about the world's history involving Hitler might require some re-education.
Bail
E16
BailJohn Oliver explains why America’s bail system is better for the reality TV industry than it is for the justice system.
Torture
E17
TortureThe US Senate Torture Report revealed horrifying details of America's interrogation program. Helen Mirren will fill you in. Plus, information about the 2015 European Games and the Canadian Senate expenses scandal.
The Internet
E18
The InternetOnline harassment is a major problem, but it’s rarely prosecuted. If only we’d been warned about this in the early days of the internet.
Transgender Rights
E19
Transgender RightsThis week’s gay rights victory was historic, but the transgender community still faces staggering challenges. John Oliver focuses on the “T” in “LGBT."
Stadiums
E20
StadiumsCities spend massive amounts of public money on privately-owned stadiums. Cities issue tax-exempt municipal bonds that — wait, don’t fall asleep!
Food Waste
E21
Food WasteProducers, sellers, and consumers waste tons of food. John Oliver discusses the shocking amount of food we don’t eat.
Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Laws
E22
Mandatory Minimum Sentencing LawsMandatory minimums require fixed prison sentences for certain crimes. John Oliver explains why we treat some turkeys better than most low-level offenders.
District of Columbia
E23
District of ColumbiaWashington DC experiences taxation without representation. It's also missing from rhyming state songs. John Oliver and a group of singing children fix one of these problems. Plus, a sex scandal involving the Chairman of the British House of Lords.
Sex Education
E24
Sex EducationSex education varies widely between school districts, leaving many teens without comprehensive information. We made a video that covers what some schools are too embarrassed to teach.
Church
E25
ChurchJohn discusses predatory churches and televangelism, and how the U.S. tax law allows them to get away with almost anything. Plus, the raising of the American flag in Cuba, the redesign of New Zealand's flag, and President Harding's illegitimate child.
LGBT Discrimination
E26
LGBT DiscriminationThis year’s gay marriage ruling was a milestone, but LGBT discrimination is still surprisingly legal. John Oliver explains why we need a federal anti-discrimination law. Plus, the rising tensions on the border between North and South Korea, and why Vladimir Putin has started a war on food.
Public Defenders
E27
Public DefendersThe Miranda warning includes the right to a public defender. It doesn’t include the fact that public defenders are highly overworked and grossly underpaid. Plus, a Michigan state legislature scandal, Guatemala's unusual election, and the longevity of Queen Elizabeth II.
Migrants and Refugees
E28
Migrants and RefugeesMillions of migrants seeking asylum in Europe face hostility, racism, and red tape. John Oliver does one admittedly tiny thing for one of them. Plus Pope's visit to the U.S., the unsavory practices of Volkswagen car manufacturer, and some shocking allegations about the activities of former British PM David Cameron.
Mental Health
E29
Mental HealthJohn discusses Russia's involvement in Syria, the U.N. General Assembly, and the problems with the national system for treating mental illness. Plus, why creating a Yelp-like app for rating other people seems like a bad idea.
North Dakota
E30
North DakotaWith the recent oil boom in North Dakota, massive oil spills and environmental damage go unpunished as profits and greed destroy this beautiful state. Lawmakers allows a devious hiring practice that exempts profiting oil companies from unsafe and fatal working conditions.
Canada
E31
CanadaCanada is about to have a major election. John Oliver enlists Mike Myers, a beaver, and a moose to give voters some advice. Plus, the unpopularity of the Mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto and the habit of American politicians to misquote historical figures.
Medicaid Gap
E32
Medicaid GapJohn Oliver looks at the upcoming local state elections, the results of which could affect the lives of millions of Americans that are looking for Medicaid assistance. Plus, the 'peace talks' held in Vienna, Austria concerning the war in Syria gather nearly 20 countries, but not a single representative from Syria itself. And how Kenny G could help de-escalate the tension between China and its neighbors in South China Sea.
Prisoner Re-entry
E33
Prisoner Re-entryJohn Oliver discusses problems that prisoners face when re-entering the society after they're released from prison. A quick interview with Bilal Chatman shines a light on one such case. Plus, a law proposed in the United Kingdom advocates for a mass surveillance of citizens' online activities, how Department of Defense is paying huge sums of money to professional sports teams to honor veterans during their events, and Washington Redskins file a lawsuit to defend their poorly chosen trademark name by naming other terrible examples.
Daily Fantasy Sports
E34
Daily Fantasy SportsJohn talks about the recent Paris attacks, China's Singles Day, the Koh-i-Noor diamond and Daily Fantasy Sports.
Refugees & Pennies
E35
Refugees & PenniesJohn reflects on the aftermath of Paris attacks and how it affects refugees worldwide. Plus, he questions the usefulness of the U.S. penny, since minting the coins costs more than they're actually worth.