Seasons & episodes
S2 · E1Marketing to Doctors 2015-02-08 · 30 min
John 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.
S2 · E2Tobacco 2015-02-15 · 30 min
Thanks to tobacco industry regulations and marketing restrictions in the U.S., smoking rates have dropped dramatically. John Oliver explains how tobacco companies are keeping their business strong overseas and how Phillip Morris International in particular is employing some unethical legal practices while suing some of the world's poorest countries. Plus, we've noticed that the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue still exists but can’t quite figure out why.
S2 · E3Elected Judges 2015-02-22 · 30 min
The 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.
S2 · E4Infrastructure 2015-03-01 · 30 min
America's crumbling infrastructure: It's not a sexy problem, but it is a scary one.
S2 · E5U.S. Territories 2015-03-08 · 30 min
A 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!
S2 · E6The NCAA 2015-03-15 · 30 min
The NCAA doesn’t pay athletes because they consider them amateurs. The NCAA considers them amateurs because they don’t get paid.
S2 · E7Municipal Violations 2015-03-22 · 30 min
If 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.
S2 · E8Government Surveillance 2015-04-05 · 30 min
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.
S2 · E9The IRS 2015-04-12 · 30 min
Nobody 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.
S2 · E10Patents 2015-04-19 · 30 min
For 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!
S2 · E11Fashion 2015-04-26 · 30 min
John explores the concept of changing and cheap fashion and some of the ugliest truths of the manufacturing process.
S2 · E12Standardized Testing 2015-05-03 · 30 min
American 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.
S2 · E13Paid Family Leave 2015-05-10 · 30 min
Many 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.
S2 · E14Chickens 2015-05-17 · 30 min
John Oliver explains how chicken farming can be unfair, punishing, and inhumane. And not just for the chickens!
S2 · E15FIFA II 2015-05-31 · 30 min
After 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.
S2 · E16Bail 2015-06-07 · 30 min
John Oliver explains why America’s bail system is better for the reality TV industry than it is for the justice system.
S2 · E17Torture 2015-06-14 · 30 min
The 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.
S2 · E18The Internet 2015-06-21 · 30 min
Online 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.
S2 · E19Transgender Rights 2015-06-28 · 30 min
This week’s gay rights victory was historic, but the transgender community still faces staggering challenges. John Oliver focuses on the “T” in “LGBT."
S2 · E20Stadiums 2015-07-12 · 30 min
Cities spend massive amounts of public money on privately-owned stadiums. Cities issue tax-exempt municipal bonds that — wait, don’t fall asleep!
S2 · E21Food Waste 2015-07-19 · 30 min
Producers, sellers, and consumers waste tons of food. John Oliver discusses the shocking amount of food we don’t eat.
S2 · E22Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Laws 2015-07-26 · 30 min
Mandatory minimums require fixed prison sentences for certain crimes. John Oliver explains why we treat some turkeys better than most low-level offenders.
S2 · E23District of Columbia 2015-08-02 · 30 min
Washington 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.
S2 · E24Sex Education 2015-08-09 · 30 min
Sex 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.