Last Week Tonight with John Oliver poster

TV series

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

2014TV-MA13 seasons7.8 / 10

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A half-hour satirical look at the week in news, politics and current events.

Streaming, rental and purchase options

Where to watch in United States

Checked Jul 22, 2026

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver is available to stream on HBO (Via Hulu), HBO Max, Max (Via Amazon Prime), Spectrum On Demand, and YouTube TV in United States. You can also buy it from Amazon and Apple TV. Use the direct links below to open the provider.

Availability and prices can change. Confirm the details on the streaming service before you subscribe, rent or buy.

Synopsis

A half-hour satirical look at the week in news, politics and current events.

Season 2 episodes

Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.

← Season 1

Episode 1

Marketing to Doctors

30m7.4 / 10

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.

Episode credits

Directed by Jim HoskinsonWritten by Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim CarvellGuest stars Brian Huskey, Tara Holt, Kyle Ploof, Frank Rodriguez, Mari Weiss, Dale E. Turner

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 2

Tobacco

30m7.8 / 10

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.

Episode credits

Directed by Jim HoskinsonWritten by Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim CarvellGuest stars Cristina Fernandez, Noel MacNeal, Henry Leyva

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 3

Elected Judges

30m8.1 / 10

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.

Episode credits

Directed by Jim HoskinsonWritten by Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim CarvellGuest stars Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Nick Hetherington, Polly Lee, Noel MacNeal

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 4

Infrastructure

30m7.4 / 10

America's crumbling infrastructure: It's not a sexy problem, but it is a scary one.

Episode credits

Directed by Jim HoskinsonWritten by Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim CarvellGuest stars Steve Buscemi, Hope Davis, Vincent D'Onofrio, Michael Gaston, Dan Hedaya, Josh Lucas, Edward Norton, Campbell Scott

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 5

U.S. Territories

30m8.5 / 10

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!

Episode credits

Directed by Jim HoskinsonWritten by Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim CarvellGuest stars Noel MacNeal, Daniel Spenser Levine, Eliza Ohman

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 6

The NCAA

30m7.4 / 10

The NCAA doesn’t pay athletes because they consider them amateurs. The NCAA considers them amateurs because they don’t get paid.

Episode credits

Directed by Jim HoskinsonWritten by Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim CarvellGuest stars Ed O'Bannon, Jalen Rose, Ryan Barger

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 7

Municipal Violations

30m8.1 / 10

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.

Episode credits

Directed by Jim HoskinsonWritten by Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim CarvellGuest stars Rob Riggle, Ellen Marlow

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 8

Government Surveillance

30m9.3 / 10

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.

Episode credits

Directed by Jim HoskinsonWritten by Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim CarvellGuest stars Edward Snowden, Becky Ann Baker

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 9

The IRS

30m7.5 / 10

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.

Episode credits

Directed by Jim HoskinsonWritten by Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim CarvellGuest stars Michael Bolton

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 10

Patents

30m8.5 / 10

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!

Episode credits

Directed by Jim HoskinsonWritten by Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim CarvellGuest stars Martin Sheen, Noel MacNeal, Haley Jenkins, Paul McGinnis, Michael Schupbach, James Wojtal

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 11

Fashion

30m8.3 / 10

John explores the concept of changing and cheap fashion and some of the ugliest truths of the manufacturing process.

Episode credits

Directed by Jim HoskinsonWritten by Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim CarvellGuest stars Dave Coleman, Elliott Ferretti-Gray, Haley Higgins, Christian Paxton, Austin Michael Young

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 12

Standardized Testing

30m8.3 / 10

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.

Episode credits

Directed by Jim HoskinsonWritten by Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim CarvellGuest stars Mike Carlsen, Wyatt Cenac, Rachel Feinstein, Alex Karpovsky, Noel MacNeal, Henry Leyva

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 13

Paid Family Leave

30m8.5 / 10

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.

Episode credits

Directed by Jim HoskinsonWritten by Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim CarvellGuest stars Bob Balaban, Alberto Bonilla, America Ferrera, Erinn Hayes, Kahan James, David Wain, Adrienne Warren, Stephanie D'Abruzzo

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 14

Chickens

30m8.0 / 10

John Oliver explains how chicken farming can be unfair, punishing, and inhumane. And not just for the chickens!

Episode credits

Directed by Jim HoskinsonWritten by Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim CarvellGuest stars Lance Doss

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 15

FIFA II

30m8.9 / 10

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.

Episode credits

Directed by Jim HoskinsonWritten by Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim CarvellGuest stars Rip Taylor, Christian Lanz

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 16

Bail

30m8.5 / 10

John Oliver explains why America’s bail system is better for the reality TV industry than it is for the justice system.

Episode credits

Directed by Jim HoskinsonWritten by Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim CarvellGuest stars Becky Ann Baker, Michael Torpey, William Stephenson, Dean Winters, Watt White, Ashley Blankenship, Luke Gulbranson, Lorianna Izrailova

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 17

Torture

30m8.8 / 10

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.

Episode credits

Directed by Jim HoskinsonWritten by Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim CarvellGuest stars Helen Mirren

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 18

The Internet

30m8.7 / 10

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.

Episode credits

Directed by Jim HoskinsonWritten by Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim CarvellGuest stars Colin Hanks, Rob Huebel

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 19

Transgender Rights

30m8.7 / 10

This week’s gay rights victory was historic, but the transgender community still faces staggering challenges. John Oliver focuses on the “T” in “LGBT."

Episode credits

Directed by Jim HoskinsonWritten by Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim CarvellGuest stars Corey Burton, Anna Graves, Christian Lanz, Bobby Cannavale

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 20

Stadiums

30m8.3 / 10

Cities spend massive amounts of public money on privately-owned stadiums. Cities issue tax-exempt municipal bonds that — wait, don’t fall asleep!

Episode credits

Directed by Jim HoskinsonWritten by Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim CarvellGuest stars Mike Carlsen

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 21

Food Waste

30m8.4 / 10

Producers, sellers, and consumers waste tons of food. John Oliver discusses the shocking amount of food we don’t eat.

Episode credits

Directed by Jim HoskinsonWritten by Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim CarvellGuest stars Caroline Bednar, Phillip Chorba, Mylinda Hull, Matthew Mindler

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 22

Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Laws

30m8.1 / 10

Mandatory minimums require fixed prison sentences for certain crimes. John Oliver explains why we treat some turkeys better than most low-level offenders.

Episode credits

Directed by Jim HoskinsonWritten by Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim CarvellGuest stars Salli Saffioti, Jason Jones

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 23

District of Columbia

30m8.6 / 10

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.

Episode credits

Guest stars Caleb McLaughlin

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 24

Sex Education

30m8.4 / 10

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.

Episode credits

Guest stars Nick Offerman, Laverne Cox, Kristen Schaal, Megan Mullally, Jonathan Banks, Kumail Nanjiani, Aisha Tyler, Jack McBrayer

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 25

Church

30m9.0 / 10

John 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.

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 26

LGBT Discrimination

29m8.1 / 10

This 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.

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 27

Public Defenders

30m8.3 / 10

The 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.

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 28

Migrants and Refugees

30m8.0 / 10

Millions 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.

Episode credits

Guest stars Alison Sweeney, James Scott

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 29

Mental Health

30m8.3 / 10

John 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.

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 30

North Dakota

30m8.2 / 10

North Dakota is known for being polite, but perhaps they’ve been a little too hospitable to oil companies. Plus, the mess atop of FIFA's leadership and the connection between Toyota and ISIS.

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 31

Canada

30m8.4 / 10

Canada 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.

Episode credits

Guest stars Mike Myers

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 32

Medicaid Gap

30m7.7 / 10

John 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.

Episode credits

Guest stars Kenny G

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 33

Prisoner Re-entry

30m7.9 / 10

John 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.

Episode credits

Directed by Jim HoskinsonWritten by Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim CarvellGuest stars Bilal Chatman

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 34

Daily Fantasy Sports

30m8.1 / 10

John talks about the recent Paris attacks, China's Singles Day, the Koh-i-Noor diamond and Daily Fantasy Sports.

Episode credits

Directed by Jim HoskinsonWritten by Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim CarvellGuest stars Kathryn Hahn, Seth Rogen, Mike Birbiglia, Jerrod Carmichael, Dante Hoagland, Adam Pally, Martin Starr, Kat Cressida

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode 35

Refugees & Pennies

30m8.1 / 10finale

John 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.

Episode credits

Directed by Jim HoskinsonWritten by Jill Twiss, Jeff Maurer, Dan Gurewitch, Juli Weiner, Kevin Avery, Will Tracy, John Oliver, Geoff Haggerty, Scott Sherman, Josh Gondelman, Tim CarvellGuest stars Rachel Dratch, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Noel MacNeal, Ashley Blankenship, Paul McGinnis

Where to watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Episode information updated Jul 23, 2026

More about Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Cast

John OliverSelf - Host
David Kaye(voice)
Alberto BonillaAverage American
Rachel DratchWanda Jo
Richard KindRichard Sackler
James WojtalPuppeteer
Kyle PloofSpace Gecko
Ashley BlankenshipModel

Credits

Created by
John Oliver
Written by
John Oliver, Tim Carvell, Jeff Maurer, Jill Twiss, Juli Weiner, Scott Sherman, Geoff Haggerty, Dan Gurewitch, Kevin Avery, Daniel O'Brien, Charlie Redd, Chrissy Shackelford, Owen Parsons, Will Tracy, Ali Barthwell, Johnathan Appel, Joanna Rothkopf, Seena Vali, Mark Kramer, Liz Hynes, Josh Gondelman, Ryan Ken, Taylor Kay Phillips, Sofía Manfredi

Production details

Status
Returning Series
Series type
News
Episodes
372
Original language
English

Networks & production

  • HBOUnited States
  • Sixteen String Jack ProductionsUnited States
  • Avalon TelevisionUnited States
  • Partially Important ProductionsUnited States
  • Borchard EntertainmentUnited States
  • Peyance Productions

Themes

clichéderogatoryglobal politicslate-night showmelancholypolitical satirepretentious