A half-hour satirical look at the week in news, politics and current events.
Table of Contents
#1 – Government Surveillance
Season 2 – Episode 8
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.
The episode was rated from 617 votes.
#2 – Net Neutrality
Season 1 – Episode 5
John talks about the rise of the far-right political parties in Europe, the Ukrainian election, Afghanistan, Net Neutrality, Australia’s hard-line right-wing Prime Minister Tony Abbott and the 2014 Scripps National Spelling Bee.
The episode was rated from 371 votes.
#3 – Tobacco
Season 2 – Episode 2
Thanks to tobacco industry regulations and marketing restrictions in the US, smoking rates have dropped dramatically. John Oliver explains how tobacco companies are keeping their business strong overseas. We’ve noticed that the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue still exists but can’t quite figure out why.
The episode was rated from 376 votes.
#4 – Miss America
Season 1 – Episode 18
The Miss America Pageant…how is this still a thing? They claim to give more scholarships to women than any other organization, and, unfortunately, they’re right. To illustrate these problems, John Oliver stages his own pageant with the help of Kathy Griffin.
The episode was rated from 395 votes.
#5 – The Lottery
Season 1 – Episode 24
The Lottery: State lotteries claim to be good for education and the general wellbeing of citizens. But are they? (Spoiler alert: No.) Salmon Canon: There is a cannon that shoots salmon over dams. It’s awesome. Check it out.
The episode was rated from 401 votes.
#6 – SLAPP Suits
Season 6 – Episode 29
After winning a legal battle involving a coal executive and a giant squirrel, John Oliver explains how SLAPP suits are designed to stifle public dissent.
The episode was rated from 610 votes.
#7 – FIFA and the World Cup
Season 1 – Episode 6
John talks about California Chrome and the Belmont Stakes, FIFA and the 2014 World Cup, and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The episode was rated from 436 votes.
#8 – Miltary Translators
Season 1 – Episode 21
Translators who have aided the U.S. Military in Afghanistan and Iraq are in great danger in their home countries, but red tape is making it impossible for many of them to leave. John Oliver interviews Mohammad, one translator who made it out. Cameras aren’t allowed in the Supreme Court, so most coverage of our most important cases looks like garbage. We fixed that problem with real animals and fake paws.
The episode was rated from 411 votes.
#9 – Civil Forfeiture
Season 1 – Episode 20
Did you know police can just take your stuff if they suspect it’s involved in a crime? They can! It’s a shady process called “civil asset forfeiture,” and it would make for a weird episode of Law and Order.
The episode was rated from 398 votes.
#10 – Student Debt
Season 1 – Episode 16
John talks about ISIS and student loan debt. Musical group A Great Big World make a special appearance.
The episode was rated from 387 votes.