Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Season 2

S2·E1 Mytharc

Marketing to Doctors

Feb 8, 2015 · 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

S2·E2 Core

Tobacco

Feb 15, 2015 · 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

S2·E3 Core

Elected Judges

Feb 22, 2015 · 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...

S2·E4 Core

Infrastructure

Mar 1, 2015 · 30 min

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

S2·E5 Core

U.S. Territories

Mar 8, 2015 · 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 actual

S2·E6 Core

The NCAA

Mar 15, 2015 · 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·E7 Core

Municipal Violations

Mar 22, 2015 · 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

S2·E8 Core

Government Surveillance

Apr 5, 2015 · 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 balanc

S2·E9 Core

The IRS

Apr 12, 2015 · 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

S2·E10 Core

Patents

Apr 19, 2015 · 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

S2·E11 Core

Fashion

Apr 26, 2015 · 30 min

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

S2·E12 Core

Standardized Testing

May 3, 2015 · 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

S2·E13 Core

Paid Family Leave

May 10, 2015 · 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 o

S2·E14 Core

Chickens

May 17, 2015 · 30 min

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

S2·E15 Core

FIFA II

May 31, 2015 · 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

S2·E16 Core

Bail

Jun 7, 2015 · 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·E17 Core

Torture

Jun 14, 2015 · 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

S2·E18 Core

The Internet

Jun 21, 2015 · 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·E19 Core

Transgender Rights

Jun 28, 2015 · 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·E20 Core

Stadiums

Jul 12, 2015 · 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·E21 Core

Food Waste

Jul 19, 2015 · 30 min

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

S2·E22 Core

Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Laws

Jul 26, 2015 · 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·E23 Core

District of Columbia

Aug 2, 2015 · 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,

S2·E24 Core

Sex Education

Aug 9, 2015 · 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 tea

S2·E25 Core

Church

Aug 16, 2015 · 30 min

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 rede

S2·E26 Core

LGBT Discrimination

Aug 23, 2015 · 29 min

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

S2·E27 Core

Public Defenders

Sep 13, 2015 · 30 min

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 l

S2·E28 Core

Migrants and Refugees

Sep 27, 2015 · 30 min

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 u

S2·E29 Core

Mental Health

Oct 4, 2015 · 30 min

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 f

S2·E30 Core

North Dakota

Oct 11, 2015 · 30 min

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 Toyot

S2·E31 Core

Canada

Oct 18, 2015 · 30 min

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

S2·E32 Core

Medicaid Gap

Nov 1, 2015 · 30 min

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 'p

S2·E33 Core

Prisoner Re-entry

Nov 8, 2015 · 30 min

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

S2·E34 Mytharc

Daily Fantasy Sports

Nov 15, 2015 · 30 min

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

S2·E35 Mytharc

Refugees & Pennies

Nov 22, 2015 · 30 min

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