Episode 1
February 20, 2022: Critical Race Theory
Feb 20, 2022
John Oliver explains what critical race theory is, what it isn't, and why we can expect to hear more about it in the coming months. Plus, the Canadian trucker protests.
Episode 2
February 27, 2022: Sex Work
Feb 27, 2022
As long as sex work has existed, so have efforts to end it. John Oliver explains why criminalizing the trade hasn’t helped the most vulnerable people involved, and why we should start listening to those at the center of the conversation: sex workers. Plus, Russian invasion into Ukraine, that has placed the whole world at the brink of WW3.
Episode 3
March 6, 2022: Wrongful Convictions
Mar 6, 2022
John Oliver talks about the current practices of overturning wrongful convictions and how it is quite unsupportive of even apparently innocent people. He advocates for urgent reforms in the flawed system which is clearly not working in favor of the innocents. Plus, the heroic resistance of Ukrainians against the invasion of Russia.
Episode 4
March 13, 2022: Tickets
Mar 13, 2022
John Oliver explains why concert tickets are so expensive, who’s making money off of them, and which One Direction is his favorite. Plus, the introduction of some appalling anti-LGBT laws in several states.
Episode 5
March 27, 2022: Harm Reduction
Mar 27, 2022
John Oliver discusses why overdoses in the U.S. have been on the rise and what we should, and shouldn't, be doing to prevent them. Plus, a rather odd yearly tradition in Nenana, Alaska.
Episode 6
April 3, 2022: Trucks
Apr 3, 2022
John Oliver explains how truck drivers get paid, how they often don’t, and how companies exploit them to increase profits. Plus, Republican congressman Madison Cawthorn's tales of GOP orgies and drug use has him in trouble with his own party.
Episode 7
April 10, 2022: Data Brokers
Apr 10, 2022
John Oliver discusses how much data brokers know about us, what they’re doing with our personal information, and one unusual way to change privacy laws. Plus, Russian State TV lies about the Ukraine war; DirecTV drops OAN; John says goodbye to AT&T.
Episode 8
April 17, 2022: Police Interrogations
Apr 17, 2022
John Oliver discusses the tactics that can make police interrogations so damaging, particularly to the innocent. Plus, a look at Dr. Oz's campaign for U.S. Senate.
Episode 9
May 1, 2022: Environmental Racism
May 1, 2022
John Oliver discusses environmental racism, how both government and industry are failing people of color and how zoning is manipulating the same people to live in adverse conditions. Plus, pandas doing some weird things and 'gas math' by Shaquille O'Neal.
Episode 10
May 8, 2022: Abortion Ruling/Philippines Election
May 8, 2022
John Oliver discusses the current presidential election in The Philippines and why Bongbong Marcos is - albeit in a very limited and unflattering way - sort of like Ant-Man. Plus, the leaked anti-abortion draft opinion that looks set to overturn Roe v. Wade, how we got to this point, and where we may be headed.
Episode 11
May 15, 2022: Utilities
May 15, 2022
John Oliver discusses the incredible amount of power we give electric utility companies, how weakly regulated they are, and why they get such bad Yelp reviews. Plus, a look at Alabama's extreme anti-trans law and some ridiculous participants of the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.
Episode 12
May 22, 2022: Subway
May 22, 2022
John Oliver discusses one of the largest franchises in the U.S., how their business model doesn’t always serve franchisees, and what it all has to do with Korean dramas.
Episode 13
June 5, 2022: School Police
Jun 5, 2022
In the wake of the mass shooting in Uvalde, John Oliver discusses the push for more police in schools and whether they are the answer to school safety issues, or a new problem altogether. Plus, John makes an offer for a banana sculpture in Australia.
Episode 14
June 12, 2022: Tech Monopolies
Jun 12, 2022
John Oliver discusses tech monopolies such as Apple, Google, Amazon, and Facebook, and how to address the hidden harm they can do. Plus, a look at the hotly contested U.S. Senate race in Arizona, which includes Trump-endorsed candidate Blake Masters.
Episode 15
June 19, 2022: Rent
Jun 19, 2022
John Oliver discusses why rent has become increasingly unaffordable, what we can do to combat a system that is stacked against tenants, and, of course, Dakota Johnson’s complex relationship to limes. Plus, a look at GOP primary winners claiming the 2020 election was stolen.
Episode 16
June 26, 2022: Water
Jun 26, 2022
John Oliver discusses the water shortage in the American west; plus, the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Episode 17
July 24, 2022: Inflation
Jul 24, 2022
John Oliver discusses the causes of inflation and what we've done about it; plus, updates on the beach dolls and the banana sculpture.
Episode 18
July 31, 2022: Mental Health Care
Jul 31, 2022
John Oliver discusses the cracks in our broken mental health care system; plus, a look at who's running to become the UK's prime minister.
Episode 19
August 7, 2022: Monkeypox
Aug 7, 2022
John Oliver discusses the recent monkeypox outbreak in the U.S., how the authorities have fumbled the response to it, and some aspirations for this coming autumn. Plus, Walter from Butler, Indiana, likes to share stuff, perhaps a little too much.
Episode 20
August 14, 2022: Afghanistan
Aug 14, 2022
John Oliver discusses what’s happened since the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan, how their ongoing crisis has even more to do with our decisions than you might think, and how to properly modify the verb “feel”. Plus, some true masterpieces of an AI-generated art.
Episode 21
August 21, 2022: Carbon Offsets
Aug 21, 2022
John Oliver explains what carbon offsets are, what they claim to do, how they might be making climate change even worse, and, of course, how Oscar Isaac is getting hotter.
Episode 22
September 11, 2022: Law & Order
Sep 11, 2022
John Oliver discusses the wildly popular television franchise, what it’s been teaching us about law enforcement, and how it differs from the reality. Plus, some important developments in British politics.
Episode 23
September 25, 2022: Bolsonaro
Sep 25, 2022
John Oliver discusses Jair Bolsonaro, how he's run Brazil as president and how far he might go to maintain power after the upcoming election. Plus, the absurd stunt by Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis involving Martha's Vineyard and why people in Puerto Rico are getting fed up by the electric company Luma.
Episode 24
October 2, 2022: Museums
Oct 2, 2022
John Oliver discusses some of the world's most prestigious museums, why they contain so many stolen goods, the market that continues to illegally trade antiquities, and a pretty solid blueprint for revenge. Plus, the disappearance of the British PM Liz Truss.
Episode 25
October 9, 2022: Crime Reporting
Oct 9, 2022
John Oliver discusses the outlets that cover crime, the incentives that drive them, the flawed sources they rely upon, and an alternative name for Miss Piggy. Plus, why teenage girls in Iran are leading massive protests against the current regime.
Episode 26
October 16, 2022: Transgender Rights II
Oct 16, 2022
John Oliver discusses the latest round of attacks on transgender rights, what’s at stake, and how kids are schooling the ignorant adults on this topic. Plus, why the Crimean Bridge is having a bad time these days.
Episode 27
October 30, 2022: Bail Reform
Oct 30, 2022
With the U.S. midterm elections approaching, John Oliver discusses the issue at the core of many republican attack ads: bail reform. Plus, the turmoil in British politics after the resignation of PM Liz Truss.
Episode 28
November 6, 2022: Election Subversion
Nov 6, 2022
With the U.S. midterm elections approaching, John Oliver discusses what happens after the votes are in, how some elected officials might try to negate legitimate election results, and which teletubby would taste best. Plus, the Halloween costume of Heidi Klum.
Episode 29
November 13, 2022: The Monarchy
Nov 13, 2022
John Oliver discusses the future of the British monarchy, what they have and have not acknowledged about their past, and how Winston Churchill preferred to go down waterslides. Plus, Steve Kornacki and his big board.
Episode 30
November 20, 2022: Qatar World Cup
Nov 20, 2022
John Oliver discusses the Qatar World Cup, the human-rights violations happening in the sporting event’s host country, and what perfection really means to David Beckham. Plus, the chaos Twitter is experiencing after Elon Musk took over the company and more of AI-generated art featuring John Oliver.
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