Ryan Barger — Editor
Episodes 41
Climate Change Denial
John talks about Eurovision, Ukraine and Russia's relations and interviews Bill Nye about Climate Change.
Read MoreThe Right to Be Forgotten
John talks about the product recall going on at General Motors, the EU Court of Justice "Right to be Forgotten" ruling and updates us on how the Indian election is going with help from Fareed Zakaria.
Read MoreNet Neutrality
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.
Read MoreBurwell v. Hobby Lobby
John Oliver sheds light on recent Supreme Court cases and discusses gay rights in Uganda with activist Pepe Julian Onziema.
Read MoreIncarceration in the United States
John talks about the Gaza crisis, the decay of American prisons and the gambling addiction problem in Singapore.
Read MoreNuclear Weapons and the United States
John talks about human rights violations in the Middle East, nuclear disarmament and Russia's science satellite that lost communication.
Read MoreNative Advertising
John talks about Uganda's anti-gay laws, the CIA's recent report on their use of torture, the New York Port Authority, Argentina's default on debt and native advertising.
Read MorePayday Loans
John talks about the return of US military actions in Iraq, replacing all passwords due to a global security breach and the terrible practices of the Payday Loan industry.
Read MoreShooting of Michael Brown and Police Militarization
Focuses on the shooting of Michael Brown and police militarization in Ferguson, MO. John also discusses the topic of equal pay for equal work.
Read MoreGovernment Surveillance
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.
Read MoreStandardized Testing
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.
Read MoreDaily Fantasy Sports
John talks about the recent Paris attacks, China's Singles Day, the Koh-i-Noor diamond and Daily Fantasy Sports.
Read MoreRefugees & Pennies
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.
Read MoreAbortion Laws
John talks about the South Carolina Republican primary, the Supreme Court vacancy and abortion, which theoretically is legal in the U.S., but some states make it practically inaccessible. Plus, how is Hollywood whitewashing still a thing?
Read MoreSpecial Districts
Special districts spend more public money than all city governments combined. That's odd considering most of us don't know they exist.
Read MoreScientific Studies
John Oliver on Sticking to the Facts: Media outlets often report new findings from scientific studies, but how many are true?
Read MoreFebruary 20, 2022: Critical Race Theory
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.
Read MoreApril 3, 2022: Trucks
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.
Read MoreApril 17, 2022: Police Interrogations
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.
Read MoreMay 15, 2022: Utilities
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.
Read MoreMay 22, 2022: Subway
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.
Read MoreJune 5, 2022: School Police
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.
Read MoreJune 19, 2022: Rent
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.
Read MoreJune 26, 2022: Water
John Oliver discusses the water shortage in the American west; plus, the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Read MoreFebruary 19, 2023: Psychedelic Assisted Therapy
John Oliver discusses psychedelic assisted therapy: its history, its potential, and what it has to do with A$AP Rocky’s relationship to rainbows. Plus, the Fox News lawsuit and the Ohio train derailment.
Read MoreFebruary 26, 2023: Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming part of our lives, from self-driving cars to ChatGPT. John Oliver discusses how AI works, where it might be heading next, and, of course, why it hates the bus.
Read MoreMarch 5, 2023: Ron DeSantis
John Oliver discusses Ron DeSantis, his track record as the governor of Florida, the pitfalls of comparing him to Donald Trump, and the supposed dangers of “woke math.” Plus, the hilarious advertising by a plumbing company called Radiant.
Read MoreMarch 12, 2023: TANF
John Oliver discusses TANF - a federal program designed to help families with little to no income – who’s currently receiving these vital funds, who should be receiving them, and what it all has to do with Brett Favre. Plus, a look at Tennessee’s new law about drag performances and the lieutenant governor who supports the law.
Read MoreApril 2, 2023: Solitary Confinement
John Oliver discusses solitary confinement, how prevalent it is, how damaging it can be, and, of course, how to hit the woah.
Read MoreApril 9, 2023: Homeowners Associations
John Oliver discusses homeowners associations, the surprising power they have, and how to tell if a tree is “tree-shaped.”
Read MoreApril 16, 2023: Farmworkers
John Oliver discusses the conditions farmworkers face, how we failed to protect them, and the Jolly Green Giant’s body hair.
Read MoreApril 30, 2023: Biden and the Border
A look at the things Biden has promised to fix about our southern border, what he has and hasn’t done, and a magnificent pile of gators.
Read MoreOctober 1, 2023: Prison Health Care
John Oliver discusses the health care offered in prisons; plus, a look at the past five months, from the WGA strike to Lauren Boebert.
Read MoreOctober 8, 2023: Homeschooling
John Oliver discusses homeschooling, its surprising lack of regulation in many states, and, crucially, Darth Vader's parenting skills.
Read MoreOctober 22, 2023: McKinsey
John Oliver discusses the oldest and largest management consulting firm: McKinsey & Company.
Read MoreOctober 29, 2023: Chocolate
John Oliver discusses chocolate, cocoa farming, and, of course, some facts that will make Halloween a little weird.
Read MoreNovember 5, 2023: Abortion Rights
John Oliver discusses the ongoing fallout from the overturning of Roe v. Wade as the November elections approach.
Read MoreNovember 19, 2023: Dollar Stores
John Oliver discusses dollar stores and why Irish Spring is not his soap of choice.
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