Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

10 Best Episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - Season 5

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver is a popular half-hour satirical show broadcasted on HBO since 2014. It takes a humorous look at the week's news, politics and current events. After 11 seasons, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver has amassed countless episodes, leaving viewers wondering which ones are the best. We've compiled a list of the top-ranked episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, according to viewers. From the Emmy-winning monologue on the greed of pharmaceutical companies to the hilarious segment on the FCC's net neutrality repeal, these are the best episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver rated by viewers.

Written by Sophie and last updated on apr 22, 2024.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

Advertisement
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - S5E8

#15 - Corporate Taxes (Season 5 - Episode 8)

Many of America’s largest corporations shift a surprising portion of their profits overseas to avoid paying taxes. Even more surprisingly, that’s a legal thing to do.

The episode was rated 7.85 from 841 votes.

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - S5E6

#14 - Immigration Courts (Season 5 - Episode 6)

Advertisement

America’s dysfunctional immigration court system forces many children to appear in court alone. That’s as ridiculous in real life as it would be on a courtroom television show.

The episode was rated 7.89 from 884 votes.

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - S5E26

#13 - Saudi Arabia (Season 5 - Episode 26)

Following the alarming disappearance of a Saudi journalist and political dissident, John Oliver examines America's uncomfortably comfortable relationship with Saudi Arabia.

The episode was rated 7.89 from 682 votes.

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - S5E15

#12 - Xi Jinping (Season 5 - Episode 15)

Advertisement

Chinese president Xi Jinping is amassing an alarming amount of political power. If only his propaganda videos made the idea of unrestricted authority seem as troubling as the concept of singing children.

The episode was rated 7.90 from 736 votes.

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - S5E3

#11 - NRA TV (Season 5 - Episode 3)

The NRA's streaming lifestyle network aims to boost gun sales, often by using an ominous tone that would make just about anything sound terrifying...including muffins.

The episode was rated 7.92 from 925 votes.

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - S5E28

#10 - Family Separation (Season 5 - Episode 28)

Advertisement

John Oliver discusses the disturbing policy that separated migrant families detained at our southern border, and the disturbingly real chance that it could happen again.

The episode was rated 7.92 from 652 votes.

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - S5E23

#9 - Facebook (Season 5 - Episode 23)

Facebook’s global expansion has been linked to political turmoil overseas, so maybe their ads should focus less on how they “connect the world” and more on why connecting people isn’t always the best idea.

The episode was rated 7.94 from 663 votes.

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - S5E29

#8 - Drain the Swamp (Season 5 - Episode 29)

Advertisement

Donald Trump promised to “drain the swamp.” But considering the culture of corruption inside of his administration, Washington is looking awfully...swampy.

The episode was rated 7.95 from 674 votes.

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - S5E1

#7 - Trump vs. The World (Season 5 - Episode 1)

America's reputation is being damaged by its own president. John Oliver, several dinosaurs, and the NYC Gay Men's Chorus remind the world that our country is...complicated.

The episode was rated 8.02 from 1046 votes.

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - S5E21

#6 - Trade (Season 5 - Episode 21)

Advertisement

Donald Trump is waging a trade war that hurts a lot of American workers. Maybe he would understand that if our heavy-handed documentaries about the global trading system were more informative.

The episode was rated 8.02 from 724 votes.

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - S5E24

#5 - Brett Kavanaugh (Season 5 - Episode 24)

John Oliver discusses the ongoing controversy surrounding Brett Kavanaugh, the sexual assault allegations against him, his Supreme Court nomination, and what that could all mean for the highest (mostly-dog) court in the land.

The episode was rated 8.06 from 677 votes.

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - S5E5

#4 - Mike Pence (Season 5 - Episode 5)

Advertisement

John Oliver can't help but say nice things about the Vice President's rabbit, Marlon Bundo. Last Week Tonight even wrote a children's book about him.

The episode was rated 8.07 from 929 votes.

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - S5E2

#3 - Italian Election (Season 5 - Episode 2)

Italy is in the throes of a turbulent race to elect a new prime minister. John Oliver discusses the colorful contenders and introduces an equally ridiculous candidate.

The episode was rated 8.09 from 929 votes.

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - S5E10

#2 - Rudy Giuliani (Season 5 - Episode 10)

Advertisement

Rudy Giuliani is new to Trump’s legal team, but not to public controversy. Last Week Tonight examines his turbulent record in the wake of his recent political upsets.

The episode was rated 8.15 from 882 votes.

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - S5E30

#1 - Authoritarianism (Season 5 - Episode 30)

John Oliver discusses the growing number of authoritarian leaders around the world, their common characteristics, and whether or not one of them is currently our president.

The episode was rated 8.18 from 687 votes.

Latest articles

Search for TV shows...

About Series with Sophie

Welcome to our community!

We are a community of women who are passionate about our favorite series and want to share that passion with others.

Our mission is to create a space where women can discover new content, connect with like-minded individuals, and engage in meaningful discussions about the series we love.

We believe that everyone should have access to reliable and trustworthy information about their favorite shows, and we strive to be the premier destination for women seeking that information. Whether you're looking for recaps, fan theories, or just want to connect with other fans, we've got you covered.

So join us and be a part of our growing community of series enthusiasts!