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.
While midterm coverage is largely focused on the parts of Congress that do very little, vital (and bizarre) midterm elections are going unexamined. State legislators pass a lot of bills, and some of that efficiency is thanks to a group called ALEC that writes legislation for them. It’s as shady as it sounds!
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 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... The UK's Labour Party has painted a campaign van pink in an attempt to attract women voters. We are glad they didn't keep going with that strategy.
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 shell out tons of money. CNN produced an actual doomsday video to broadcast when the world is ending and it’s incredibly dull. We've enlisted Martin Sheen to help make humanity’s final moments happier!
North Dakota's reputation for politeness has led to oil companies taking advantage so John Oliver offers the people of the 'legendary' state a solution. In other news the war in Syria rages on, FIFA is still rife with corruption and Toyota are asked to explain why ISIS has so many of their vehicles.
In order to help Canada with their upcoming election, John Oliver enlists Mike Myers, a beaver, and a moose to give some advice to voters. In other news the New Zealand Prime Minister admits to some interesting habits, Mexico isn't happy with it's president and a zoo in Denmark tries to educate visitors by butchering animals.
John Oliver discusses the impact of the upcoming US elections on the status of Medicaid and tries to calm tensions in the East China Sea through Kenny G. In other news the peace talks in Syria feature no Syrians, the link between the Ukraine and Star Wars, and Andrew Lloyd Webber has some opinions on UK tax credits.
Main story: 2019–20 coronavirus outbreak, governmental response in the US, and the prevention of COVID-19. This episode was filmed at an unspecified location with no live audience as the studio and the show's offices were shut down after employees tested positive for COVID-19. John Oliver stated the show will go on hiatus for an unspecified amount of time but will definitely return.
Main story 1: how the Trump administration has handled the COVID-19 outbreak in the US, from lack of preparation, to mangled coordination, to harmful communication; main story 2, William Barr’s attitude toward authority and executive power, how that attitude has influenced Donald Trump’s presidency, and what it could mean if Trump wins a second term.
Main story: the current attacks on voting rights, who’s behind them, and what we can do about it. Plus, how thousands of migrants were treated at the U.S. border last week, and why the Biden Administration needs to take a firmer stance on immigration reform; and a look at the federal duck stamp contest.
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.
John Oliver explains what type of news should – and shouldn’t – warrant a push notification.