Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2, Episode 22: Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Laws

1

Marketing to Doctors

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 farewell message for them. Plus, the online sessions by Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa to address the public aren't going too well.

30 min

2

Tobacco

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 business strong overseas and how Phillip Morris International in particular is employing some unethical legal practices while suing some of the world's poorest countries. Plus, we've noticed that the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue still exists but can’t quite figure out why.

30 min

3

Elected Judges

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.

30 min

4

Infrastructure

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

30 min

5

U.S. Territories

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 actually benefit anyone. Strangely, it’s still a thing!

30 min

6

The NCAA

The NCAA doesn’t pay athletes because they consider them amateurs. The NCAA considers them amateurs because they don’t get paid.

30 min

7

Municipal Violations

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 red-tailed hawk the official raptor of their state... so Last Week Tonight made it the official raptor of the show.

30 min

8

Government 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.

30 min

9

The IRS

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 Bolton.

30 min

10

Patents

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. Also, 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!

30 min

11

Fashion

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

30 min

12

Standardized 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.

30 min

13

Paid Family Leave

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 obsession with mascots and John proposes to adopt some of that culture in the U.S. government agencies as well.

30 min

14

Chickens

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

30 min

15

FIFA II

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 require some re-education.

30 min

16

Bail

John Oliver explains why America’s bail system is better for the reality TV industry than it is for the justice system.

30 min

17

Torture

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 Canadian Senate expenses scandal.

30 min

18

The Internet

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.

30 min

19

Transgender Rights

This week’s gay rights victory was historic, but the transgender community still faces staggering challenges. John Oliver focuses on the “T” in “LGBT."

30 min

20

Stadiums

Cities spend massive amounts of public money on privately-owned stadiums. Cities issue tax-exempt municipal bonds that — wait, don’t fall asleep!

30 min

21

Food Waste

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

30 min

22

Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Laws

Mandatory minimums require fixed prison sentences for certain crimes. John Oliver explains why we treat some turkeys better than most low-level offenders.

30 min

23

District of Columbia

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, a sex scandal involving the Chairman of the British House of Lords.

30 min

24

Sex Education

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 teach.

30 min

25

Church

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 redesign of New Zealand's flag, and President Harding's illegitimate child.

30 min

26

LGBT Discrimination

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 rising tensions on the border between North and South Korea, and why Vladimir Putin has started a war on food.

29 min

27

Public Defenders

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 legislature scandal, Guatemala's unusual election, and the longevity of Queen Elizabeth II.

30 min

28

Migrants and Refugees

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 unsavory practices of Volkswagen car manufacturer, and some shocking allegations about the activities of former British PM David Cameron.

30 min

29

Mental Health

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 for rating other people seems like a bad idea.

30 min

30

North Dakota

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 Toyota and ISIS.

30 min

31

Canada

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 Peña Nieto and the habit of American politicians to misquote historical figures.

30 min

32

Medicaid Gap

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 'peace talks' held in Vienna, Austria concerning the war in Syria gather nearly 20 countries, but not a single representative from Syria itself. And how Kenny G could help de-escalate the tension between China and its neighbors in South China Sea.

30 min

33

Prisoner Re-entry

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 case. Plus, a law proposed in the United Kingdom advocates for a mass surveillance of citizens' online activities, how Department of Defense is paying huge sums of money to professional sports teams to honor veterans during their events, and Washington Redskins file a lawsuit to defend their poorly chosen trademark name by naming other terrible examples.

30 min

34

Daily Fantasy Sports

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

30 min

35

Refugees & 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.

30 min