Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Ep 20: August 8, 2021: Opioids III – The Sacklers | Official Website for the HBO Series

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver | Season 8 | Episode 20

August 8, 2021: Opioids III – The Sacklers

TV-MA | 32 MIN

How the Sackler family has been handling lawsuits related to the opioid crisis; plus, Russia’s participation in the Tokyo Olympics.

Season 8
Episodes

Season 8 Episodes

1. February 14, 2021: Next Pandemic

Main story: What could cause the next pandemic, what we can do to avoid it, and why you shouldn’t kiss pigs; plus, Impeachment Part 2.

2. February 21, 2021: Meatpacking

Main story: Working conditions in the meatpacking industry; plus, the Texas power crisis in the wake of severe winter weather.

3. February 28, 2021: Raids

Main story: How few guardrails there are on the use of police raids; plus, New York governor Andrew Cuomo faces multiple scandals.

4. March 7, 2021: Unemployment

Main story: The many obstacles that impede access to unemployment benefits; plus, Fox News freaks out over Dr. Seuss.

5. March 14, 2021: Tucker Carlson

Main story: Where Tucker Carlson came from and why he's admired by white nationalists; plus, reaction to the Biden COVID-19 relief bill.

6. March 21, 2021: Plastics

Main story: How plastics are harming the planet, and why recycling isn’t the solution you think it is; plus, the Atlanta mass shootings.

7. April 4, 2021: Debt

How national debt works; plus, Giuliani freaks over Lil Nas X; Amazon's anti-union tactics; Peeps and Pepsi form an unholy alliance.

8. April 11, 2021: Long Term Care

Main story: Why nursing homes and assisted living facilities need fixing; plus, the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program; Matt Gaetz and Venmo.

9. April 18, 2021: Bankruptcy

Main story: Why people file for bankruptcy and how difficult the process can be; plus, a look at police brutality in the U.S.

10. May 2, 2021: Vaccine Misinformation

Main story: Why some people don’t want to get the COVID-19 vaccine; plus, when governments try to tweet; Dana Perino grew up on a ranch.

11. May 9, 2021: Hair

Main story: The ways Black hair can be a target of discrimination; plus, the race for governor in California, and GOP voter suppression.

12. May 16, 2021: Stand Your Ground

John Oliver examines why ''stand your ground'' laws were created. Plus, a look at the past week’s events in Israel.

13. May 23, 2021: Sponcon

John Oliver explains why the integrity of local news is so important; plus, how some red states are trying to overturn Roe v. Wade.

14. June 6, 2021: Asian Americans

John Oliver discusses the large and diverse group of people who fall under the term ''Asian American.'' Plus, COVID, Brazil, and Soccer.

15. June 13, 2021: Prison Heat

How the failure to air-condition prisons can cause health issues for incarcerated people; plus, a look at the NYC mayoral candidates.

16. June 20, 2021: PACE

How PACE, a program meant to pay for environmentally-friendly home renovations, is fundamentally flawed; plus, John talks Tokyo Olympics.

17. June 27, 2021: Health Care Sharing Ministries

The limitations of Health Care Sharing Ministries, a faith-based alternative to health insurance; plus, the ItalyGate conspiracy theory.

18. July 25, 2021: Housing Discrimination

John Oliver breaks down the history of housing discrimination in the U.S.; plus, John is headed back to the studio and makes a new friend.

19. August 1, 2021: Emergency Medical Services

John Oliver explains how emergency medical services function in the U.S., why they can be so expensive, and what we can do to fix things.

20. August 8, 2021: Opioids III – The Sacklers

How the Sackler family has been handling lawsuits related to the opioid crisis; plus, Russia’s participation in the Tokyo Olympics.

21. August 15, 2021: Ransomware

John Oliver discusses ransomware attacks, why they’re on the rise, and what can be done about them; plus, the spread of the Delta variant.

22. August 22, 2021: Afghanistan

John Oliver discusses the end of America’s war with Afghanistan; plus, how two steely attorneys could end their heated dispute.

23. September 12, 2021: Lukashenko

John Oliver discusses the longtime leader of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko; plus, what a new abortion law in Texas means for Roe v. Wade.

24. September 26, 2021: Voting Rights

A look at the current attacks on voting rights; plus, how migrants were treated at the border last week; the federal duck stamp contest.

25. October 3, 2021: PFAS

John Oliver discusses PFAS—a class of chemicals linked to an array of health issues—and why their use isn’t as magical as it may seem.

26. October 10, 2021: Misinformation

A look at how misinformation spreads among immigrant diaspora communities; plus, AT&T's involvement with far-right One America News.

27. October 24, 2021: Taiwan

Taiwan’s history of being governed by other countries, and its relationship with China; plus, why some cops are refusing vaccinations.

28. October 31, 2021: Homelessness

With homelessness increasing nationwide, John Oliver examines the way we discuss the unhoused; plus, a look at Biden’s spending plan.

29. November 7, 2021: The Power Grid

John Oliver discusses the state of the nation’s power grid; plus, how world leaders aren’t living up to their promises on climate action.

30. November 14, 2021: Union Busting

John Oliver discusses union busting, and why companies who do it face so few consequences; plus, an update on the insurrection.