Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 1 Episode 20 Episode 20

In episode 20 of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, the British comedian and political commentator tackles a wide range of topics, starting with a discussion on the recent U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee report on the CIA's use of torture tactics in the post-9/11 era. Oliver provides a detailed analysis of the report, pointing out the horrifying and graphic details of the torture practices that were used on detainees in Guantanamo Bay and other secret prisons around the world.

In addition to the torture report, Oliver also takes a look at the decline of American infrastructure and the lack of funding that is allocated to repairing and maintaining the country's roads, bridges, and other vital structures. He examines how the U.S. has fallen behind other countries in terms of infrastructure development and warns of the potential dangers if nothing is done to address the issue.

Oliver also discusses the ongoing protests in Ferguson, Missouri, following the shooting of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown by a police officer. He highlights the racial tensions that underlie the protests and delves into the police tactics that have been used to quell the unrest. Oliver argues that the militarization of police forces in the U.S. has led to a dangerous environment where innocent civilians are often treated like enemy combatants.

The show also features a segment on the issue of net neutrality, which Oliver calls "the most boring topic imaginable." Despite the dry subject matter, Oliver manages to inject humor and wit into the discussion, while still making a compelling case for why net neutrality is important for the future of the internet.

In addition to these weighty topics, the episode also includes a lighter segment on the popularity of the Icelandic naming system, which allows citizens to create unique surnames based on the names of their parents. Oliver explores the hilarious and sometimes bizarre names that have been created under this system and marvels at how Icelanders manage to keep track of each other despite having such unconventional names.

Overall, episode 20 of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver is a thought-provoking and entertaining look at some of the important issues facing the world today. Oliver's unique blend of humor and insight keeps viewers engaged throughout the episode, while also encouraging them to think critically about the complex challenges facing society.