Ep 18. July 2, 2017

In this episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, which aired on July 2, 2017, John Oliver begins by discussing the increasing number of lawsuits being filed against President Donald Trump. He points out that Trump's use of Twitter has led to legal issues, particularly with the travel ban. Oliver then shifts focus to the issue of gerrymandering. He explains that gerrymandering is the practice of drawing voting districts in a way that benefits one political party over another. He argues that it is a major problem in the United States, and shows examples of maps that have been drawn to benefit specific parties, including a district in North Carolina that looks like a snake.

Oliver brings up the fact that the Supreme Court will soon hear a case about gerrymandering in Wisconsin, and he interviews a man named Bill Whitford who is one of the plaintiffs in the case. Whitford explains that even though he lives in a mostly Democratic district, his vote doesn't really matter because it is drowned out by the surrounding Republican districts. Oliver points out that this problem is not unique to one political party, and that both parties have benefited from gerrymandering at various times.

Oliver then talks about the phenomenon of "forensic science" being used in criminal trials. He shares a clip of a woman who was convicted of murder based on a bite mark match, but was later exonerated when it was shown that the science behind bite marks was flawed. Oliver points out that many people have been wrongly convicted based on faulty forensic science, including a group of men known as the "Beatrice Six." He interviews one of the men, James Dean, and explains how their lives were ruined by false confessions and bad science.

The show then transitions to a segment about the crisis in Venezuela. Oliver explains that the country has been facing economic troubles for years, and that things have gotten worse since President Nicolás Maduro took power. He shows clips of protests and police brutality, and argues that the situation is a humanitarian crisis. Oliver worries that the United States is not paying enough attention to what is happening in Venezuela, and suggests that the government should consider imposing sanctions on Maduro.

Finally, Oliver talks about the rising number of people who identify as "none" when asked about their religious affiliation. He explains that this group is now the largest "religious" group in the United States, and shares clips of politicians who assume that everyone is a Christian. Oliver argues that everyone should have the right to practice their own religion, or not practice one at all, and encourages people to be more accepting of those who are different from them.

Overall, this episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver covers a wide range of topics, from gerrymandering to the crisis in Venezuela to forensic science. Oliver approaches each issue with his trademark wit and humor, while also highlighting important issues that deserve more attention.