Ep 22. August 26, 2018

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver is a television show that airs on HBO. It is a satirical news program that focuses on political and social issues in the United States and around the world. The show is hosted by comedian and former Daily Show correspondent John Oliver, who delivers monologues on a variety of topics each week.

In season 5 episode 22, which aired on August 26, 2018, John Oliver tackled a range of issues, from the Catholic Church's sexual abuse scandal to the rise of authoritarianism around the world. The episode began with Oliver's trademark opening monologue, in which he commented on recent events and made jokes about the news of the day.

Oliver then shifted his focus to the Catholic Church, which has been rocked by a series of sexual abuse scandals involving priests and other clergy members. The host discussed the recent release of a Pennsylvania grand jury report that detailed the abuse of more than 1,000 children by over 300 priests in the state. Oliver criticized the church's response to the scandal, arguing that it had been more concerned with protecting its reputation than with addressing the issue.

The episode also featured a segment on authoritarianism, which Oliver defined as a political system in which power is concentrated in the hands of a single individual or small group. He gave examples of countries that are currently experiencing this type of government, such as Russia and China, and discussed the dangers of authoritarianism for democracy and human rights. Oliver also pointed out that authoritarianism is not unique to non-Western countries, citing the growing trend of populist leaders in Europe and the United States.

Another segment focused on the role of public shaming in our society. Oliver examined several recent incidents of people being shamed on social media, such as the woman who was fired from her job after posting a photo of herself flipping off President Trump's motorcade. He argued that while public shaming can be an effective tool for holding people accountable, it can also go too far and have serious consequences for the shamed individual.

Finally, the episode ended with a segment on jury duty, which is a civic duty that many Americans dread. Oliver discussed the important role that jurors play in the justice system, and offered some tips on how to make the experience more bearable.

Overall, season 5 episode 22 of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver was a thought-provoking and insightful look at some of the most pressing issues facing our society today. Oliver's humor and wit helped to make these complex topics more accessible to viewers, and his willingness to tackle controversial subjects head-on made for compelling television.