Ep 7. Apr 8, 2018

In the seventh episode of season 5 of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, which originally aired on April 8, 2018, John Oliver covers a range of topics, as is typical for the show. First up, he discusses the tensions between the United States and North Korea, particularly in light of the planned meeting between President Trump and Kim Jong-un. Oliver examines the history of the U.S.'s relationship with North Korea, explaining how the country has been a thorn in America's side for decades.

Next, Oliver turns to a more lighthearted topic: the National Rifle Association's (NRA) own TV network, NRATV. Oliver describes NRATV as a "bizarro version of existing TV channels," with programming that includes shows like "Love at First Shot" and "Noir," which Oliver describes as "like Top Gear, if Top Gear was made by your dad's midlife crisis come to life."

From there, Oliver delves into the world of corporate consolidation, using the example of the proposed merger of Sinclair Broadcast Group and Tribune Media. Oliver argues that such mergers are bad for both consumers and democracy, as they lead to less competition and less diverse viewpoints in the media landscape.

Moving on to the topic of cryptocurrency, Oliver provides an overview of the concept and the many, many problems associated with it. He takes aim in particular at the "ICO" (Initial Coin Offering) phenomenon, which he describes as "a way to fleece new investors to the tune of billions of dollars." Oliver does point out that blockchain technology, which underpins cryptocurrency, could have some potential applications in the future, but that the current state of cryptocurrencies is largely a mess.

Finally, Oliver tackles the issue of food waste, drawing attention to the staggering amount of food that is thrown away every year. The segment includes an interview with chef and food activist Massimo Bottura, who discusses his nonprofit organization, Food for Soul, which repurposes unwanted food for use in soup kitchens and other programs. Oliver highlights several other organizations that are working to combat food waste, and emphasizes the social, economic, and environmental benefits of doing so.

As always, Oliver delivers his commentary with his signature mix of humor, insight, and righteous anger, making for an entertaining and informative episode of Last Week Tonight.