Ep 3. March 1, 2020

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver is a satirical news program that airs on HBO every Sunday evening. The show is hosted by British comedian John Oliver, who offers his unique perspective on current events and issues. In season 7 episode 3, which premiered on March 1, 2020, Oliver tackles a variety of topics, ranging from the coronavirus outbreak to the Census Bureau.

The episode starts with a segment on the coronavirus outbreak, which was still in its early stages at the time. Oliver jokes about the panic that was starting to set in, as people rushed to buy hand sanitizer and face masks. He also points out the racist reactions to the outbreak, with some people blaming China or Chinese people for the virus. To combat this, Oliver suggests renaming the virus "Pinkeye McGillicuddy" to make it less scary and more approachable.

After the coronavirus segment, Oliver moves on to a discussion of the Census Bureau and the upcoming 2020 Census. He explains the importance of the census, which determines how many seats each state gets in the House of Representatives and where federal funding goes. Oliver also points out some of the challenges of the census, such as the fact that some people are afraid to fill it out due to immigration fears. To help increase participation, Oliver suggests collaborating with celebrities to make the census more exciting and fun.

The next segment is about the Democratic primaries and the various candidates running for president. Oliver takes a deep dive into each candidate's strengths and weaknesses, from Elizabeth Warren's plans to Bernie Sanders' grumpiness. He also discusses some of the controversies surrounding the primaries, such as the confusion in Iowa over the results of the caucuses.

After the primaries segment, Oliver turns his attention to the fashion industry and the environmental impact of clothing. He points out that the fashion industry is one of the most polluting in the world, due to fast fashion and the overproduction of clothing. Oliver also discusses the labor practices of many fashion companies, which often rely on sweatshop labor. To help combat these issues, Oliver suggests buying secondhand clothing and supporting ethical fashion brands.

Finally, the episode ends with a segment on "public shaming," or the practice of calling out bad behavior on social media. Oliver discusses some of the controversies surrounding public shaming, such as the backlash against comedian Louis C.K. after he was accused of sexual misconduct. He also points out the potential dangers of public shaming, such as the possibility of ruining someone's life over a mistake. To help combat these dangers, Oliver suggests using empathy and forgiveness instead of just condemning people outright.

Overall, season 7 episode 3 of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver covers a wide range of topics, from politics to fashion to social issues. Oliver's signature humor and insightful commentary make the episode both entertaining and informative.