Episode
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Public Defenders
Overview
The Miranda warning includes the right to a public defender. It doesn’t include the fact that public defenders are highly overworked and grossly underpaid. Plus, a Michigan state legislature scandal, Guatemala's unusual election, and the longevity of Queen Elizabeth II.
Details
- Series
- Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
- Season
- Season 2
- Episode
- Episode 27
- Air date
- 2015-09-13
- Runtime
- 30 min
Episode context
Public Defenders is Episode 27 in Season 2 of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. It aired on 2015-09-13. The runtime is 30 min.
Previous / Next
Episode 26: LGBT Discrimination
This year’s gay marriage ruling was a milestone, but LGBT discrimination is still surprisingly legal. John Oliver explains why we need a federal anti-discrimination law. Plus, the rising tensions on the border between North and South Korea, and why Vladimir Putin has started a war on food.
Episode 28: Migrants and Refugees
Millions of migrants seeking asylum in Europe face hostility, racism, and red tape. John Oliver does one admittedly tiny thing for one of them. Plus Pope's visit to the U.S., the unsavory practices of Volkswagen car manufacturer, and some shocking allegations about the activities of former British PM David Cameron.
More episodes from this season
Episode 25: Church
John discusses predatory churches and televangelism, and how the U.S. tax law allows them to get away with almost anything. Plus, the raising of the American flag in Cuba, the redesign of New Zealand's flag, and President Harding's illegitimate child.
Episode 29: Mental Health
John discusses Russia's involvement in Syria, the U.N. General Assembly, and the problems with the national system for treating mental illness. Plus, why creating a Yelp-like app for rating other people seems like a bad idea.
Episode 24: Sex Education
Sex education varies widely between school districts, leaving many teens without comprehensive information. We made a video that covers what some schools are too embarrassed to teach.
Episode 30: North Dakota
North Dakota is known for being polite, but perhaps they’ve been a little too hospitable to oil companies. Plus, the mess atop of FIFA's leadership and the connection between Toyota and ISIS.
Episode 23: District of Columbia
Washington DC experiences taxation without representation. It's also missing from rhyming state songs. John Oliver and a group of singing children fix one of these problems. Plus, a sex scandal involving the Chairman of the British House of Lords.
Episode 31: Canada
Canada is about to have a major election. John Oliver enlists Mike Myers, a beaver, and a moose to give voters some advice. Plus, the unpopularity of the Mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto and the habit of American politicians to misquote historical figures.
Episode 22: Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Laws
Mandatory minimums require fixed prison sentences for certain crimes. John Oliver explains why we treat some turkeys better than most low-level offenders.
Episode 32: Medicaid Gap
John Oliver looks at the upcoming local state elections, the results of which could affect the lives of millions of Americans that are looking for Medicaid assistance. Plus, the 'peace talks' held in Vienna, Austria concerning the war in Syria gather nearly 20 countries, but not a single representative from Syria itself. And how Kenny G could help de-escalate the tension between China and its neighbors in South China Sea.
Episode 21: Food Waste
Producers, sellers, and consumers waste tons of food. John Oliver discusses the shocking amount of food we don’t eat.
Episode 33: Prisoner Re-entry
John Oliver discusses problems that prisoners face when re-entering the society after they're released from prison. A quick interview with Bilal Chatman shines a light on one such case. Plus, a law proposed in the United Kingdom advocates for a mass surveillance of citizens' online activities, how Department of Defense is paying huge sums of money to professional sports teams to honor veterans during their events, and Washington Redskins file a lawsuit to defend their poorly chosen trademark name by naming other terrible examples.