Oliver dedicated significant segments to the mechanics of the U.S. legal system, including Police Interrogations (Episode 8), Wrongful Convictions (Episode 3), and a viral examination of the Law & Order franchise's impact on public perception of policing (Episode 22).
Season 9 maintained the show’s high critical standard, with reviewers praising its ability to "bet on the audience's intelligence". While some critiques noted a predictable format, the show's research-heavy approach remained a hallmark of the season. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - Season 9
Oliver investigated the hidden costs of everyday life, highlighting the business models of Electric Utilities (Episode 11), the rise of Data Brokers (Episode 7), and the affordability crisis in Rent (Episode 15). Oliver dedicated significant segments to the mechanics of
HBO's 'Last Week Tonight with John Oliver': A Season 9 Retrospective While some critiques noted a predictable format, the
The ninth season was characterized by its deep dives into topics often overlooked by standard news cycles, grouped into several major themes:
The season addressed urgent social debates, such as Critical Race Theory (Episode 1), Sex Work (Episode 2), and Transgender Rights II (Episode 26), which revisited the topic six years after its first major segment.
The season's impact was solidified during the awards circuit: Season 9 – Last Week Tonight With John Oliver