John Oliver is back with the third episode of Last Week Tonight‘s twelfth season, tackling three major issues in U.S. politics and economy: the FBI’s leadership, the Ukraine conflict, and the problematic tipping system in the country. With his blend of sarcasm and well-researched facts, the host delivers an analysis that, as usual, puts the spotlight on key figures of current affairs.
An FBI Under New Leadership
The episode kicks off by focusing on the new leadership at the FBI, where Oliver zeroes in on Kash Patel, who now heads the agency, and Dan Bongino, his second-in-command. The appointment of these figures has sparked controversy, and Oliver wastes no time exposing their records and political stances with his trademark wit.
Through clips and statements, the show examines Patel’s inclination toward the theory that the FBI has been weaponized politically, a claim that has deeply divided opinions in the country. Meanwhile, Bongino, known for his incendiary rhetoric on social media and conservative media outlets, raises concerns about the agency’s independence. Oliver sarcastically questions whether this duo is the best choice to maintain the impartiality of such a critical national security institution.
The Failed Meeting with Zelenskyy
The second major segment of the episode shifts to geopolitics, focusing on the failed meeting between the U.S. administration and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Oliver breaks down how what was meant to be a productive discussion ended up as a diplomatic disaster filled with misunderstandings and conflicting positions.
Using archived footage and media reports, the show illustrates how this situation reflects growing fatigue in Washington regarding aid to Ukraine. Oliver calls out the hypocrisy of certain political factions that publicly champion support for Ukraine while privately obstructing financial and logistical assistance. He also highlights the consequences of this impasse, warning that a lack of a united front could spell disaster in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Tipping Culture: An Institutionalized Injustice?
To wrap up the episode, Oliver dives into an issue that affects millions of American workers: the tipping system and low wages in the service sector. Using concrete examples and comparisons with other countries, he exposes how the U.S. model relies on paying employees less while expecting customers to make up the difference.
The host dissects how this structure benefits employers while placing workers in a precarious position, forcing them to depend on customer generosity to make ends meet. Oliver points out that, although some workers may receive good tips at times, the model does not guarantee stability or fair wages. Additionally, he examines how other countries have solved this problem by ensuring fair salaries without depending on customers’ willingness to tip.
A Classic Oliver Episode: Humor, Data, and Sharp Criticism
This episode of Last Week Tonight once again proves why the show remains a key source of current affairs analysis. Balancing information with satire, Oliver skillfully exposes the absurdities of U.S. politics and economic policies in an engaging and accessible way.
From the FBI’s leadership shifts to diplomatic missteps with Ukraine and labor exploitation through tipping, the episode leaves viewers with one unavoidable question: why do we keep accepting these broken systems? As always, Oliver’s combination of irony and evidence ensures that his message resonates far beyond the screen.
