S1 E5: Net Neutrality, Spelling Bees & EU Elections: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Season 1, Episode 5, June 1st, 2014. John Oliver urges viewers to defend net neutrality, asks when the U.S. will finally pull out of Afghanistan, and holds his own spelling bee. With a fun new definition for a word we all know and love.
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[@Izandaia]

If this episode was made just a few seasons later, John would've bought that bottle of coyote piss.

[@paulhammons7077]

Actually that's deer piss not coyote piss... got yah!😅

[@tannerdavisr]

And they would have actually made Nutflix

[@TangoCharlie-mz8lh]

"Lets see who Ukraine elected.....oh we're *waaaay* early"

[@korbindallas4552]

Ukrainian President "Chocolate King" Poroshenko "Ukraine went from(sic)...least whimsical to most whimsical country on Earth." Wait until you see the actor they elect next. He's really good...

[@elaineb7065]

@@korbindallas4552 I'll never forget the best trolling in recent history!!! Putin: passes multiple anti-gay laws Also Putin: invades Ukraine Zelensky, Ukraine President at the time: uploads vid of himself & his old pals dancing in full bondage gear, looking as gay as possible

[@fogrepairshipakashi5834]

Honestly, I wonder if these jokes are why John hasn't done a main segment on Ukraine.

[@Nhfilz]

This was arguably the episode that cemented Last Week Tonight’s place in popular culture for the next 10 years, I hate the term “viral” but after this aired, the show went from being almost unheard of to being talked about in every office in the country. It’s been a great addition to my entertainment diet ever since. Cheers!

[@sujimtangerines]

I think you're right...I wasn't on social media much but I do remember this comment deluge to the FCC making the news & since I couldn't afford HBO, I'd wait for the Internet Truck™ to drop off each episode. Definitely explains why I don't remember the previous episodes...

[@trentonaustin3318]

💯 While I came into LWT later (I think Trump vs Truth was the first episode I watched) I do remember everybody TALKING about this one & suddenly being experts on Net Neutrality.

[@matthewgoetter3127]

When he started addressing the people who write the comments, I got chills. That’s almost exactly the formula for Corrections with Seth Meyers. Genius commentators helping explain the world with a few laughs.

[@Nhfilz]

@@matthewgoetter3127 Jackals Unite!

[@DeadSezSo]

Yep, this was the episode! After this, the FCC site was inundated with comments which caused it to crash for some people and it was really the first time the show demonstrated is power to effect change! There's multiple instances of this show changing public perception or public interest in many subjects over the year and this is the one that started that proud tradition!

[@kaseywahl]

Season one literally feels like it happened 20 years ago. John Oliver -- and the rest of us -- aged 10 years during the pandemic.

[@Forrealnow09]

Only 10? 😅 I landed around 15

[@secreticelandprod]

So many people saying he aged hard lmao. Have you never seen someone in their 40s get grey hair or something?

[@mikemincey5998]

Sadly, have you realized how much is still relevant? I'm watching S1 E5 now, and they are talking about how they were preparing to remove net neutrality, and here we are, talking about bringing it back.

[@denverarnold6210]

​@@secreticelandprodi got gray, and I'm not even 40.

[@hawkeye5955]

​​@@denverarnold6210: I started getting gray around 35 and I felt like I aged 10 years even though only 4 had passed.

[@kleine.kleeblatt]

"If you want to do something evil, put it inside something boring." What a great line.

[@ellafunt]

look at him dancing in the confetti there. so young. so naive. so obilivious to the weirdly similar horrors ahead. I'm glad he treasured that moment appropriately

[@Onigirli]

These 'reflective' comments are annoying. Stop spoiling the future

[@AndreRyan00]

This was the episode when the show hit its stride…also, anyone else just binge watching these?😂

[@kevinvilmont6061]

Far right through Belgium. Perfection.😂

[@hhhhhmnnn]

john oliver addressing the internet commenter “monsters” has the same energy as seth meyers’ corrections show addressing the jackals in the youtube comments

[@erikg8526]

"IT WAS A RUSE, BATMAN!"

[@Tonyhouse1168]

Shut it Bird Bain!

[@CandiceSadako]

So interesting to watch this after so many years, knowing what both Ukraine and Afghanistan has been experienced since. Meanwhile Estonia is a now a digital state, and well, the US are worst than before...

[@beth12svist]

The funny thing to me in retrospect is that Estonia was well on its way to being a digital state already. I visited back in 2011 and it was already better on things like free public wi-fi than other European countries...

[@TheTenthDoctorandHisTardis]

Our season one rewatch surprise is definitely showing we just continue to fight about the same awful things.

[@NastyHudson]

You can see the moment 28:10 John realized that HBO had FU money when he seemed to break at the amount of confetti he had to swim through at the end.

[@Onigirli]

I don't see it, but interesting thought

[@FloatingSunfish]

This episode will forever be remembered as something that helped save the internet as we know it. The internet thanks you and your crew, John!

[@LadyDoomsinger]

"Protect" the internet would be a more accurate statement. The internet is never safe, there will always be those looking to exploit the system. Once we start thinking it's "saved" - we'll stop protecting it.

[@Uruz2012]

But net neutrality ended...😅

[@Whyiseverythingthesame]

This episode is surprisingly relevant today considering net neutrality just got put back in place so I'm very curious to relearn what I lost and then regained.

[@EndPoliticalCorruption]

The bits weren't set yet... "That's not Estonia, this is. Except it's not, that's Estonia. And from the looks of it, they still worry about Shrek attacks."

[@maarekstele2998]

The idea of smooth jazz Nazis is so funny i can't

[@johnchessant3012]

S1 E5 (aired June 1, 2014)

[@MeepsNcheese]

Thanks for doing this! I've been seeing your comments in the past few videos (I'm watching chronologically) and have found your comments really useful.

[@mouselemurbutt]

same! i was just about to thank you for putting the original airdates up. you are a saint of the church of our lady of perpetual exemption. 💚

[@ultimatehawkeyefangirl]

You’re doing important work, man!

[@davidfuentes9957]

Let’s pin this comment in the top, mates!

[@bananacat3109]

@@MeepsNcheesethe videos are in order on the playlist.

[@TheRagingRooster]

It truly is wild how relevant these old episodes still are

[@LaurieJW]

I am grateful these episodes have been made available. I subscribed to Max just for this show, and I was sad to only find two seasons available. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@user-gb7cl8np3p]

net neutrality is back :)

[@christopherbohanan4453]

Not if trump wins… he canceled it before and will again

[@bird-war]

On again, and hopefully not off again

[@whydoineedahandle1058]

Oh we are so back

[@nicholase2868]

It's absolutely bizarre how many of these episodes are relevant again.

[@DeadSezSo]

​@@nicholase2868 because of the regressive politics of a certain political party funded primarily by billionaires. Too many Americans aren't smart or educated enough to figure out when they are being indoctrinated by the very people which oppress them.

[@tristanflynn4014]

Every Australian: The fuck is a bloomin' onion and why do Americans keep associating us with it?

[@denverarnold6210]

It's a million calories of deliciousness

[@GioYoLOL]

I'm not even sure Outback Steakhouse still exists haha. Gotta get a Fosters while you're there. Good on ya mate. 😅😅

[@Asummersdaydreamer14]

I think back in 2014 the Net Neutrality segment was the first time I remember watching Last Week Tonight

[@THEREALZACHELMORE]

I still remember being in college waiting for Sunday to come for this show. Now, I teach middle school and wait for Sundays for this show. Nothing Ever Ends - Dr. Manhattan

[@whydoineedahandle1058]

Thank you for performing what is, with no competition, the most important public service in America: dealing with 11-14 year olds

[@joshuastanton6731]

“History repeats itself.” “War, war never changes.” Ron Pearlman Fallout 2. [Those who fail to learn from history are bound to repeat it.] A Marine Infantry/Intelligence veteran Iraq x2.

[@korbindallas4552]

Dr Manhattan should know what a half-life is. What does he mean by "never ends."?

[@Ruleof2Review]

“Now it’s time…to do some fucking karate.” Legendary.

[@CandaceChentel]

When he said “some of these videos are still relevant” he wasn’t wrong. Jesus.

[@Unalochy]

This 'Call To Arms' of the seedier side of the internet about net neutrality was such a rallying cry; I agree with everyone else that this was the epoch of this shows early success 👏

[@sigma682]

It was nice living in a world before Sean Spicer 😂

[@EndPoliticalCorruption]

John is having way too much fun in these early episodes. But he still made time for people-powered activism. Kudos.

[@glenndoverryan]

The messed up part is I completely forgot about all this stuff. Smdh. Glad they uploaded all these

[@tee_es_bee]

Thank you for releasing the entire first season from a current HBO subscriber! 🧡💛🧡

[@Lyrandar]

Ten years ago and shit is still relevant. Like its weird and disorienting. We really haven't progressed at all ...

[@Onigirli]

Yup... seems like fighting the return of even more regressive laws is the best we'll ever be able to do. Which is still a worthy fight but I give up on dreams of real progress

[@dblonde7]

So we just don’t trust anybody with the last name Abbott. Got it

[@Phillylove100]

10 years later and im still feeling the nonexistent effects of net neutrality. Literally shaking.

[@troyallen8223]

Tony Abbott and Mitch McConnell are cousins 😀😂🤣🤣🤣🤷🏼

[@vbarreiro]

Oh man before the Business Daddy times

[@andybusch6559]

Omg cuomo jumpscare near the end

[@bellyjellybean248]

Came looking in the comments for someone to say something about that lol

[@riodestrellas]

Hello @LastWeekTonight, could you kindly add the Original Air Date to the description of all these episodes?

[@nepenthe4929]

Nothing is so cathartic and hilarious! This show is the best. Thank you, Last Week Tonight team, for always delivering such insightful and entertaining content!

[@arrow_awsome]

i remeber watching this when it aired with my mom and asking her why people were laughing so hard at the dingo joke. man time really flys

[@cindyn7512]

Quoting the Witch from Wizard of Oz was perfect.

[@Sheesh-zw9ij]

John Oliver the gift that has always given and keeps giving ❤️

[@badatgamesguy5399]

It's like looking into a mirror of future disappointment.

[@ingridcastro-campos4912]

Minute 20! It's sooo good! And applicable to comments of this 1st season😂

[@Zaphnochs]

I am Australian and the piss take of Tony Abbot was pure gold.

[@Fools_Requiem]

had no idea that the Net Neutrality episode happened so early in the show's life.

[@rogergreen9861]

Future headline: "Horror Movie Killer linked to Spelling Bee loss as Murder Spree Continues"

[@MorbidGod391]

OMG I don’t think I ever seen this episode but daaamn.

[@FAT8893]

25:52 That man have definitely been jamming to Kelis for too much. 😂😂😂

[@AndrewClement]

The start of this video had me smiling, the end had me crying, the middle had me twitching+ twisting.

[@josephyoung6749]

8:54 hearing that laughter must be a comedian's best moment

[@lauraodonoghue1348]

Seriously thanks for the Tony Abott piece I honestly forgot how down right nutz he was. Not that the leaders we have voted in since him have been much better none of them were as unhinged as he was. This from a country that had a PM go missing during a swim ( presumed drowned) name quite a few swimming pools after Harold Holt

[@Viviorkogaming]

Good timing on this one!

[@calmagnum3186]

First episode I saw 10 years ago, everything feels so tame compared to now

[@kylejohnson6867]

Called the Chris Cumo perspective right!

[@ronnyandernie]

I would love an original air date listed for us pedantic JO super fans.

[@wallacerose8663]

As an Aussie, that was a thoroughly deserving segment on our then-PM Tony Abbott. Also, no one here eats "bloomin' onions".

[@dylan9025]

Im pretty certain this is the first episode i ever watched. Crazy to look back and see everything that's happened in the last DECADE. I was in high school when i saw this and now im almost 30??? Thinking about it has got me aged harder than john (whom i love and tbh looks cuter now? anyway)

[@kelandryyemrot1387]

Can we get some fanfiction about the lex luther and superman apartment bit lmao

[@HashknightGaming]

Lol the Abbott trolling can be reused for Greg.

[@simgem]

Lol John realizing he Pronounced Ralph the British/Germanic way

[@jaymiller5669]

Love you guys at LWT!

[@JootjeJ]

It's interesting watching these episodes a decade later with the knowledge of the current times

[@kennyfresquez7019]

I'm half convinced John Oliver put all of these episodes online just to showcase all the shit he was right about.

[@HashknightGaming]

When you tell the truth you are always right. 😊

[@Jenifer_R_]

As an Australian, you lost me at "Bloomin Onions". This dish does not exist here. But cheers for dunking on Tony. He was such an asshat.

[@calumproctor981]

"You're not saying anything, Tony."

[@d.m.conroy6717]

the preposition line was key

[@sciencenonfiction4109]

I have comcast since moving to the DC area last year and their customer service is literally a chat bot.

[@craftycreationsofdarksided2642]

I love the Tony Abbott story and the clip of the man in the store telling him to "stick it." I would love to see clips of anti-Trumpers delivering candid comments such as that to Trump's face.

[@kristinemunholland8980]

He called him a dickhead

[@moogle68]

I thought the guy said "Dickhead"

[@hmax17]

Can you include the original air date in the description?

[@y_fam_goeglyd]

Those kids (sorry, young people) were a joy to listen to. Not only is their grammar correct, but their attitudes (I'm including the young lady as well as the two young gentlemen) were far, _far_ more grown-up than the red half of government has been for quite some time, particularly since 2016. Now that they are fully grown adults, I do hope they're using their innate maturity in their general life as well as at work or university (undoubtedly heading for PhDs or similar!) It's time to stop knocking the younger generations. They've got a lot to teach the older ones, especially when it comes to "playing nicely".

[@theshunnedBandersnatch]

The Chris Cuomo bit aged like fine wine 😂

[@Lekapo]

Feijoada!!!

[@Michelle_Schu-blacka]

I heard something very different at 25:05. I thought she'd used a word that starts with 'P' and ends with 'N'. I'm so relieved I simply misheard it.

[@pomamoba]

The approach to Crimea on maps in this season is weird, some episodes mark it as Ukrainian, some as not, all are after annexation

[@alanlefavour2112]

How does this effect analysis of the situation in hindsight? It is freaking me out!

[@samuelzackrisson8865]

fun fact ending a sentence with a proposition is correct grammar

[@shadowkittycat97]

Im so glad we didnt get rid of net neutrality

[@moogle68]

We actually did for a bit, but it's back now.

[@estusflask982]

they (republicans) did

[@shadowkittycat97]

Sigh guys it was a joke

[@moogle68]

@@shadowkittycat97 nothing about your sentence suggests that. It's okay if you didn't know, btw. I didn't know it was back until reading a few comments before getting to yours.

[@shadowkittycat97]

@@moogle68 no it's just hard to portray tone in text

[@Koekefant]

Was this the best season ever or what?!!

[@danielryanzilenovski1777]

Hey, Last Week team, could you add the original aired dates on the uploads?😊

[@OrigamiMarie]

The youtube compression algorithm hates this one weird trick . . .

[@alexsohl4894]

He still has the light in his eyes

[@anniewilliams3125]

"Chris Cuomo, what the fuck is wrong with you?" -- as it turns out, the answer there is so, so much... John Oliver was ahead of his time once again

[@aestevalis0]

First Rule of Spelling Club is...

[@jaymiller5669]

What’s sad is they’ll eventually get their way

[@DanielSnyder0]

I've been to a Comcast building with bulletproof glass at the front counter. Equipment is exchanged through a secure two way lock box. Comcast isn't in much of a business of doing cash transactions. If they have minimal cash on hand, then why the glass? Clearly they need to be a better business.

[@bluebelle8823]

As an Australian I'm so ashamed of us for having Tony Abbott as a PM. The man isn't the worst of our recent-ish leaders, I'm talking about you Scotty from Marketing, but damn he was bad. Oh and I need to tell you Tony here went on to become the Minister for Women. Figure that one out.

[@evelina733]

Dude you the best❤️

[@carazy214]

KZbin is Nutflix

[@ragnaroik]

having been to visit crete.... Why is this even happening. WOW. you let this happen AGAIN? without fighting back.

[@kevinvilmont6061]

How does Tony Abbott not get roasted for presuming to speak for Jesus Christ?

[@MrGeekman9999]

It got reposted because we got Net Neutrality back! 🎉

[@nonamemcnotaspy8654]

they posted the whole first season😍

[@dottimcafee]

😮

[@A-small-amount-of-peas]

Just re-liking these videos from my first go-round a decade ago, it's not comforting that I took away the same thought of why is America obsessed with winning? even their most popular sports just don't allow ties, it may seem trivial to some but it doesn't strike me as a sign of a healthy society

[@Mettle_DAD]

This just came on next on auto play and i didnt see the title. Only that this came out 1 day ago..... Ukraine had an election? What when? Whos this chocolate man and what Happened to zelensky lol what year is it!

[@fcbahamutzero]

I'm not a Dingo!

[@EndPoliticalCorruption]

Both that and the POM Wonderful response must have made John feel like he was really taking media by storm.

[@Tonyhouse1168]

Sounds like something a dingo would say..

[@damnumonkeyballs]

Bro its like a century has passed lol. How are we still so fucking stupid?

[@Viviorkogaming]

Not sure Mr. Monkeyballs.

[@cletusvonmeth2961]

What happened to episode 4?

[@RabidAmoeba]

IT'S BACK!

[@joshuabutson]

Ah, 2014, an ancient time before Scott Morrison came along and really fucked Australia up. Also, if you're going to mention onions in a segment on Tony Abbott then you have to show the footage of him eating a raw onion. That's the law (unless that happened after 2014, in which case all is forgiven).

[@joaquinmarichal]

Glad to see Im not the only one benching this season of pure gold

[@r4zi3lgintoro65]

that news didn't age quite well