When the first few episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver aired last year, I felt a surge of excitement. I’d grown up on the satire of Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, but I was beginning to tire of their line: we’re in comedy, not in politics; we don’t take a side; we just want to “restore sanity” to the political debate (as Stewart’s famous rally announced).

Oliver seemed different. He took a side. He took the time to explain seemingly arcane political and economic topics and show their relevance to everyday life.

Oliver was also exciting because he took on big corporations so directly, and with so much gusto. Now in his second season, Oliver has skewered the tobacco industry, the sugar industry, the test prep industry, the for-profit education industry, and — just last week — the chicken farming industry. He and his team do impressive research, gleefully delving into the nuts and bolts of corporate malfeasance.