Ali Barthwell

Ali Barthwell is an American writer. She reviews television for Vulture and is a staff writer for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, for which she won three Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series.

Life and career Barthwell was born and raised in Chicago. Shortly after graduating she won a scholarship to train in improv and sketch comedy at Second City. She was inspired to apply after seeing Amber Ruffin perform on the Second City Mainstage. She has recapped programs including Empire, How to Get Away with Murder, and productions from The Bachelor franchise.

Along with her two brothers and two friends, Barthwell organized the inaugural WakandaCon in Chicago in August 2018, inspired by the release of Black Panther. The event was received positively and drew approximately 2,500 attendees.

She joined the writing staff of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver in 2020.

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated work Result 2021 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series Last Week Tonight with John Oliver 2023 2021 Writers Guild of America Awards Comedy/Variety Talk Series 2022 2023