John Oliver usually appears on TV screens late at night, but the Last Week Tonight host has long harbored a desire to appear on daytime TV.
Later this week, he will.
Oliver will appear in a “significant” three-episode guest role on ABC’s General Hospital, he revealed on Sunday’s episode. His first appearance is scheduled to air Thursday, with his other episodes set for Friday and Monday, July 6.
The role came about after Oliver pleaded to be cast on a daytime soap on Last Week Tonight’s March 8 episode. After noting that ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has appeared on and off on General Hospital for years, Oliver said, “To all the soap operas out there, let me say this: I am officially offering myself to you. Write me a role, and I wll be on your set so fast, it will make your head spin.”
He also said he didn’t want to play himself, but a character with a “ridiculous” name and that “I want to do something juicy, like murder, or slapping, or being slapped, or being someone’s long-lost something.” Watch the full Last Week Tonight segment from March below.
A couple weeks after the reel above went live on Instagram, General Hospital’s Instagram account commented, “You’re welcome in Port Charles anytime. Our DMs are open.”
Just what Oliver’s role will be remains to be seen. Based on the photo at the top of this story, he is not playing himself, as his hair is dyed black and he’s dressed in a monochrome suit, shit and tie that likely signifies his character means business.
“When John Oliver publicly threw down the gauntlet and said he wanted to appear on a soap, we didn’t hesitate for a second,” General Hospital executive producer Frank Valentini said in a statement. “He was everything you’d hope he’d be: prepared, professional, funny, and genuinely kind to everyone on set. He plays an integral character in the story, and I can’t wait for fans to see who he crosses paths within Port Charles.”
Said Oliver in a statement, “General Hospital was everything I hoped it would be. It’s a true honor to be a small stain on the history of this illustrious show.”
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