Comings and Goings: John Oliver Joins General Hospital and Days of Our Lives
John Oliver, Emmy-winning comedian and star of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, revealed on the June 28th episode of his HBO talk show that he will be appearing on General Hospital next week, and has “already taped a week of episodes on Days of Our Lives,” as well.
John Oliver Heads to Port Charles and Salem
According to an ABC press release, Oliver has been cast “in a significant guest role.” His episodes will air on Thursday, July 2, Friday, July 3 and Monday, July 6. “I’m going to spoil anything,” Oliver said on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, but he did show the above photo, a still from his upcoming appearance. “Yes, that is me,” he grinned, “surrounded by men with guns, and yes, my hair has been dipped in an inkwell. And if you can’t tell from my face there, I’m acting really hard.”
Oliver’s DAYS appearances are slated for August 11, 12 and 14.
Oliver’s visits to daytime were set in motion several months ago. On the March 8 episode of his show, Oliver did a segment on his talk show about sports commentator Stephen A. Smith’s decade-long GH run in the recurring role of Brick, Sonny Corinthos’ (Maurice Benard) surveillance expert in which he pleaded to be cast on one of the five network soaps.
In a statement, GH Executive Producer Frank Valentini said, “When John Oliver publicly threw down the gauntlet and said he wanted to appear on a soap, we didn’t hesitate for a second. 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.”
Oliver said 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.”
John Oliver’s Road to Daytime
In the original soap-themed segment on his show, Oliver summarized some of the more outlandish things Stephen A. Smith has gotten to do as Brick, then said, “I will admit it, the reason I am bringing this up is because I am jealous. I have a genuine love for soaps.”
He continued, “To all the soap operas out there, let me say this: I am officially offering myself to you. Write me a role, and I will be on your set so fast it will make your head spin.”
@lastweektonighthbo Soap operas: we are begging you, let John make a cameo! He can kill any nurse necessary. Get in touch!
Oliver then laid out “a few conditions” for his hypothetical appearance. “First, I don’t want to play myself — I want to be a character and I want his name to be ridiculous,” he declared. “Also, I want to do something juicy, like murder, or slapping, or being slapped, or being someone’s long-lost something. And ideally, I’d like a dramatic close-up of my face. But in return, trust me, I will give my all to this performance.”
The talk show host concluded, “Call me, soaps! I am available, I’m willing to travel, and I want this more than you could possibly understand.”
Shortly thereafter, Smith made a response video on Instagram in which he said, “I’m going to make a call in to General Hospital about you, buddy.” GH then replied to the video from its own official account, writing, “We may have just the part for him. Our DMs are open.”
There is no word yet on when Oliver’s DAYS episodes will air, but Oliver shared a photo of himself on the show in a scene with Dan Feuerriegel (EJ).
“I genuinely cannot wait for everyone to see what these two soaps have done,” Oliver beamed at the end of the June 28 segment and he thanked the shows for “playing along” with his soap-acting aspirations.
Who do you think he might be playing on each show? Share your theories in the comments below!
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