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Even someone as accomplished as comedian and late-night host John Oliver can still harbour a desire for something more. And come the beginning of July, he’ll finally be able to say he’s achieved it: his lifelong dream … of starring in a daytime soap opera.
The Emmy-award winning host will appear in a “significant guest role” on ABC’s General Hospital, the network revealed in a press release on Monday. His first appearance, part of a “three-episode arc,” is set to air this Thursday, with the remaining episodes rolling out on Friday, July 3, and Monday, July 6.
So, how did we get here? Earlier this year, the British host of HBO’s Last Week Tonight made an impassioned on-air plea to be cast in a daytime soap. During the March 8 episode, after pointing out that ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith had appeared on and off General Hospital for more than a decade, Oliver admitted he was jealous, given his own “genuine” lifelong love for soaps. Then he made his own pitch.
“To all the soap operas out there, let me say this: I am officially offering myself to you,” said Oliver to cheers and laughter from the audience. “Write me a role, and I will be on your set so fast, it will make your head spin.”
And just in case there was any confusion, Oliver made it clear he wasn’t interested in playing himself, but an actual character.
“–And I want his name to be ridiculous.”
He then laid out a few more “conditions.”
“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.”
In return, he vowed, he would “give [his] all to this performance.”
It didn’t take long for the long-running daytime soap to answer the call. Just a few weeks after the reel went live, General Hospital’s Instagram account commented, “You’re welcome in Port Charles anytime. Our DMs are open.”
Fast-forward several months, and Oliver is finally checking into Port Charles. While details of his role are being kept tightly under wraps, ABC did release a first-look image, showing Oliver in a navy blue suit with a stern expression flanked by two men in tactical gear.
In the release, General Hospital said it was “happy to oblige” Oliver’s request for a “juicy” role, with the show’s executive producer, Frank Valentini, adding:
“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 with in Port Charles.”
Oliver also shared his excitement in a statement included in the press release.
“General Hospital was everything I hoped it would be. It’s a true honour to be a small stain on the history of this illustrious show,” he said.
