John Oliver’s bid to score a “juicy” role on long-running soap “General Hospital” has finally coming to fruition, in the form of a three-episode gig for the “Last Week Tonight” host and writer.
The 23-time Emmy winner, 49, announced Sunday he’ll be joining the longstanding ABC daytime drama, which first aired in 1963, for its episodes on July 2, 3 and 6.
“When John Oliver publicly threw down the gauntlet and said he wanted to appear on a soap, we didn’t hesitate for a second,” the soap’s executive producer Frank Valentini said in an ABC’s news release Monday.
It’s unclear who exactly Oliver will play during the multi-episode arc, as the role isn’t yet listed on his IMDb, but Valentini said it’s “an integral character in the story.”
Judging by the still released of Oliver in one of the episodes, which shows him wearing a suit and flanked by two apparent members of a SWAT team, he might be playing law enforcement.
“I can’t wait for fans to see who he crosses paths with in Port Charles,” said Valentini, who praised the late night host as “prepared, professional, funny and genuinely kind to everyone on set.”
The role was a dream come true for Oliver as well, who added in the release: “‘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,” he quipped.
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Oliver on a March episode of “Last Week Tonight” was discussing Stephen A. Smith’s decade of appearances on “General Hospital” when he admitted to being “jealous.”
“I have a genuine love for soaps,” said Oliver. “I want to be part of that world. So, 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.”
His conditions included not wanting to play himself and wanting a character with a “ridiculous” name.
“Also, I want to do something juicy, like murder or slapping, or being slapped, or being someone’s long-lost something,” said Oliver. “Ideally, I’d like a dramatic close-up of my face.”
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