The ‘Last Week Tonight with John Oliver’ host will be guest starring across three episodes airing in July
Credit: HBO
NEED TO KNOW
- John Oliver will appear in a three-episode arc on General Hospital, airing July 2, 3 and 6
- The casting follows Oliver’s public campaign for a role on the soap during a March episode of Last Week Tonight
- General Hospital’s executive producer praised Oliver as professional and funny while Oliver called the experience an honor
John Oliver is officially headed to Port Charles.
The Emmy-winning host and executive producer of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver has landed a guest role on General Hospital, appearing in a three-episode arc that'll air on July 2, 3 and 6 on ABC.
The casting comes just months after Oliver, 49, publicly campaigned for a part on the iconic daytime soap. During the March 8 episode of Last Week Tonight, he jokingly lobbied for what he described as a “juicy” role on General Hospital. The show’s creative team took him up on the offer, and Oliver announced the casting on the Sunday, June 28 episode of his HBO series.
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“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 press release.
Valentini added, “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.”
And the comedian was equally enthusiastic about the experience.
“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,” Oliver said in a statement.
Credit: Christine Bartolucci/Disney/ABC
The crossover brings together two television institutions. General Hospital, now in its 64th year, remains both the longest-running scripted American drama and the longest-running American soap opera currently in production. The series has won a record 18 Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Daytime Drama and continues to air weekdays on ABC, with episodes also streaming on Hulu.
Meanwhile, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver is in its 13th season on HBO. Since premiering in 2014, the satirical news program has earned 32 Emmy Awards, including program and writing wins for 10 consecutive years at the Primetime Emmy Awards, along with multiple Peabody, GLAAD, Writers Guild and Producers Guild honors.
General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC (check your local listings), with episodes also streaming on Hulu. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver airs Sundays at 11 p.m. ET on HBO.
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