British comedian John Oliver, 49, revealed on the June 28, 2026, episode of HBO’s Last Week Tonight that he has secured guest roles on not one but two of daytime television’s most storied soap operas — General Hospital and Days of Our Lives — making good on a very public promise he made to himself just a few months ago.
From Late-Night Plea to Daytime Glory
The saga began back in March, when Oliver devoted a segment of his HBO program to his long-simmering admiration for daytime soaps. His envy was specifically ignited by a discovery about ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith, who has been portraying the recurring character Brick on General Hospital since 2016 — about a decade of Port Charles residency that Oliver found deeply inspiring and, by his own admission, deeply irritating. Oliver made an on-air declaration that he was officially putting himself on the market for any soap willing to write him a part, pledging to show up on set faster than producers could blink. He had only a handful of conditions: the character had to carry a suitably ridiculous name, the storyline needed to be sufficiently juicy — think murder, slapping, or being revealed as someone’s long-lost relative — and he absolutely required a dramatic close-up.
Apparently, the soap opera universe was listening. Both General Hospital, the long-running ABC institution that first aired in 1963, and Days of Our Lives, which now streams on Peacock, answered the call. Oliver wasted little time accepting both offers, describing the dual booking as an almost surreal turn of events — even for a man accustomed to the unpredictability of live television.
Oliver’s Terms — and What He Got
Oliver made clear to his audience that this was never a fallback plan. Oliver said he has a genuine love of soaps and wanted to be part of that world for its own sake, not as some ironic stunt. He landed a three-episode arc on General Hospital, which ABC has described as a significant guest role. Teasing the appearance on his show, he showed the audience a promotional still of his character — suited up, hair dramatically darkened, and flanked by men carrying firearms — while cheerfully noting that he required more takes than any guest star the show had previously hosted. He declined to reveal any plot details, telling viewers plainly that he was not about to spoil anything.
His Days of Our Lives commitment is even more substantial. Oliver told his audience he had already taped a full week of episodes for the Peacock soap, calling the experience a genuine honor. He placed himself in the company of celebrated Days veterans — longtime cast members Deidre Hall, Susan Seaforth Hayes, and the late John Aniston — as well as legendary guest stars Dick Van Dyke and Betty White, with his tongue planted only partially in his cheek. Actor Dan Feuerriegel, who shares scenes with Oliver, posted a behind-the-scenes photo on social media alongside a caption declaring that Oliver “crushes it.”
General Hospital Producers Respond
The enthusiasm is mutual on the production side. Executive producer Frank Valentini spoke glowingly about Oliver’s time on the General Hospital set, saying the comedian arrived prepared, conducted himself professionally, brought genuine humor to every interaction, and treated the entire crew with warmth. Valentini said Oliver plays an integral character in the story, and he cannot wait for fans to see who Oliver crosses paths with in Port Charles. Oliver, for his part, responded with characteristic self-deprecation, describing the opportunity as a true honor while framing his contribution to the show’s six-decade legacy as, at best, a minor blemish on an otherwise illustrious history.
Beyond the laughs, the cameos represent a genuine addition to Oliver’s acting résumé, which already includes his long-running role as the character Duncan on the sitcom Community and his voice work as Zazu in the live-action remake of The Lion King. He joins a notable list of celebrities who have popped up in soap operas over the years, including Katy Perry and Snoop Dogg, both of whom have made their own daytime appearances.
When and Where to Watch
Fans eager to see Oliver navigate Port Charles won’t have to wait long. His three General Hospital episodes air July 2, July 3, and July 6 on ABC, with the show also available to stream on Hulu. His Days of Our Lives episodes, taped and ready to go, are scheduled to air on Peacock on August 11, August 12, and August 14. Oliver himself seemed almost giddy summing up the situation, posing a rhetorical question to his audience: what could possibly be funnier than landing a role on one soap opera? Landing roles on two, of course — and then announcing both on the same episode of your own show.