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John Oliver pokes fun at ‘ridiculous’ new career move: ‘Not my Plan B’

John Oliver pokes fun at 'ridiculous' new career move: 'Not my Plan B' Email Page Six

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John Oliver pokes fun at ‘ridiculous’ new career move: ‘Not my Plan B’

By Riley Cardoza Published June 29, 2026, 8:14 a.m. ET

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John Oliver is heading to soap opera screens.

The “Last Week Tonight” host revealed on Sunday that he booked roles on both “Days of Our Lives” and “General Hospital.”

The 49-year-old called the latter “everything [he] hoped it would be” in a statement to Variety over the weekend.

John Oliver in a dark suit walking between two armed men in black tactical gear. 8
John Oliver is going to make his soap opera debut on “General Hospital” (pictured above) and “Days of Our Lives” later this summer. CHRISTINE BARTOLUCCI/ABC
8
The “Last Week Tonight” host (pictured above on May 11) made the reveal over the weekend. GC Images

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“It’s a true honor to be a small stain on the history of this illustrious show,” he told the outlet, going on to call “Days of Our Lives” a “huge honor” as well.

“I am happy to say that I’ve already taped a week of episodes,” Oliver said. “It’s been home to some of the most renowned soap opera actors, like Deidre Hall, Susan Seaforth Hayes and John Aniston. It’s also featured guest appearances from legends like Dick Van Dyke, Betty White and now me.”

The comedian, who has been a late-night host since April 2014, clarified that “soap opera acting is not [his] Plan B.”

John Oliver smiling at the 2026 Garden of Laughs event. 8
The comedian (pictured above on April 13) called the roles a “huge honor.” Getty Images
John Oliver waving to someone off-camera. 8
Oliver (pictured above on May 21) clarified that acting is not his “Plan B.” GC Images

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He explained, “I simply offered my hypothetical acting abilities to any soap that would meet my terms, which were: I wanted to play a character with a ridiculous name, I wanted a juicy storyline like murder or slapping and I wanted a dramatic close-up of my face.”

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