General Hospital fans can’t get over this guest star’s appearance

General Hospital fans were treated to a surprising guest appearance on Monday, July 6.

Comedian John Oliver starred in a three-episode arc on the longtime soap opera and fans couldn’t get enough. John portrayed Z, a high-ranking member of the soap’s shadowy World Securities Bureau.

His character quickly found himself at the center of a dangerous situation with one of the WSB’s most promising young agents’ mother, Carly Spencer, played by Laura Wright. At the end of John’s first episode as Z, his character experienced a shock.

“I don’t want to be added to the list. I want my daughter back,” After Carly warned him that she wanted “her daughter back,” John as Z responded: “Then let me put this in language that you will understand – That ain’t gonna happen.”

Moments later, Carly slapped Z. And fans loved the moment. “Z needs to be recurring,” one fan commented on the General Hospital Instagram. Another person added: “Now that John Oliver has played the role of Agent Z, nobody can have that role. He definitely played it well and deserves even more time. Even if it’s a few episodes here and there. He’s definitely a welcome part of the GH family.”

Many fans want more John on General Hospital. “J.O. delivered a K.O. performance. He needs to return on a frequent basis,” one fan wrote.

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How did John Oliver land the role on General Hospital?

John, who hosts the popular variety show Last Week Tonight, publicly asked for a “juicy” role on a soap in March. 

“Where else can an imposter nurse be shot in a hospital? Or a woman be possessed by the devil?” he asked at the time. “Not to sound like an iconic mermaid, but I want to be part of that world.”

John continued: “I want to be a character. And I want his name to be ridiculous. 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.”

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Three months later, he was granted his wish. The 23-time Emmy winner announced news of his three-episode arc on the June 28 episode of his HBO show.

“General Hospital was everything I hoped it would be,” John said. “It’s a true honor to be a small stain on the history of this illustrious show.”

The long-running soap’s executive producer, Frank Valentini, was just as excited about John’s participation on the show as the variety show host.

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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,” he said, “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 within Port Charles.”

While there’s no news of John’s character returning, Z is one for the General Hospital history books.