An unexpected casting stunt is disrupting ABC‘s legacy series that has been on the air for 64 years and has nearly 16,000 episodes. The 2025-2026 TV cycle wrapped early for the Disney-owned network, as shows like High Potential and Shifting Gears ended ahead of their peers. Meanwhile, the rest of its portfolio, including The Rookie, Will Trent, 9-1-1, and Grey’s Anatomy capped their respective runs in the middle of May. With that, ABC is naturally looking forward to what its fall 2026 primetime will look like.
That said, while its primetime offerings take a break, they aren’t the only scripted projects on ABC that have people hooked. In fact, some legacy shows on TV are on daytime, including General Hospital, which is the longest-running series on the small screen. Created by Frank and Doris Hursley, the Port Charles-set medical soap opera has been on the air on ABC since April 1, 1963, and it is still going strong. Considering how long it has been on the air, it has done all sorts of storylines, but its upcoming multi-episode arc is particularly interesting.
ABC’s General Hospital Brings In John Oliver For A Multi-Episode Arc
Port Charles is about to get more chaotic with the arrival of John Oliver. The Last Week Tonight host is confirmed to be a guest star in General Hospital, appearing in a three-episode storyline that starts today, July 1 and will run until the end of the week, July 3. Oliver’s stint in the soap opera was previously announced during the June 28 episode of his critically-acclaimed and highly-successful HBO series following expressing his desire to be involved in the ABC show. He admitted to being jealous of celebrities appearing in soaps, particularly citing ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith’s gig as Brick.
Upon learning Oliver’s interest, ABC and General Hospital didn’t waste time reaching out to the host’s team and making arrangements for his soap opera debut. In a statement, executive producer Frank Valentini (via Variety) recalled the process of crafting a role for The Last Week Tonight‘s host, and had nothing but great things to say about working with him for a brief period of time. Unfortunately, who exactly he will be playing remains tightly under wraps.
“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 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.”
Why John Oliver’s General Hospital Role Is So Exciting
It’s uncertain when Oliver filmed his General Hospital bit, but since the soap opera is based in Hollywood, California, while The Last Week Tonight tapes in New York, it’s safe to say that it took more effort to organize the whole thing. Having been on the air since the early ’60s and considering its storytelling nature, the show has done countless twists and surprises. It featured high-profile cameos, from Elizabeth Taylor to Richard Simmons.
General Hospital Cast Members Who Passed Away In 2021
2021 saw several General Hospital cast members pass away, including some of the names behind the soap’s most iconic legacy characters.
That said, what separates Oliver’s appearance in General Hospital from its predecessors is how fully committed he can be to a bit. Ever since he burst onto the scenes as a correspondent in The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, he has been known to not shy away from any kind of challenge, if it meant that he could deliver the maximum impact to his viewers. This has also been the bedrock of his stint as The Last Week Tonight host (on top of the well-researched pieces), making it very fun to watch despite tackling some of the most depressing topics. In General Hospital, Oliver gets to step into a new character, but there’s no doubt that whatever role he plays, it will be a memorable one.
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General Hospital
- Release Date
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April 1, 1963
- Directors
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Larry Carpenter, Phideaux Xavier, Tina Keller, Gary Tomlin, William Ludel
- Writers
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Chris Van Etten, Shelly Altman, Jean Passanante, Anna Cascio
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Tyler Christopher
Nikolas Cassadine
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Maurice Benard
Sonny Corinthos