John Oliver's Guest Appearances on 'Days' and 'GH': What the Mainstream Media is Saying

John Oliver takes over daytime TV with delightfully wooden soap opera roles
For the past two months, US daytime television watchers have been reduced to double takes and stitches as the Last Week Tonight host has embarked on a summer side quest to become a soap opera star. It began with a three-episode arc on General Hospital with Oliver making his grand entrance as Z, head of the deep state-coded World Security Bureau. And it continued this week with another three-episode arc on Days of our Lives as Devlin St John, chief water inspector for the soap's mythic town of Salem.

The performances have been delightfully wooden, with Oliver playing it just straight enough to avoid tipping into outright comedy. But in his defense, he can only do so much with a costume and wardrobe situation that still makes the bespectacled funnyman instantly recognizable and leaves viewers bracing for his next punchline.

Days Of our Lives srambled to get John Oliver ASAP
After playing a shadowy superspy on GH, Oliver's role on the Peacock soap was decidedly less glamorous.

And now John Oliver introducing his wig to Jackée Harry, America on Days Of our Lives
Take a seat, Stephen A. Smith. There’s a new celebrity haunting the halls of America's beloved soap operas.

John Oliver (and his insane wig) arrives on Days of our Lives 1 month after his General Hospital guest arc
“It is a dream come true,” Oliver told Access Hollywood on the Days set in an interview that aired Monday.

"Devlin St. John is writing checks that my regular hair can’t cash — however, this,” he said, pointing to his ridiculous wig, “cashes it in for me.”