John Oliver Reflects on His Most Awkward Soap Opera Scene

John Oliver revealed the most mortifying part of his guest appearance on General Hospital, describing it on Last Week Tonight. He appeared as “Z,” the head of a mysterious global spy organization, after setting three conditions for his involvement: a ridiculous name, a juicy storyline, and a slap. In the climactic exchange, Laura Wright’s character Carly Corinthos slapped him, and Oliver attempted an American accent that he later called embarrassingly off-key.

He noted that the scene delivered on all his stipulated requirements, though the accent mishap remained a personal low point. Wright told one outlet she was impressed by his delivery and how smoothly he fit into a storyline that had been building for months. Oliver thanked both General Hospital and Days of Our Lives for the opportunity, while joking that his acting skills were unlikely to improve.