Ken Corday, executive producer of “Days of Our Lives,” felt it was essential for John Oliver to appear on the show.
After John Oliver, the host of HBO’s Emmy-winning “Last Week Tonight,” expressed his wish to appear in a soap opera during a March episode of his talk show, Corday took swift action. By the next morning, the creative team had drafted a storyline that was both compelling for Oliver and advanced the show’s narrative. “This is not a one-off,” Corday told Variety.
Oliver took on the role of Devlin St. John, the “nerdy” chief water inspector of Salem, in a three-episode arc that aired in early August. The script was specifically written to suit Oliver’s comedic style while respecting his conditions. According to Corday, “He wanted to be slapped, or someone slaps him. He wanted to be someone’s long-lost something and a dramatic close-up of his face.”
In true soap opera fashion, Oliver’s character found himself in trouble for meddling where he shouldn’t. The late-night host shared scenes with “Days of Our Lives” regulars such as Susan Seaforth Hayes, Daniel Feuerriegel, and Maggie Carney, and even clashed with mayor Paulina Price, portrayed by Jackée Harry.
“He is not the John Oliver you see on his talk show. He’s in makeup, hair, wig — very much a different look and certainly a different persona than you see on his TV show, which was fun,” Corday shared. “It was fun for him. It was fun for us.”
Corday Productions/Chris Haston
Although best known for his comedic talents, Oliver approached the set as a “serious actor” and adapted quickly to the fast-paced nature of the show, which produces about nine episodes a week. The role of chief water inspector presented serious challenges, which Oliver was well-prepared to handle.
“He’s just a consummate professional. He was wonderful. He had a lot of dialogue over the course of a few shows and knew everything cold,” Corday said. “He’s just a great actor. He was able to handle his character deftly.”
As “Days of Our Lives” approaches its 61st anniversary in November, Corday remains open to the idea of more guest stars. He expressed interest in collaborating with Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, and Ryan Gosling, noting that the “Project Hail Mary” star had accepted Deidre Hall’s invitation to visit the soap’s set.
“You never know what’s going to happen when you wake up and come to the Disneyland of daytime every day,” Corday commented.
Previously, Oliver appeared on “General Hospital” in June as Z, the head of the World Security Bureau spy agency.
“To be clear: soap opera-acting is not my Plan B,” Oliver told Variety. “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.”
