General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Executive Producer Frank Valentini on the Decision to Cast John Oliver as ‘Z’
If you’re still reeling from yesterday’s General Hospital, just wait until today’s Friday, July 3 episode and the second of a three-part appearance by Last Week Tonight host, John Oliver in his role as the head of the WSB named “Z.”
Oliver made a grand and delicious soapy entrance when after massive gunfire broke out between the WSB, Cullum (Andrew Hawkes), Josslyn (Eden McCoy) and Cassius (Ryan Paevey), he lands in a helicopter no less with two armed guards and surveys the situation, killing one man, walking over a dead Cullum ,and seemingly going to assist a wounded Josslyn, but is he?
The casting of Oliver as the much-talked about character of “Z” was all about perfect timing, once General Hospital’s Emmy Award-winning executive producer, Frank Valentini, heard of Oliver’s desire to appear on a soap after catching ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith in his recurring role as Brick.
Photo: ABC
Z HAS LANDED
It was back on the March 8 episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver that the comic and host did a hilarious send-up of letting the soap world know he would be up for an appearance with a few demands, some of which included familiar soap tropes.
Valentini spoke with TV Insider on how this all came together once he heard about Oliver’s desire to be on a soap. “My reaction was, ‘Let’s go for it,’The funny thing is, I always watch his show but I was a little behind, so I didn’t see that episode (in March) and a lot of people from my staff sent me the link,” explained Frank. “When I watched it, I said, ‘Oh, we gotta go for this,’ and everybody was very excited. The timing worked out perfectly because we needed somebody to be Z, the head of the WSB.”
In fact, once they determined Oliver would play Z, he wanted a major introduction for the character. “Well, when the writers wrote Z’s entrance, they wrote it that he came in a big black town car. And I said, ‘No, no, no,’ and they said, ‘Why? What’s wrong with that?’ And I said, ‘There’s nothing wrong with that, but we’re going to take it up a notch because it’s John Oliver. We’re going to have Z enter in a helicopter.’ So, he made his entrance in a helicopter.”
According to Valentini, Oliver was all-in during his time on GH, “He was very curious about who was who and who did what. On day one, he only had one line. The next day, he had 20 pages, and he was amazing. He remembered every line, did a great job, and it was a lot of fun to have him on the set.”
Photo: ABC
JOSSLYN’S INTERACTION WITH Z
In a preview of what’s to come now that Z has touched down on Spoon Island, Valentini teased, “He tries to get information out of Josslyn, and we see how committed and tough she is and what a good WSB agent she is. She makes a deal with him to give him what he wants, and she gets something she wants, which is very personal.”
Then, Valentini revealed, “Z is keeping a huge secret that affects a lot of people in the town. And then he interacts with another character, who’s already in a couple, and openly flirts with her.” In addition, look for Z to get slapped, as the EP explained that was one of John’s short list of demands was to get a patented soap slap!
MORE GUEST STARS TO COME
In even more juicy news, Frank shared that there is yet another special guest star coming to GH, “We’re having another special guest who’s a big fan of the show at the end of the year.” Who could it be? Stay tuned.
Watch John Oliver’s General Hospital teaser video below, where he tells a tale of wanting to have soap twin and more.
Now let us know, was making John Oliver “Z” inspired casting? What bombshells await as “Z” hits the ground and looks to have run-ins with Josslyn, Carly and more? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
John Oliver’s had three wishes. To be given a goofy name, to shoot somebody and to be given the classic soap opera slap. He’s already been granted the first 2 wishes. I’m afraid the slap is going to come from Carly and most likely she will be the woman with whom he flirts because, well, Carly. She is the Song of the Sirens all rolled up into one obnoxious package. No mortal man can resist her- not even the formidable Z.
Knowing how Carly reacts to things, she’s probably going to slap him when she finds out that Joss got shot. Not that it was his fault, of course,. But an angry mom has gotta blame somebody, and Cullum is no longer available. (For which my dragons are very happy, of course)
Or there’s also the possible that Z tells Carly that Val is going to the Indonesian black site, where he can be Jason’s cellmater and she will never see either one of them again, which would definitely be worthy of a slap.
We know, of course that Jason is coming home in another week or so, but Z might not yet be aware of the facts regarding the incident on the docks when he talks to Carly, so he might still assume Jason is guilty, regardless of the fact that Cullum was a piece of dragonshit (now literally so)
Previews feature Carly asking Z in her usual angry voice,” Are you trying to hit on me?” So I ask Frank, “Are you trying to torture me?”
Frank does incredible things with a low budget, he has to be the best EP of all time.
I am in awe of what they pull off on General Hospital!!! Head and shoulders above every other daytime soap, and quite frankly, not sure why ABC can’t pop in an evening episode every once in a while. I know the show does great on Hulu. Frank Valentini truly impresses me, as do the people who work for him…the writers, directors, actors, etc. The show rarely disappoints. And the introduction of John Oliver onto the show….brilliant. Hopefully once this arc concludes, they can encourage Z to return from time to time. I really love GH.
I loved yesterday so much
Thank you for sending him off to never never land. I know it’s just a show but I cheered when the s.o.b.got shot.
Michael, John Oliver would make a great interview on your platform.
Or maybe Mr. Fairman could guest on John’s show.
I Thought Z was great ! Thought he looked real cool
Loved the landing in the helicopter !
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Elizabeth Thinks of Dante While With Ric; Will She Leave Her Ex in the Dust?
Clearly, head nurse Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst) is trying to deny her feelings for Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna) on General Hospital, when she is trying to make up for missed opportunities and dates with her former husband, Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst).
On the Friday, November 6 episode, Elizabeth arrived at the Metro Court for her date with Ric. She made sure she thanked the legal eagle for taking care of her house on Halloween when she was called into work.
However, while telling Ric this, Elizabeth is struck by a flashback of her and Dante baking in her kitchen, where a very close encounter almost led Dante and Elizabeth to kiss. After shaking that image off in her head, she goes back to her date with Ric, who is being very sweet to her.
Courtesy/ABC
ELIZABETH HAVING SECOND THOUGHTS ABOUT RIC
Their date gets interrupted when Lulu (Alexa Havins) shows up at their table asking Elizabeth to convince Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) to drop the libel case against her.
Later, when Liz talked with Willow, and Willow shared she appreciated the head nurse looking out for her, she asks her friend if Ric is the kind of man she wants her life?
Willow is pointing out, as she had in her relationship with Drew (Cameron Mathison), does Ric really love Elizabeth … or is he using her to get what he wants? That comment puts more doubt in Elizabeth’s mind over reconnecting with Ric, and giving her more credence to follow her feelings for Dante.
So, where is this leading? Will Elizabeth cut things off with Ric? If so, will he snap? Is Ric using Elizabeth? And what about Dante? Are you enjoying the growing closeness between Elizabeth and Dante, or do you prefer Elizabeth with Ric? Let us know in the comment section, But first, check what went down on Ric and Elizabeth’s dinner date which lead to more questions than answers below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Tracy Leaves Port Charles to Help Dillon; Paving the Way for Jane Elliot’s Temporary Exit
General Hospital viewers became concerned when on the Thursday, November 5 episode, Tracy (Jane Elliot) was preparing to leave Port Charles to go help her son, Dillon Quartermaine, who got arrested while trying to film in Thailand.
Tracy informed Jason (Steve Burton), that she had to leave and was counting on him to look after things while she was away. That included: making sure Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and baby Phoebe were safe from the likes of Jude Jax (Wil Traval) as well as the Quartermaine businesses since Ned (Wally Kurth) still can’t overexert himself since his heart attack.
In Tracy’s final scenes, for now, she tells Gio (Giovanni Mazza) and Emma (Braedyn Bruner) to be there for Brook Lynn while she is going through her ordeal after divorcing Chase (Josh Swickard) and Jude trying to claim baby Phoebe.
Courtesy/ABC
HOW LONG WILL JANE ELLIOT BE GONE FROM GENERAL HOSPITAL?
However, GH fans! Have no fear. Tracy’s exit was written into the show to facilitate Jane Elliot’s annual vacation. Same time last year, Elliot exited the canvas around this time after the entire Ronnie Bard/Martin Grey debacle; where they conspired to make it look like Monica left the Quartermaine mansion to her sister, Ronnie (Erika Slezak) instead of Tracy. In that storyline, Tracy took off for a spa in France for some much-needed R&R.
Now, according to Soap Opera Digest, while viewers are just seeing the beginnings of Jane Elliot’s temporary leave, the soap opera confirmed that the long-running star is already back taping new episodes. GH roughly runs about six weeks ahead of air in its production schedule.
Photo: JPI
ALL ABOUT JANE
Jane Elliot started her GH journey back in 1978, and has come and gone a few times including an announced retirement back in 2017, only to eventually come out of retirement a few tines, and rejoin the show full-time in 2023.
Along the way, Elliot has won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress back in 1981, and in 2025 was honored for her 50 years of excellence in daytime television becoming a Gold Circle honoree from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Michael Fairman TV spoke to Jane at that time, immediately after receiving her honor on-stage. You can check out that interview here.
Now below, watch scenes from Thursday’s GH where Tracy informs Jason she has to leave the country and go help her son.
Then let us know, with the mention of Dillon Quartermaine on today’s GH, will the soap opera FINALLY recast the role? Will you miss Jane while she is off-screen? Glad to know she is already back taping all-new episodes of the ABC daytime drama series? Let us know in the comment section.
General Hospital
GH’s Finola Hughes and Laura Wright Tease Anna/Valentin/Carly, “It’s Not Your Typical Triangle, We’ll Say That”
On General Hospital, Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) are now dealing with the fallout of their discovery, the dead body of Jack Brennan. While Carly became a suspect, now the two need to figure out just who was responsible for the former WSB Port Charles Bureau chief’s sudden ending.
Meanwhile, Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) is trying to put her shattered life back together, after almost killing Dr. Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud), hallucinating she was seeing a dead Peter August (Wes Ramsey) and trying to shake off years of trauma at the hands of Cesar Faison (Anders Hove).
While it has become apparent that Valentin and Carly love each other, the same holds true for Valentin and Anna, but is it differently, now that the former lovers are apart? However, it appears when Anna is in trouble, Valentin shows up to save her. That is not lost on Carly, who up until now has tried to be adult about the whole situation, but how long will that last?
Photo: ABC
Michael Fairman TV caught up with both Daytime Emmy-winning Lead Actresses on the red carpet at the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards and asked them to weigh-in on what viewers can expect, and what’s it has been like working with leading man, James Patrick Stuart.
Laura Wright explained, “James is hilarious. I would say most of our dress rehearsals are laughing it out because we’ve got to show up for taping, but he’s very funny.” Finola Hughes echoed that with, “He’s a very funny person, always,” adding, “I couldn’t be in a scene with him and Amanda Setton (Brook Lynn, GH). It was him, me, and Amanda one time. We couldn’t get through the scene!”
Photo: ABC
The discussion turned to if GH viewers will see Anna and Carly fighting over the love of Valentin. Laura Wright shared, “Not in the way you would think. It’s not your typical triangle. We’ll say that.” Finola Hughes concurred, “It’s not your typical triangle!”
Watch our chat from the red carpet with Finola and Laura below, and make sure to check out all the moments from Michael Fairman TV at the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards here.
So, do you think Valentin will be caught in an actual love triangle between Anna and Carly, or will he be fully in his relationship with Carly, only to find himself constantly coming to the rescue of Anna Devane, causing an ultimate riff in his relationship with Carly? Who would you like to see Valentin with … Anna or Carly? Let us know via the comment section below.
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