John Oliver’s Z has arrived to save the day on General Hospital. The WSB head made his descent on Spoon Island in a giant helicopter to survey the damage his own agency caused in the type of action-movie shootout you rarely see on daytime TV. But Z also has to save the WSB…and with good reason.
The WSB Needs Rehabilitation
For more than four decades, the WSB has been the most trusted fictional law enforcement agency on soaps, rivaled only by Days of our Lives’ ISA. The World Security Bureau and the International Security Alliances are soap opera staples going back to the 1980s, but the WSB has been running amok the last few years, and especially the last few months.
Jenz Sidwell had a man on the inside in the form of creepy Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes). Now, Josslyn (Eden McCoy) finished what Rocco (Finn Carr) started back in March and gave Cullum the kill shot. Right after, a helicopter descended on Spoon Island and out walked the mysterious Z, the head of the WSB, whom Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) rushed off to see.
Z surveyed the damage and assured Josslyn that she would be all right. Now, he has to get to work fixing the mess that Cullum made.
“We’re headed for a big change because Z comes to save face for the WSB after Cullum has been wreaking havoc and using the WSB for his own personal gain,” Executive Producer Frank Valentini told TV Insider. “So, these appearances help right the wrongs of the WSB.”
John Oliver’s Dream Come True
Who better to swoop down into Port Charles in a very soapy role than a soap fan who’s dreamed of making his mark on daytime for years? When John Oliver made a plea for a soap to hire him back in March, Valentini knew he had to make it happen. The character of Z had already been written, but not cast, so it was perfect timing.
When Oliver was tapped for the role, Valentini also knew he had to make his entrance much more dramatic than was originally written. Z was supposed to arrive in a black car, but instead, Valentini decided a helicopter was needed.
However, Oliver really wanted just one more soapy thing besides the ridiculous name to round out his appearance.
“One of his requests was to be slapped, so he gets slapped by somebody in the show,” Valentini admitted.
Who would slap one of our favorite late-night comedians? Stay tuned Friday and Monday to find out.
Edited by Hope Campbell