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John Oliver Auditions for Soap Role Amid Iran Critique

3/9/2026

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Summary

Story summary

John Oliver sought a guest role on a daytime soap during the March 8 episode of Last Week Tonight.
He envied Stephen A. Smith's General Hospital role and proposed his own dramatic, absurd character.
Oliver critiqued the U.S. and Israeli strike on Iran, noting the risk of a new leader emerging.
He found it surprising that U.S. President Donald Trump offered a clear analysis of his Middle East actions.

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Story summary

John Oliver sought a guest role on a daytime soap during the March 8 episode of Last Week Tonight.
He envied Stephen A. Smith's General Hospital role and proposed his own dramatic, absurd character.
Oliver critiqued the U.S. and Israeli strike on Iran, noting the risk of a new leader emerging.
He found it surprising that U.S. President Donald Trump offered a clear analysis of his Middle East actions.