| Soap Opera Digest October 24, 1995
"Roger and Out"
as told to Alison Sloane Gaylin
IN NOVEMBER, OLTL's HOTTEST NEW STAR WILL LEAVE LLANVIEW FOREVER. HIS REASONS MAY SURPRISE YOU.
Less than three years ago, Roger Howarth agreed to play "frat boy rapist No. 1" on ONE LIFE TO LIVE. The part, like the name, was generic. But in Howarth's capable hands, "frat boy rapist No. 1" grew into the cruel, complex - and unforgettable - Todd Manning. Howarth quickly became a bonafide star, garnering a Daytime Emmy (in 1994) and legions of loyal fans. When Todd was revealed to be the long-lost son of Victor Lord, the character's future looked brighter than ever. But looks can be deceiving. Howarth will exit the show in November: the role will probably not be recast for awhile. Until now, Howarth has kept mum about his departure, making insiders speculate that he had developed an attitude - that he had become "too big a star." Nothing could be further from the truth. Here, the actor shares his real reasons for leaving. 'Best for the show'
"In the beginning, the character of Todd was successful. I'll always be proud of this story, because it was the result of a real team effort. It was one of those spectacular times when the writer, producer, director, grips, engineers and actors were all on the same wavelength. Everybody was working toward a common goal."
"My task, at the time, was to show the humanity of someone who was basically inhuman. Todd wasn't one dimensional, but he was definitely a serious psychopath. Todd was a serial rapist. He raped Carol Swift. Then, he raped Marty Saybrooke, and that rape was brutal, intense, violent and realistic. There were innuendos that he had raped other women before. He stalked Nora, he stalked and tried to rape Luna. [Then-Executive Producer] Linda Gottlieb told me with reasonable certainty that [OLTL] would not try to redeem Todd. So, I didn't think the character would change."
"Then about a year ago, it became clear to me that they were taking the characteron a different path - they were redeeming him. In my mind, I'd been hired to play Todd Manning, a very realistic, serious psychopath. But now, the powers-that-be wanted me to play Todd Lord. And the story of Todd Lord is not realistic - it's a fairy tale. I thought, 'It would be best for the show if I were to leave.' That's when I tendered my resignation." 'Not a fantasy'
"I didn't have a problem with Todd befriending C.J. and Sarah [Tina's young children]. The way I saw it, Todd was manipulating them. If you look at the situation objectively, he got them to bring him food and clothing, and said, 'We have secrets. Don't tell anybody.' That's a really perverse, abusive relationship. Even when he saved Marty, Jessica and C.J. from the car accident, it worked because it was done reluctantly. The question is, 'Does one act of heroism make a hero?' I don't think it does."
"Did Todd care about his victims? Well, I think as much as any psychopath could. And, that's what I think was interesting. He might have felt guilty and remorseful, but that shouldn't excuse what he did. He did care about his victims, but they wer still his victims."
"What I really think is odd is that Todd and Marty became friends. If the rape had been an unrealistic, soapy thing, then it wouldn't matter. But because it was so in-depth and so brutal, to show Todd and Marty having drinks together in Rodi's - to show Marty feeling safe and comfortable with Todd - is bizarre."
"People say, 'But rape's been on daytime forever.' My response to that is, 'Not for 14 months. Not as graphic and terrifying as we tried to make it.' Todd's rape of Marty was not romantic - it was not a fantasy. It was ugly."
'Erotically charged'
"When Todd Manning got rich and became Todd Lord, he changed from a dangerous, maniacal, homicidal, serial rapist into someone else. This new person was erotically charged. It's very clear in my mind that rape is a violent crime - not a sexual crime of passion."
"I decided not to do a lot of press. When the Todd story was about an evil man perpetrating violence, it was a good thing., because it brought the idea of rape to the forefront of people's psyches. But I couldn't, in good conscience, promote the story of Todd Lord, who'd become a likeable character. People have come up to me and said, 'My 7-year-old loves you.' What do I say to that? 'Don't let your 7-year-old watch TV.' But I have to say, it's disturbing."
'Time to move on'
"The show is going to do just fine without me. It was there for 25 years before I was there, and it'll still be there 25 years later. It was a tremendous learning experience for me. And the friends I made on ONE LIFE TO LIVE will be my friends forever. But it is time to move on."
"Cari and I are feeling this urge to give L.A. a shot. She's the love of my life and we have the best relationship in the world. When I am with her, I get that feeling you get in the moment right before you laugh. We're really looking forward to our trip across the country together. When we get to L.A., we're going to look for acting work in prime-time, film and theater - anywhere we can get it. Right now, we have the possibility of acting together in a film. If that comes through, it will be wonderful." 'No more soaps'
"I won't be doing another soap. Part of the agreement of my leaving early is that I can't do another daytime show for a long time."
"I'm really glad I got to work on a soap, though. I look at acting like [being] a professional ballplayer - the more time you get to practice, the more likely you are to hit the ball when you get a chance. The sheer volume of practice has been good. Not many actors get the opportunity to work five days a week. I love acting - I'd act anywhere, any time, under any circumstances. I hope I get the chance to do a lot more of it in the future." |
