I have certain truths in my life that I hold to be self evident. Yes, I went to law school and made it through seventh grade civics class (although I skipped the trip to Springfield, Ill, as I thought I was far too cool to stay in that gross hotel with the losers in my class) so I can spout off the Constitution. I believe that all men- and women- are created equal. I believe that Peter Townshend was not now, nor has he ever been, interested in child pornography. He was simply a victim of a stupid mistake. I believe that George W. Bush is truly an idiot. As true idiots are rare, he should be studied for further research in this area. But, for these purposes, I will end with this one truth:
I believe that Todd Manning should not now, nor should he ever be, King of the Studs on any program for any purpose. To do so would be an offense to not only viewers everywhere, women in general, past creative people who worked to create this very complex figure, the soap opera genre in general, and, mostly, to ME!!!
Okay, I feel better already. Now, let me be clear. I am a Feminist who works in a seriously leftist discipline. I consider myself a “Post-Feminist”, but I don’t feel the need to explain myself here as this is not about me…well, not really. At any rate, I do truly feel that this issue matters more than Mr. Valentini’s bottom line or stupid ass ideas to pull in some ratings. Oh, and by the way, Buddy, IT’S NOT WORKING!!!
This issue, the portrayal of a complex character with serious offenses against women on his rather lengthy rapsheet, actually has been used as a tool to promote understanding and show the power of television as not an educational tool but rather an ideological state apparatus as it perpetuates ideas about gender, sex, sexual politics, forgiveness, and adds to the dialogue about what it means to be truly “redeemed” in this society- if that’s even possible. This form is truly unique as it speaks to and for women, and gay men, two under-represented classes in the discourse of mass media, and addresses issues that would not otherwise be discussed. It can do so because it functions in this secondary realm, that of the unnoticed, and therefore can speak truths to its audience that no other form can dare say. The daytime drama can speak plainly about the ugly things that are often only whispered about in “good society” as only those with little power are watching- or creating it. It is in this arena that true discussions can take place and ideology can really be negotiated.
In other, nonacademic words, no one gives a crap what a bunch of old broads and gay guys are watching so they can really let it rip! See my point?
Again, for the 856th time, I love the character of Todd Manning. However, that is not an absolute. I love Roger Howarth’s Todd Manning. I found the replacement actor, one Trevor St John, to be inadequate in the role. This is not because of Mr. St John, who I’m sure is a lovely man and a caring human being, although I know nothing about him personally. However, I found the portrayal to be offensive, obnoxious, one dimensional, and any other bad word I can think of to call it. Thankfully, my former hero, Mr. Valentini, not only dismissed Mr. St John, but “De-Todded” him on his way out. It was basically a “Whoops, he’s not Todd after all. He’s the slow brother” and with that stroke of a pen and I’d imagine a heavy bonus check to the former actor and originator of the character, one Roger Howarth, the travesty was gone and all was right with the world of Llanview, for me anyway- and several million other viewers, I would say as the ratings went comfortably up. That was a good day.
Now, it’s another one. And it may not be so good, although I hold out hope that this whole ranting campaign will be for naught. I would like to address Mr. Howarth, who I have enjoyed in the role for years and although I’ve never met him, nor do I ever plan to, am sure he, too, is a lovely man and a caring human being. But, I’ll be honest, I really don’t care!! Mr. Howarth, or I’ll call you Roger as you are a year or so younger than me and calling you “Mr.” seems ridiculous. Okay, so, Roger, Dude, DON’T LET THEM DO THIS TO TODD!!!!
Maybe I should be more clear. STOP THIS NOW BEFORE IT HAPPENS. REALLY. STOP THIS. Now, I function in the real world, not that of entertainment. I know that in a workplace, no matter if it’s real, imaginary, or somewhere inbetween- meaning in the world of media- that some people have power and some people don’t. Some people have more power than others, and some people have no power, and some people have ALL the power.
From what I’ve heard from very unreliable sources, Buddy, you have a lot of power in this nice little world in which you live. In fact, it’s been stated that you are the reason that Todd Manning has remained as he has- truly filled with remorse and regret and always trying to be a better man but never making it because, well, he just isn’t. It would seem, then, that you are the reason that Todd Manning remained viable and not a disgusting pig as we saw with Mr. St John. Your Todd, then, was a truly fucked up soul who could never get out from under the magnitude of his crimes or his attempts to control his fate. Your Todd, the one who truly matters, is the one who counts because never, in daytime as I’ve seen, has there been a character who truly evolved but did not devolve at the same time. Todd, unlike Luke or other rapists who remained viable characters, was not made out to be a “good man who made a mistake”. Todd is a truly sick person who can feel remorse but is not worthy of complete redemption and forgiveness as some crimes cannot ever be truly forgiven. Todd did receive some level of forgiveness but true happiness will always elude him as he knows that he does not deserve it. And, Dude, if that was your doing, bravo to you because finally, someone got it right!! And thank you, as it was a pleasure to watch.
But, the niceties stop here. Your job is not done. If, in fact, it was your insistence that Todd remain true for all those years, don’t stop now. Don’t give in to the big paycheck or being tired of the fights. You were right. You ended your run perfectly in Llanview and it was really terrific. It was sweet and warm to see Todd and Blair happy, but fitting to see it all blow up in his face, as it should. But to let him go off to that cesspool and become Joe Stud around town….are you kidding me? What was that all for? For that? Is that what you allegedly fought for as we all cheered you on? To end up mediocre and average? Remember, you may be in field that many will deride and degrade but when it’s all over, look at who gets the respect truly. Brad Pitt may have a lot of money and Tom Hanks a lot of awards and respect, but, Dude, they ain’t Todd Manning. They wouldn’t have the guts for it.
Now, get to work. You have professors watching and lawyers and doctors and teachers and, hell, I even know a big ass Federal Judge who thinks your Todd is the shit!!! Go do it for us but, also, do it for yourself. Don’t let them “Luke Spencer-fy” Todd Manning. Don’t let them whitewash him and make him a hip dude with a rap sheet. He’s Todd Fucking Manning!! He’s yours. You may not want him, but you made him and you’re stuck with him. Take him out as you brought him. Kicking ass and taking no prisoners…and trying to get his goddamn wife back at the same time.
You’re all we got left, Buddy, it’s all up to you. Todd Manning taught a lot of people what it means to be truly sorry for what you’ve done but that you can never really escape it. You brought soap opera into the realm of Shakespearian tragedy. Now, don’t let it be ruined. That, Dude, would be the real tragedy. And one that YOU’LL never be forgiven for. This crime will be on you, Roger, not Todd. This challenge is all yours and there’s a lot of us depending on you. We all made this happen together. You created this guy and we all watched and supported your ideas. Now, it’s all up to you. Don’t let us down.
And by the way, can you get DePaiva back for even a minute? Or Slezak? Man, I miss her.
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