Articles and Interviews: 1994-1995

Editor's Choice: Digest Salutes the Best in Daytime (Soap Opera Digest 4/25/95)

Bad Heir Day

Linking a popular character to an established family is the first lesson in Soap Writing 101. But the One Life to Live scribes outdid themselves by tying the town rapist, Todd Manning, to Llanview's most respectable citizen, Victoria Lord Carpenter. It was a brilliant move; one that many viewers never saw coming. And anything linking powerhouse actors Erika Slezak and Roger Howarth is alright with us.

When Todd first appeared on OLTL, he was just another arrogant frat boy at Llanview University. Marty's vicious gang rape transformed the insolent cad into a heinous criminal -- Todd was the taunting ringleader. His violent rampage continued as he killed Suede, terrorized Nora and kidnapped Rebecca. Normally, a character so depraved would get a one-way ticket out of town, and indeed, Todd had been conceived as a short-term villain. But Howarth brought unanticipated dimension to the role. Todd was a tortured soul, and viewers who started out hating Todd found themselves empathizing with him. OLTL's most despicable character had inexplicably turned into a heartthrob.

The show wasn't about to irresponsibly gloss over Todd's sins and turn him into a romantic hero. But they did have to anchor him to Llanview, so they seized on a happy coincidence: Todd shares the late Irene Manning's sur-name. Irene is Tina's mother. Now, it turns out she is Todd's mother, too. His father? Tina and Viki's dad, the late Victor Lord, which means Todd is the missing Lord heir. Suddenly, whether he likes it or not, Todd has become entrenched in Llanview's first family.

Enter Llanview's other pariah, town tramp Blair Daimler. She and Todd became friends and then had a fling when Blair was mad at Cord. When Blair learned -- before Todd did -- that he could inherit millions, she used their one-night stand to trick him into marriage by pretending she was pregnant. Goaded by Asa, Todd demanded that Blair take a pregnancy test. The joke was on Blair -- she really was pregnant. That surprising twist was a bonus, because Blair's "delicate" condition showcased another side of Todd: the possessive husband.

Todd and Blair make a surprisingly sympathetic pair. They don't love each other, but with their rotten pasts and desperate need to be loved, these two losers could actually become soulmates. The stage is set for months of delicious storytelling. Hated enemies Tina and Blair are now sisters-in-law. If Cord reunites with Tina, he and Todd will be brothers-in-law. Blair is pregnant with yet another Lord heir. Someone better take out extra life insurance before this family gathers for Thanksgiving.