I officially give up on trying to guess all this [!@#$%^&*].

I do not think OLTL is at all safe. But I also don't think ABC would bring on Howarth and give up what was likely some portion of the budget unless the show had at least six months left on the air to play out a story. Maybe we're off in January, maybe earlier, maybe later, maybe there really has been no decision yet but I doubt that.

In any event, given what an automaton TSJ has become I welcome RH back, humbled and hopefully ready to work. He failed spectacularly at ATWT but he has talent and I hope he's ready to use it. I still love Tomas and want him with Blair, and I expect they will do a proper storyline incorporating both King and Howarth - they obviously had planned this Tomas story with at least the possibility of RH being involved, so this is all leading somewhere. And let's face it, St. John's Todd might as well stay in the coma or come out with his 'real' personality, whatever that may be. I do think RC telegraphed his intent several months ago, though, when he had Tea testify to the dubious joys and wonder of her 'new' Todd - I think that's the endgame for those two.

Also, I would not count Susan Haskell and Marty out for good. There is no way in hell this show will not have Haskell and Howarth share scenes when he returns. It is not even a question - it will happen.

Automaton! That's the perfect word to describe TSJ performances. I too welcome back Howarth.

As far as anything else, I don't think anything is truly etched in stone as far as cancellation is concerned.

If Howarth is coming back as the "real" Todd, then the whole story will be a complete disaster. The show has invested a lot of story in firmly establishing the current Todd, it would take a lot of retcons to reverse.

Agreed, Nothing good can come from that scenario

Because like other soap stars who hit the heights of popularity that he did, the big bucks were offered in order to keep him or to acquire him. He "earned" a certain salary bracket in the soap biz and his representation most certainly brings that to the table when negotiating his deals. As I said in my other post, of course this has been adjusted accordingly in today's soap climate where even Lucci takes a cut. Nevertheless, they aren't looking at him as some middleaged, no prospects dude as they might look at one of the ex-Kevins coming back. I'm sure he will make more than TSJ, at least as much if not more than KDP, and I wouldn't be surprised if he was tickling RS/HBS territory. OLTL made him a well-(over?)-paid big deal and I don't think he or his people are just going to let them forget that now.

IOW....

Nostalgia.

At this point I'll take the possibility of a committed performance from an actor who's had to eat some [!@#$%^&*] over watching the "enlightened" new Todd mentally do his taxes and giggle about rape. The character has been obliterated and the acting has not helped.

Also, I would not count Susan Haskell and Marty out for good. There is no way in hell this show will not have Haskell and Howarth share scenes when he returns. It is not even a question - it will happen.

I wonder if as speculated in another thread if this was done deliberately, firing her before he arrives, because they don't want viewers to remember the rape.

I seriously doubt that, and I've heard she may not have been fired so much as chose to quit. I remain convinced that one way or another, they will share scenes.

I hope so, because I saw him sleepwalk through scenes with Blair and Tea for years. He never did with Marty.

I seriously doubt that, and I've heard she may not have been fired so much as chose to quit. I remain convinced that one way or another, they will share scenes.

I think they will too, if only for a day, and if they don't it will be just as disappointing as Andrea's Tina never sharing a scene with Dorian and barely one with Viki.

IOW....

Nostalgia.

Ha, I know how you feel about that word. Yes, in a sense, but more about business. Specifically, his price which the soap industry set by responding to his popularity/hype. He and his agents/managers know what he's worth to OLTL (whether we think he's worth it or not, I mean, you know how his loud fans feel about him). It's a given that when he went to ATWT, his people told them straight up what OLTL last offered. They know his price tag and aren't going to be low-balled when once upon a time (nostalgia!) OLTL treated him like he hung the moon. I remember RS talking about when she was forced out they were calling RH's name over the loud speaker non-stop to meet with TPTB as they tried their damnedest to keep him. I'm guessing this go round he was offered one of the highest salaries on the show (industry pay cut adjusted). Or maybe not, maybe they played the "soaps are dying, these are the breaks" angle, and maybe that's why it's taken this news so damn long to be solidified?

I wonder if as speculated in another thread if this was done deliberately, firing her before he arrives, because they don't want viewers to remember the rape.

that makes absolutely no sense considering the show references and acknowledges the rape frequently. Just today, that was touched upon again

If Howarth is coming back as the "real" Todd, then the whole story will be a complete disaster. The show has invested a lot of story in firmly establishing the current Todd, it would take a lot of retcons to reverse.

LOL suddenly cause it's RH Todd retcons can't be undone? Retcons are just that something that's been rewritten and that can be undone.

RH as anyone but Todd is gonna flop harder than Tony Geary as Bill Eckert on GH did

Boo hiss

LOL suddenly cause it's RH Todd retcons can't be undone? Retcons are just that something that's been rewritten and that can be undone.

RH as anyone but Todd is gonna flop harder than Tony Geary as Bill Eckert on GH did

Its better off to just get rid of TSJ and bring RH as Todd than to retcon the last 8 years of the character away

that makes absolutely no sense considering the show references and acknowledges the rape frequently. Just today, that was touched upon again

The rape is now about remembering Todd wasn't the only rapist, about air quotes, about Marty being the one who needs to get over it, Todd being the victim.

From Kassie on twitter:

Thrilled Roger Howarth will b back. Between Ted, Trevor, & Roger... 3 amazingly talented actors. Possibilities r endless. Kudos 2 OLTL!

https://twitter.com/#!/KassieDePaiva/status/55609282334437376