Chat with "Oz's" CO Howell

HBO presents

August 24, 2000

Page 2 of 7

ElCid: Do you get a kick out of Claire's wicked sense of humor and is any of it improvised on your part?

Kristin Rohde: Yes. I do get a kick out of her sense of humor. And a lot of it comes from just focusing on what she is doing. I am not trying to be funny, but how evil and wicked she is, IS funny.

AD35: If you could play a female version of any other "Oz" character, who would it be and why?

Kristin Rohde: The warden, Warden Glynn. It would be fun to have a woman in that position. And in charge of thousands of men!

Shelly: Were you surprised when you first read the script about having a relationship with Ryan O'Reily?

Kristin Rohde: Yes. Extremely surprised. It came out of nowhere. I was not expecting it at all. I felt nervous. Scared to have to do that kind of scene. But I was thrilled to death, because I wasn't dead. Sex is better than death, in Oz.

ElvisCam: Given the officer's want for love, could she fall prey to the wily ways of some convict?

Kristin Rohde: Yes, I think she probably could. It all depends on which convict and how it all played out.

Mia: Can you tell us where we can see you besides "Oz"? I love your character on the show, but think you are an excellent actress and would love to see you play other roles.

Kristin Rohde: Not in very much. I had a small role in "Homicide" for 4 years. Had a bit part in "Law & Order", but I'm not out there very much. I'm looking for work as we speak. I'd like to see me out there, too.

DirkDiggler: Have you had any input in your character's appearance in the scripts?

Kristin Rohde: No, none. It's all up to Fontana.

Mc: When you read your script for the show are you amazed at what you have to do?

Kristin Rohde: Yes! Many, many times I have been amazed when I open up that script for the first time. But no matter how wild it may get, I always to tell myself that Fontana hasn't killed me, so everything is okay.

Ryansgirl: First off, Kristin, you are a tremendous actress and I truly enjoy your work on the show. My question is this, do you find that people you meet have a hard time separating the real you from that of your wicked character, Officer Howell?

Kristin Rohde: Not when people come up to me on the street. They tend to have a good sense of humor about it. Where I am finding it hard for people to differentiate between the two, is trying to find more work. I'm only now perceived as the evil, corrections officer; but as I said, the people on the street don't seem to have any trouble. They laugh right in my face.

MsG: How do you handle, off screen, being the woman people love to hate?

Kristin Rohde: Not much to handle. They love to hate me--it's a good thing!

Page 2 of 7