AE: The show has received criticism from some quarters that it was already too gay. Saul's coming out might only fuel more of that. Any thoughts?
RR: You know what I say to that? F**k that. I don't really care about that. I don't understand that kind of attitude. When you ask me a question like that, when somebody says "too gay," I don't understand what "too gay" means.
AE: There's still homophobia out there. Some folks don't want to see gay people on screen.
RR: Right. I can't give credence to that. I can't pay attention to that. I can't honor that kind of attitude. All I can really do is play a character who has integrity, who has the strength to be honest, the strength to be human, trying to figure out their life, and make it as good and filled with integrity as I possibly can.
AE: Are there any particular episodes coming up where Saul's coming out process will be front and center?
RR: I don't know about front and center. It's going to be more side and center, or side and front. This is going to be very challenging for Saul, and for the audience... and the network. I think it's challenging for the networks to bring this character out, to have two out characters on a prime time show that may be a hit and could go on for a while.
We know what the middle of this country is like. It needs to be done with care. I have to be patient with it if it's not front and center. Sometimes actors get impatient or a little itchy when their character isn't developing as fully and as quickly as they want it to. So I have to tell myself, just be patient. It's a thrilling possibility, but it has to be done right. You know what I mean?
AE: Yes, and as viewers, we need to be patient too.
RR: I have friends who are gay and lesbian who say, "Come on! We want more Saul! More Saul!" And I just say, please be patient. This is a brave character and a brave point of view, so let's just see how it turns out. It may not turn out well, but we have to wait for that.
AE: A popular topic of conversation on our site is whether Kevin should get back together with Scotty (Luke McFarlane). What do you think?
RR: As his uncle, as somebody who has become a surrogate father to the kids, I just want Kevin to be happy whoever he’s with. They're all such complicated kids. Do people really want him to get back with Scotty?
AE: Some do. It's kind of split.
RR: What about you?
AE: I'm like you. I'd just like to see him happy.
RR: Kevin is a complicated character.
AE: Especially for network television.
RR: Yeah! I think it's fantastic. I'm so thrilled that he's played with such intelligence. He's so articulate. And Matt is such a fantastic actor.
AE: Has it been different with Greg Berlanti not being around as much?
RR: No, I think he's around as much this season as he was last season. He's in touch with the writers. Robin Baitz, his voice is a profound voice on the show. He created the characters. You know, I've done all his plays. As a matter of fact, I did a play of his last year in LA and New York called "A Paris Letter" in which I played a character who had a secret also. Fantastic play. It's specifically about that kind of character.
AE: There's also been some criticism of the show's portrayal of Republicans, that Kitty and Senator McAllister aren't terribly representative of the sorts of Republicans that actually wield power in this country. What are your thoughts on that?
RR: Well, I mean, the writers are really trying to present all points of view. There are liberal Republicans. We know who they are. I think if the show takes a stand with a certain kind of Republican, then that's what the show is talking about. There are plenty of other shows, and plenty of other channels — and we know what those channels are — that have conservative Republicans. That's not what this show wants to talk about.
The fact that this family is divided politically is fascinating to me, and interesting to me, and appropriate to me. I don't think a family like this would have a very conservative Republican, but the fact that Kitty is a Republican and has fallen in love with a Republican who has that kind of political view — Bravo!
AE: What was the mood on the set after Sally Field won the Emmy?
RR: You know it's got to be exciting. I wasn't there that day, I was there the day after, but we were thrilled. Any attention the show gets we're all excited about.
AE: How did she feel about being censored? What was the cast's reaction?
RR: I can't answer that. I really don't know. I think she was just trying to make a statement about how she felt about the war. Saying “Goddamn”, again, we're talking about what does that mean? Some people found that offensive.
AE: Are you at all surprised that the show not only survived its turbulent first season, but Sally won an Emmy and the show appears to be strong going into its second season?
RR: I believe in the show, so I guess I'm not surprised. I'm thrilled. I think basically, this business is so odd, there's always an element of surprise if something finds popularity. It's so difficult, and so few shows become popular. You know, Alias was not such a big, huge hit. It was sort of an underground hit. I don't think I was surprised, just thrilled.
