It’s raining interviews! What’s going on, something important or something??
…oh, right, That Thing. Gaaaaah.
Anyway! Dennis Grabosch, ever the trooper, has answered a few questions for EKP. The original came out as the customary entertaining Sprachensalat, but we’ve divvied it up into an English and a German version for you because we’re nerdy like that. You can find the German version here.
As with previous interviews, this does contain spoilers about the final storyline, though nothing too detailed.
Photograph courtesy of Jovan Evermann, 2011
Eskimo Kiss Project: We’ve watched Roman Wild grow from a simple “diva with a heart of gold” into this complicated, imperfect creature. Could you share with us some of the milestones of the character’s development, or even a single one that you are most proud of?
Dennis Grabosch: I’ll reduce it to three thematic examples from his journey if I may:
Friendship:
The learning curve that friendships like in “Fried Green Tomatoes” are more of a thought concept than reality, but that his friendships with Annette and Ingo are based on a much more balanced dynamic than those with Jenny and Nina.
Love:
The fact that work on his relationship with Deniz only really began after Hollywood would have faded out, when daily life took over. Love isn’t a constant, and only if you’re ready to accept that feelings can change within a relationship and still don’t throw in the towel, you’ll have a chance to be the winner in the end.
Loss:
He who abandons all cynicism in the face of death and admits to himself that he has wasted too much time on pointless self-doubt may actually still find out for the moment what really matters to him.
EKP: It was quite a shock to learn in episode 926 that so much of Roman’s history had been a lie. I think this was a surprise to you as well. Was it difficult to establish retroactive continuity or did you just try to move forward and hope it worked?
DG: I knew about it beforehand and wrote a memo that wasn’t addressed to myself. And I’m very grateful to Tom Chroust and the writers for the result. It set Roman’s character straight and in my opinion introducing Egon Wild made Roman appear more human than ever before, and explained his general attitude towards people and life.
EKP: Why does Roman have to die? Why?!!!! Er, what we mean to say is, what would you personally have liked to see Roman Wild achieve before his demise?
DG: All good stories have a beginning, a journey, development and an end. When I started, I wanted my take on something like “Beautiful Thing”, or at least a kind of love story … The writers, directors and creative team of AWZ gave us not just a love story; within the borders of the format, we got our version of “Love Story” playing by and pushing the rules of “Celluloid Closet” – what more could you wish for a gay character in a daily soap?
EKP: “Ten days of bitching for every two days of bliss” – Roman Wild and Deniz Öztürk couldn’t stay apart but they also weren’t very good at staying together. Do you reckon those crazy kids would ever have made it long-term if Roman hadn’t died?
DG: I think they were two very different characters realising that they complemented each other, and at the best of times, they were in the moment together. I would call it a pretty successful relationship (though I would advise everyone not to leave the love of your life because he has fun with a hooker. That would be pretty stupid, please don’t emulate that. Not a good role model and a far cry from real life.)
EKP: You’ve always seemed very conscientious about getting character motivations right. Daily soaps are unique in that you get constant feedback from the fans as to what works and what doesn’t. By watching their reactions, do you feel like the intent usually matches the outcome? What happens when it doesn’t – do you feel like you’ve missed the mark or do you usually find new perspectives in how others saw it?
DG: I always thought it was great when the audience’s perception was exactly like we’d imagined it. But towards the end I no longer cried into my pillow when I wasn’t able to fulfill your expectations. As long as I was content to be able to find motivations for things for myself, I’d fulfilled my personal work directive. And anyone who expects not to have to make compromises in a daily format will go insane.
EKP: The last days of Roman Wild are incredibly moving, and the way it’s paced and shot transcends what we usually see in soaps – approaching film quality, actually. Can you share some of the creative process that went into putting together to create something so epic? In other words, who do we blame for breaking our hearts?
DG: Gudrun Scheerer said, “Don’t worry, you’re only ever as good as your last film,” which didn’t exactly make me feel more relaxed. But the fact that I was able to shoot our last block with her and Christof Brehmer was an incredible gift for Igor and me. Both directors know us well and have been significantly involved in the story of Roman and Deniz over the years, so it turned into an emotionally haunting but liberating tour of the family album. The scenes that Jörg [Schenten, Assistant Director/Director of Photography] shot on our road trip are exceptionally beautiful, and when I saw the finished block with the parts shot in the studio, I found it very difficult to keep up my mantra of “Don’t be sad, it’s only acting.” It’s been many years since I felt such a strong connection and concerted effort with the people I work with every day. Filming is team work, and I haven’t felt that so intensely in a long while as I did with the last blocks on AWZ. I hope it will show in those scenes.
EKP: Brain tumours generally don’t precipitate wardrobe overhauls, but in this case we’re glad Roman’s did. But can you tell us about the hippie jewellery and, especially, what the bunny tooth means to Roman?
DG: Well, Gudrun and the costume department were not too happy with the suggested changes, so talking with Nina Blum [the current head writer] we all came up in the end with that kind of combat theme. Fight for every moment. And the tooth is a reference to the only actual encounter Roman had with Simone Steinkamp – well, Mommy Dearest, this bunny actually can be a tiger if it really matters. Actually it was a test for the whores, but I guess it didn’t quite work, or it was beneath your standards. Well, you can’t have everything.
[EKP: What's this "Niveau" you speak of? For the record, it might have worked if the damn tooth wasn't the size of a megalodon's! Must've been a mutant bunny.]
EKP: Did you burn your skates yet?
DG: I wouldn’t – I am waiting for an exceptionally good offer to sell them to a crazy fan, in combination with the white jacket Roman got as a Christmas present from Deniz, lol.
EKP: So Roman Wild is history. What’s next for Dennis Grabosch?
DG: Trying to find out what really matters to me, while I grow older and my perspective changes, without ever running the risk of becoming a professional one-track specialist again, lol. I think growing up could be an awfully big adventure.
EskimoKiss Project
aldiwitch
Shelly
Lilith
HAHAHA! Ich wusste doch, dass es um die Szene mit Simone ging. Tiger oder Hase? Hase. Verdammt, ich muss es doch in den Kommentaren auf Youtube geschrieben haben. Oder war es Twitter?
Na also, dann hat’s ja doch geklappt, lol. \o/!
Wow. I’m going to miss reading Dennis’ snarking and funny commentary on all things AWZ (including talk about us ‘whores’). Thanks for posting the interview, ladies.
In den Kommentaren zu Episode 1237 hast du es erwähnt. (F3 is my friend)
Haha, ich habe damals auch Tiger geschrieben.
I know we did mention it, and I did point out to him that the whores had noticed (even if he preferred to pretend he was being all cryptic and stealthy) but that we still preferred to think of it as a memento from our beloved Marc.
Maaaaaarc! (sorry, got carried away)
Wonderful Thank you so much to EKP and of course to Dennis himself , wishing you all every success in future projects xoxo
I’m still completely in denial. It’s not happening. I don’t care what Dennis says. It’s all a big cover up so we aren’t spoiled to the fact that Roman actually survives. He didn’t actually have a brain tumor. It was just a spot on the film. The headaches and dizzy spells are caused by Isabelle and her giant ego. She doesn’t leave any room for poor Roman.
When I think about Roman Wild and how Dennis Grabosch always played him, the song he once skated to — “Do you want the truth or something beautiful?” — always floats through my mind. I feel like this is what he gave us with this portrayal: the kind of honesty that wasn’t always pretty, and the edge that was so often painful. But so many times, he forced me to re-examine what beautiful was, and through that new lens I could see that the truth was still there. And that’s why Roman Wild captured my heart and mind so completely.
Comments like yours prove how much more this is than “just a soap”. They never limited their characters to stereotypes, and thus Show attracted so many diverse viewers whose opinions keep on broadening my horizon in many more ways than I imagined when I signed up for this.
Ohhhhh, ladies that answered my almost every question and leaves me feeling quite satisfied. I would love to hear that Dennis is taking time for himself and his husband.
I’m so proud of that last line. It’s so true: you never stop growing up. This man…. is so amazing. Can we just… can we keep him?
sniff, sniff
and I’m crying again …
it’s so said that dennis is leaving the show
but I think this is a good end
a new roman was not a good idee ,
and to leave duitsland also not …
it’s hard , but dennis is a great actor , and i think the did a great job .
and i’m gowing to miss him …
but Dero is Forever in my heart <3
I knew I shouldn’t have read this, now I’m sad and I will when everything happens. Personally love Roman (Dennis) his acting and his personality in the Soap, but most moved by his expressions, both facial and hand movements when he is trying to resolve something with or about Deniz, obviously the love of his life, not Marc. Did this character justice, I don’t get so emotionally involved in a character on a Soap, but the second night I realized I had been going over and over the same episodes, and then started using klennex to mop up the tears, I was hooked, Pass the Vodka and peanuts, it’s going to be a long night. lol
Thank you ladies for your exceptional work. Thank you Dennis Grabosch for sharing your thoughts and so much of your life with your fans.
Wendy:
We all have to grow up someday Peter. And where to we go from here.
Peter:
The second star on the right and striaght on til morning.
Thank you Ladies and Thank you Dennis…
super cute! Loved your comment, apprapo……….. and I thought I believed in faries!!! lol
Danke Dennis for everything you did to bring the wonderful Roman to life – I wish you could have stayed on and kept him alive for us for many more years, but this is the nature of soaps. When real life pulls an actor away, we lose a character we have learnt to love and who fits a special place in our hearts. I’m not sure when I’ll stop crying…
Wishing Dennis all the best and thank you EKP ladies for this. *noserubs*
One sentence to describe dennis.
You are a down to earth,beautiful, sophisticated, talented creature of god on this mother earth.
I’m thankful to EKP ladies whom had brought to us this wonderful n captivating love story (english sub) transformed into sheer blissful acting by my most favourite actors Igor & Dennis.
Love u both….
p.s. is there any interview done with Igor? Love to hear his views. N lastly but not the least, an interview with both of them would be the icing on the cake.
The idea I kept a firm hold on is that all things have to end. I try very hard to remember that the ending of something doesn’t detract anything from what we had while it was around. That we can hold to it and keep the lessons and the feelings within us.
I’m not happy with what’s happening but while I see this heartache spreading out in front of me the main thought I have is ‘damn – if Dennis has to leave AWZ at least we (and the whole world) are getting the chance to see just what makes him so awesome’. We’re seeing what it was that made all us crazy fangirls fall so hard for a character and a show.
All things must end but I am so pleased that Dennis got to shine and leave with such a brilliant parting gift. I can’t wait to see what happens and hope he gets opportunities worthy of the acting that’s killing us all right now.
Hey EKP and fab actor person!
Thanks for the interview, it was very entertaining and insightful.
Here’ s some random thoughts on it:
1) RW, cynical bastard that he is, might have some reservations towards the “Fried Green Tomatoes” concept, but it still looks to me that this character has enabled some friendships that come pretty close to that ideal (yes, Aldi/Lil and Pet/Christine, I’m talking about you).
2) Yes, continuing the DeRo story after the Hollywood like happy ending was what made this couple so interesting and real. And I sincerely hope that it was an actor’s decision to move on to more rewarding projects (rather than a strategic move of some TV big shot who didn’t see the potential of this couple) that ended this storyline.
Because heartwrenching and beautiful as the end of the DeRo story may be, I still feel that the viewers were deprived of many an interesting moment of the life and development of a very watchable TV couple that made people, who would normally steer so clear of that format, turn in to a soap.
3) As for far cries from real life when your big love enjoys a bit on the side with a hooker:
I think, I’m moving in pretty open-minded circles, but most people I know, whether straight or gay, would probably suffer from the same issues of trust and insecurity as Roman Wild when finding out that their partner, when confessing about a drunk one night stand, had lied about the gender of their fling. Not far from but rather true to life, I would think.
4) Finally, the bunny/tiger tooth and Simone/Marc allusions: Stop whining about standards, a fan community that has a) a good memory, b) an analytic mind and c) a wild (no pun intended) imagination sounds very much like a good thing to me (and makes me write overlong comments sometimes;)
Ok, bunnies, thanks for the ride, and lots of luck with whatever you’ll come up with in the future!
<33333333333333333333333
Oh, ladies, you look as beautiful as Dennis in that photo… you lucky “whores”, I’ll still never get used to saying that.
———————————————–
Dennis Grabosch, I simply love you, I wish I had a better way of stating it but there it is. (I never claimed to be a writer, I am a musician).
If you don’t know this, I wanted to tell you how much you have moved so many of us in the LGBT community, even though you’ve commented on snark from some idiotic gay boys, I believe the majority of us who have had the honor of enjoying your art felt moved.
Even though, sometimes the story line got “soapy”, what was ALWAYS present between Roman and Deniz was LOVE. Even when you two were apart, the angsty tension was really that you two weren’t complete without each other and that fight to be together was what eventually brought you two back into each other’s arms.
That is important for so many of us in different parts of the world where we have to prove to non-LGBT people that we are human beings capable of love, (unfortunately, including here in the USA). The love and chemistry you and Igor shared on the screen was comforting to many of us for that reason. It looked and felt real.
As you know, it is hard not to take what those who hate us say about us into our hearts and you probably did not set out to be an activist in that way, you were just portraying a character, but I can’t thank you enough for giving us an INTERNATIONAL voice and humanity. I am also thanking Igor and the writers as well.
Outside of your work as Roman, I love the fact that you have been open about your sexual orientation since the beginning despite the nature of the entertainment industry. I appreciate all that you have shared with us like the incident of bashing when you were young and how open you are about your husband.
I wish I had a role model like you as I was coming up. The kids are so lucky today in that way… but I feel like we still have a long way to go with the fact that many kids still think it is better to be dead than gay. SIGH… well, the fact that so many heterosexuals enjoy DeRo means your work has touched all kinds of people and that makes it even more important.
All of this babbling is just to say THANK YOU. You are a remarkable person, sir, and I will miss seeing you on my screen. You have become a friend to this 43 year old queer guy
All my best to you and your husband, Brent and all of your future endeavors!!!
EskimoKissProject,
Gosh, I’m trying so hard not to cry. Watching the last two episodes and coming to terms with the imminent death of my favorite character on Alles Was Zahlt is a little difficult to bear. Even so, it’s hard not to notice the hard work put in to the script, the acting, the directing, the lighting, the costumes. Everything is handled with such grace and professionalism that I’m almost speechless. Even though there is a slight language barrier between the English-speaking viewers and the German (sometimes Germlish) speaking soap opera thousands worldwide are captivated by this storyline including the little insignificant eskimo whore writing this unnecessarily long reply.
Dennis, I love ya, baby! Your acting and character inspired me to be more open with my sexuality and come out to some of my friends which is the best decision I have ever made. Also, the dynamics in the show, although dramatic as hell on occasion, were handled with a beauty that also inspired me to look within myself. I so very enjoy writing and movies and watching works from other countries and other languages. Participating in this kind of activity has taught me that words are half of the beauty of a show/play/movie. Anyone can read words in front of a screen, but making ME cry is just unheard of. I’m entering college this year as a double major in Creative Writing and film so that I can become a screen writer and director. All in all, I applaud the great work that you have done and wush you much success in the future.
EKP, I created a Youtube account just so I could subscribe to you. THAT’S HOW MUCH YOU’RE LOVED! Even though it is tres, tres sad that Roman will be leaving the show (especially under such extenuating circumstances), I will still follow diligently wherever you decide to go. I like you gals, I do.
*wipes eyes* KK, I think I’m done.
- BlueOleandar93
The sadness of a heart is overcome by the feelling of a well done job by all of you from AWZ. I started watching it to keep up with the German language that I so love. I’ve downloaded into my heart some of the most beautiful dialogues you’ve created. Congratulation for all and every little thing. Dennis, we are going to miss Roman, because you have done his part very well. I wish you all the best in your next work. As you have said every character has a start, a development and and ending and the best one is that that radiates harmony, persistance, good character compasion and love to its audience. LOVE, LIVE, LEARN ‘n’ LAUGH. MAC
I don’t know how I didn’t see this interview until today, but thanks to all of you for posting it. I really, really hate the idea that DeRo is ending because there were/are so many other parts of their journey I would have loved to see. But as Dennis says above, “Love isn’t constant.” And neither is life. These actors and this love story was able to do so much and depict so much about the mutability of the human experience that it only makes sense that it would deal with the topic of death as well.
As I re-watch their episodes from the very beginning, I’m forced to realize and appreciate how many stories were told and how incredibly rich this journey was. Flaws and all, it has been the richest, most rewarding love story I’ve seen on TV because DeRo, at its best, wasn’t just about a couple making up and breaking up but about two really complex people struggling to find each other and themselves in this crazy world, and I don’t know who can’t identify with that.
I’ll forever be glad and grateful that I, on a whim, decided to check out this show and this story. I wish Dennis all the best and can’t wait to see what comes next!
What always draws me to a character, and especially to a couple in any genre (movie, TV show, book) is that they are complicated, with their bright and their dark sides showing in equal measure. I don’t want my hero to never screw up. I don’t want my villain to never show humanity. I think that is why I fell in love with Deniz & Roman. Both actors are not afraid to show all the sides to their character’s personalities, especially when dealing with each other. I loved this interview because I could see that Dennis, the actor, understands how important it is for him to present his character fully and without fear. I’m going to miss his very talented skills in inhabiting such a wonderful character as Roman, but I’m happy for him nonetheless.
I wish I had the time to leave more of an adequate comment, but thank you so much EKP for posting what was not only a fantastic storyline, but a way to push me first into learning Deutsch and then keeping it alive in such a dynamic way. AWZ and your coverage of it was so good that I remember several nights in both highschool and the first year of college that were spent watching your subtitles as a way of teaching myself what I discovered to be a ganz cool language. You did such a marvelous job, that, when you announced that you were leaving subtitling, I tried out the RTL site and was able to understand ohne Untertiteln in a way that really shocked me…and now its developed into a Minor at college…xD I will miss you girls terribly, and please, please, please, delay the taking down of your youtube site as long as possible. I’m slightly concerned about downloading at college in the USA (is it technically a copyright infringement?) and am worried that you’ll be forced to do the fateful deed before I’m able to get home and download to save. However, regardless, ich liebe euch und Show und danke danke danke für alles dass ihr getan habt!
I read this beautiful interview the day you published it but I couldn’t answer just then. I had to think about something and Dennis’ words – particularly about ‘Loss’ – reminded me of the Christmas Carol, oddly enough.
“Your nature intercedes for me, and pities me. Assure me that I yet may change these shadows you have shown me, by an altered life!”
(To be perfectly honest, I had to look up the exact words but I remembered the scene of Scrooge kneeling on his grave in the snow, begging the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come to have mercy.)
What I’ve always loved about the rendition of RW (and about EKP too), was the linking of a soap to culture, literature, and film. I don’t mean it as snobbish as it may sound but when I read the various comments on YT or when Dennis talks about his approaches I am reminded of why I found you in the first place. By chance, I was introduced to what I first thought to be ‘another’ German soap. But I instantly loved the quaint and often double-edged humour. When re-watching earlier episodes I finally got stuck at the moment when JS and RW talked about love and how the wrong match can end in the birth of a mad daughter and the introduction of the Spanish Inquisition; at the pool of the Centre of all places. There was an insight in people I hadn’t seen before in a German soap.
And it has been the fandom’s insightful analyses that have kept me watching and enjoying the show, too. I agree with Momo; a wonderful character and an amazing storyline has encouraged friendships across the globe. And it’s sad that this is about to end.
However, like Scrooge’s my heart has been touched and my life altered. And I’m sure this won’t change. Thank you.
Bahahaha. OK, I have to address the saber toothed tiger thing too, as it has been bugging me. So thank you EKP for asking. I think it would have worked if there was a previous connection to it. For example, Denniz bought for his Christmas present when he was still in high school and broke and Roman dragged it out of box of woe or some such thing. Oh, makes for some good distracting humor at a time like this. Love to all.
Thank you ever so much for the interview and all this incredible, wonderfully insane journey, darlings. You are much much loved and appreciated. Sending you bunches of hugs and kisses.
Yours
Sam ♥