Drama for VH1’s Generation

A s the lead vocalist in era-defining anthems such as “My Generation,” Roger Daltrey for many Americans remains the force behind the rock band the Who.

But since his movie debut in the 1975 film version of the rock opera “Tommy” and subsequent gigs in theater and television, the musician has been trying to recast himself as an actor as well.

He has appeared on American television in roles ranging from an outrageous rock star going through rehab in Showtime’s comedy “Rude Awakenings” to Boric, king of the fairies, in the 1999 NBC miniseries “The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns.”

Now Daltrey is set to host the first scripted VH1 original drama series, “Strange Frequency,” an anthology of music-related horror stories that premieres Saturday at 10 p.m. He stars in the show’s premiere as a talent agent with mysterious powers.

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Question: Scary series have been tried before “Strange Frequency.” What makes this one unique and a good fit for VH1, which has not done drama before?

Answer: The musical roots and that they are very well-researched. I think it’s the perfect formula for VH1 and also networks. I don’t know why networks can’t put this type of thing on, knowing the demography of rock ‘n’ roll, which is enormous. It seems like it would be a good half-an-hour slot on the terrestrial somewhere, because there is no nudity or profanity in it, no reason why it wouldn’t be, they are just dark. I think in the genre, the musical pedigree of the show gives it a different edge.

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Q: What about the show intrigued you enough to take on the hosting spot as well as act in the premiere?

A: I like acting, it’s as simple as that. It first started as a job, just another acting job, and then they asked me to be the host. I saw last year’s [special on which the series is based] and I thought it was well done. I was offered to do one of the episodes and I jumped at the chance. When they came back to me and asked me to host, it was a pleasure.

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Q: As a rock singer, how realistic do you think are these glimpses into rockers’ lives?

A: Oh, it’s a completely fictional world. From what I have seen of them shooting my episode for instance, with the crowd scene it really did feel like a rock ‘n’ roll concert. And that’s hard to do. It’s hard to shoot a fictional guy playing a guitar and shooting the crowd reacting in actually the way it happens at a rock concert. I think we were pretty close, in fact really close to it on this. I haven’t seen the finished edit of the piece yet, but watching it live at the time they were getting real audience reaction, which is great, because usually you watch the audience on these kinds of shows and they are like a bunch of stand-ins.

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Q: What is your take on VH1 programming in general? It seems to have established itself as a more mature, informative channel?

A: They do some really good musical programs, I mean “Behind the Music” is a really good program. If they were to spend a little more money on their films, they could be stronger there and could make a better product. The problem is rock ‘n’ roll is a gritty, hard subject--to get it right in film product you’ve got to be willing to take a lot of chances and make it dirty and down home. They haven’t quite gotten that far yet, and I think they need to. I think it will take some good writers, I mean of every rock ‘n’ roll film I have ever seen--if rock ‘n’ roll had ever been that boring, it would have been around for five minutes.

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Q: What was the impetus for your crossover to acting? Was it a natural jump?

A: It wasn’t a natural jump, it was a very difficult one because the first thing I did was “Tommy,” which was completely easy for me because it was singing and music and I felt completely comfortable. And then when it came to actually knowing what acting is really about and delivering dialogue and developing character, I didn’t know [what I was doing]. People think it’s a natural progression, but it’s not. Because rock ‘n’ roll demands such big images and such strong character image, but actors--unless you are a performer actor, which I don’t think I am, I am more of a character actor--it demands that you haven’t got an image at all, really.

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Q: Being a character actor, though, your roles have really varied genres--you have gone from “Tommy,” to some comedy on “Rude Awakenings,” and “Leprechauns.” Have you figured out what genre you like best to act in?

A: I love comedy. I love drama. I do like it all, because it’s all for the challenge. I like playing bad guys because they are usually more interesting to play than good guys and they are usually better written.

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Q: Do you get to play a bad guy in “Strange Frequency”?

A: I think I play a very good guy, a manager who delivers the goods. It was kind of fun, being on the other side and playing a manager, to poke fun at all the sorts of things that happen. I wasn’t making fun of my past managers, but there are certain things they get up to that came to mind.

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Q: Are you working on anything else in the near future?

A: Well I just work until the next audition and that’s how I like it.

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“Strange Frequency” can be seen on VH1 Saturdays at 10 p.m. The network has rated it TV-14-D-L (may be unsuitable for children younger than 14, with special advisories for suggestive dialogue and coarse language).