Buzz Hackett

Buzz Hackett (born 1945) was a motorcycle rider, always broke, without apparent breeding, sophistication, or need for such. In other words, he was the perfect man for Carolyn Stoddard to date when she wanted to get even with her mother (252).
At first, Carolyn took up with Buzz because her mother had told her she was doing nothing with her life and she wanted to make a point. Then, when the date of Elizabeth's marriage to Jason McGuire was announced, she schemed to marry Buzz at the same time, being sure that Elizabeth would back down (254). Of course, since Elizabeth was being blackmailed into the marriage, Jason decided to call her bluff.
In 257, Jason comes to the Blue Whale to talk to Buzz about Carolyn. During their conversation, Buzz states that he comes from a family that makes "big money" whereas the Collins family "makes big noise", although this is probably intended to be ironic. When Jason tells him Carolyn is just using him, Buzz replies that he's well-aware of that possibility, but doesn't mind because he's having fun; he also expresses his genuine liking for Carolyn. Jason eventually comes to the point of his visit and attempts to bribe Buzz to break off the relationship with Carolyn, an offer he turns down on the grounds that he wouldn't trade Carolyn for a bike. He then tells Carolyn what her new "Daddy" had tried to do, and the pair laugh at Jason before leaving together. 
Carolyn broke off a date with Buzz early after hearing about Maggie Evans' death and seeing Joe Haskell. At the time Buzz warned her there may not be another date (262). When Elizabeth's marriage to Jason fell through Buzz quietly departed from the scene, never to be seen in Collinwood again.
Buzz always wore a leather jacket with a chain across the back, had a scruffy beard, smoked cigars and preferred beer to other drinks. However, despite other characters considering him a bad influence, he is frequently shown to be patient, even-tempered, and level-headed throughout his short relationship with Carolyn: he encourages her against drinking too much on the grounds that drinking only makes a person feel drunk, and there are better ways of having fun (254). He also refuses Carolyn's encouragement to ride his bike up the stairs the first night she brings him to Collinwood, stating that it would wake the whole house (252).
Buzz is mentioned by parallel time Jonah Rooney in an attempt to belittle Carolyn for having nothing going for her while all her friends have. As of 1973 Buzz has become an accountant living in Bangor with his boyfriend (The Flip Side).
== Appearances ==
252, 254, 257, 262
Hackett, Buzz
Hackett, Buzz