I just don’t get it. The soaps creep along a the pace of a slimemold and have slimey characters as well. The acting is lame and the so-called drama is so predictable. Each day is a rerun of yesterday, and next years script is last years script.
Why do people bother??? :rolleyes:
My older sister is forming a theater troupe to do a live improvised comedy soap opera, in which we stop twice an “episode” and ask the audience what the characters should do. I think it’s brilliant.
Habit rules the unreflecting herd. - Wordsworth
I have yet to be able to make it through more than 30 seconds of a soap without diving for the remote. If there are no books available, I’ll even watch Rikki Lake rather than a soap.
The stories, the acting, the directing—it’s like everyone was just plucked off the street and told to make something up!
How do people WATCH those things?!
Yeah, but once you learn that Dirk and Chantel are plotting against Sydney’s amnesiac brother Buck to steal the fortune left to him when their father Drake was killed in the freak snowmobiling accident with Jordan Chancellor IV. Of course, it all makes much more sense when people just realize it was all a part of Skylar’s dream after she was drugged by Cameron and taken to a remote cabin in the Chilean badlands.
Have you voted for your favorite, huggable Mullinator today?
Well, I care. Well, only about All My Children. I’ve watched since I was nine, and I just can’t stop. I for one like the stories (although they do drag at a snail’s pace, I agree…and there’s a reason for it), and the acting, and just about everything else (but not the music usually…I could do without that). Just my opinion.
My grandma used to listen to soaps on the radio, only she called them her “stories.”
Wonder if the plot lines moved more quickly back in the 40’s.
I’ve always worked “outside the home” so I never got into them, although I do remember watching Luke and Laura’s wedding – we were having a work lunch (dim sum IIRC) and everyone in the restaurant was enthralled.
“Soap” was wonderful though, and “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman” had its moments.
Ok, so soaps aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. I can accept that. I’m not saying they’re Shakespeare, but they’re certainly an enjoyable and entertaining diversion for some of us, even if they’re at times a bit hokey.
But if you don’t watch them, how can you say that "The acting is lame, or “…the acting…—it’s like everyone was just plucked off the street and told to make something up!”? Yeah, yeah, some of you have surfed on past them and stopped momentarily, but does that really qualify you to be able to make a fair assessment?
Granted, some of the acting does suck. But some of it, in fact a good portion of it, is really outstanding. And those who’ve never really watched soaps probably have no idea that half the “stars” you see now on other series or on the big screen, actually got their start on soaps!
Here’s a short list (and believe me, it’s short in spite of its length) of actors whose names you will undoubtedly recognize whose first (or in a few cases, 2nd) acting gig was on a soap opera. And these are only primarily from two soaps!
Thomas Gibson - “As The World Turns,” 1988-1990, “Another World,” 1990. (Currently Greg on “Dharma & Greg.”)
Lauryn Hill - “As The World Turns,” 1991 (Yes, that Lauryn Hill.)
James Earl Jones - As The World Turns and “Guiding Light,” 1966.
Swoosie Kurtz - “As The World Turns,” 1971.
Judson Mills - “As The World Turns,” 1991-1993 (“Walker, Texas Ranger”)
Julianne Moore - “As The World Turns,” 1985-1988
Tonya Pinkins - “As The World Turns,” 1983-1986. (More a stage actress now - Pinkins’ portrayal of Sweet Anita in the Broadway musical Jelly’s Last Jam earned her a Tony Award, a Drama Desk Award, and the Clarence Derwent Award.)
Parker Posey - “As The World Turns,” 1991-1992.
Meg Ryan - “As The World Turns,” 1982-1984.
Martin Sheen - “As The World Turns,” mid 60’s - early 70’s & “Edge of Night,” late 60’s.
John Wesley Shipp - “Guiding Light,” 1980-1984 & “As The World Turns,” 1985-1986. (Now Mitchell Leery on Dawson’s Creek.)
Kerr Smith - “As The World Turns,” 1996-1997. (Now Jack McPhee on Dawson’s Creek.)
Richard Thomas - “As The World Turns,” 1966-1967 (Yes, the “John Boy Walton” Richard Thomas.)
Marisa Tomei - “As The World Turns,” 1983-1988.
Steven Weber - “As The World Turns,” 1985-1986 (Better known as Brian Hackett on “Wings.”)
Ming Na Wen - “As The World Turns,” 1988-1991 (The voice of Fa Mulan in “Mulan,” “The Joy Luck Club,” “E.R.”)
James Van Der Beek - “As The World Turns,” 1995. (Now Dawson Leery on Dawson’s Creek.)
Jordana Brewster - “All My Children,” 1995 & “As The World Turns,” 1995-1998.
Scott Bryce - “As The World Turns,” 1982-1987; 1990-1994. (Now Mike McQueen on “Popular.”)
Courtney Cox - “As The World Turns,” 1984.
Kevin Bacon - “Search For Tomorrow,” 1979 & “Guiding Light,” 1980-1981.
Kimberly Brown - “Guiding Light,” 1993-1998. (Has won critical acclaim for her performance in last year’s “Tumbleweeds.” Look for a possible Oscar nom.)
Joseph Campanella - “The Edge of Night,” “Guiding Light,” 1959-1960.
Sandy Dennis - “Guiding Light,” 1956. (“Splendor in the Grass,” “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” Now deceased.)
Joie Lenz - “Guiding Light,” 1998-present. (Just played Mary Tyler Moore’s daughter in the “Mary & Rhoda” movie.)
Christopher Walken - “Guiding Light,” 1954-1956.
Taye Diggs - “Guiding Light,” 1997-1998 (“How Stella Got Her Groove Back,” “The Best Man.”)
Calista Flockhart - “Guiding Light,” 1989.
Melina Kanakaredes - “Guiding Light,” 1991-1994. (“NYPD Blue” & “Providence”)
Nia Long - “Guiding Light,” 1991-1993. (“The Fresh Prince of Bel Aire,” “The Best Man.”)
Wendy Moniz - “Guiding Light,” 1995-1999. (She just starred as the fiance in “Tuesday’s With Morrie.” Look for her in the mid-season replacement, “Battery Park.”)
Hayden Panattiere - “One Life To Live,” 1994-1997 & “Guiding Light,” 1996-present. (The voice of Dot in “A Bug’s Life.” I’d keep my eye on this kid!)
Cindy Pickett - “Guiding Light,” 1976-1980.
Paige Turco - “Guiding Light,” 1987-1989. (“NYPD Blue” and “Party of Five.”)
Cicely Tyson - “Guiding Light,” 1966.
Cynthia Watros - “Guiding Light,” 1995-1998. (Yeah, she’s not famous yet, but watch for her mid-season replacement series, “Titus” with Stacy Keach.)
Billy Dee Williams - “Guiding Light,” 1966.
JoBeth Williams - “Somerset,” 1975-1976 & “Guiding Light,” 1977-1981.
Ian Ziering - “Guiding Light,” 1986-1988. (“Beverly Hills, 90210”)
'Nuff said. 
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” - Anne Frank
I know of at least one you forgot:
Sarah Michelle Geller (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) - “All My Children” from 1993 to 1995.
Shadowfox
“Distinguished” Sexy assistant to Head Honcho,
Self-Righteous Clique
Sorry, I know two more that you forgot:
Demi Moore (A Few Good Men, GI Jane, and many others) - “General Hospital” from 1982-1983
Janine Turner (Northern Exposure) - “General Hospital” from 1982-1983; also “Another World” from 1986-1987.
Shadowfox
“Distinguished” Sexy assistant to Head Honcho,
Self-Righteous Clique
Let us not forget:
Ryan Phillipe & Tommy Lee Jones (Both from One Life to Live)
Yeah, Sara Michelle Geller, Demi Moore, Janine Turner & Tommy Lee Jones are all really SUCKY actors, aren’t they? LMBO over that one!
And the reason I didn’t list them is because I only listed actors who’ve appeared on “As The World Turns” and “Guiding Light,” (but listed any other soaps they may have also done in addition to either of those two). If I listed all the now-famous stars from all the other soaps that are, or ever were, on the air, this thread would explode.
Oh, and that’s not to mention the fact that current soap actors are used constantly for guest spots on major prime time shows like “Law & Order.” At one time I made a list of both current and past “ATWT” actors who’ve been on “L&O” and there were something like 75. I’ve never seen what I would call a bad actor on “L&O.” And they must think fairly highly of the talent from the soaps if they’re hiring them in such large numbers!
Lame actors on soaps? I think not. 
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” - Anne Frank
At least one of the Baldwin’s started on a soap. I believe it was Alec in General Hospital, but I could be wrong.
Anne Heche played Vicky and Marlee on Another World.
The girl who plays the daughter on Nash Bridges started on AW too. I think her name is Jodi-Lynn O’Keefe, but I’m not sure.
I watch Days of our Lives, mostly because they have the craziest story lines. Possessed by the devil, evil genius planting computer chips in people’s heads, trasforming people into art theives, being locked in a cage in underground Paris, etc. It’s amusing.
Ok, just because this is kindof fun, here’s some more…
Christine Baranski - "All My Children, " 1984.
Kathy Bates - “All My Children,” 1984.
Kim Delaney - “All My Children,” 1981-1984.
Lauren Holly - “All My Children,” 1986-1989.
Wesley Snipes - “All My Children,” 1984.
Vivica A. Fox - “Days of Our Lives,” 1988 & “The Young & The Restless,” 1995.
David Hasselhoff - “The Young & The Restless” mid 70’s-early 80’s. (Although admittedly not the greatest actor on earth, has certainly made a career for himself apres-soaps.)
Tom Selleck - “The Young & The Restless,” 1974-1975.
Jill Clayburgh - “Search For Tomorrow,” 1969-1970.
Olympia Dukakis - “Search For Tomorrow,” 1983.
Morgan Fairchild - “Search For Tomorrow,” 1973-1977.
Don Knotts - “Search For Tomorrow,” 1953-1955.
Jane Krakowski (“Ally McBeal”) - “Search For Tomorrow,” 1984-1986.
Hal Linden - “Search For Tomorrow,” 1969.
Robert Loggia - “The Secret Storm,” 1972 & “Search For Tomorrow,” 1973.
Susan Sarandon - “A World Apart,” 1970-1971 & “Search For Tomorrow,” 1972.
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” - Anne Frank
Jeez, I have been a fan of soaps in my life–what of it? I loved having something to discuss with my Grandma (fan of Another World for YEARS) and lots of other women.
I also read the comics and Ann Landers every day, enjoy Jeeves and Wooster, Bert Simpson, Keeping up Appearances, Beverly Hillbillies, I Love Lucy, South Park, and lots of other low-brow stuff. Life is more fun when you’re not stuck-up about your entertainment!
I’ve never been a soap fan (okay, summer of 8th grade, maybe). I’ve been taking a Conversational Spanish class and have been watching Univision (Spanish channel) to help my listening skills (I can understand, like, 1 in 50 words! LOL). Anyway, I’ve noticed that the Spanish soaps are way DRAMATIC and I wondered if people who don’t understand English see our soaps that way? I mean, over the top. It’s been fun watching them.
The only soap that I’ve watched with any regularity is Young and Restless. I think it’s because I’ve watched it from the very beginning. Now I only watch it once every couple of weeks…you can get the gist of them from the soap sites on the web so watching isn’t necessary.
I think what really got me was that I used to watch Dallas every single Friday night…when it was coming on. When the whole past year turned out to be a dream…I stopped getting interested in any kind of day or night “drama” as they are termed.
“Do or do not, there is no try” - Yoda
Senior Intern to
El Presidente
Self-Righteous Clique *
When I was in college, one of my Speech professors had us follow a soap for a month because it was just about the only example of continuing charters left. (I picked Days of Our Lives.) Years later while home sick from work for several days, I turned on DOOL again and was able to pick up on several themes right away. And several years after that I could do it again. It wasn’t until a new producer came in and got rid of most of the older characters that I lost track, but I bet I’d still be comfortable with any storyline featuring Marlena.
And that is exactly the reason why the soaps remain popular.