Body & Soul1 min ago
Soap Operas
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My 9 year old has just asked me why soap operas are called soap operas. I have no idea. Can anyone help, please?
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When they originated in the States many years ago on the radio (and bearing in mind in the states virtually all the radio and TV is commercial) these playlets/ongoing dramas were sponsored and funded by predomitably makers of constantly used household products, mainly soap and soap powders. The name soap opera developed.
In fact, original 'soap operas' were the kind of way-over-the-top dramas that are so easy to parody - probably Dynasty and Dallas are the nearest we ever got. The essence of a 'soap' was that there was always loads of drama, but nothing actually ever happened.
In that sense, it is a misnomer to call shows like 'The Bill' and 'Corrie' soaps, as the TV companies rather sniffily renamed them - they are 'Continuing Dramas'.
'East Enders' is of course a soap, where people seem to have no job of work to do, they constantly sleep with and fight with each other, and no-one ever seems to have the fiinnancial support for their constant absences, when they always vanish with just a small case or bag.
In that sense, it is a misnomer to call shows like 'The Bill' and 'Corrie' soaps, as the TV companies rather sniffily renamed them - they are 'Continuing Dramas'.
'East Enders' is of course a soap, where people seem to have no job of work to do, they constantly sleep with and fight with each other, and no-one ever seems to have the fiinnancial support for their constant absences, when they always vanish with just a small case or bag.
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