Appearances on soaps

[lynbrown]

has anyone ever charted how often a character appears in a soap? It would be interesting to see the figures go up and down. When they have a big story line they are in it all the time, then sometimes they are on the periphery of a story and then characters disappear for a few weeks while other storys get prominence. Then they come back with a nice suntan, having enjoyed a holiday!

[andy-hughes]

Each major character signs a specific contract which guarentees them an agreed number of appearences for the duration - usually twelve months. Outside their contracted times, they are free to pursue other jobs, except for adverts, and most are prevented from changing their appearences without prior arrangement. A degree of suntan is OK, but sunburn is right out - that's a warning from the top!