In college, I was a big fan of the TV soap opera "All My Children." If I didn't have a class at noon (or sometimes even if I did), I'd head to the student union for lunch and a dose of Luke and Laura. In case you don't know, they were the star characters and central focus of the show back then.
And maybe they still are.
Sometimes I'll catch a glimpse of a cover of Soap Opera Digest at the grocery store and see the names or faces of characters I recognize from back then. Do soap opera stars never age? Do they leave the show and come back? Like Laura from "All My Children," do they die and come back to life?
I stopped watching the daily soap when I left college. The only person I know now who watches daytime soap operas (or who would admit to it anyway) is my mother. She faithfully watches a show called "The Young and the Restless." She's watched it since I was a kid. She knows all of the characters and -- this is a little scary -- sometimes speaks of them as if they are real people. She'll tell me about a character's kitchen or garden or relationship with her father's third wife's stepson-in-law. It may as well be a neighbor next door for all the details she passes on.
I wouldn't have the time, let alone the desire, to maintain that level of devotion to a soap opera storyline. But there must be many who do because soap operas still take up a large chunk of time amongst talk shows during the day.
Do you or anyone you know watch daytime soap operas?
I am totally a soap fanatic! Like you, I do get frustrated at times with all of the exits and returns but couldn't imagine not watching the shows every day!
Posted by: soapfanforever | 14 August 2008 at 05:32 AM
Oh Marianne! I'm so disappointed! Luke and Laura were/are the centers of the universe in Port Charles...that's General Hospital for you non-soap types.
It's all about Erica and her 15 hubbies and Phoebe and Tad-the-Cad/Liza/Jenny/Liza/Dixie on "The Kids"...or All My Children.
I was still watching up until my daughter turned 16 months. Then I decided if I didn't want her watching it, I shouldn't be watching it. Really, who needs to see that many poor life choices in a one hour time frame?!
Who's got the time now, anyway?
Posted by: JillyBean | 14 August 2008 at 07:47 AM
Do you see what mommyhood does to our brains?!?! Of course, it was "General Hospital," and my face is as red as the dress in the Tide commercials that were shown during soap operas I watched when I should have been attending class. Thanks, JillyBean, for setting me straight.
Posted by: marianne | 14 August 2008 at 08:08 AM
When I was 8 I would skip out on daycare and head home to watch a double header of Days of Our Lives and Oprah with a box of graham crackers in hand. Ah, the joys of being a latchkey kid. Now "Days" is my naptime ritual- mostly I sleep through it- you could miss months and the same plot line is still happening. Sometimes I laugh out loud it is so ridiculous.
Posted by: Erin L | 14 August 2008 at 08:38 AM
Hee! You crack me up, JillyBean. I never would have pinned you for a soap-lover! You either, Erin! I stopped watching General Hospital in college, but it is amazing how those actors never seem to age! Do you remember when Rick Springfield was on General Hospital...Dr. Noah Drake. Why can I remember that, but I can't remember my own age? I was watching when Demi Moore got her big start, too. I only have room in my life to devote to one TV show at a time...and the past few years it's been Lost, which has as many plot twists as any old soap.
Posted by: Heather | 14 August 2008 at 01:05 PM
Now hang on a minute Girlies, I'm a FORMER Soap Fan! I came by it honestly, though. My Mom was watching soaps when we were little and we were right there with her, tuning in to Dark Shadows and The Secret Storm(how old does that make me?!) I watched all through high school and college and into my single/no kids days. Unfortunately, that period lasted longer than I ever dreamed it would; I probably didn't give them up until 5 years ago. I was strictly an ABC Gal. The other Soaps just seemed so "fake" to me; although I did watch Y&R for a short period of time. I remember being irritated every year when Susan Lucci would miss the Emmy, again!!! What was that?!
The stories are just getting too fantastic/out there and much to racy to have a 6 yr old in the house, eavesdropping. I can't even watch Dr Phil - boy, he became Sally Jesse/Jerry Springer, didn't he?!
I do miss watching Oprah and a consistent basis, though. That's just a tough time of day for me to get tv time. I'd rather dedicate my time to Mad Men these days!!!!
Posted by: JillyBean | 15 August 2008 at 07:48 AM
I totally agree about Dr. Phil. I TIVO Oprah and watch it selectively. Even she can be a little over the top. (And I remember "Secret Storm," too, so how old am I?)
Posted by: marianne | 15 August 2008 at 08:49 AM