Home > Soapbox > Archives > 2007 > December > 17 > Entry
Soap Opera Viewing: Past and Present
Sometimes I long for the good old days of soap watching.
Remember those?
When you could go home, turn on the TV and be surprised about what happens next on a soap opera because there were no spoilers everywhere you look on the Internet?
That’s because there was no Internet.
Of course, that means you wouldn’t be here reading my ramblings, er, I mean, my astute assessment of the soaps.
But I digress…
Has the Internet helped or hurt soap watching?
I ask this because it’s obvious that it’s helped in many ways…
You can find where your favorite actor is appearing and you can dialog with other soap fans about your faves.
It’s created a whole network of soap fans who are able to connect with each other at just a keyboard’s touch.
And many times, that’s a good thing.
But I really get frustrated when I read a blog or message board…
And there in plain sight…
With no warning…
Someone spills an upcoming spoiler about a character dying.
Grrrrr
The other thing that I’m really hating lately is the negativity on soap-related message boards.
Have you ever looked at them?
There is a constant barrage of verbal attacks - and, I mean, attacks.
There are posters who repeatedly bash the actors, characters, couples and other posters.
My thing is that I watch soaps as an escape from reality….I’m not going to waste my energy arguing on some message board about a fictitious character who I’m trying to defend.
It ain’t happening.
These posters come up with the nastiest nicknames for the characters they don’t like.
And, NO, I’m not gonna repeat them!
I am so-o-o tired of character bashing, actor bashing, couples bashing and poster bashing.
Sometimes I wonder - with all the negativity being bandied about - why do these people even watch the soaps if they hate everything about them?
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: Soap Operas
Comments
By Kimi
December 17, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this
ITA w/your blog! I remember I used to cut school to watch soap operas cuz I just had to see what was gonna happen next.
I used to faithfully read a certain soap opera message board … but got tired of the back/forth. We all have our faves & those we can’t stand & will never convince each other otherwise so why bother. I visit occassionally but not like before.
I also stopped reading the boards as much cuz altho I liked the dialouge with others who enjoyed the shows, nothing was a surprise anymore & there was no reason to watch.
I’m also a faithful subscriber of soap opera digest so I was just taking in entirely too much info & not giving myself a chance to enjoy the show.
It got to a point I stopped watching cuz I already knew what was gonna happen. In some cases a hint is okay but I don’t want to know it all (altho most times I can figure out what’s gonna happen anyway).
But I digress, the message boards are a great place to catch up, or find out what happened to a character if I happen to miss a few episodes.
But I will say I was happy when I discovered this soap blog … its a cool way to discuss things as opposed to online bickering about stuff we can’t do anything about.
By Kara
December 17, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this
Hi, Michele. You preach it, sister! It can be hard to enjoy your soaps and characters when talking about them becomes a figurative “combat sport.”
By Michele
December 17, 2007 9:05 PM | Link to this
Hi Kimi, We are so glad that you discovered this soap blog, as well! Your astute observations are so appreciated here and even if you don’t always agree with us, you disagree in a very respectful way and we welcome that here. We are so glad that you’re posting. Michele
By Theodora
January 19, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this
I’ve remember listening to soaps on radio in 40s and on TV in black and white, no vhs to tape it, watch it or miss it. I loved discussion soaps with my mother. When she passed away I turned to Soap discussion boards and it seems to me that there are folks there for the main purpose of discussing the soaps and others appear to be there to socialize and it reminds me of the pecking order in the chicken coop on our farm. They seem to hi-jack the topic with their nonsense. Language used there sometimes makes me blush. And yes, I too hate it when someone slips a spoiler. I have deleted all my soap discussion board memberships and sworn off. I’m enjoying the soaps now more and have that old suspense of what’s going to happen next back and don’t miss the verbal combat and put downs. Actors and actresses are REAL people! And so are other members.
By Michele
January 20, 2008 10:42 PM | Link to this
Hi Theodora, I can’t agree with you more regarding your comments about the message boards…I really love the element of surprise - that’s the fun of soap watching!
By fancastgal
May 20, 2008 11:50 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the great post!
I wanted to share this with you. A Young & Restless writer was let go after the Writer’s Strike.
Read about her love affair with the soaps on Fancast.com: http://thebiz.fancast.com/2008/05/deepsoaptheinsidersguide_t.html