View Full Version : Why do people make fun of soap opera actors and say they're not real actors?


TMC
03-22-2023, 11:03 PM
Apparently, somebody on the Daily Mail said that the Home and Away (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/home_and_away/index.html?page=2) cast should be ashamed to call themselves actors because their not Hollywood-tier (https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/the-young-and-the-restless-star-eric-braeden-discussed-disrespected-daytime-soap-actors.html/), and that the show is basically Love Island with a bit of mystery and crime.

From an old NYT article (https://www.nytimes.com/1985/07/28/arts/for-actors-the-soaps-are-serious-business.html):

"'In the early days, there was nothing but cynicism among the acting community about soap operas,' Mr. Scardino said. 'In the theatrical community, it was declassee. It was a bread-and-butter job, the writing wasn't too good, it really wasn't acting, quite.'

They've been hired to act (https://ew.com/gallery/celebrities-soap-operas/?slide=cca14d00-cc55-464d-9dce-b1ad41277f05#cca14d00-cc55-464d-9dce-b1ad41277f05) on the show because they did well in their audition. Many of them probably trained or at least took a few lessons. Just because soap operas are usually low quality doesn't mean the actors care less about the job.

Edward216
04-28-2023, 07:05 PM
My guess is because most of the plots and storylines on soap operas are thought to be ridiculous and outrageous. Which I have to agree a lot of them are, but most soap opera actors and actresses are very good actors.

Ed.

shandy630
07-09-2023, 03:33 PM
William Fichtner (ex-Josh, ATWT) had a lot of negative things to say about working on a soap.

stevea
07-09-2023, 03:43 PM
The writing may sometimes be iffy, but the actors are mostly top-notch.