Soap Opera - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Screenwriter · 03-23-2004, 01:44 AM

What are the ingredients that make a Soap Opera a Soap Opera?

dandelion wine · 03-23-2004, 02:08 AM

The characters must turn their backs to the person they're talking to, then turn around again in some dramatic fashion in the event of a conversation.

Most, if not all, marriages must end in divorce. And there should be lots of them (marriages, that is).

Characters should be expected to return from the dead.

Those are a just a few off the top of my head.

*Edited to add a couple more:

If a couple is in love, they will never a) get together or b) stay together.

At the end of a scene, the characters will stare off into space or to the person they're talking to while the scene fades to black and dramatic music plays in the background.

Screenwriter · 03-23-2004, 02:39 AM

What makes a villian a villian in Soap Operas?

factsoflife · 03-25-2004, 02:05 AM

Well a good soap rivarly is one in which the two chracters hate each other for generations and have a long history. A good villian is one who stops at nothing to get what they want but will never hurt their family or close friends and has some redeeming qualities. Nothing soap fans hate more than a villian with no redeeming qualities.

Good villians are ruthless and evil but also humor-filled and outrageous.

A soap opera must have-

Core Families- Two or more main families that are the focus of the show and have been for years or more.

Soap families must also focus on different socio-economic backgrounds and deal with issues of relevance to real life.

HIGH ENOUGH · 03-25-2004, 07:42 PM

Murder
Backstabbing
Fights
Villians
Cliff hangers at the the end of episodes.

TGirl · 04-20-2004, 09:20 PM

When a woman turns 50, she must where a turban and high-heeled furry slippers. -- And if she takes a nap during the day, she must where an eye mask.

Screenwriter · 04-26-2004, 09:04 PM

Haha.

03-23-2004, 01:44 AM	#1
Screenwriter Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 18, 2002 Posts: 760	Soap Opera What are the ingredients that make a Soap Opera a Soap Opera?
	__________________ I have to leave you now... don't TVDVDs I own All in the Family: Season 1, 2 & 3 Charlie's Angles: Season 1 Cheers: S1, 2. (need S3) DVD Season 1 and 2 Dallas Season 1 & 2 Happy Days: Season 1 Laverne & Shirley: Season 1 Taxi (Season 1 Coming Soon) The Jeffersons: Season 1 and 2 The MTM Show: Season 1 MAS*H: S1,2,3,4,5 Mork & Mindy Season 1 Sanford and Son: Season 1 (needing 2, 3, 4, and 5) I Love Lucy S1, 2. (3 in Nov.)

03-23-2004, 02:08 AM	#2
dandelion wine ~ Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 20, 2003 Location: Behind the Couch Posts: 34,964	The characters must turn their backs to the person they're talking to, then turn around again in some dramatic fashion in the event of a conversation. Most, if not all, marriages must end in divorce. And there should be lots of them (marriages, that is). Characters should be expected to return from the dead. Those are a just a few off the top of my head. *Edited to add a couple more: If a couple is in love, they will never a) get together or b) stay together. At the end of a scene, the characters will stare off into space or to the person they're talking to while the scene fades to black and dramatic music plays in the background.
	Last edited by dandelion wine; 03-23-2004 at 02:32 AM.

03-23-2004, 02:39 AM	#3
Screenwriter Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 18, 2002 Posts: 760	What makes a villian a villian in Soap Operas?
	Last edited by Screenwriter; 03-23-2004 at 06:23 PM.

03-25-2004, 02:05 AM	#4
factsoflife Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 11, 2000 Posts: 8,741	Well a good soap rivarly is one in which the two chracters hate each other for generations and have a long history. A good villian is one who stops at nothing to get what they want but will never hurt their family or close friends and has some redeeming qualities. Nothing soap fans hate more than a villian with no redeeming qualities. Good villians are ruthless and evil but also humor-filled and outrageous. A soap opera must have- Core Families- Two or more main families that are the focus of the show and have been for years or more. Soap families must also focus on different socio-economic backgrounds and deal with issues of relevance to real life.
	__________________ "and to the fans. I was only supposed to be on every other Tuesday. But, thanks to you, I'm here, and I promise! I will try my best never to let you down. I am going back into that studio on Monday, and I'm going to play Erica Kane for all she's worth!"-- Susan Lucci, May 1999 Daytime Emmy Speech.

03-25-2004, 07:42 PM	#5
HIGH ENOUGH Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 19, 2003 Location: making out with Hilary Duff and Tara Reid at the same time. Posts: 1,283	Murder Backstabbing Fights Villians Cliff hangers at the the end of episodes.
	__________________ And I can't get high enough, lighten up, nice enough. Can you hear me now? Cause I'm not doing fine. I'm drowning in my mind again. Oh, why does what I've done take so much to disapper? -Lisa Marie Presley, High Enough. "Now What?" (in stores now) "Damn you all!" -Stewie Family Guy returns Spring '05. Tara Reid is hot!

04-20-2004, 09:20 PM	#6
TGirl Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 06, 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 284	When a woman turns 50, she must where a turban and high-heeled furry slippers. -- And if she takes a nap during the day, she must where an eye mask.

04-26-2004, 09:04 PM	#7
Screenwriter Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 18, 2002 Posts: 760	Haha.