Did OJ Simpson "Kill" The Soap Opera? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 04-16-2011, 04:05 PM

In 1995, as the former football hero's murder trial wound down, soap execs debated whether their audience, which had dwindled by 10 percent amid nonstop courtroom coverage, would return.

And now we know the answer: It didn't.

So, yeah, O.J. did it.

[Dramatic pause.]

But did he act alone?

Read more: http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b236...#ixzz1Jibc3zZJ

catlover79 · 04-16-2011, 05:15 PM

I think it's a combination of things (the Internet, more women in the workforce, decline in quality of writing, reduced production costs) - but the OJ trial sure didn't help any.

Coffeecup · 04-16-2011, 06:26 PM

I just tend to think , yes woman working now, they are not home as they used to be ironing, sewing,cooking , crossword puzzling like they were in the 1950's and 1960's. So many more stations on the air. The whole new situation of young writers, poor scripts, and let's face it real life is sometimes more scandalous than the soaps. Many reasons why soap operas have slipped in viewers.

MickeyMac · 04-16-2011, 06:36 PM

A lot of older people who watched the soaps for years (like my mother for instance) are now watching other programs, and a lot of younger viewers who would normally start watching the soaps are also watching something else. That has never happened before and that is also a good chunk of their audience that is now gone.

Mr. Television · 04-16-2011, 06:45 PM

Reality tv is killing the soaps as well.

catlover79 · 04-16-2011, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coffeecup.merry@veri

So many more stations on the air.

You're right; I'd forgotten about all the zillion channels out there now that didn't exist back in those days.

04-16-2011, 04:05 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	Did OJ Simpson "Kill" The Soap Opera? In 1995, as the former football hero's murder trial wound down, soap execs debated whether their audience, which had dwindled by 10 percent amid nonstop courtroom coverage, would return. And now we know the answer: It didn't. So, yeah, O.J. did it. [Dramatic pause.] But did he act alone? Read more: http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b236...#ixzz1Jibc3zZJ
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

04-16-2011, 05:15 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	I think it's a combination of things (the Internet, more women in the workforce, decline in quality of writing, reduced production costs) - but the OJ trial sure didn't help any.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

04-16-2011, 06:26 PM	#3
Coffeecup coffeecup. Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 17, 2003 Location: snoozeville Posts: 3,179	I just tend to think , yes woman working now, they are not home as they used to be ironing, sewing,cooking , crossword puzzling like they were in the 1950's and 1960's. So many more stations on the air. The whole new situation of young writers, poor scripts, and let's face it real life is sometimes more scandalous than the soaps. Many reasons why soap operas have slipped in viewers.
	Last edited by Coffeecup; 04-17-2011 at 03:31 PM.

04-16-2011, 06:45 PM	#5
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,127	Reality tv is killing the soaps as well.
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04-16-2011, 06:36 PM	#4
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,004	A lot of older people who watched the soaps for years (like my mother for instance) are now watching other programs, and a lot of younger viewers who would normally start watching the soaps are also watching something else. That has never happened before and that is also a good chunk of their audience that is now gone.