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

[TMC]

Apparently, somebody on the Daily Mail said that the Home and Away cast should be ashamed to call themselves actors because their not Hollywood-tier, and that the show is basically Love Island with a bit of mystery and crime.

From an old NYT article:

"'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 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]

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]

William Fichtner (ex-Josh, ATWT) had a lot of negative things to say about working on a soap.

[stevea]

The writing may sometimes be iffy, but the actors are mostly top-notch.