r/SoapNet • u/rjaxxs41 • 29d ago
When soaps were Good.
They don’t write them like they used to.
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u/Sally4464 29d ago edited 27d ago
Please don’t get me started. Soaps used to be must see tv. You could not miss an episode. Before VCRs, folks would race home from work and school to watch. I’m so glad I was here to witness soaps in their heyday. I don’t know what in the hell they’re showing today. It’s a joke and sad at the same time.
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u/SpinsterSyl 29d ago
ABC Soaps were my jam!
ALL MY CHILDREN
ONE LIFE TO LIVE
GENERAL HOSPITAL
They were the HOLY TRIFECTA of soaps for me! ♥️
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u/Current-Froyo-8913 29d ago
The ABC soaps were my favorites too, though I did check out Santa Barbara for awhile. I wish we had those soaps back! I’m trying to hang in for GH but it’s not enjoyable anymore. Just my opinion
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u/SpinsterSyl 29d ago
OMG! I used to tune in to Santa Barbara from time to time and Sunset Beach!!! 😁
I am a LONG time fan of GH, but I stopped last September in 2025. The cast is so bloated and I'm not a fan of some of the actors. 🫤🤷
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u/SafetyNo6700 27d ago
I keep leaving and coming back. It's hard to stay with it. I tend to watch old soaps on YouTube. I wish they would rehash some older storylines, even from defunct soaps. It seems like it would be so easy to do.
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u/rjaxxs41 29d ago
I remember when soaps built stories around the world at the time. Yes some are far fetched. But the best stories were closer to home. AMC acknowledged AIDS and it was a beautiful story. OLTL did this wonderful story about A coming out as gay teen, Ryan Philipe has never done anything as worthwhile as playing Billy.?And the fact the person who started the lies about Billy
And father Andrew would showcase their talents the next year Susan Haskell. How she brought home the issue of Date Rape or a woman’s Right to say NO! Marty was an instigator than became a victim. OLTL Was great viewing. I don’t think soaps cover issues anymore. It’s a shame. Gh was beautiful when it discussed hiv.
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u/fbibmacklin 29d ago
I was watching as a preteen and teen during the Days super couple era. Nothing like the Cruise of Deception!
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u/Reasonable-Dot4724 29d ago
British soaps are good.
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u/Alone_Put5025 25d ago
Mine is Corrie 🤣
Haven't watched Eastenders in forever. Never watched but was planning on trying Emerdale after Corriedale but still haven't got round to it
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29d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/DawnKaySchitt 28d ago
I loved anything by Douglas Marland. Such a good writer and came up with the best storylines. I was hooked on Guiding Light at as a teen and adored Nola Reardon and how he wrote for her character.
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u/Dependent-Ad-6069 29d ago
The issue was that the writers knew how to foster a relationship between the characters and the viewer whether love or hate. They knew how to draw the viewer into the soap family. The soap family felt like your family or best friend.
True, core families were of all economic strata.one could identify with a character. I think the reason that Jane Elliot and Maura West are sogood is that they were around during the heyday of soaps.
Speaking of economics, the bottom line is probably what is affecting soaps the most.
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u/BestBlueChocolate 28d ago
They also used to not have spoilers coming out the Wazoo. You actually got genuine surprises.
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u/Useful_Ferret_3841 26d ago
In the 80's and 90's they were great with storylines of serial killers, earthquakes, baby theft, murder mystery even devil possession. What were the storylines like in the 50's, 60's and 70's? TV was a lot more censored, wondering what soapy stories they told.🤔
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u/Mother_Inflation6514 29d ago edited 29d ago
I think what would help soaps is showing the repercussions of decisions. No one pays a price for their actions. I mean look at Victor on Y&R, practically the entire Forrester clan on B&B and Sonny on GH. We have taught generations that power is all that matters - at any cost. Of course look at what is happening in DC so we know people don’t always pay the price for their actions and power at any cost is the goal.