The past few weeks I have been spending many afternoons visiting an elderly relative at a local nursing home. Since my schedule doesn’t normally allow for daytime television viewing I was surprised to discover how much has changed in recent years. As I strolled past the common area the theme song for The Young and the Restless stopped me in my tracks. Growing up I spent many hours curled up on the couch with my sisters watching Victor and Nikki make every relationship mistake possible. Although I knew that the soap opera genre had been struggling on television, I didn’t realize the number of casualties. Instead of twelve, the number of daytime serials running when I was a teenager, there are now four survivors.
Looking back I realize that soap operas probably nurtured my early affection for romance novels. Despite convoluted storylines and relationship instability, the core theme was always about finding love. Viewers tuned in day after day hoping to see their favorite couple find a happy ever after.
It saddens me to see the genre slowly dying out. Tuning into a talk show where doctors showcase all the things that can kill me or a cooking show making all the things that will kill me doesn’t excite me. I guess it’s another reason to appreciate my Kindle full of romance novels. They won’t be disappearing anytime soon.
About Rita Oberlies
Isn’t there at least one soap–maybe One Life to Live??–that’s going to internet production? I seem to recall that. So in the changing landscape, soaps may be the leaders of a new way of TV. Similar to Netflix and their straight to streaming production House of Cards, which is now may favorite show!
Next to the Walking Dead.
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Rita Oberlies Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 8:26 am
Oh, another reminder of how out of touch I am:-) I’d love to see more viewing options including the internet if it will keep some of my favorite shows going!
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Two of my all-time favorite characters from the soaps happen to live in my hometown. ASA BUCHANAN and DORIAN LORD own a real estate company here in GOD’S Green Acre, Dedham, MA., 02026 ! How ’bout that, huh ?
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