Why soaps still matter

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list ». Community Reviews. Showing Average rating 4. Rating details. More filters. Sort order. Jul 16, Laurel-Rain rated it it was amazing. If you, as a TV viewer, could point to any one show you have seen over the years, and cite the details of why you loved it, you might be able to list a few. But if the show was a soap opera, you could easily detail what you love, because of the very nature of soaps.

They resonate with viewers because of the continuity, the traditions, and how you connect with the ongoing characters that you have invited into your home everyday. Even if you have to watch recorded versions later in the day or eveni If you, as a TV viewer, could point to any one show you have seen over the years, and cite the details of why you loved it, you might be able to list a few.

Even if you have to watch recorded versions later in the day or evening. In Carolyn Hinsey's Afternoon Delight: Why Soaps Still Matter, we are treated to a history of the genre, as well as the model for the shows, and why that model still works today. We also see how the wonderful shows have gradually lost their luster in some cases , and how the death knell tolled because of the poor choices of writers, producers, executives, etc. What can we learn from such errors? Is it too late to save the soaps?

And why do those in charge seemingly not care about the viewers of shows that have more of an audience if you're counting correctly! I have personally been a soap opera fan since the late s—back when I first saw "As the World Turns" at my cousin's house. I watched the soaps in between classes in college, and then again when my kids were babies and I was a stay-at-home mom. Before VCRs, I had to satisfy myself with my "soap fix" on days off or sick days!

Now that I'm officially retired freelance writer! They are my chance to feel connected to people, since the writer's life is often solitary. Hinsey's book is an important tome that should be a wake-up call to those in charge of daytime programming. I hope that someone is paying attention, because the death of the soap genre would feel like a real death to many of us.

Five glowing stars for this book! View 1 comment. Dec 23, Haley rated it it was amazing. Afternoon Delight was indeed a delight!!!!!!! I don't like to overuse the!!!! But, here it is definetly justified. She was a lot less snarky in her book: I like the snark. Anyway, I could not put this book down. It is an absolute must have for any true soap fan. I can't say enough You and I will read it again and again and again.

Sep 07, Rhonda Coe rated it really liked it Recommends it for: any soap fan. Finally finished this book. I was happy with what i read for the most part. Lots of history to alot of the shows from past to current. Its a very easy and fast read. However, there was alot of speculation on certain actors and such wihout giving any true facts or names. I also found the photos to be poorly published, very dark and all in black and white.

I think if Carolyn were to take more time to interview some of the past stars it would be a better book, to much focus on Thorsten Kaye and not Finally finished this book. Shop with confidence. Get the item you ordered or get your money back.

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Learn More - opens in a new window or tab. Sponsored items from this seller. I mean, she has been many things, but for her to lie about her sexual orientation just did not ring true. And, it was too much with everything else they were telling on the show, and if you noticed, they knew it.

Then they pulled back on it pretty fast. But I say to you, Oliver Fish got Stacy pregnant after she drugged him. So in a situation like that, a male gay character can be utilized.

So the beauty of that was the show did weave in the gay couple. And now we see that on Modern Family , and that was the part of the story that riveted me. I wanted the guys to get custody of that child and then see them living in Llanview dealing with that. Listen, if Brett Claywell would have signed a contract, you would have been seeing that story playing out today!

But hold on! My gay friends are not sleeping with women. Your issue is the realism, and of course I understand that. I am saying OLTL used it as a plot-device with their gay characters. Look, I do believe what you said is true. Ok, good. We have an issue for story there that also keeps them on air. Now there will be a fight for custody and that could be poignant.

First of all, there is no doctor at Llanview hospital anymore. In the same way they are currently writing John McBain and Natalie, they could have written it that way for Kish. Laughs Well, I did not want to name anyone who was not already out, and I mean, I was not outing people.

Laughs And then, it all went horribly wrong. I looked at this and I personally it was tough reliving this all again. However, I remember I was doing the E! It all went to hell in a hand basket from there. And I agree with what you said, it never has recovered from it, clearly. What surprised me when writing the book was how much the OJ trial mirrored what the networks had done 20 years before with the Watergate hearings, because either they did not learn a lesson from that, or every network had a new executive in that slot.

So they did the exact same thing by pre-empting the soaps, and it was willy-nilly in different markets, and meanwhile AMC is airing it in Vermont, but not in L. I mean, there were certainly not soap episodes being shown on the web. You missed it. After that there were a lot of dominos that knocked right into each other. I did not get to watch my show for nine months. Or, are we going to air OJ?

In your chapter, Naming Names , clearly one of the highlights of your book is about Ellen Wheeler destroying what was left of Guiding Light, and how you chronicled the demise of this legendary soap opera. You had no anchor on your show, when you break up Reva and Josh; they are your money couple. Who is going to replace them? Then Laura left and they recast her with Nicole Forester, who was a perfectly fine actress, but she was brand new.

It was gross! Later, I think you know they flew journalists to Peapack, and they took us on the tour of their new production model, and also brought us to the production offices to show us how they doubled their offices for the new smaller sets to help their budgets.

And the spaces were so small, and I felt so bad for everyone. And this is when the digital cameras were up the noses of the actors in these tiny office spaces! I do think it got better towards the end of their run, and as they said, they were working out the kinks… but still. I write about that in the book.

No one cares where you are. And a big part of the problem with Peapack was they were working it out on air.

The situation was troubling. I think everything that GL did to turn off viewers, obviously contributed to the demise of the show. It was a very sad ending for a once amazing show. But you say in the book, it was caused by the fact that Cady McClain was unhappy with her current story, and told that to then head writer, Megan McTavish. The story I heard was Cady was not very happy with some of the things that were being written, and she expressed that to then head writer, Megan McTavish.

And I make this argument all the time and I will make it again to you: It is fine if you want to make a creative decision to kill a core character.

What was wrong with that story and criminal about that story was that they did this in three episodes. It did not have any proper ending. Dixie did not get her own funeral. She had to share her funeral with Babe. So it was clearly some kind of retribution for something, because if you are a good head writer and you are killing a big character, you should get tons and tons of mileage out of it.

How do you think they are handling it now, going back and resurrecting the character from the dead and fixing their mistake? You know, I give them credit for that. This is another one of those arguments where soaps fans are in on the joke. I will accept any way that they will bring back Cady McClain as Dixie. Obviously, David Hayward is going to be behind all this. He is already making all those cryptic phone calls and that is fine.

I will completely accept it; just put her back on my screen! Laughs I kind of do know how it all plays out; I thought it is as good as it could be, considering we watched Dixie and other characters die! I loved the ending of the book and the chapter, The Heart of the Matter, and it grabbed me about how soaps touch people, and how they give viewers a family and a lifeline.

Do you feel the same way, that soaps are an extended family to viewers? Yes, I do feel that way that soaps are a family. And when you have upheaval in your life or you are moving, or starting a new job or starting a new school, and you turn on the TV and there is Viki, Clint and Bo, I consider them my family.

That is how soap fans feel. You have no idea how many people live by themselves, have had hardship in their lives and lost loved ones, and they are kind of sad, and they turn on their soaps, and there is a party in Pine Valley or there is Nikki and Victor going at it at Gloworm. It means something. Brett was on a contract with OLTL from the beginning. Scott was on reoccurring and I believe he was happy with that.

Soaps… realistic? Brett had a deal. Scott didnt want one. ABC saved money by having Scott recur. ABC got scared and dropped the story. Im sorry but folks writing about things they hear second hand and arent there to experience themselves, I always find suspect. Interesting interview, Michael, but very good. Carolyn has written a lot of information that we can visualize. I think the story about Susan Lucci only wanting tall men partners is hysterical. And the fact by stretching her neck so the lighting hits her just right making her look younger is so funny.

But obviously, it worked for her. Hmm…maybe I should try that. Anyway, the book Carolyn wrote is full of great stories about our soaps and I for one will enjoy reading all of it. Michael, another job well done and you were so good … Read more ».

In a time when everyone says the medium is dying, I embrace those, like Carolyn and PP, who still believe in it and know millions of fans still want it.

Are you as ignorant as Hinsey on the misinformation and false information you printed in this interview, or did you just not feel like following up with her mistakes or correcting her at all?