What Distinguishes Soap Operas From Other Forms Of Drama?!
Question: I wanted to know exactly what forms of dramas are classified as SOAPS and what are not. Shows like Melrose Place, Desperate Housewives, 90210 have been known as SOAPS. But people debate whether or not shows like Gilmore Girls, The OC, 7th Heaven are soaps or not.
So what makes a soap opera as opposed to other forms of serial dramas?
Answers: I wanted to know exactly what forms of dramas are classified as SOAPS and what are not. Shows like Melrose Place, Desperate Housewives, 90210 have been known as SOAPS. But people debate whether or not shows like Gilmore Girls, The OC, 7th Heaven are soaps or not.
So what makes a soap opera as opposed to other forms of serial dramas?
I tend to think that all serial dramas are soaps. I think people believe that shows like 7th Heaven and Gilmore Girls aren't considered soaps because they weren't just for adults, and The OC wasn't targeted for adults at all. And soaps have been typically an adult or teen format. But all of these shows have similar stories; therefore, I think they are all soaps.
Other than the fact they come on during daytime, I couldn't tell ya! They have the same outrageous plots as any of the primetime shows. People knock down soaps but I really don't see any difference in them and other drama series, even soaps throw in comedy now!
Generally it's the fact that the storyline each day picks up exactly where yesterday left off - instead of a new "episode" each week. Like a person will appear in a doorway on Tuesday, and walk into the house on Wednesday.
A drama show has a beginning and an end all in one show. There are no carry over to the next show storylines like on the soaps. They have the same story line going on for weeks or months.