What Is A Soap Opera?

A soap opera is usually broadcast on television and radio, and is an ongoing work of fiction which is shown in episodes. Soap opera always end with a cliffhanger which carries on into the next episode. These cliffhangers are used so that viewers will tune into the next episode.

Soap operas usually contain romantic storylines, though each one may have a different focus depending on where it is set. Emmerdale, EastEnders and Coronation Street, which are all UK soaps, each have their own theme. Emmerdale focuses on village and farm life, Coronation street focuses on life in Manchester and EastEnders focuses on life in London. US soaps, such as The Bold and the Beautiful tend to focus more on romance.

Soap operas usually have a list of long running characters and sets of famous families. EastEnders, for example, has well known families such as the Mitchells and The Fowlers, Coronation Street has the Barlows and The Baldwins and Emmerdale has the Sugdens.

Just so you know, the phrase "soap opera" came from the fact that some of the earliest serialized dramas on radio were sponsored by soap manufacturers, including Proctor & Gamble (which still produces GUIDING LIGHT and AS THE WORLD TURNS).

In America, most daytime dramas are targeted to women, which is why they focus on such topics as romance, adultery and babies (legitimate and otherwise).

Soaps have proven to be a training ground for aspiring actors and actresses.  Among the performers who got their start on soap operas are Meg Ryan, Sherry Stringfield, Melina Kanakaredes, Kelsey Grammar, Sarah Michelle Gellar and HEROES' Hayden Panetierre.

Soap Operas got the name because they are usually sponsored by soap and or detergent companies ie palmolive, dove, proctor and gamble, and is a story based on families from a town or community living a life of suspense ie cheating, releasing secrets as time goes by and they have very experienced and imaginative writers, which always keeps you in suspense until the next day......the best to you