yes, any show that I don't watch should be axed *rolleyes*
Do you think it's time for soaps to end forever?
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Very good replies from Cool_mate and kaiserbee with which I largely agree. I don't think they should be done away with, perhaps less episodes rather than more though.
Also, stop that two half hour episode nonsense with a filler between, unless it suits them to broadcast an hour episode and to hell with the clash with EE.
Also, stop that two half hour episode nonsense with a filler between, unless it suits them to broadcast an hour episode and to hell with the clash with EE.
I wouldn't even want the soaps I don't watch such as Coronation, to end, let alone the ones I do watch, like Neighbours to end.
Soaps should never end. They are part of our culture and identity. Just get new writers every so often.
Soaps should never end. They are part of our culture and identity. Just get new writers every so often.
Originally Posted by Cool_mate:
“Uh oh, ok I can see this wasn't a popular thread! I just thought what with so many ppl moaning about soaps for yrs, what they thought about the suggestion”
“Uh oh, ok I can see this wasn't a popular thread! I just thought what with so many ppl moaning about soaps for yrs, what they thought about the suggestion”
No, you're pretty much on the money though I think doing away with is a tad extreme. There is no joy in watching them as you largely know what is coming thanks to them. It's almost at the point where you don't need to watch if you go in to a newsagent and scan the covers of the tat magazines.
Originally Posted by Cool_mate:
“Uh oh, ok I can see this wasn't a popular thread! I just thought what with so many ppl moaning about soaps for yrs, what they thought about the suggestion”
“Uh oh, ok I can see this wasn't a popular thread! I just thought what with so many ppl moaning about soaps for yrs, what they thought about the suggestion”
Hey, it was an interesting thread! People might not agree, but it forces us to ask ourselves why the hell we still watch this nonsense.
Personally, I agree that the future of soaps is bound up with the future of TV - they are totally associated with the Golden Age of Telly, and that's coming to an end. I guess they'll be around (or some of them will) for a fair while yet, but everything comes to an end eventually. At the moment I feel like the ITV ones are being desperately milked by advertisers and channels because they've still got decent guaranteed audiences - which is why there's pressure for more episodes, regardless of dip in quality. No way can that go on forever.
If you don't enjoy them, there are plenty of things you could do instead of watching them.
Not all viewers know what's going to happen because not all viewers spend hours a day on social media reading spoilers or read the telly mags that give the plots away.
Soaps have never claimed to be 'real' - they're fiction. They'd never be able to make a 'real' soap about a real street because a series with nothing happening apart from someone parking across Mrs Smiths drive entrance and the wind blowing Mrs Jones' washing into the garden next door just wouldn't cut it with viewers.
What would replace them? More quiz shows? Yet another version of BGT/XFactor? More Geordie Shore et al type of reality rubbish for idiots to watch idiots getting drunk, shagging and wetting the bed?
Soaps may not be the most thrilling TV but I'll stick with EE and Casualty instead of of more Simon Cowell or Joey Essex, thanks very much. You make your viewing choices and I'll make mine.
Not all viewers know what's going to happen because not all viewers spend hours a day on social media reading spoilers or read the telly mags that give the plots away.
Soaps have never claimed to be 'real' - they're fiction. They'd never be able to make a 'real' soap about a real street because a series with nothing happening apart from someone parking across Mrs Smiths drive entrance and the wind blowing Mrs Jones' washing into the garden next door just wouldn't cut it with viewers.
What would replace them? More quiz shows? Yet another version of BGT/XFactor? More Geordie Shore et al type of reality rubbish for idiots to watch idiots getting drunk, shagging and wetting the bed?
Soaps may not be the most thrilling TV but I'll stick with EE and Casualty instead of of more Simon Cowell or Joey Essex, thanks very much. You make your viewing choices and I'll make mine.
The 90s was peak for soaps and British Society in general
Sitting down on a Sunday eating ya roast dinner playing family games.. And messing with teletext not dangerous Twitter, not so many immigrants etc and realistic soap storylines.
Ahhh the good ol days that we all look at like a golden age now.
Sitting down on a Sunday eating ya roast dinner playing family games.. And messing with teletext not dangerous Twitter, not so many immigrants etc and realistic soap storylines.
Ahhh the good ol days that we all look at like a golden age now.
Originally Posted by Matt35:
“Does anyone know what the viewing figures were for EE, emmerdale corrie and hollyoaks 10 years ago? Because if someone does then compare them to now and then imagine what they'll be 10 years from now because one things for certain, the figures won't be rising.”
“Does anyone know what the viewing figures were for EE, emmerdale corrie and hollyoaks 10 years ago? Because if someone does then compare them to now and then imagine what they'll be 10 years from now because one things for certain, the figures won't be rising.”
Agree with this.
I have now reached the stage where soaps are for laughing at. It's the old crossroads or acorn antiques on a grand scale. The best fun you can have is laughing at it
I used to watch coronation street in the seventies and eighties. Jesus, it'd gone downhill. The world doesn't make Ena sharpies or Elsie Tanner's anymore -so the best you can do is laughing at the lifer non entities on the show
EastEnders is full of irritations, it won't pick up until Shirley Carter drinks herself to death, Emmerdale is just uninteresting and that leaves the lamentable Holly oaks
There is time for one soap to fall by the wayside - preferably hollyoaks
Originally Posted by tiv:
“Very good replies from Cool_mate and kaiserbee with which I largely agree. I don't think they should be done away with, perhaps less episodes rather than more though.
Also, stop that two half hour episode nonsense with a filler between, unless it suits them to broadcast an hour episode and to hell with the clash with EE.”
“Very good replies from Cool_mate and kaiserbee with which I largely agree. I don't think they should be done away with, perhaps less episodes rather than more though.
Also, stop that two half hour episode nonsense with a filler between, unless it suits them to broadcast an hour episode and to hell with the clash with EE.”
Thanks
Dammit I think I should have edited the thread title!
I didn't mean its time to end now, what I meant was maybe in the next decade or maybe 5 yrs they'll probably have finished, I'm not actually saying I want them to finish, it's just they're going round in circles
And
Someone mentioned social media taking over everything in general, your right. I'm 19 and I don't have any social media accounts, i don't live on the internet like ppl on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or whatever
I can't say what the old days were like but my grandparents have told me, 3 channels, swearing-mouth washed out
black and white box TV, sounds well boring to me
I have enjoyed soaps for the past 4 yrs, when I was like 15 it was soaps/TV over social media, and it always will be. I even like quiz shows over social media, I love Eggheads and the Chase. I have been buying soap magazines since I was 15, an age where you'd expect me to be on social media, but I wasn't cos it doesn't interest me
Most ppl on this forum are a lot older than me and know the history of soaps and are probably the main age soaps are aimed at. They were probably around when the first episode of coronation street aired. Like someone said, most characters are young but younger ppl don't watch them. They're in my generation group so I can enjoy them, whereas older ppl can't as much, they prefer the "legends". Some characters are chavvy and talk slang, older ppl don't understand that (no offence)
I didn't mean its time to end now, what I meant was maybe in the next decade or maybe 5 yrs they'll probably have finished, I'm not actually saying I want them to finish, it's just they're going round in circles
And
Someone mentioned social media taking over everything in general, your right. I'm 19 and I don't have any social media accounts, i don't live on the internet like ppl on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or whatever
I can't say what the old days were like but my grandparents have told me, 3 channels, swearing-mouth washed out
black and white box TV, sounds well boring to meI have enjoyed soaps for the past 4 yrs, when I was like 15 it was soaps/TV over social media, and it always will be. I even like quiz shows over social media, I love Eggheads and the Chase. I have been buying soap magazines since I was 15, an age where you'd expect me to be on social media, but I wasn't cos it doesn't interest me
Most ppl on this forum are a lot older than me and know the history of soaps and are probably the main age soaps are aimed at. They were probably around when the first episode of coronation street aired. Like someone said, most characters are young but younger ppl don't watch them. They're in my generation group so I can enjoy them, whereas older ppl can't as much, they prefer the "legends". Some characters are chavvy and talk slang, older ppl don't understand that (no offence)
Originally Posted by broadshoulder:
“Agree with this.
I have now reached the stage where soaps are for laughing at. It's the old crossroads or acorn antiques on a grand scale. The best fun you can have is laughing at it
I used to watch coronation street in the seventies and eighties. Jesus, it'd gone downhill. The world doesn't make Ena sharpies or Elsie Tanner's anymore -so the best you can do is laughing at the lifer non entities on the show
EastEnders is full of irritations, it won't pick up until Shirley Carter drinks herself to death, Emmerdale is just uninteresting and that leaves the lamentable Holly oaks
There is time for one soap to fall by the wayside - preferably hollyoaks”
“Agree with this.
I have now reached the stage where soaps are for laughing at. It's the old crossroads or acorn antiques on a grand scale. The best fun you can have is laughing at it
I used to watch coronation street in the seventies and eighties. Jesus, it'd gone downhill. The world doesn't make Ena sharpies or Elsie Tanner's anymore -so the best you can do is laughing at the lifer non entities on the show
EastEnders is full of irritations, it won't pick up until Shirley Carter drinks herself to death, Emmerdale is just uninteresting and that leaves the lamentable Holly oaks
There is time for one soap to fall by the wayside - preferably hollyoaks”
Never liked the zzzzz bore fest Emmerdale and same goes for Hollyoaks I think it's crap. Sometimes I watch Doctors, don't give a toss about EastEnders, Coronation street is the only one I'm really bothered about, but it's taking a nosedive now, it's been mainly crap since the end of July. As I said I'm hanging on by a thread, I'll keep watching for Gemma and the Platt stuff, but after that, I'm quitting the show
I think Hollyoaks will be the first soap to go, then Emmerdale, then Doctors, then EastEnders, then Coronation Street will be the last to go
In the next few decades I don't think there will be such a thing as soaps tbh
Originally Posted by Cool_mate:
“Never liked the zzzzz bore fest Emmerdale and same goes for Hollyoaks I think it's crap. Sometimes I watch Doctors, don't give a toss about EastEnders, Coronation street is the only one I'm really bothered about, but it's taking a nosedive now, it's been mainly crap since the end of July. As I said I'm hanging on by a thread, I'll keep watching for Gemma and the Platt stuff, but after that, I'm quitting the show
I think Hollyoaks will be the first soap to go, then Emmerdale, then Doctors, then EastEnders, then Coronation Street will be the last to go
In the next few decades I don't think there will be such a thing as soaps tbh”
“Never liked the zzzzz bore fest Emmerdale and same goes for Hollyoaks I think it's crap. Sometimes I watch Doctors, don't give a toss about EastEnders, Coronation street is the only one I'm really bothered about, but it's taking a nosedive now, it's been mainly crap since the end of July. As I said I'm hanging on by a thread, I'll keep watching for Gemma and the Platt stuff, but after that, I'm quitting the show
I think Hollyoaks will be the first soap to go, then Emmerdale, then Doctors, then EastEnders, then Coronation Street will be the last to go
In the next few decades I don't think there will be such a thing as soaps tbh”
No offence, but you sound like a fairweather CS fan and vague soap follower in general. If your tie with soaps or CS is so loose why bother discussing whether soaps should end? Perhaps for you see no longevity in it, fair enough but soaps still pull in a decent audience amongst different age groups and remains still popular with its loyal following. It's interesting that you mention demographics and age ranges when CS the one you vaguely like out of all the main British soaps is probably among the more mature end of things overall (audience, characters, tone etc).
Originally Posted by Cool_mate:
“Most ppl on this forum are a lot older than me and know the history of soaps and are probably the main age soaps are aimed at. They were probably around when the first episode of coronation street aired. Like someone said, most characters are young but younger ppl don't watch them. They're in my generation group so I can enjoy them, whereas older ppl can't as much, they prefer the "legends". Some characters are chavvy and talk slang, older ppl don't understand that (no offence)”
“Most ppl on this forum are a lot older than me and know the history of soaps and are probably the main age soaps are aimed at. They were probably around when the first episode of coronation street aired. Like someone said, most characters are young but younger ppl don't watch them. They're in my generation group so I can enjoy them, whereas older ppl can't as much, they prefer the "legends". Some characters are chavvy and talk slang, older ppl don't understand that (no offence)”
This isn't true. I'm in my 20s and I've loved soaps since I was a child. I've been addicted to them on and off since I was about 12, I think soaps are aimed at all ages. That's their strength.
I don't know many people my age who watch Neighbours - I think it's mainly older people who watch that soap, but a lot of young people watch EE and Hollyoaks.
Also - I like the young characters as well as the 'classic' characters, probably mores than the classic characters. Cool_mate, you should watch Neighbours, it's much better than Coronation St.
Originally Posted by Danny_Francis:
“No offence, but you sound like a fairweather CS fan and vague soap follower in general.”
“No offence, but you sound like a fairweather CS fan and vague soap follower in general.”
Shouldn't everyone be a fair-wheather viewer or is one to be expected wasting their time watching something bad cause at some point it was good and may or may not be good again?
I mean that's still time wasted watching something you don't enjoy out of some false sense of loyalty.
I give up on Hollyoaks ever other month cause it gets so ridiculously bad and then check back in 6 month or so to see if there's any improvement.
I mean it's not like you gonna have trouble following any plot lines, it's a soap after all.
Originally Posted by Cool_mate:
“Dammit I think I should have edited the thread title!
I didn't mean its time to end now, what I meant was maybe in the next decade or maybe 5 yrs they'll probably have finished, I'm not actually saying I want them to finish, it's just they're going round in circles
And
Someone mentioned social media taking over everything in general, your right. I'm 19 and I don't have any social media accounts, i don't live on the internet like ppl on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or whatever
I can't say what the old days were like but my grandparents have told me, 3 channels, swearing-mouth washed out black and white box TV, sounds well boring to me
I have enjoyed soaps for the past 4 yrs, when I was like 15 it was soaps/TV over social media, and it always will be. I even like quiz shows over social media, I love Eggheads and the Chase. I have been buying soap magazines since I was 15, an age where you'd expect me to be on social media, but I wasn't cos it doesn't interest me
Most ppl on this forum are a lot older than me and know the history of soaps and are probably the main age soaps are aimed at. They were probably around when the first episode of coronation street aired. Like someone said, most characters are young but younger ppl don't watch them. They're in my generation group so I can enjoy them, whereas older ppl can't as much, they prefer the "legends". Some characters are chavvy and talk slang, older ppl don't understand that (no offence)”
“Dammit I think I should have edited the thread title!
I didn't mean its time to end now, what I meant was maybe in the next decade or maybe 5 yrs they'll probably have finished, I'm not actually saying I want them to finish, it's just they're going round in circles
And
Someone mentioned social media taking over everything in general, your right. I'm 19 and I don't have any social media accounts, i don't live on the internet like ppl on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or whatever
I can't say what the old days were like but my grandparents have told me, 3 channels, swearing-mouth washed out
black and white box TV, sounds well boring to meI have enjoyed soaps for the past 4 yrs, when I was like 15 it was soaps/TV over social media, and it always will be. I even like quiz shows over social media, I love Eggheads and the Chase. I have been buying soap magazines since I was 15, an age where you'd expect me to be on social media, but I wasn't cos it doesn't interest me
Most ppl on this forum are a lot older than me and know the history of soaps and are probably the main age soaps are aimed at. They were probably around when the first episode of coronation street aired. Like someone said, most characters are young but younger ppl don't watch them. They're in my generation group so I can enjoy them, whereas older ppl can't as much, they prefer the "legends". Some characters are chavvy and talk slang, older ppl don't understand that (no offence)”
My mom wasn't even born when Corrie first aired
Logically, this shouldn't even be a question. If a show can still hit up towards 8m viewers on it's best day, whilst putting out 2 hours of material a week, they still have a place on the schedules. They attract a large share of the audience and are still very popular.
Has the quality decreased? Yes. But they still are crowd pullers and create a national buzz at times. No way should they be axed, just improved.
Has the quality decreased? Yes. But they still are crowd pullers and create a national buzz at times. No way should they be axed, just improved.
Originally Posted by TheAngryGerman:
“Shouldn't everyone be a fair-wheather viewer or is one to be expected wasting their time watching something bad cause at some point it was good and may or may not be good again?
I mean that's still time wasted watching something you don't enjoy out of some false sense of loyalty.
I give up on Hollyoaks ever other month cause it gets so ridiculously bad and then check back in 6 month or so to see if there's any improvement.
I mean it's not like you gonna have trouble following any plot lines, it's a soap after all.”
“Shouldn't everyone be a fair-wheather viewer or is one to be expected wasting their time watching something bad cause at some point it was good and may or may not be good again?
I mean that's still time wasted watching something you don't enjoy out of some false sense of loyalty.
I give up on Hollyoaks ever other month cause it gets so ridiculously bad and then check back in 6 month or so to see if there's any improvement.
I mean it's not like you gonna have trouble following any plot lines, it's a soap after all.”
Fair point, it just came across like a casual fan spouting one fits all pretty much just because he's not too impressed with the genre or his preferred version of it. Nothing wrong with dipping in and out I do it with some soaps, the OP tends to watch for a certain character and even mentioned dropping it if she left. Each to their own I suppose
Originally Posted by TheAngryGerman:
“Time for Telenovelas.”
“Time for Telenovelas.
”
There's one on the Disney Channel called 'Violetta'. It's a Spanish one and is based around a school for the arts in Buenos Aires, a bit like 'Fame' in Spanish and all the characters are dubbed in English. Violetta is the name of the main female character and is a bit of a brat. It's all good fun though and the singing/dancing is pretty good.
Originally Posted by Scrabbler:
“If you axe soaps what would you put in their place? Most tv shows suck these days anyway. Theres generally not the budget to invest in good quality programming any more.
For me EE is escapism, it might not be high quality drama but it keeps me amused.”
“If you axe soaps what would you put in their place? Most tv shows suck these days anyway. Theres generally not the budget to invest in good quality programming any more.
For me EE is escapism, it might not be high quality drama but it keeps me amused.”
Exactly!
What indeed would replace soaps if they ended?
Bloody reality shows that's what and I can't bloody stand them!
I only watch EE and although it's not as good as it used to be I'd still rather watch it than any reality rubbish any day of the week!
We're in a golden age of US tv and there's still many shows that don't make it onto the airwaves over here, so I'd welcome if not a complete cessation then a significant reduction in soaps.
I don't want to see the soaps axed, but I think the number of episodes per week has gotten ridiculous as have the enormous cast sizes.
I think they should move towards being more character-driven and 'drama-like'. I don't think TV is dead at all. Dramas such as Broadchurch and Happy Valley are hugely popular. The proof is in the pudding - when there are less episodes focused on a few, strong actors the audience appreciates it so much better. 5/6 episodes a week just produces nonsense filler storylines that embarrass the soap and drag down their reputation.
I think they should move towards being more character-driven and 'drama-like'. I don't think TV is dead at all. Dramas such as Broadchurch and Happy Valley are hugely popular. The proof is in the pudding - when there are less episodes focused on a few, strong actors the audience appreciates it so much better. 5/6 episodes a week just produces nonsense filler storylines that embarrass the soap and drag down their reputation.
Originally Posted by Cool_mate:
“Actually yeah, maybe that would be a better idea rather than axing them altogether cos as some ppl have said, what would you watch instead? I never actually thought of what shows would replace soaps
I agree that soaps are stuck in the past too
And yeah! The under 25s are so far from reality it's unreal!
I hate towie, made in Chelsea and Geordie shore so I really hope they don't take over TV if soaps end!
I can't actually imagine TV without soaps tbh, but if they continue to nosedive maybe they will end in maybe about 10 yrs”
“Actually yeah, maybe that would be a better idea rather than axing them altogether cos as some ppl have said, what would you watch instead? I never actually thought of what shows would replace soaps
I agree that soaps are stuck in the past tooAnd yeah! The under 25s are so far from reality it's unreal!
I hate towie, made in Chelsea and Geordie shore so I really hope they don't take over TV if soaps end!
I can't actually imagine TV without soaps tbh, but if they continue to nosedive maybe they will end in maybe about 10 yrs”
I cant imagine you had soaps been abolished by 2009. We would not have discovered the legendary Paula Lane.
Originally Posted by Cool_mate:
“Dammit I think I should have edited the thread title!
I didn't mean its time to end now, what I meant was maybe in the next decade or maybe 5 yrs they'll probably have finished, I'm not actually saying I want them to finish, it's just they're going round in circles
And
Someone mentioned social media taking over everything in general, your right. I'm 19 and I don't have any social media accounts, i don't live on the internet like ppl on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or whatever
I can't say what the old days were like but my grandparents have told me, 3 channels, swearing-mouth washed out black and white box TV, sounds well boring to me
I have enjoyed soaps for the past 4 yrs, when I was like 15 it was soaps/TV over social media, and it always will be. I even like quiz shows over social media, I love Eggheads and the Chase. I have been buying soap magazines since I was 15, an age where you'd expect me to be on social media, but I wasn't cos it doesn't interest me
Most ppl on this forum are a lot older than me and know the history of soaps and are probably the main age soaps are aimed at. They were probably around when the first episode of coronation street aired. Like someone said, most characters are young but younger ppl don't watch them. They're in my generation group so I can enjoy them, whereas older ppl can't as much, they prefer the "legends". Some characters are chavvy and talk slang, older ppl don't understand that (no offence)”
“Dammit I think I should have edited the thread title!
I didn't mean its time to end now, what I meant was maybe in the next decade or maybe 5 yrs they'll probably have finished, I'm not actually saying I want them to finish, it's just they're going round in circles
And
Someone mentioned social media taking over everything in general, your right. I'm 19 and I don't have any social media accounts, i don't live on the internet like ppl on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or whatever
I can't say what the old days were like but my grandparents have told me, 3 channels, swearing-mouth washed out
black and white box TV, sounds well boring to meI have enjoyed soaps for the past 4 yrs, when I was like 15 it was soaps/TV over social media, and it always will be. I even like quiz shows over social media, I love Eggheads and the Chase. I have been buying soap magazines since I was 15, an age where you'd expect me to be on social media, but I wasn't cos it doesn't interest me
Most ppl on this forum are a lot older than me and know the history of soaps and are probably the main age soaps are aimed at. They were probably around when the first episode of coronation street aired. Like someone said, most characters are young but younger ppl don't watch them. They're in my generation group so I can enjoy them, whereas older ppl can't as much, they prefer the "legends". Some characters are chavvy and talk slang, older ppl don't understand that (no offence)”
I am not on Facebook or Twitter, and do not have the internet on my mobile. These do have their place, but I consider Facebook too public and feel that too many people stare at something on their mobiles instead of concentrating on undivided chat with friends.
I don't think Kate was brought in to save anything? ITV have always been happy with Blackburn and his work.
Iv been thinking about your post and I am going to say yes, I think there is still a place for soaps.
viewing habits have changed and people like to binge watch stuff, so I think as time goes on less people will watch live and will choose to watch on iplayer etc.
as long as there is content to keep people coming back why not.
Iv been thinking about your post and I am going to say yes, I think there is still a place for soaps.
viewing habits have changed and people like to binge watch stuff, so I think as time goes on less people will watch live and will choose to watch on iplayer etc.
as long as there is content to keep people coming back why not.
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