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Prime Time Soap Operas
Douglas M. Snauffer
出版
Bloomsbury Publishing USA
, 2009-09-03
主題
Performing Arts / Television / General
Social Science / Popular Culture
Performing Arts / General
ISBN
9798216132363
URL
http://books.google.com.hk/books?id=pK32EAAAQBAJ&hl=&source=gbs_api
EBook
SAMPLE
註釋
Prime time soaps are often revered long after their runs on television have ended, as
Dallas
,
Twin Peaks
, and
Beverly Hills 90210
readily demonstrate. Due to their profound impact, it's easy to forget how recently the genre itself was born.
Dallas
premiered in 1978, and was originally intended to air solely as a five-part mini-series. Then, in 1981, producer Aaron Spelling stepped in and introduced his own ultra-glitzy entry
Dynasty
. Between these two mega-hits, the era of the nighttime soap was born. Soaps soon spun off into non-traditional avenues as well, in sitcoms like
Filthy Rich
and the supernatural drama
Twin Peaks
. Then, with the arrival of the more youth-oriented Fox Network, producers were able to hook an entirely new generation on programs such as
Beverly Hills, 90210, Melrose Place
, and
Party of Five
. Pay-cable channels have also stepped into the picture and now act as trendsetters with hits like
Sex and the City, Six Feet Under, The Sopranos
, and
The L Word
. Now, from the spiritually themed
7th Heaven
to the naughty neighbors of ABC's
Desperate Housewives
, soaps dominate prime time.
Prime Time Soaps
covers all the major shows within the soap-opera genre, and also investigates all the ways that soaps have contributed to the development of more general television trends. Interviews with producers, actors, and other artistic collaborators also supplement this revealing and entertaining account.
Even outside of their genre, these shows continue to influence current programming. Few series on TV today are purely episodic, instead containing on-going storylines involving the personal dilemmas of their characters. Another very recognizable contribution from soaps occurred on the evening of March 21, 1980, when
Dallas
finished out its third year with J.R. Ewing being shot by an unknown assailant, leaving fans to wait until the fall for the resolution. This was the beginning of the cliffhanger endings that are now implemented by just about every series on television. Prime Time Soaps covers all the major shows, and also investigates all the ways that soaps have contributed to the development of more general television trends. Interviews with producers, actors, and other artistic collaborators supplement this revealing and entertaining account.