Every soap opera has storylines we love and storylines we loathe. This has been true from the conception of the soap opera to the present time, starting from the moment the first soap aired on television.
The first soap opera was broadcast on the NBC station in Chicago on January 31, 1949. The title was, “These Are My Children.” It was created by Irna Phillips, who remained on the soap opera scene in a variety of capacities, including creator and writer, for many years. Although this early soap opera disappeared from the screens only a short time after its first airing, it opened the door for the daytime drama format, on television, to be born. These Are My Children was soon followed by “Search For Tomorrow,” “Love of Life,” and “Guiding Light” — all having a far longer duration, acquiring dedicated fan bases who would follow the shows endlessly.
Although many of the shows I watched growing up, and throughout my adult life, are no longer with us, I’m happy we still have four remaining soap operas on network television. I follow them all as any devoted fan would, always grateful for the advent of the DVR. In addition, as any devoted fan will admit, there are storylines I adore and storylines I hope to see disappear as soon as possible.
My wish for this mini-series, covering all the current soaps: I hope all of you will join me in sharing which stories you love most, re-watching them repeatedly, and which stories you long to see ended, reaching for the fast-forward button when they appear on your TV screen.
To show no favoritism, as I love all the daytime dramas, this series will run in alphabetical order, starting with the high fashion-centered world of Southern California, and the movers and shakers who work it on “The Bold and the Beautiful.”
Photo Credit: Youtube.com
Love: I currently love all the intricacies involved in the twisted triangle surrounding baby, Douglas Forrester. The horrible relationship between Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye) and his son, Thomas (Pierson Fodé), with Caroline (Linsey Godfrey) caught in the middle is soap opera drama at its emotional best. Not only is this plot being written in a way I have yet to be able to completely predict, but all three actors involved are playing their parts brilliantly. I detest selfish Ridge, pity Thomas, and want to give Caroline a hug, coupled with a wake-up call about her husband all at the same time. These are the emotions I want to feel when watching an exciting storyline.
Photo Credit: Brad E. Young
Hate: While I use the word “hate” loosely, I must admit that I’m shocked by a storyline, in 2016, where we find a young woman using a pregnancy to keep a man in her life. One moment we had a beautiful hug-fest between Nicole, Sasha, and Vivienne (Reign Edwards, Felisha Cooper, Anna Maria Horsford), the next we have Sasha trying to sabotage her sister Nicole’s reunion with her long-time boyfriend by using the oldest trick in the book. In addition, the clichéd appearance of a pregnant woman showing up just when Sasha needs to prove she’s pregnant, using a home test, had me rolling my eyes. I have hopes that B&B will rectify this odd choice of direction with a surprising twist the audience knows nothing about, but for now, I’m irritated by the entire story.
I look forward to hearing from you! Please share which storylines, currently airing on The Bold and the Beautiful, you are enjoying or you wish would cease as soon as possible.
Let’s talk!!!
Only watch B&B sometimes but when I do the Avants are everything. I also like the Douglass stuff. The parts I’m not feeling is the Liam/Steffy/Wyatt triangle that feels has been going on for centuries. They try to make them the new Ridge/Brooke/Taylor but enough. That triangle got old too. And same for Brooke/Bill/Katie.
I love the Avant family too, although I hope they end the Sasha-fake-pregnancy story quickly! The Douglas story is a very creative twist on this type of story.
I think the triangle with Liam/Steffy/Wyatt needs to move on. I would find it very interesting to see if the writers can bring us completely on board with a #Quiam relationship.
Thank you for joining in!
I too love the Avants. even the dad, that rascal. Delving deeper into Quiam would be a great twist to the rather tired Wyatt/Liam/Steffy triangle, in my humblest of opinion. As I learn every day on Twitter, though, what one person is not fond of, another might live for. That’s why being a soap head writer must be a thankless job. It can be frustrating when it seems like they cannot come up with any new and creative ideas for someone like Katie, played by the talented Heather Tom, and original cast members like Katherine Kelly Lang and John McCook. Are the writers not interested? Are the actors happy not working too often? I guess all sorts of things could go on behind the scenes. Great piece, Carolyn. Your love for soaps really shows.
Thank you, David, for chiming in! I do love the soaps — all of them.
I truly wish we would get to see more of the B&B vets gets storylines that are exciting and new. The brief Katie/Brooke battle was good but I’m glad it finally seems to be coming to an end. Would LOVE to see John McCook with a story putting him front and center!
It must be quite a challenge to try to please such a wide diverse audience of viewers, but it would seem that if writers followed the “buzz” they would get a sense of what works or doesn’t… not to mention rating do reflect opinions. I find B&B one of those shows that seems to most respect their audience.
Let’s hope we can see more of the Avants, coupled with good storylines. That would work for me.
Fake pregnancy tropes do need a rest. I don’t think they work they way they used either because like you said it’s 2016 not the 1950s where it was expected that parents get married. Bold has a tendency to be either very edgy and forward thinking or just a repeat of what they’ve always done. The soap does remain the most visually pleasing and the most successful in utilizing their next generation though.
B&B does tend to be the most edgy and trendy of all the soaps. Because of this, when they have moments where they utilize storylines that should be long retired, it’s quite surprising. I do think B&B does a great job appealing to the newest generation of soap viewers.
Thank you for sharing!