I’ve been watching soap operas since I was seven years old. A babysitter introduced me to Dark Shadows, and although I didn’t truly understand it, I was intrigued.
Since then, I have watched almost every soap that has aired on network television, as well as some web series that began airing in recent years. Each soap seemed to have at least one story that hooked me in. Once involved with a daytime drama, I rarely found reason to leave, although I may have taken short breaks from time to time.
With the advent of the VCR and now DVR, I haven’t missed a single soap episode due to scheduling conflicts in 33 years! Prior to the ability to record shows as they aired, primarily during my college years, I arranged my classes around my soap operas, as did many of my friends.
Throughout those years, there are some storylines I still remember vividly, and with high regard for their dramatic, innovative plots, and the actors who brought those stories to life. Here a couple of my favorites:
Photo Credit: Youtube.com
OLTL: Kyle and Oliver’s love story. (Actors — Brett Claywell and Scott Evans) So few gay storylines on daytime TV have been brought to a happy ending. While I hated seeing Kyle & Oliver leave the show, they left as a committed couple about to share their life with Oliver’s daughter.
Photo Credit: Youtube.com
AMC: The romance of Stuart Chandler and Cindy Parker was deeply moving. (Actors — David Canary and Ellen Wheeler) After many difficult hurdles and barriers were set in their way, eventually, warm and caring Stuart fell in love with Cindy Parker, an AIDS victim, and married her despite her sickness. Stuart adopted Cindy’s son, Scott, and raised him as his own.
What are your all-time favorite soap storylines? I would love to read them! Please feel free to share here or on my Facebook page or Twitter. Let’s talk!
Bo and Hope #DOOL Best couple. Best romance. Best drama.
They were most definitely an AMAZING love story/romance!
I began watching General Hospital as a child during summer months with my grandmother in the 60’s. Dr. Hardy, Audrey, her sister Lucille. I remember there was a s/l involving artificial insemination – I didn’t know what it meant but I knew it was taboo. I’ve never consistently watched GH but I’ve always kept up with it. I was one of the few who was “team Scotty” during the L&L years – I hated they made him the bad guy. Kind of what Days did with Will, recently. Btw, I always made a point to watch Steve Hardy’s reading the Christmas story every year. I also watched Dark Shadows (I had a crush on Quentin/David Selby). It came on late enough in the afternoon that I could watch after school. My friends and I would always talk about the previous episode every morning on the school bus. Great memories!
I loved Steve Hardy’s annual Christmas reading!!! I always watched it too and taped it when 1983 permitted. I’m glad Scotty is one the “good guys” now and we get to see him lately. OMG — loved Quentin! LOL Clearly we’re watching soaps the same way, although I was a big L&L girl.
I began watching soaps as a kid too. Oddly enough my dad was the one who got me and my siblings on it. He was a Bold and the Beautiful fan. While we all took sides in the Taylor vs Brooke rivalry, it was never really my show. As I got older I gravitated towards Days of our Lives and Passions – as did most of the people my age. The Last Blast s/l and that teen set were what I remember most. I dropped Days a couple years ago when one of my favourites left – Shelley Hennig’s Stephanie (I also loathed the way her character was sacrificed for that annoying Melanie).
Most recently I started watching General Hospital. I turned it on during the story with Jake’s death, and I stayed with it because of Elizabeth Webber. I liked her character so much I was able to catch up on most of her history through youtube. Her rape s/l in particular is what made her my all time favourite female soap character.
I think it’s great that your dad got you into soaps! The “Last Blast” teen scene was extremely well done. It makes me happy that Chloe will be back on screen soon. I remember the Brooke/Taylor rivalry — very dramatic.
Elizabeth Webber is a definitely fan favorite. Her rape s/l along with her sweet love for Lucky, as a teen, was lovely and tender. It makes me wish they’d bring Lucky back for a romance w/Elizabeth. GH is one of the soaps I’ve watched since childhood — still love it to this day.
I’ll always have a soft spot for LL2 too. The damage they’ve done to each other as adults might be too much for me to ever root for them again, but I’ve never seen a better young love story done on soaps before.
Great post btw!
Thank you so much! I look forward to sharing many more posts in the weeks to come.
My mother was an “As The World Turns” fan so that was my first soap. I think I watched them all during my teens. Now I only watch “Days”. The Mickey and Maggie romance drew me in. I stopped watching when Maggie was killed and John Clarke left. I came back when I heard Mickey was going to die. I knew Suzanne Rogers would be sensational in selling that story. She was. I stayed when I realized Maggie was on more than once a month. Then they paired her with Victor — wait — what? I guess I am in for the duration.
I was an ATWT fan too until it ended. Mickey & Maggie’s love story was beautiful and so moving! I loved it and remember it well. It looks like we have lots of excitement for Maggie going forward! Thank you for commenting!
I was introduced to Days of our Lives by my paternal grandmother when I was a child. I forget exactly how old, but I know I was small. My grandmother never missed one single episode since it first aired. And, she used to babysit all of us grandchildren, so we were all exposed to the show. However, I’m the only one that stuck with it, lol.
My fondest memories of my time with my grandmother revolve around watching this soap.
I’m so glad you stuck with DOOL! It’s a wonderful soap, with a great history. I can understand your special memories in relation to the time watching with your grandmother. I watched Secret Storm with my grandmother and have very fond memories of those afternoons.
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