Whatever Happened To Good Fights in Soaps?

[Mr. Vixen]

again, not a cat fight but i LOVED this scene and THAT was a slap!

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I bet Kelly Monaco HATED filming that scene because damn does Robin Christopher act circles around her.

[VirginiaHamilton]

Although this wasn't too shabby, either...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWlaWA4dj0M

[JaneAusten]

I don't know that I miss cat fights but I miss good strong female rivalries which soaps have been missing for years because there are no more strong women. Jill and Katherine were my fave.

[Cheap21]

While they dont compare to fights of the past, OLTL in its last year had some relatively good ones which were better than anything else in daytime

Aubrey vs Rama

Natalie vs Jessica

Rama vs Kim

[VirginiaHamilton]

Classics like:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8BjqLqMpmA

is what is sorely missing in soaps today.

[KMan101]

I agree. Soaps are missing those "OMG" moments. They are trying to hard to create them instead of letting it come from natural storytelling. Just basing a story on a character's emotions and feelings can lead to so much and we're much more invested. I really wish we could pin down the decline of the soap opera. I understand the need to be serious but you can tell character driven, serious stories with moments of camp and some fun OTT moments.

It also shows how soaps lack real rivalries and friendships and families.

[ChitHappens]

@Cheap

Those fights looked pretty darn awesome, but yeah, they don't seem as organic as the good ole days.

ANDREA

[Khan]

You'd think a show as lavishly produced as DYNASTY would have found better-looking wigs for their stunt doubles.

I'm with Marlena DeLaCroix: cat fights are demeaning to women and to soaps.

[frequentsoapfan]

I can think of alot more things soaps need than catfights over petty bs. Everyone in awhile yes but nto all the time. Especially if the catfights start going in reverse and go the campy route like Valeria

The only reason why this fight is interesting to watch is because it's so OTT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmfAhGu-ppc

[VirginiaHamilton]

I'm sorry (actually, no I'm not), but that Valeria catfight is hilarious as hell. Maybe I should start tuning into that show...

As for fighting being demeaning to women/soaps? Please. Part of what made soaps as beloved as they were back in the day were the catfights. I certainly don't look to them for any sort of womanist empowerment, as I'd surely come up short if I tried.

[frequentsoapfan]

No the catfights didn't really make it big until after Dynasty. From what I heard before women used to bring people down to size with witty dialog. Women catfighting over men in this day and age just makes them look stupid and childish. And Valeria is lnog over it was a novela from a few years ago.

[Quent]

This topic just brought back long-repressed memories. On ATWT, Barbara Ryan got her head stuck in a toilet (and was flushed!)by one of the many ladies she pissed off. But I can't remember if it was Margo, Shannon or Lyla. Does anyone remember the scene I'm thinking of?

[darraholic]

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[RomeAt50]

ITA. Fights can be fun but sometimes they are just pathetic.

[Khan]

Case in point: Alice and Rachel's confrontation (at Alice's engagement party, no less) over Rachel's pregnancy on ANOTHER WORLD. I've only read the transcripts from that episode, but I love how it accomplishes everything that a catfight is supposed to without resorting to physical violence.