Would a Hollyoaks-style soap work in America?

[Bright Eyes]

No.

[Chris B]

This is what they should've been going for to begin with. I hated when I heard they were trying to recreate old sets, because that meant we'd be getting that same ole dated soap look. Now granted, everything looks well produced, but it is still a dated production model. They should have standing outdoor sets like the UK soaps that blend seamlessly with their indoor sets. As for the story, I don't think it would have to differ too much because Hollyoaks features people of all ages. But Hollyoaks is really what they should've been watching. They've modernized that show and have interesting music montages and opening sequences. It seems like what the Prospect Park soaps wanted to go for, but it doesn't feel cheesy or like they're trying too hard (like all the swearing on these soaps).

[DRW50]

Hollyoaks is mostly fortunate to be on a niche channel that doesn't have a whole lot else going for it. The show has periods of reaching a cult popularity but most of the time the typical product is what you have at the moment - a poorly acted "psycho" (and you can tell he's psycho because he has weird looks and wears glasses - how edgy) with a fake paralysis story from 1970. The rest of the material is currently trying to steal from stories the same producer made six years ago.

I don't think anything can replicate Hollyoaks because Hollyoaks is too busy struggling to replicate itself.

I think the "success" of Skins on MTV shows you what happens when America tries this approach.

[Chris B]

I agree with you Carl in terms of story, I just think they need to steal from the Hollyoaks production model. The writing not so much, but I love the way that show looks and how they integrate music into the show. AMC/OLTL would be able to compete with primetime shows and gain younger viewers if they looked more modern. There is still a slight stigma towards soaps so I worry that younger people would tune in and say "Oh that's a soap" and tune out.

[DRW50]

I think that this takes someone who knows how to showcase young people. The guy who created Hollyoaks had a long history of this, with Grange Hill, and Brookside. He made them feel real. I think OLTL has done an OK job of this, not great but OK - Dani in particular feels very real to me. But I think they will always have a struggle.

[Chris B]

I think OLTL has done a good job as well. They actually have me wishing they had more younger characters and I NEVER feel that way.

[All My Shadows]

I feel like the closest thing North America has to Hollyoaks is Degrassi: The Next Generation when it has its 4-eps-a-week run in the summer. Of course, it's not as adult as Hollyoaks is.

[Soaplovers]

FOX had a teen soap briefly in 1990 called Tribes, it featured the actor that played Evan Walsh on ATWT plus Michelle Stafford. It revolved around a high school in Beverly Hills, that had some adult stories.

It only last a few months, but the reason was because it rated very very well in the major cities... but affiliates in the non-urban areas weren't really airing it so it got cancelled after a few months.

However, I'm thinking that once AMC & OLTL are establish firmly online.. that PP could try a teen version. However, there are so many youth oriented shows that I would love to have an adult (25 and over) soap for a change. This coming from someone in the 18-34 demo that advertisers are wanting to attract.

[Chris B]

I think doing a soap specifically centered around teens would feel redundant. If anything, they should try a supernatural soap if they ever were successful enough to add a third one.

[Soaplovers]

I'd be up for a Dark Shadows type revival.. or something in that vein.. maybe even historical

[Winchester91]

I love their production model. It has this freeing vibe that allows them to at least ape reality.

The PP soaps are basically niche at this point anyway, being online. Also, I'm sure there are American producers who don't have the ego of Kirkwood and would be willing to try new things. This is why I'm hoping AMC/OLTL does well because it would open the door to new possibilities.

[Khan]

Agree.

For me, the problem with doing a teen-oriented soap is that teens age eventually, forcing you to bring in NEW teens who might not be as popular with the audience as the original ones.

[jfung79]

Degrassi works well here, including the summers of 4 days a week, and would probably be as close as any show could get to being successful with that format.

I don't think there would be any interest in a brand new show outside of an established franchise, doing that format, and it wouldn't work outside of summer when teens are out of school.

Degrassi's already got it covered.

Khan, Degrassi is able to constantly refresh with new teen characters and they have kept some of the old audience as well as continuing to bring in new viewers. Degrassi TNG has already been on for 12 years so it can certainly be done.

[Winchester91]

However, there's always a new audience that comes in as the other ones evolve from the show.

[Khan]

True that. I hadn't thought of that before you "said" it.