Soaps That Could Have Been More Relevant Now, Had They Been Created Today

[DRW50]

Khan - did you get to see the May 86 GL episode I put in the thread a few days ago? I wondered if you might enjoy it (well, some parts - it's kind of a mess as typical of that era).

 

I agree with everyone about EON.

 

I'd like to say Capitol, but no political soap can ever compare to real life. Look at how quickly everyone stopped pulling their puds over House of Cards.

[All My Shadows]

 

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It's hard to say that "Dark Shadows" wasn't successful, but it would obviously be longer-running if it were around today.

[frequentsoapfan]

My thoughts exactly on Generations. I don't think it would be a huge success on Network TV. AMS brought up The Haves and The Haves Nots. When is the last time someone said anything good about that show?Everyone I know quit watching because the show was all over the place and the plotting was trash.

[All My Shadows]

I do not watch the show, but their ratings are pretty good for cable, and it is #1 in their target demo, African American women. My mom schedules her Tuesday nights around it, something she hasn't done for any of the daytime soaps in over 25 years. I'm not a fan AT ALL, but it is clearly a huge hit.

[All My Shadows]

I didn't press the button twice, but it still double posted? Hell naw.

[DramatistDreamer]

I'm talking about the premise, not so much the exact execution of storylines, if that makes sense. A 2007-'08 Generations, even if it had the same characters and basic premise would be much different from '89 Generations (I would hope). There's no way it could be the exact same show.  For one, NBC would probably feel pressured to having actual Black writers in the Writer's Room.

 

As for 'cable type' ratings on network, I thought we all agreed that today's daytime dramas are being judged on different ratings criteria than they were in the '80s.  These soaps would be thrilled to get the type of ratings of a very popular cable show.

[te.]

Oh I don't know about that. The City was clearly created to emulate the prime time success of Melrose Place and had a similar set-up.

Overall, I just think it's hard to get people to sit down and watch five new episodes per week.

With that said, I think Edge of the Night, perhaps with an even more Telenovela/Story Arc twist, could be a good concept for today's television viewing audiences.