Social Issue Storylines on the Primetime Soaps

[Soapsuds]

Who knew this had a deeper meaning where Adam, Gordon Thompson, is concerned.

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[Khan]

Okay, enough GAYNASTY, @Soapsuds, lol.

You're not.

To tell you the truth, I don't know WHY the primetime soaps, save for KL, avoided telling social issue storylines.  I guess the feeling was that those shows were not the place to tell such stories.  They probably felt it was much easier to stick with stories about the rich and super-rich fighting like children over mega-conglomerates.

[kalbir]

Agree with you. Social issues have to be handled responsibly, otherwise the storylines become shock plot devices. Case in point, a writer can't have a rape storyline without treating it as the crime that it is and dealing with the medical aspect and emotional aftermath.

[Khan]

Yeah, I can't see a show like DYNASTY handling the subject of rape with any sensitivity.  Especially when Kirby ended up with HER rapist, Adam, at the end of the reunion movie.

[te.]

Dynasty (and The Colby's) was honestly the worst with handling at handling the subject of rape. They really did treat it as a "sweeps" stunt where women got a bit weepy afterwards for a bit.

[kalbir]

 

That's ABC for you, the network that gave us Luke and Laura.

[te.]

There were a few HIV / AIDS storylines, particularly on the 90s soaps.

Of course, Dallas didn't have any direct storyline about it but I do recall a scene in the later seasons where JR made a move on I believe Marilee Stone and presented a condom.

Beverly Hills 90210 tackled the issue of course - first with a guest character (Stacy) that had a seminar revealing she has AIDS in the first season. Surprisingly, I believe they made a later season reference to her passing away. Val later had a HIV scare in season 8 (?) after a one night stand (of course), which turned out to be negative. Kelly also had a storyline when she worked at a hospice meeting a gay man with AIDS. In typical later season Kelly style she managed to be utterly unlikeable throughout.

On Melrose Place you had a character who was an IV drug user and scam artist hook up with Jake in the early episodes - she later returns and reveals she had contracted HIV and gave Jo and Jake a scare. Jake promised to totally keep in touch with her but was never seen again. DoorMatt had a boyfriend Jeffrey (Jason Beghe) who was retired from the military after contracting HIV. He was so boring even DoorMatt couldn't stand being in the same storyline.

Both shows had random "mind if you wear THIS" type of condom scenes.

[Soaplovers]

Dallas

Sue Ellen's alcoholism was the only social issue that was told in real time for several seasons.

It was a shame Pam's problems with having a child never got more development...but it was a story thread that wasn't tied up neatly.

And it was a shame that Donna and Ray's adoption story was during the dream season.

I can't think of any other social issues.

 

[Soapsuds]

I wish Dallas would've had a gay character. Maybe a cowboy Lucy was dating.

[j swift]

I feel like Knots Landing's early seasons were much more "social issue" forward than the other primetime soaps in an effort to differentiate itself from Dallas.

Aside from the middle class dealing with money and relationship issues, we had Richard's emotional/financial breakdown, Gary's alcoholism, Laura's rape, and Abby's custody issues, and even some illusions to sexual fluidity with Ciji.

In later seasons they wrote about Anne's homelessness, Jason's abuse within the foster care system, and the memorable bottle episode about Olivia's teen-aged drug abuse.

Overall, I remember Knots for the balance of unrealistic organized crime stories (what syndicate kidnaps twins in order to get oil reserves?)  with more family-driven social issues.

Edited February 15, 2022 by j swift

[AbcNbc247]

Dallas also tackled euthanasia, when Ray pulled the plug on his cousin Mickey. And I guess Miss Ellie's breast cancer and mastectomy also counts as a social issue.

Just that one episode when Lucy was engaged to the guy who was gay.

And considering all the rumors that have gone around over the years, would Larry Hagman have allowed a recurring gay character?

Edited February 15, 2022 by AbcNbc247

[Soapsuds]

What rumors?

Dallas had lots of gay or bisexual actors in their cast from Dack Rambo to Timothy Patrick Murphy to name just a few.

[AbcNbc247]

That Larry Hagman was homophobic and it was his influence that got Dack Rambo fired.

[Soapsuds]

Ah yes I heard those rumors. Dack was there 3 years and after Duffys return he was pretty much not needed. I liked him with Jenna but they wasted that opportunity on the dream season. Poor Jenna got stuck with Ray.

[DemetriKane]

And what confuses me is that's all he's being playing in the later part of his career "Playing Gay". Agreed, Al Corley was Steven, he gave a very soulful performance in his short time on the show.