Both were limited-run TV series that aired on ABC during the second half of the '70s.

They were both mini-series. So I would not consider them primetime soap operas. Unless we were to define all mini-series as soap operas.

7 hours ago, Tisy-Lish said:

They were both mini-series. So I would not consider them primetime soap operas. Unless we were to define all mini-series as soap operas.

@Tisy-Lish Do you think both Rich Man, Poor Man and Rich Man, Poor Man Book II had soapy content even if they weren't bona fide soap operas?

8 minutes ago, FlyRightOrchestraGuy said:

@Tisy-Lish Do you think both Rich Man, Poor Man and Rich Man, Poor Man Book II had soapy content even if they weren't bona fide soap operas?

RMPM was originally conceived as a finite, 12-hour saga, with specific starting and ending points.

It did continue from episode to episode, and its focus was on interpersonal relationships, romance, family conflicts, feuds, character development and tragedy. It certainly did have many soapy elements, and the audience became immersed in its characters' lives the way viewers became immersed in the lives of soap opera denizens.

Ultimately, however, I never really considered it a true soap opera since I knew it had been conceived as a finite "novel for television" which would reach its conclusion in a few months.

The original RMPM was a smashing success. That, unfortunately, lead to the heinous Book Two. The second year was crippled by the mass exodus of most of the lead characters from the successful miniseries, and painfully bad writing. (Nina Laemmle, who swiftly massacred Days of Our Lives when she took over that series in 1980, was listed as executive script and story consultant 🤮).

So in the end, I wouldn't classify RMPM as a soap, but rather as a short-term serialized drama with soapy features.

22 minutes ago, FlyRightOrchestraGuy said:

@Tisy-Lish Do you think both Rich Man, Poor Man and Rich Man, Poor Man Book II had soapy content even if they weren't bona fide soap operas?

Well, I dislike the term "soapy content". I believe that term is demeaning to the soap opera genre. But if you mean RM,PM was a continuing story focused on romance, drama, and a bit of suspense, then yes. But nearly all mini-series ever produced for American television featured that type of content. So are we going to reclassify all mini-series as soap operas?

I really believe the television mini-series was its own genre. The mini-series was different and distinct from episodic primetime dramas, and distinct from primetime soap operas. Mini-series thrived on American TV for around 15 years, and then disappeared.

I won't be offended if you disagree with me. I'm just offering my opinion.

17 minutes ago, Tisy-Lish said:

I really believe the television mini-series was its own genre. The mini-series was different and distinct from episodic primetime dramas, and distinct from primetime soap operas. Mini-series thrived on American TV for around 15 years, and then disappeared.

This is the best-possible way to put it. Miniseries were part of a genre unto themselves.

Sure, they had themes similar to what we see on soaps (romance, drama, suspense) but those elements run throughout pop-culture in general, not just soap operas.

20 hours ago, vetsoapfan said:

RMPM was originally conceived as a finite, 12-hour saga, with specific starting and ending points.

It did continue from episode to episode, and its focus was on interpersonal relationships, romance, family conflicts, feuds, character development and tragedy. It certainly did have many soapy elements, and the audience became immersed in its characters' lives the way viewers became immersed in the lives of soap opera denizens.

Ultimately, however, I never really considered it a true soap opera since I knew it had been conceived as a finite "novel for television" which would reach its conclusion in a few months.

The original RMPM was a smashing success. That, unfortunately, lead to the heinous Book Two. The second year was crippled by the mass exodus of most of the lead characters from the successful miniseries, and painfully bad writing. (Nina Laemmle, who swiftly massacred Days of Our Lives when she took over that series in 1980, was listed as executive script and story consultant 🤮).

So in the end, I wouldn't classify RMPM as a soap, but rather as a short-term serialized drama with soapy features.

@vetsoapfan A certain Facebook friend of mine has told me the following regarding Rich Man, Poor Man Book II:

it's not the first one. it's not perfect. it's a soap opera. there are things wrong with it. but it's a lot of fun. and william smith is the main villain. he's a tour de force.