'Why are Soap Opera's so Popular?' ANALYSIS

• The TV genre 'Soap Opera' originated from the American radio serial dramas of the 1930s.
• There is arguements about how the undemanding nature of a soap opera can be seen as a contributory factor to the genre's popularity. e.g. if a person decides to begin watching they do not have to look through all past season just mearly have to catch possibly the 2 previous episodes to know whats going on.
• However, some argue that soaps can sometimes be demanding if it takes time to watch or if you need to drop what your doing and pay attention. Most significantly, soap opera's concern with the everyday lives of everyday people and their problems, big and small, appears to be one of the main reasons why this genre is so popular.
• The genre's popularity also stems partly from the viewer's need, after the events of the day, to find out what happened in e.g. Coronation Street, Albert Square or Summer Bay that same day. Due to this, the viewer can often gain pleasure from the notion that everyday life in the soaps is 'real' and on-going just as our lives are.
• It is normally important - espescially in British Soaps - that humour is brought into the script to add another entertainment factor and makes it more pleasureable to watch. e.g. part of the success and popularity of Coronation Street has been due to, "the mixture of social realism of the North and the language of the stand-up comic.
• It alse can be argued that soap opera owes part of its popularity to the fact that its viewers enjoy forming this kind of participatory 'relationship' with the characters, and also like to identify themselves with the plots and characters.
• It is because of this formation of parasocial relationships, that enables soap opera viewers to gain pleasure from being able to relate how a certain character feels or behaves in particular circumstances, maybe because they themselves having been in a similar situation, or having knowledge about the subject in hand.
• Soap Opera's are also popular due to the pleasures offered by the points of identification offered by the characters. We want to watch and discover what happens to those specific characters locked into that specific network of relationships.
• Soap opera can also be popular because of its continuity, regularity and familiarity. Soap opera has been labelled as a 'ritual pleasure' which offers reassurance in its familiarity and longevity, its predictable familiarity of life being the main force which pulls us in.
• Finally, a familiar theme tune also creates popularity for Soap Opera's because the 'jingle' is known to make viewers confirm to the settings of the soap. The theme tune also makes it known to the audience as a trusted brand so they - to show brand loyalty - take time out to watch.