Television plays a major role in the lives of people in the modern world. Through television, people are able to obtain news as well as stay entertained. Soap operas are some of the most popular programs aired on television. Coyne documents that popular soap operas attract millions of viewers per episode (346). Many people from all age groups are addicted to these programs. This essay will discuss some of the reasons why Soap Operas are popular among many viewers all over the world.
Soap operas are popular since they have interesting stories that captivate the minds of the audience. Bielby observes that the programs are full of drama and suspense (36). They are able to draw an individual in and provide a lot of enjoyment. Many people, therefore, watch soap operas for their entertainment value.
In addition to this, soap operas are popular since they keep viewers company. At the start, these programs were designed to keep the housewives company during the day. Frisby confirms that the storylines in soap operas keep viewers company (47). People, therefore, turn to soap operas for the companionship they offer. Russel notes that soaps allow viewers to form relationships with characters over time (134). The individual is able to forget about his/her loneliness or boredom by becoming engaged with the characters in the TV program.
Another reason for the popularity of soap operas is that the audience can relate to some of the issues the characters in the program face. Brennan explains that many soap opera characters face difficulties involving a relationship with a lover, friend, or family member (75). Many people in the real world experience these difficulties. The audience can, therefore, easily become interested in and sympathize with the situation of the soap opera characters.
Finally, soap operas are popular since they provide information for social and personal interaction. Humans are social creatures, and interactions with each other is an important aspect of life. Soap operas focus on the interactions among people in various situations (Riegel 202). Many viewers, therefore, watch this genre in order to get information on how to interact in social and personal situations (Frisby 57).
This essay set out to show why soap operas are popular with many people. The essay has shown that these programs are popular since they are entertaining, help keep individuals company, have relatable characters, and they provide information on social interactions.
Works Cited
Bielby, Denise. “Whose Stories Are They? Fans’ Engagement with Soap Opera Narratives in Three Sites of Fan Activity.” Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media 43.1 (2009): 35-52. Web.
Brennan, Eddie. “Soap Opera, Commercialisation and the Proletarianisation of Cultural Production.” Irish Journal of Sociology 13.2(2004): 66-83. Print.
Coyne, Sarah. “Fancy a pint?: Alcohol use and smoking in soap operas.” Addiction Research & Theory 17.4(2009): 345-359. Web.
Frisby, Cynthia. “Reaching the Male Consumer by Way of Daytime TV Soap Operas.” Journal of Advertising Research 42.2 (2002): 56-64. Web.
Riegel, Henriette. “Soap Operas and Gossip.” Journal of Popular Culture 29.4 (2009): 201-209. Web.
Russel, Cristel. “Consumption in Soap Operas from Brazil, New Zealand, and the U.S.: Production, Products, and Process.” Advances in Consumer Research 33.1 (2006): 134-137. Web.