Soap operas have been entertaining viewers since the early 1930's and 40's. Broadcast dramatizations that feature real actors and actresses portraying characters that are placed in circumstances that simulate real life situations. These televised presentations have been the ultimate fantasy for die hard fans. With creative writing, solid character development and good acting, audiences loyally watch their favorite seductive couples sizzle in front of the camera. Let's not forget the occasional exotic locations and edge-of-your-seat cliffhangers.
Although considered televised fantasy, the topics dramatized in soap operas have addressed very real issues that exist in today's society. Subjects such as drug addiction, teen pregnancy, gay/lesbian relationships, conflicting moral values and dysfunctional families have all received strong storyline development. Aside from feature films, day and night time soap operas were the only form of entertainment that pushed the ratings envelope. The producers knew just how far to go when it came to appropriate/inappropriate dialogue and content.
Times have changed - television audiences are now captivated by a more edgy form of entertainment based on the very fantasy that once dominated the airwaves. The difference is that the people and situations are not fantasy, but very real. This type of "soap opera" is simply known as Reality TV.
Reality TV is a form of entertainment that takes soap opera fantasy and makes it "real" by casting everyday people, or former stars still clinging to their glory days of yesteryear. Producers are using the same addictive concepts that keep millions of die hard fans glued to soap operas. In most of these scenarios, the entire cast is made up of "beautiful people" competing for someone or something. A large sum of money or the man/woman of their dreams awaits the winner, so of course the competition is fierce. People will do anything for money and this gives the producers of these shows enough material to work with (which in turn equals ratings because you the viewer can't wait to see what happens next). Moreover, a few of these programs add a little star power to the title for added attention, such as Charm School with Ricki Lake, or Paris Hilton's My New BFF.
Unfortunately Reality TV stars get more than they bargained for when they sign on to appear on one of these shows. Anything can happen on live TV and the cameras keep on rolling (which helps to justify this form of television as "real"). Some of these participants begin to expose a side of themselves that they don't want other people to see on TV. In addition, painful memories and past transgressions always seem to be exposed (much like a plot twist in a soap opera).
Here are five examples of Reality TV shows that have been affected by soap operas and follow the same stereotypical formula.
The Bachelor
A successful, handsome gentleman is given the opportunity of a lifetime - to find true love. Of course he has to find that special someone out of 25 beautiful candidates. Much like a daytime soap Casanova, he spends time with each woman in order to "get to know them." There are hugging, kissing and hot tub moments. The sparks really start to fly when some of the women start confronting each other - arguing and talking about each other as they vie to win the competition. This all adds up to ratings - especially if The Bachelor picks his supposed dream girl, changes his mind, and then dumps her at the end of the show for someone else. The rejected woman is bitter, upset and hates the guy. The Bachelor himself is viewed as a jerk and a cad. Does this sound like the formula for a soap opera?
The scenario is similar to the love triangle on One Life to Live with Todd Manning, Blair Cramer Manning and Tea Delgado. Blair and Tea both like Todd. Todd claims to love Tea, but sleeps with Blair. Then Todd blames everything on Blair claiming that she seduced him. All three of them constantly argue with Todd getting caught in the middle of female warfare. Todd claims to love Tea, but seems to end up in "compromising positions" with Blair. Both women are infatuated with Todd and it seems like an ongoing competition. Can't we all just get along!
The Bachelorette/Daisy of Love
Both Reality TV shows are similar to The Bachelor. On each show, a beautiful woman is single and looking for the man of her dreams. Each woman has several guys to choose from. Just like The Bachelor, they spend time with each guy getting to know them - sometimes while visiting exotic locations and tropical getaways. The guys are vying for their affection, but just like a soap opera the plot thickens. Dissention begins to set-in amongst the contestants. Some guys have girlfriends back home. The culprits are lying and toying around with the Bachelorette/Daisy's affections. Again, the issues and reactions equal more ratings.
The Apprentice/Celebrity Apprentice
This is the one show where you will see plenty of egos and tempers flaring up at a moments notice. The Apprentice places everyday people or celebrities in situations where they have to demonstrate business savvy, creativity and teamwork. Every week Donald Trump comes out wearing a corporate suit. His stern, serious demeanor would rival Asa Buchanan, Adam Chandler, or Palmer Cortlandt. Trump may not scheme or abuse his executive powers like Asa, Adam or Palmer, but he is in control and you know who is giving the orders. Contestants must work in teams to complete business tasks. As with any company, there are employee relations issues - personality conflicts, non-accountable participants and plenty of figure pointing to go around. Some contestants turn soap opera vixen - exploiting their own sexuality to achieve victory. The contestants will play people against each other and do whatever it takes to win. The losers must face Trump and his trusted associates in the boardroom where Trump ultimately decides who is fired.
Bridezillas
This is a wedding planner's worst nightmare. Forget Luke and Laura's storybook wedding. The Bridezillas are mean-spirited, selfish, rude and inconsiderate. They seem to take on multiple personalities like Jessica or Vicki Buchanan on One Life to Live - one minute nice and the next minute cranky, loud and obnoxious. Each of these women deserves their big wedding day, but they take great pleasure in whining and complaining about everyone and everything. If it seems like a small issue, The Bridezillas will escalate the problem into an even bigger issue. One Bridezilla spent several minutes yelling at her groom-to-be because he hasn't told his mother that she (The Bridezilla) doesn't want his mother's girlfriend at the wedding. Another did not like the way her toe nails were clipped, so she was ready to explode. The pedicure was fine, but this woman is never satisfied and constantly complained. Then she yelled at her own sister for tipping the staff and continued to complain about her sister throughout the entire show. Nothing brings a wedding party together like a dysfunctional family.
The Cougar
Why should Erica Kane, Blair Cramer Manning and Dorian Lord have all the fun? Why can't a show feature a successful mature woman with kids looking for love with a younger man? Love knows no age boundaries - on soap operas or Reality TV. This woman is the more experienced version of The Bachelorette - another beautiful woman has to choose between twenty guys. She knows what she wants, but its tough balancing a social life and being a mom. The guys do their best to impress - singing, kissing and of course...going shirtless from time to time. Blair would go crazy on this show.
Every Reality TV show has a continuous opening so the viewer knows exactly which show they are watching. The stories are featured once in a weekly timeslot, but episodes are continuously re-run throughout the week. In addition to the main plot, there are several sub-plots among the "cast." These sub-plots typically involve secrets, lies and tension between other cast members. All of these factors keep viewers tuning in every week to find out what happens next. Reality TV has truly become the new day and night time soap opera.