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Bubbling Over Soaps

Jason and Kimberly Slideshow

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Where is the "Ever-lasting, Never give up" love?

I am a child of the 80's "romantic soaps"--especially my favorites of the day, Days of Our Lives and Santa Barbara. During that decade, romance thrived on daytime. Couples were put through the ringer of drama-- including the lose of innocence, tortured, star-crossed love stories, physical trauma (blindness, paralysis,etc) and, of course, the long-lost child/spouse "back from the dead" obstacles. However, through of the trials, fans could be extremely confident that the love of their favorite couple would triumph. Call me a "sap" if you wish, but that is why I began watching soaps and it is the reason I still tune in--ROMANCE.

I am not a fan of the "mushy-ness" that sometimes accompanied the stories of the '80s--the infamous longing looks and the language often associated with Harlequin romance novels--but, I certainly do LONGGGGG for the "We can make it through anything" type of couples. I want to see couples FIGHT for their lovers--both physically and emotionally. I want to watch characters who aren't "emotionally assinated" for a "story beat" because it is easier to write than actions/behaviors that would stay true to the characters' personalities. I WANT angst; it is the "breath of soaps" and the stories would not be engaging without drama. However, my challenge to soap opera writers is to create drama that is character-driven and true to the characters involved. Soap opera couples are built through the development of the characters--the revelation of their "past", the introduction to their "present",their hopes and dreams for their "future" and their "fit" with another character. Once that "connection" has clicked, then stay true to that connection.

Sure, "true love" is not always meant to last. Couples "outgrow" each other. Love can change. I could accept such growth if these changes occurred through the evolution of the characters and not due to "storyline-dictated" decisions. When characters suddenly "switch gears" about their feelings for their once "love of my life", it cheapens the characters and betrays the devotion and belief I have in the couple.

I am not a fickle fan. When I "fall" for a couple, I fall completely, "head over heels" for the twosome. When a show has asked me to believe in a couple and I have opened my "soap heart" to that pairing, I will be devoted until the actor(s) leave. I want the same devotion from the writers.

Why a blog?

I enjoy writing. I enjoy discussing soaps. I enjoy writing about soaps--my opinions of storylines, my favorite characters and couples, my knowledge of the history of the medium, my experiences with daytime performers at soap opera events.

I enjoy reading the opinions of other fans--their favorite storylines, characters and couples, their enthusiasm and frustrations, their experiences with daytime performers at soap opera events.

I want to have a personal forum where I can feel comfortable in voicing my thoughts and opinions. I am a "positively--passionate soap fan"--my term for describing someone who expresses thoughts, ideas, and experiences without a harsh, mean-spirited or derogatory attitude. I support diverse opinions and lively discussion, but so many sites are frequented by fans who purposely express opinions or information in a manner that will elicit anger or panic in others. Often these fans create rude, derogatory nicknames for characters and actors they dislike and enjoy wallowing in the negativity of situations. I believe I am just as devoted and passionate than these fans, but I choose to express my opinions in a manner that (hopefully) doesn't promote negative responses or instigate rude behavior toward the actors who portray the unpopular/disliked characters. When all is expressed and shared, I want all of us who love daytime to remember--these are real people portraying characters. It is a job--more exciting than many other jobs we may work--but, it is a job. I wanted to create a positive, friendly place where I could promote the stories and actors I enjoy, as well as my frustrations and disappointments. I also want to "throw down the welcome mat" to others who desire the opportunity to "cheer, scream or cry" about anything in daytime that elicits the passion only soap fans can understand.

Once upon a summer...

My love of daytime dramas began twenty-five years ago out of the combination of boredom and fascination. I was a ten year old who wasn't very athletic or physically coordinated due to partial paralysis caused by a stroke during my infancy. Playing outside with other kids wasn't very enjoyable because I always felt like the "ugly duckling"--picked last for teams and out of pity. I was the slowest and least talented--even at bicycling. Besides being annoyed at my lack of coordination and skills, I simply didn't enjoy the heat and humidity (Actually, I'm still not a big fan :)) I simply hate being sweaty and sticky. The combination of my lack of skills and dislike of the summer climate of my Ohio summers, I returned to the "comforts" of my fan-filled house to relax. I would usually find my mom and one of my older sisters watching television (and sitting in front of an oscillating fan). After days of ignoring what they were watching, I heard and saw something that would ultimately change my attitude about summer and bring more joy and entertainment into my life than I could ever have imagined--the pairing of "Jenny Gardner and Greg Nelson" (Kim Delaney and Laurence Lau) on "All My Children". Suddenly, I became mesmerized by a soap opera. I wanted to be home each day at 1:00 to watch the love story of my first "favorite couple". I wanted to learn the connection between characters and families and I started to detest weekends!(What? They don't air on Saturdays and Sundays!!) The more I watched, the more I felt like I had finally found something I could enjoy about summer--the soaps. It was the beginning of an exciting, adventurous and passionate connection.