tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673097919022475401.post4966941912165196137..comments2021-04-29T14:58:16.176-07:00Comments on MarkH's Soap Musings: Patrick Erwin's Domino hypothesis: Wacky?MarkHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14412341175849605973noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673097919022475401.post-12027381432998109952009-04-10T15:11:00.000-07:002009-04-10T15:11:00.000-07:00I am, personally, trying to deal with the current ...I am, personally, trying to deal with the current state of soaps and have been thinking about one thing in general. Your comments touch on some of it - and this has to do with the state of network television in general, not just daytime. <BR/><BR/>There seems to be so much fear and trepidation surrounding television. From new series on prime time to soap operas, the constant push to find the next cash cow has created a state of fear for viewers and it is no wonder no one takes the time to tune in. Regarding prime time, I don't want to spend three or four hours of my hard-earned free time getting to know a new show, finding out I like it, only to have the network cancel the show and never bring it back because it wasn't an INSTANT hit. <BR/><BR/>I think these feelings are compounded in daytime where you have characters and actors who have been around for years, decades, or more, and you have fans so personally loyal; fans who have taken years to invest in something they like. The fear that our favorites will be taken away, that they will be recast; the fear that, in order to make more money, the show will betray its roots and try to become something its not, make viewing and investing in a soap rather hurtful. Why would a viewer who once loved a soap but doesn't watch any longer take the risk of re-visiting a show in a new medium like DVR,or online, if there is no confidence in the consistance of the show. Why would a new viewer ever take the time to get to know a soap opera for the first time with the MASS numbers of recasts, firing, and exodus that the modern soap opera offers. <BR/><BR/>I think soap opera viewers today watch with constant fear - and the cancellation of Guiding Light only reinforces that fear. How does that begin to change?LeatherBoyNickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00172306118295318649noreply@blogger.com