Levine makes clear that despite the widespread dismissal of soap operas, they were far from marginal to the history of television, but rather absolutely central." - Kelly Faircloth, Jezebel "A fascinating study of the history of soap opera. As soap opera become relics of television past, Her Stories becomes a valuable account of media history." - Linda Levitt, Popmatters
In Levine's research, soap operas are also about cultural impacts, articulations of gender, and the production of media texts as both economic and cultural objects. "Elana Levine has crafted a comprehensive history that is about so much more than daytime dramas. "For soap fans, past and present, who wonder why the shows they love have disappeared, or deteriorated beyond recognition, or who think they know what could-have-should-have been done, if only, Elana Levine’s new book, Her Stories, connects the dots with a combination of nuance and rigorous research." - Lynn Liccardo, Soap Opera Critic and author of as the world stopped turning.
WHAT IS A SOAP OPERA TV
Most significantly, it places these developments into the larger context of women's everyday lives and the changing politics of gender.” - Lynn Spigel, author of TV by Design: Modern Art and the Rise of Network Television Elana Levine's rich industrial history smartly mines scripts, trade journals, and production notes, and sponsors' memos. “ Her Stories offers an important history of American soap operas, from the genre's transition from radio to television in the 1950s and its heyday in the classic network era to its diminished significance in the age of streaming. A major contribution to our understanding of American television and its intersection with women's lives, traced across more than seven decades.” - Michele Hilmes, Professor Emerita of Media and Cultural Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison
“ Her Stories is the definitive account of a sphere of televisual expression long overlooked and too often maligned, told clearly and compellingly by an accomplished historian and committed viewer whose research has left few stones unturned.
WHAT IS A SOAP OPERA SERIES
The soap-opera now reaches 100 million viewers and it is known for sparking debates: in Senegal and Togo, the television series and its subject-matters are often debated in town squares after being broadcast. Soap-operas often discuss family relationships and include a cast of all ages (from babies to grandparents) so they can bring the whole family together because there’s something for everyone watching.Ĭ’est la Vie, set in the fictional ‘Ratanga’ village, has become very popular and is broadcast on multiple channels. Comedy and tragedy are both included in the soap-opera genre, which means watching soap-operas can be thought-provoking and fun. Soap-operas are simply an entertaining way of formatting educational and informative material. C’est la Vie also focuses on reproductive health, access to contraception and HIV prevention and management.ĭocumentaries are a great way of educating and informing a wide range of people – and so are soap-operas. By showing taboo topics on-screen, soap-operas allow their audience to talk about social and personal issues.įor example, the Senegalese soap-opera C’est la Vie created by Keewu (a production company founded by the Réseau Africain d’Education en Santé) is set in a fictional health clinic this particular soap-opera discusses childbirth, pregnancy and marital relationships. This genre is unique because it acknowledges the shared experience between the fictional characters and real-life audience. Soap-operas can often be melodramatic and exciting which adds to their enjoyability. The audience can empathise with these on-screen characters because the problems they face are common in society. Essentially, soap-operas are televised dramas with recurring characters whom the audience watches as they cope with the everyday difficulties they face. Soap-operas are both enjoyable and educational. For instance, soap operas are known for addressing motherhood, sexual relationships, domestic violence and the experience of ill-health.ĪRE ‘SOAP-OPERAS’ ENJOYABLE OR EDUCATIONAL?
The soap-opera genre features storylines which often address taboo issues. A characteristic soap-opera plot concerns a community and the social, domestic and personal life of the people in that community. The majority of soap-operas are set in a fictional, present-day location and focus on daily life. A “soap-opera” is a dramatised television series based on real life.
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