“Some people think of shows like Dynasty and Dallas, entertaining stories rooted in escapism and over-the-top, outrageous behavior.
My favorite shows were more traditional shows, the “kitchen sink” dramas.”
mine too. i’ve described those “kitchen-sink’ shows as having characters you might run into at the supermarket or dry cleaners. and while i could imagine miss ellie occasionally picking up groceries, not so the carringtons.
For the first time this past February, I actually watched the Superbowl. An ad for "Beyond The Gates" came on, and my (gay) friend was like, "I can't believe Tamara Tunie is being reduced to this." We had a LONG talk about the power of soap operas, what they meant to me, what BTG means historically, and basically how Julie Williams helped saved my life, as Reva Shayne did for you, and I'm sure Anita Dupree will soon do for someone else.
I also made the point that one of the primary reasons they are dismissed and disrespected is because they were traditionally presented as "women's television." He got it, and came to understand that how soaps can educate, entertain, and uplift their audience. Or he wanted me to quiet down before the commercials ended. Either way, I think he is thinking differently about the functionality of these continuing dramas.
also wanted to say re
“Some people think of shows like Dynasty and Dallas, entertaining stories rooted in escapism and over-the-top, outrageous behavior.
My favorite shows were more traditional shows, the “kitchen sink” dramas.”
mine too. i’ve described those “kitchen-sink’ shows as having characters you might run into at the supermarket or dry cleaners. and while i could imagine miss ellie occasionally picking up groceries, not so the carringtons.
GREAT COLUMN, PATRICK!!
For the first time this past February, I actually watched the Superbowl. An ad for "Beyond The Gates" came on, and my (gay) friend was like, "I can't believe Tamara Tunie is being reduced to this." We had a LONG talk about the power of soap operas, what they meant to me, what BTG means historically, and basically how Julie Williams helped saved my life, as Reva Shayne did for you, and I'm sure Anita Dupree will soon do for someone else.
I also made the point that one of the primary reasons they are dismissed and disrespected is because they were traditionally presented as "women's television." He got it, and came to understand that how soaps can educate, entertain, and uplift their audience. Or he wanted me to quiet down before the commercials ended. Either way, I think he is thinking differently about the functionality of these continuing dramas.
Thank you, Damon! I could have written about so many characters - Doug and Julie were the first characters I knew by name!
I love that you enlightened your friend. Enlighten, educate, entertain and uplift!
forgot to mention. think you’ll find next week’s installment interesting: “filling in the backstory: “guiding light begets as the world turns.”
thanks much for the shoutout!
You're welcome, Lynn! Looking forward to reading more of "Annotating Irna!"