Tuesday Thoughts by YoTrip for September 27, 2011-Soaps/the “Stories” (Vol.6, Iss.4)
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Soaps/ The “Stories” In The Afternoon
My grandma, Ruth Washington Anderson, was a major fan of the “stories” or as they are penned by many, soap operas. My early years were built around the afternoon drama of the “stories”. During the weekdays, my grandma would finish her work and be faithfully posted in front of the television for the latest happenings on ”Guiding Light“, “As The World Turns“, and “The Young and the Restless“. Everyone knew not to bother with grandma when her “stories” were on the television, she was so involved with the storyline. The characters were real for Grandma, and she often had conversations with the characters as the “stories” played out. All of Grandma’s grand children were accustomed to the routines of the watching the “stories”. The evolution of the soap operas were driven by the sponsors of these weekday dramas, Procter & Gamble, Colgate-Palmolive and Lever Brothers were the glue as they featured useful products that women who watched these programs could use.
When I started my formal education at Sand Bar Ferry Elementary School in Augusta, Georgia as a first grader, I felt the effects of my daily dose of “stories”. As my teacher, Miss Crummings would put the students down for an afternoon nap I was her assistant who helped with preparing the assignment once everyone woke from sleeping. All I could think about was that I was missing my “stories” as I transitioned into school. As I grew into a youngster, then a teenager and move into my college years, I kept my affinity for the “stories, but unlike Grandma I liked “Edge of Night”, “Ryan’s Hope”, “All My Children“, “One Life to Live” and “Bold and Beautiful”. The funny thing about the “stories” was that if you did not watch for a few days, a week or several months it did not take long to get back into the storyline and watching to get caught up in the drama.
Earlier this year, it was announced that the long-running soaps “All My Children”‘ and “One Life to Live” would be ending their production in September and January respectively. Both of these popular and progressive shows had seen their share of highs and lows in their heyday, but the changing dynamics of the daytime offerings and the decline in viewers ended their shows. The loyal fan base were heartbroken that their beloved shows were going away, but stay tuned or log on these “stories” will now become Internet shows in 2012. After 42 years, “All My Children” ran its last show on Friday, September 23,2011, and “One Life to Live” will close in January. Hats off to creator Agnes Nixon and leading lady extraordinaire Susan Lucci, Erica Kane and the cast of “All My Children”, thanks for all the wonderful years of soaps/”stories” in the afternoon.
~~YoTrip
~~~~~Victoria Straughter, your SMILE is seared in my memory. May your family find comfort and your soul find a place of rest. ~~~~~
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- All My Children Ends 40-Season Run Today (thehollywoodgossip.com)
- As ‘All My Children’ Ends, Susan Lucci Says Goodbye (npr.org)
- ‘All My Children’ ends its run with a cliffhanger (boston.com)
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- As ‘All My Children’ Ends, Susan Lucci Says Goodbye (npr.org)
