Pauline Kael, the eminent film critic, once said that if you were a dedicated film lover you could appreciate "B" movies if they were well done "B" movies and she listed her favorites and expounded on her reasons for. Throughout the years soaps have endured because they fill a little something in people’s lives. My first introduction was back in the fifties when I was visiting a woman  friend  who had a cerebral palsy child who spend his days in a wheel chair. They lived in a Quonset hut where space is severely limited and between the small kitchen and living room was a TV that was on at all times. I had had very little exposure to television so I was fascinated. Marlene would sometimes be watching "As the World Turns" when I would visit and we would have to wait until it was over before we could talk because her son loved watching it. She also said for her it was a way to enter other’s lives if for only a half hour a day.  So with that introduction I will have to make my confession. Some years ago I got the flu, the kind that leaves you so weak it’s an effort to get up and pee. Fever prevented even reading. I watched TV––in the daytime–––and happened upon "The Young and the Restless"––laughed at the title and prepared to laugh throughout the program. What I found were wonderful actors who did a great job of acting and for a whole week while recuperating I watched with pleasure. I was still working at the time so viewing on a daily basis wasn’t possible, but during vacations I’d peek in. My whole family regards me as a literary snob (they are kind about it) and so when one of my son’s wife asked me whether I ever watched "The Apprentice", he quickly stopped her short by saying, "My mom would no more watch that program than watch a soap opera." What my children don’t know about me would make a few dozen operas––without the soap.

I have no idea what the story line has been of late……..By Marjorie C. on 04/08/2009 7:35 am

Well from my understanding Marjorie, you didn’t miss anything……as you could have gone back to veiwing ten years later, only to find the same women giving birth to the same baby! LOL 

You hit it on the head Sam, when my kids were little I watched "As the world Turns".

Doubt that is still running but if I have time now I go on line for information I want or need that day.

Having said that, I don’t miss a "Boston Legal" and is that not like a soap, continuing week after week?

I am also hooked on "House". So what? I need to get away from my own reality from time to time.