Women and their love of soap watching

mollybird

I was talking to my OH last night and he had the nerve to kinda of ask why can't i just watch one soap. it came up with the whole conversation about what we are paying for our tv when we don't watch it that much.

he doesn't understand why i like to watch most of the soaps on tv. he thinks one should do the trick as the same story lines happen in all of them around the same time. I just found it hard to explain to him about how no woman could just watch one soap.

can anyone help me to explain to him about this whole thing.

IvyTheTerrible

I know lots of women who don't watch a single soap, let alone several. Please don't generalise for all women.

I don't see why it's a nerve to ask, it's just a question. I hate soaps and don't watch them so I don't see the point in generalising, especially this "no woman could watch just one soap" nonsense.

A cynically-minded person might suggest there's so little content in any one soap that just one wouldn't suffice.

cuana

I don't own a telly!! I think your OH had some good points

Malari

mollybird wrote: »

can anyone help me to explain to him about this whole thing.

I'd be interested too! I have no idea what holds people's attention with soaps. Ive never watched any of them, I hate them! :P

rainbow kirby

IvyTheTerrible wrote: »

I know lots of women who don't watch a single soap, let alone several. Please don't generalise for all women.

I can't even watch about 10 minutes of one, I just find them mind-numbing. That said, I watch a hell of a lot of sport, which probably wrecks other people's heads just as much.

IvyTheTerrible

I watch a French soap. I enjoy it at the end of a stressful day, as it doesn't stretch my braincells too much. I don't drop other things to watch it though. And I understand that other people don't enjoy them.

Princess Peach

I watch one soap, Home and Away. And I don't really know why myself. It's a terrible show! But I love it. I watched it for as long as I can remember, since I was a young child.

Maybe it's just habit now? And it's entertaining in a bad way!

MistyCheese

I'm sorry but I do just watch one soap. And, as others have said, some women don't watch any so different strokes and all that...

BrensBenz

It's voyeurism / peeking, and addictive. People also peek through their curtains at the neighbours, wear shades in Irish winters, buy red-tops and gossip magazines (for the political analysis!), go to Mass to see who's not there, and (mainly young men) like to black out the windows in their cars to facilitate peeking into the lives of others. These are, at least, harmless and profit-free, but soap makers are devious and very well paid b@$t@rd$, expert at manipulating and profiting from their viewers. (See cost of commercials during soaps.)

Maybe soap operas reduce or satisfy the need for these other forms of peeking(?)

Anyway, how is Albert Tatlock getting on? Did he ever sleep with Ena Sharples? Any news on Shoine, Woine and Koylee in Noybaaaahs?

Neyite

I dont watch soaps myself. I used to, but then you find the whole evening nearly taken up with them. So I stopped and never missed them. I rarely follow reality shows either.

Lia_lia

No. Hate soaps. I don't watch any tv actually.

I remember in second year of college I was living in a house with 8 other people and I was the only one that didn't watch Home And Away

Meauldsegosha

Sorry to burst your bubble OP but I only watch one soap and I know plenty of females who don't watch any. I also know some men who watch them all.

I agree with your husband though a lot of the same storylines run through them all. My mother buys a magazine every week which gives the storylines for all the soaps (I can't explain how ridiculous I think that is) and anytime I've flicked through the magazine all the storylines seem very similar.

MissFlitworth

My mam would watch a lot of soaps and it's because she doesn't have much going on in the evenings & she's a bit isolated at the moment. Spent a week with her recently and caught the entire run of them for a week (and wrecked her head because the last time I saw them was in her place Christmas 2 years ago so I had a *lot* of questions to ask as to why people I remember being 7 were old enough to have kids/go to jail/be getting married etc.)

I think in her case she watches all the soaps because it's a bit of an evening ritual for her, she's moving to be closer to family/in a more lively area next year and I'd imagine the soap watching will drop drastically when she has other things to do.

I don't watch soaps at all, and not in a "I'm too smart for them" way because I watch a LOT of bad tv (Extreme Couponing anyone?) but because the drawn out story lines melt my head. I think I gave up the early 2000s when it took Gail a full f**king year to realise Richard was out to kill her despite him basically being Snidely Whiplash

Bubblefett

I hate soaps, don't watch any, never want to.
If they're important to you fair enough, to each their own. I suppose could never watch just 1 Star Trek series . Try explain it to him that it's something you enjoy and chat with about with friends. But please don't make the arguement that no woman can watch only one soap, as the tread so far has shown, it's not true.

krudler

I dont get soaps tbh, its like jumping into the middle of a tv show that never ends

Lyaiera

Bubblefett wrote: »

I suppose could never watch just 1 Star Trek series ..

Yeah, you have to watch at least two Star Trek series.





Also, you have to watch at most two Star Trek series. :mad:

Malari

So out of all the people who have replied so far, have we still to find another woman apart from the OP who actually watches more than one soap?

dearg lady

Also hate them. A lot of girls I've worked with over the years are obsessive about them tho. They used to tell me about them, not matter how many times I said I didn't watch them, so feckin annoying.

tomboylady

I usually watch soaps (Emmerdale, Coronation St, Eastenders) for two weeks of the year, over Christmas (home with the famly who are obsessed!)! Funnily enough, after one episode I've completely caught up with what's happening and who the characters are. Otherwise, I might watch the odd episode during the year. For example, I watched the live episode of Emmerdale a month or two ago, just because it was live.

Da Shins Kelly

Not a fan of soaps myself, although I do get a laugh out of Fair City now and again. My mother enjoys them, and like others said, I think it's just an evening ritual for her. After work, she likes to go home, cook something to eat and watch some fairly mindless television as a means to just chill out. I think most people do this from time to time. I watch what I would consider fairly empty television too when I'm just sitting around, relaxing.

Da Shins Kelly

tomboylady wrote: »

I usually watch soaps (Emmerdale, Coronation St, Eastenders) for two weeks of the year, over Christmas (home with the famly who are obsessed!)! Funnily enough, after one episode I've completely caught up with what's happening and who the characters are. Otherwise, I might watch the odd episode during the year. For example, I watched the live episode of Emmerdale a month or two ago, just because it was live.

I remember watching the live episode of Easterenders. It was gas.

daenerysstormborn3

My boyfriend is the soap watcher in our house. He has always watched them all. It stems from when his mum was sick and he used to watch the soaps with her and just got into the habit.

meeeeh

rainbow kirby wrote: »

I can't even watch about 10 minutes of one, I just find them mind-numbing. That said, I watch a hell of a lot of sport, which probably wrecks other people's heads just as much.

+1 to this. Everybody should see a bit of some Latin American telenovela though. It makes you appreciate the acting skills of people in Fair City.

pwurple

I don't watch them myself, but just wondering why/what you are paying for them?

Surely they are all on Saorview/FreeSat.

FloatingVoter

I'm a bloke here and I just watch Coronation St. I get the point about most of the soaps having the same storyline at the same time. They do - its a fact.
I know plenty of women who don't watch any soaps.

Emeraldy Pebbles

mollybird wrote: »

I just found it hard to explain to him about how no woman could just watch one soap.

This is very true... I don't watch any.

Emeraldy Pebbles

MissFlitworth wrote: »

I don't watch soaps at all, and not in a "I'm too smart for them" way

Oh, it's definitely this for me.

:pac:

Nope. I don't watch any now.

I used to like Coronation St for Becky, she was good. But then she left and I haven't watched it since.

If I am in my mams when Emmerdale is on then I'll watch it but wouldn't put it on at home.

fatmammycat

I don't watch any either.

ppink

I watch emmerdale every now and then but I would not record it and would not be bothered if I missed it. I dont know any other female who watches soaps let alone all of them.
Do you not go mad from watching all that tv?

Mars Bar

I don't actively watch them but my Mam does. I have an idea of what's going on in all of them even if I have little to no interest in them...

yeppydeppy

What I find funny are the people who say "Oh I don't really watch the soaps" and yet they are glued to them every night! One person in particular comes to mind, is know to say "I don't mind what we watch" but you're taking your life in your hands if you dare switch the telly.

Snoopy1

I hate soaps never watch any of them. Im not a reality show fan either
Why would you spend most of your night watching rubbish, when you could watch something better.
If your other half is moaning I can understand why.
If you cant bear to even give up one soap then watch them in another room

rannerap

I only watch one soap, and I dont even watch it constantly. I would often miss a few episodes. I think most people just watch out of habit.

eviltwin

I watch Eastenders but I don't make a point to watch it, if I miss it then its no big deal. My husband watches it too Don't watch any others, in fact would go so far as to run to turn to another channel when I hear most of their theme tunes

Posy

I watch Emmerdale from time to time and Corrie if there's a 'big' storyline, like Tyrone getting beaten by his wife. But if I'm not in the mood/on boards/at work/on holiday/the storylines get crap again, I won't watch and then get out of the habit of looking at either for a while.

My uncle watches Eastenders and Coronation Street and I work with a guy who watches Eastenders and used to work with a fella who was mad about Emmerdale, so it's not just a girl thing.
Maybe women are just better at admitting to watching the soaps?! My friend's dad has to 'endure' the soaps because his wife watches them, but strangely enough if she isn't there when they're on he looks at them anyway, hmmm..

anniehoo

I'll admit im an Emmerdale fan and will watch the others (Corrie and EE) if there's nothing else on but im generally not home in time to see them most nights so if i catch the odd episode during the week that does.

After being on the go for 12hrs straight, i have to say switching the brain off for half an hour at the end of the day is why i watch them.:p

Kooli

I absolutely hate soaps, and I know very few people who watch them. However, all the people I do know who watch them are women. Not saying that makes it fact or anything, but it is interesting...

I wouldn't go so far as to say I don't see the attraction though, because I can see why people would enjoy them, and it's nothing to do with the quality of the programme itself! I think it's definitely the ritual of it!

Like for instance, I love this time of year when I have a couple of TV shows I love that are on, and I look forward to the regularity of the evening that they're on. There's something about the ritual of it that is more enjoyable than, say, a boxset or watching online.
So I can see the attraction of having 'your show' that's on every day or however often it is that soaps are on (more than once a week anyhow). i know that when I lived with two housemates who both watched Home and Away, I kind of got into the ritual of having a show that we all watched every day, and I enjoyed that part of it even if I never actually enjoyed the show, and I stopped watching it the minute they moved out.

mackg

Lia_lia wrote: »

No. Hate soaps. I don't watch any tv actually.

I remember in second year of college I was living in a house with 8 other people and I was the only one that didn't watch Home And Away

Home and Away is a college thing. I met huge amounts of students who were mad for it. Especially with students who moved up from the small towns and the country (like me).

The Big Red Button

I don't watch any soaps. Used to watch Home & Away in college, but like some other posters, that was just a college thing. Wouldn't have been bothered if I'd missed it.

OP, simple solution to your problem. If cost is the problem, and you're the only one who watches TV, why not take on full responsibility for the TV bills?

If that's not an option, then I can understand where he's coming from - having to hand over money every month for something that's really not essential.

texas star

Oh me and the hubby love the soaps hes into The bill all repeats Neighbours,Home and Away.We both watch Faircity,Eastenders and Corry and I never miss Hollyoaks.There always on the planner and we look forward to switching off from our world and watching other peoples misery lol

carolinespring

I don't watch all the soaps but I do like Corrie and try to watch it. I think as much as anything it reminds me of happy times in my life as a kids watching it with my family and a old lady who lived beside us. I also enjoy most of the story lines. Not a big deal if I miss it.

The odd time if Fair City is on I wont change over. I never watch Eastenders or any of the others.

Aglomerado

I don't watch any at the moment, but up to about 10 years ago I watched Corry and Fair City. Loved Corrie for the funny bits. Since I stopped watching (living in a house with no TV for a year does that) I don't miss them and can tolerate most of them, (except Eastenders - grim!) if they are on in someone else's house, however I get annoyed by conversations like this:
X: Oh did you hear, (insert name)'s pregnant and her husband is still beating her!
Me: Em, who's (insert name)? Is she a neighbour of yours- I don't remember you mentioning her before.
X: She's in Eastenders.
Me: __and then___:mad:

kylith

The only soap in my house is Dove. It does my head in when my mother's over and insists on watching Corrie and Eastenders. Schadenfreude isn't really my thing.

Teyla Emmagan

I don't, and have never, watched the soaps, bar Home & Away for a bit when I was about 14. I wouldn't dream of watching them actually. That said, I don't have a TV, so I never got into the habit of sitting down and watching whatever dribble happens to be on. I guess that's how a lot of people end up following these things anyway. Most of my friends would not watch them either.

redappple

Home & Away was a big one in college. The College Student's Bible. We would use the 1.30 episode on RTE1 as our alarm to get up!

I don't watch soaps - so much effort! I would hate to try to follow it every single evening! I had a housemate who didn't actually follow the soaps, but if we were all in the sitting room just to choose something platonic, she would go with the soaps. And not one. All four: Home & Away, Emmerdale, Corrie, Eastenders. Used to drive me mad. Nobody knew what was happening.

When I get home from work (if I get home early!!!) my guilty pleasure to relax and unwind is a bit of Jeremy Kyle on TV3

ash23

I don't watch soaps. Although i used to be partial to a bit of "Sunset Beach" when I was in Uni.

My sisters all love the soaps and my gran used to call them her "stories".

They just never floated my boat.

TeletextPear

I never watch soaps, can't see the appeal at all. From what I know of them, it just seems to be the same old births, affairs, fights, jiltings at the altar, big disaster that wipes out half the cast, and then start the cycle all over again. I can see how they'd be a bit of escapism for someone, but to my mind there are countless better tv shows to watch.

I'll watch whatever's on but I don't follow anything on TV.

OP I do sympathise though, I hate it when people criticise other people's pastimes, it's not hurting anybody.

Medu

I would imagine it's similar to guys and sport. I know a number of guys that aren't really into sport but keep a pasting interest so they can be included in the conversation. Soaps, Xfactor and 'Come dine with me'(Or whatever is the fad show at the time) seem to feel similar voids.