Does anybody watch the soaps?

I watched a lot of soaps when I had devised a module on Soaps and Society for my Access students. After retirement, I was all soaped out and stopped watching soaps except for Brookside. I missed it and still do, but it had run its course. Still watch Casualty but perhaps if Charlie goes, I will give up.

I used to enjoy Brookside but now I only watch Coronation Street and Casualty. The diction on Coronation Street is so awful I now use subtitles. The story lines are ludicrous but I still watch it- there is little else.

Many years ago when I was having a bad time and hated being at home on my own (long story) I knew if I could get to Neighbours at lunch time I would be ok. That programme meant so much to me and I will always be grateful to it for how it helped me but I never watch it now.
(Even writing this has made me remember how awful I used to feel and I am so happy that I overcame it.........thanks to my husband, medication and prayers)

Just caught up with this thread again, Willow did you go cold turkey ? and how are you now ?

After reading these I'm determined to give up Corrie. But not Neighbours. Its my chillout time. My favourite soap of all time was The Sullivans. I cried when I heard it was the last episode. I got some of the series a couple of years ago on Amazon Lovefilm. Bliss!

Crossroads was truly awful. Bad acting and dodgy sets were just two of the terrible things I remember about it.

I used to love Brookside too and the omnibus on a Sat was a ritual. Now we have Catch Up and +1 there's no real need for the omnibus editions of anything but I guess they have to fill the time with something over the weekends!

El Dorado is an anagram of Real Dodo. Quite apt, given how quickly it disappeared from our screens

Anyone remember Eldarado and also Albion Market?
We used to be in fits of laughter viewing Eldarado as a comedy show

Go for it Willow10

I'm going cold turkey tonight and I'm NOT going to watch Emmerdale!

stopped watching soaps about 7years ago..too many unbelievable stupid storylines

Rula Lensak's wig is hilarious isn't it? I find I am so transfixed by its awfulness that it's all I can concentrate on when she is in an episode.

My son and I used to watch River City ( Scottish soap) because it was so bad, but now I never miss it. It is really excellent.

I enjoyed Brookside omnibus at 5pm on a Saturday with pasta and wine.

Matty is so stupid and that's one hell of a school that caters for babies and 18year old. How does she find time to sit in a cafe or pub on her "lunch break".

Lol Squiffy - we think the same about Rula Lenska! She looks like a walking scarecrow with a huge wig on!

Yes unashamedly watch Corrie and Emmerdale every night they're on but the stories are ridiculous especially the current one with Jim McDonald so it is

Also don't like the current headmistress character in Emmerdale and the silly story of Matty who could never have been a girl!

I read somewhere that the Corrie writers were going to concentrate more on the 'senior' members of the cast. Ever the optimist, I thought they would revert to some of the clever, humorous banter of the past, but NO , they've just contrived to make them look simpleminded and ridiculous pantomime characters. Rula Lenska is a cross between a drag queen and a bag lady . . .

We've been recording and watching the Classic Corries, much more fun and entertaining!

Sorry, that should have read Maureen Lipman. I wish this tablet would stop trying to correct my spelling - especially when it's right! Agree oldbatty - Rula Lenska! Apparently the powers that be are trying to bring back some of the comedy element that Corrie used to be known for. The problem is that it came naturally then, now it is too forced and not funny at all. That silly scene with Maureen Lipman collapsing in Dev's shop was so contrived, I (almost) switched off!

Regarding corrie.... Rula lenska..... I feel embarrassed for the woman!!!!

To add to my post above.
No television so watch the three programmes on laptop.

I haven't a television.
I do watch just three things regularly. on catch up.
Emnerdale and EastEnders when I've collected up a back log to watch. No waiting for the ciffhanger next episode because there's loads of episodes all together.
Then daily, layer in the evening my husband and I watch the Chase. To unwind.

I've watched Corrie and Eastenders for years, but constantly ask myself why! Maybe it's just habit! I get so annoyed at the ridiculous storylines - especially the one with Mareen Lipman at the moment. And I hate the fact that every time someone is having a bad time on Emmerdale, the answer always lies at the bottom of a bottle, or in a small packet - be it adult or child! I suppose I keep watching because I think it might get better, but it never does!

It was Corrie and Emmerdale for me too, but not anymore. I don't think there is anyone left who has not been in court/jail, nor any child who is still with their original blood parents. The Police have become regular cast members and it is guaranteed that there will always be at least one character in hospital at death's door.

Soaps used to be light relief after the News, but now they are just as depressing.

I do enjoy Soaps. Record watch Neighbours and Doctors whilst having my tea each evening. Like them as they are quite easy watching - and anything is lighter these days, than watching The News!!! Also watch (and shout at) Holby City and Casualty - do think that both have got further and further away from reality as the years have gone by. Sort of watch Corrie (recorded, of course so can fly thru adverts). Do wish they would concentrate on their humourous side, rather than running dark story lines. Also listen to The Archers.
Problem with Corrie (and I suppose Enders, which I stopped watching many years back), is that having gone to five half an hour slots a week, they find them hard to wright even semi-decent story lines. Wonder which of them will be brave enough to return to just three half an hour slots weekly and thereby improve?

I listened to the Archers until the 60th anniversary, then stopped. Nothing directly to do with the character who died, but ahead of the event they ran trailers on R4 suggesting that something really earth shattering and different was going to happen and in the end all we got were the banal soap event of killing off a character while we were asked to believe that another 2 characters, mother and daughter, both well educated and feminist had never heard of pre-eclampsia. I felt so let down, I haven't listened since.

I have never watched a soap, apart from the odd episode of Crossroads when DMiL was alive.