Well said, ferry23. There's always someone who thinks they are superior because of what they watch on TV, which is hilarious, IMO.
Watching TV at all is largely a passive experience, whether the programme is a documentary about the sex lives of clownfish, a programme maker's views about past current affairs or a dramatic representation of fictional inhabitants of Albert Square or Coronation Street. I don't think any sort of passive viewing gives people an intellectual edge
. People with busy lives sometimes like to switch off in the evening, and watching a soap is just one way of doing that.
Discussing soaps can be a connection between people, and allows them to talk about difficult issues without risk. Gossip about characters is far less harmful than when it's about real people, too.
There are lots of TV genres that don't float my boat, but I am not rude enough to make snide remarks about them to those who do enjoy them. What do people get out of that? Genuine question.