Soap Operas for Men.

When I first became a stay-at-home dad a few people joked that I could now catch-up on my soaps. Very funny I thought. I don’t have anything against soap operas and I’m sure many men watch them, but on a whole I’m sure the target audience is female. Then I realized I have an afternoon escape I consider “my show”. I just happens to be on ESPN. Everyday at 2:30 PM I tune in to “Pardon the Interruption” and watch two sports writers banter back and forth about current sporting event. I love it. After several months of watching, it struck me--ESPN is my soap opera. Why do I like to watch people TALK about sports (I’m not even watching people PLAY sports)? I think it boils down to relationships. I like to hear about what makes people do what they do—they just happen to be athletes in this case. And at times, it has all the elements of a soap opera--sex (Minnesota Vikings infamous boat trip), drama (the Steelers season), feuds (Kobe and Shaq), tension (T.O. and the Eagles), etc. I watch because I get connected to the STORIES about PEOPLE (not just the acts they perform on a field or a court). It is the stories that drive my interest—I’m sure much the same reason women watch their soaps. So there you go, a soap opera for men (I’m sure many women enjoy the show too).

Comments

[Dan Tudor]

"Quite Frankly", John, I think its probably you're affinity for bald, opinionated black men that has you hooked.

I'm sure many women enjoy the show, too...they probably bench 250 pounds and ride Harley's to work at the ACLU.

On a deeper level.....nope, sorry, I've got nothing.

[Dan Tudor]

OK, a full nights rest and further thought prompts me to reply again to John.

John, I don't think this falls into "soap opera" territory. Certainly not in a derogatory sense. There's nothing wrong with trying to stay connected with some aspect of the outside world...everything they talk about is based on current events and fact, not a fake story involving fake characters in fake relationships. That's a soap opera.

When we were in high school, and you never wanted to come to small group Bible study because you didn't want to miss that week's episode of "Dynasty", that was a problem...I don't think this is.

You need outside connections. Don't feel guilty about having them, and certainly don't demean your interests by categorizing them as "soap operas" (especially anything sports related...how dare you).

[John Sloas]

I'll have to sleep on that one.

And it wasn't "Dynasty"...

...it was "Knott's Landing".

[Ken Johnson]

I love PTI. Sadly I am always working when it is on.

[John Sloas]

Ken--take a coffee break and come on over.