{"product_id":"the-soap-opera-evolution-9780786472819","title":"The Soap Opera Evolution","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e   The first daytime dramas began as early as 1930, with \u003ci\u003ePainted Dreams\u003c\/i\u003e. Programmers soon discovered that housewives often controlled the purse strings, and soaps become an advertiser''s gold mine. They now generate more than $900 million in network revenues annually.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e   Around 50 million people (reportedly including congressmen and rock stars as well as two-thirds of all American television-watching women) tune in each weekday afternoon for a dosage of love, loss and libido via the soaps.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e   This scholarly study examines the soap phenomenon from a sociological point of view. Included in the analysis is classic research by Rudolf Arnheim, Herta  Hartzog and Helen Kaufman as well as contemporary studies and previously unpublished research. The evolution of popular plotlines and characters, as assessment of reality in today''s plots, which people watch soaps and why, specific plotlines for the 13 soaps presently aired, 40+ family trees illustrating program changes, \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003erecommended--Choice; \"\"soap opera fans can cheer Marilyn Matelski...packed with all they want to know about the past, and where the characters are heading\"\"--Classic Images; \"\"fascinating\"\"--National Examiner.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"McFarland \u0026 Company","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51038088495447,"sku":"9780786472819","price":20.89,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9780786472819.jpg?v=1750938935","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/the-soap-opera-evolution-9780786472819","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}