Real Life Social Issues...On Soap Operas?

When people think of soap operas they usually think of corny daytime television that has bad acting and even worse "story-lines". While some of this may be true, soap operas have been increasingly devoting story-lines to real life situations; people find it easier to relate to better now that their favorite characters may have similar problems they have in life, where as before the characters would discover their evil twin which most people, I believe, may have a hard time relating to.

Soap operas audiences range from young teenage girls to women in their sixties, and all the social issues that have been included in the shows can apply to all these age groups. Some real life social issues that are discussed on the shows are substance abuse, dating abuse, alcoholism, AIDS, bipolar disorder, heart disease, and many more. Mostly what the shows seem to do is show audiences that these issues can be treated and it's okay to have these problems as long as they're treated.

Having personally seen several episodes of General Hospital devoted to issues like these ones, the show usually shows the characters in distress at first, then they show how they are able to receive proper care and take responsibility by taking care of themselves. There have been several testimonials from people who have seen shows on certain issues and have recognized signs of these issues in either themselves or people they know and were able to get help.

This is a Public Service Announcement at the end of a General

Hospital episode in which the character shown was being

physically abused by her boyfriend. Here the actor gives out

hotlines where people in similar situations can go for help.

Although many people seem to put soap operas down and make fun of their "corniness", they seem to be doing a good thing- putting their focus on real life situations and not just evil twins.

The Tonight Show War- The Results:

It's been almost two months since it was announced that Conan O'Brien would have to give up his job as the host of The Tonight Show, and that title would go back to Jay Leno. Many people were upset with this switch back. Jay Leno explained that five years ago he was asked to give the show to Conan in five years, even though his show was still number one. He claims that once NBC realized they had made a mistake because Conan's ratings weren't terribly high they decided to push Conan with The Tonight Show to 12:00. Conan refused to because he said it would no longer be considered "The Tonight Show" which would ruin it's dynasty. It seems like it all comes down to whether or not Conan was given a fair chance to make it on The Tonight Show with only 7 months.

Many people thought this had tarnished Jay Leno's image as "Mr. Nice Guy" to take back the job willingly. Supporters of Conan O'Brien launched a group which started on Facebook called "Team Coco". This quickly grew overnight into a mass following with almost one million fans. Rallies were held by Team Coco in an effort to save Conan's spot on The Tonight Show, but NBC claimed it was all too little too late.

The Tonight Show War seemed like the only thing in the news for two weeks straight. Jay Leno looked as though he was "winning" because he was getting back the most sacred job a comedian could have; being the host on one of television's greatest dynasties, The Tonight Show. However, no one, especially NBC, expected Conan to get the response that he did after the show was over.

NBC had signed a deal with Conan that he couldn't have a television hosting 'gig' until September 2010. In response to this, Conan, to keep his fans happy and his staff employed, set up a nationwide tour in 30 cities which almost completely sold out in one day. Conan has figured out a way to stay in touch with fans and seems to be talked about more than Leno. Not only does he have this tour with 30 cities, but it looks as though he will in fact have a television hosting job on another channel in the same time spot as The Tonight Show, which he once hosted; many critics and fans are anticipating Conan's return to television so he can finish what he started. Many people are also curious to see who will come out on top. Even though Jay Leno got his job as the host of The Tonight Show back, it seems as though Conan O'Brien has won The Tonight Show War, for now, even though he doesn't hold the title as the host, wouldn't you say so?