TV dramas, as a popular form of entertainment, have a rich cultural and historical background behind them. Among them, there is an interesting name - "soap opera", which contains an interesting story about the history of television culture and advertising.
1. The origin of "soap operas".
The name "soap opera" originated in the early European and American television culture. In the thirties of the 20th century, television was not yet widespread, and most families would listen to radio programs in the evening for entertainment. These programs often contain lighthearted, family-themed and love-themed short films, which are often interspersed with soapy commercials. This combination has led people to start referring to these kinds of shows as "soap operas" because they are always closely associated with soap commercials. 2. Why is it called a "soap opera"?
Why did you choose the word "soap"? In those days, housewives were the main consumer group for radio advertising. They are responsible for the daily chores of the family, including household activities such as laundry and cooking, so household products such as soap and laundry detergent are their main purchases. In order to attract these potential consumers, soap manufacturers are sponsoring radio programs to promote their products among housewives. Because of the frequent soap advertisements in these programs, people figuratively call them "soap operas". With the popularity of television, such TV dramas with themes of family life and love have gradually moved from radio to television screens. But no matter how the form changes, the name "soap opera" is still in use today. The name not only represents the genre of TV dramas, but also becomes a cultural symbol that symbolizes the themes of relaxation, entertainment and family life.
3. Comparison of "soap operas" at home and abroadIt is worth mentioning that in Chinese society, TV drama culture has its own unique characteristics and classifications. Although some people think that some domestic TV dramas can be classified as "soap operas", such as "I Love My Home" and "The Story of the Editorial Department", which are all the rage in China, they are more classified as "sitcoms" or "TV dramas" according to the classification standards of Western TV dramas. This is mainly due to the fact that the storylines of these TV series are relatively independent, the episodes are not closely related to each other, and they often end in happy endings. "Soap opera" is also widely used in China as a generic term. However, due to differences in cultural backgrounds and audience preferences, Chinese "soap operas" may place more emphasis on elements such as family ethics and emotional entanglements, which are different from "soap operas" in the traditional sense of the West.
Overall, the name "soap opera" contains an interesting story behind the history of television culture and advertising. It is not just a simple name, but also a cultural symbol and symbol of a specific type of TV series. Whether Western or Chinese, radio or television, "soap operas" captivate a wide audience with their themes of relaxation, entertainment, and family life.