skip to main content

The Kitchen Table

Soap Operas

14 years ago

Do you watch any? They just cancelled Guiding Light which I watched for years.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (34)

User
14 years ago
I haven't watched them in 21 years.
Marilyn Sue McClintock
14 years ago
Yes, only one. The Young and The Restless. Years ago I used to watch several, but only one now.

Sue
Related Discussions
It feels like a poorly written soap opera.
Q
Comments (9)
I agree these women are very lucky to have you as a neighbor. As for the problem of family, the kids love to turn a blind eye because otherwise it would mean they'd have to get involved and be responsible. It might put a dent in their lifestyle and require work and comittment. I'm living this scenario which is a surprising repeat of the situation my parents were in when I was growing up. My grandfather lived with us most of the year, spending part of the winter in the south. His care and shelter fell to my parents. My uncle and aunts were hands off never as much as inviting him to dinner much less spending the night or driving him to daily cancer treatments - my mom (with 4 kids to care for) did that. My SIL and BIL are totally clueless to what happens on a daily basis when living with an octagenarian. Even a healthy person can drive you nuts! We've had to call 9-1-1 several times for medical emergencies and they've as much as said we overreacted. What a crock since one of the incidents involved a gangrenous gall bladder! I'm always defending my actions and trying to point out the difficulties of living with a strong willed, contentious person. They don't want to hear it and they certainly don't want her at their house for more than two days. (She's been here for 14 years). I feel very, very alone in dealing with this woman, constantly defending my actions and attempting to garner some understanding of the toll it takes on me. Linda C and others here at the GP have seen her in action. An incident in my kitchen during one of the get-togethers summed it up pretty well. The jig is up in a couple years when we retire and move out of state. This ought to be pretty funny as everyone assumes she can pay big bucks to live in a fancy assisted living place. HA - the jokes on them. Thanks for listening and allowing me to go on and on.
...See More
new to this forum - long rant! - advice appreciated
Q
Comments (8)
Barker_Tx, we are in Austin, Tx and if you have any suggestions, please email me at bevangel_72(at)yahoo.com. A big problem we're having is the cost of all the facilities in Austin. MIL gets about $1100/mo social security and about $900/mo investment income. All of her money is invested in CDs however and none of those mature until next March, so even though know she needs to start spending down the principal, we'd very much like to wait to cash one out to avoid the early withdrawal penalties. In the interim, DH and I are supplementing her living expenses. But, both our jobs are currently "shaky" so we really can't afford to supplement more than about $1000/mo and even that is a MAJOR stretch. If either of us actually loses our jobs, we're going to eat through our own financial cushion very very fast! In Amarillo, MIL's social security and investment income came really close to covering her expenses and she would cash out a CD about once a year to put enough in the bank to cover the rest of her expenses for the year. The only thing we were supplementing was her medication management at about $400/mo. Moving her down here and paying the $3000 non-refundable move-in fee to the Meridian ate thru pretty much all the extra cash she had on hand. So, until next March, we're going to have to supplement every penny above about $2000/mo that it costs her to live. As for the Meridian... I have talked to the administrators until I am blue in the face. They just keep shifting their stories to cover their a**es. First they claimed that they intended for another resident who attends almost all the activities in the main area to go and get MIL and befriend her... but that that resident moved out shortly after MIL moved in. When I pointed out that 1) they never TOLD us the volunteer resident had moved out and 2) THEY were the ones who made the promise and, if they couldn't find a volunteer to fulfill the promise, they should have assigned a staff member to do it, they changed their story. They NOW claim that the only activities they EVER promised to take MIL to were the ones in the Platinum Plus wing and that, if we understood anything else, it was just a misunderstanding on our part! They won't respond to the fact that we talked repeatedly about how much MIL enjoyed playing the dominoes game called Forty-two, which was shown on the MAIN schedule 3x per week and is NEVER shown on the Platinum Plus schedule, and which they very specifically stated they would make sure she got to play. They also ignore the fact that we talked very specifically about my concern that she would get lost trying to get all the way down to the main activity room by herself and discussed the need for her to have a scooter because it was too far for her to walk. The area where they hold their once daily platinum plus activity is right around the corner from MIL's apartment. She can find her own way there quite easily and doesn't need a scooter to go that far. But, "we only said we'd get her to the Platinum Plus activities" is now their story and they are sticking to it. As for the non-events on the health center calendar: According to the administrator, the "current events" activity on the health center calendar would have happened except that the volunteer that leads current events on the weekend was unexpectedly called out of town. The "worship services" on that calendar was a reference to the worship services happening in the Platinum Plus area (as if any one living in the Health Center could POSSIBLY have made it up there since it is at least a 5 minute walk by a healthy person!) The "social hour" was a reference to the fact that, about 3PM the nurse came around and gave each resident a cookie and some cranberry juice! As for the non-events on the Main Calendar: their story now is that "our independent residents lead most of the events that are scheduled and, if they decide not to hold them, we ask them to let us know so we can revise the calendar but, if they don't, that is nothing the Meridian can do." And, as for scheduled afternoon game time that didn't happen in the Platinum Plus wing: "our staff member was there at the scheduled time to lead the activity but none of the residents showed up, so after a few minutes, she left and went to take care of other duties." As I said, they're covering their a**es! As the situation now stands, MIL is back in her apartment and we have been told that they will "remind her of all activities, including those in the main building, when they go in to give her medications." They will also tell her where the activity is happening (as if she can possibly find it on her own) and that, IF a staff member "has time", one will walk her down to occasional activities in the main building. I would bet a million bucks that no staff member will ever have time!!!! Bottom line, she will be left to vegetate in her room until we can move her out. The only reason we even looked in Temple was that Austin seemed so expensive and, as one went further out from Austin the prices seemed to drop. We figured we could afford the time and gas to drive 50 miles to/from Temple once or twice a week more easily than the prices of similar places in Austin. BAD PLAN! Obviously the staff at these places need to know that family members can and will drop in at any time of the day or night! Otherwise some of them are going to take advantage of the fact that they can pretty much lie to you with impunity. I don't want to file a lawsuit or bring other legal action against the Meridian as long as MIL is still basically in their control. No telling how they might take it out on her! Further, a legal action would probably be unavailing because all the promises were made verbally --- nothing in the written contract about them. Once MIL is out though, I intend to sic the state on them for running an unlicensed assisted living facility and also to post bad reviews at every location I can find. Meantime, we're still looking for a good situation for MIL in or near Austin that is somewhere within reach of our budget.
...See More
TCM and Oscar movies
Q
Comments (10)
He doesn't reunite with Tonya. In the movie he gets a letter from her saying that they're being deported and that's the last you hear of her. He's a doctor, living alone, helped by his half-brother, when he dies on the street after seeing Lara. (In the novel he remarries.) We see Yuri and Lara's daughter (played by the amazing Rita Tushingham) at both the beginning and end of the film. She works in a factory and, crucially, plays the balalaika, which of course belonged to her father.
...See More
Maire, I owe you one. Loved Seaside Hotel
Q
Comments (34)
Believe me, traveling with electric bikes is amazing. My husband and I spent the last vacation in Bolivia and we tried cycling trips. It was an unforgettable experience. Historical centers were built here during the Spanish colonization, so we found multiple beautiful churches and cathedrals. Most cities are located among fantastic natural landscapes, such as Santa Cruz de la Sierra and Potosi. Our friends wondered why we hadn’t chosen La-Pas. I know it’s an amazing city of contrasts in the mountains of South America, at an altitude of 3600 m, but La Paz is Bolivia’s de facto capital city and is not very safe. So, we decided to leave it for better times.
...See More
ann_in_florida
14 years ago
I'm still a fan of Days of Our Lives, after all these years. Because of work, I haven't watched Days in real time for years but I still record it every day. I try and catch up once a week. There are a lot of rumors that Days will be the next soap to be cancelled. I sure hope not, since watching this is my silly pleasure.
alexis717_df
14 years ago
My sister watches them religiously, and has for about 35 years. I'm afraid I don't watch them, I figure life is tough enough with out watching someone else's tales of woe.

Alexis
kim_okla
14 years ago
I still record All My Children.
hallngarden
14 years ago
no, just never got interested, when the children were young there was no time in the day to watch soaps.
lydia1959
14 years ago
I used to watch "Days of Our Lives". I got hooked on it when I cared for my aging grandparents, they watched several soaps... but that is the one I ended up following for years. I don't watch it anymore.
sandy_in_ia
14 years ago
I have watched Days of our Lives since the very beginning with my mom and grandmother! Through school, if I was sick, it was on....summertime it was on. I have always had a lunch break where I could go home for an hour, and I would plan it around that. Now...I am able to watch it at work! LOL If we are busy and I can't have the volume up, it isn't like I miss anything...figure it all out tomorrow! =) I "don't HAVE to watch it" but I do enjoy it...and I have since 1965! Every day when I hear the theme song...I have a pic of my mom & grandma in my head! :))
sheilajoyce_gw
14 years ago
No. I cannot stand them. But in the late 50s, there was a weekly afternoon serial type soap opera drama that was completed every week with a well known actress whose name I cannot recall. Those I watched. Was it Phyllis Thatcher?
sheilajoyce_gw
14 years ago
Oops, meant to mention I watched them during the summertime only.
Pawprint
14 years ago
I'm guilty, I watch One Life to Live.

_________________________
{{!gwi}}
bigack
14 years ago
Used to watch Guiding Light, love it. Now I watch As the world turns, now and then. Going to cancel it next year, I heard. Oh well.
lindyluwho
14 years ago
Not since they cancelled Guiding Light. I had watched it since 1966. I don't like any of the rest of them. I used to watch As the World Turns but gave it up years ago. I got bored with it. Used to watch Y & R at lunch but really thought it was awful. So no more for me.

Linda
lilliepad
14 years ago
I have watched DOL for years.Probably ever since it started.I stopped a few years ago because it seemed to be stuck in a rut.LOL Then my DH started coming home for lunch at that time and we would eat in front of the TV.He got interested in it and I started watching with him.I can take it or leave it (it's so predictable) but he still thinks he can't miss a day of it.LOL he was relly upset today becaue it wasn't on because of the Olympics! If I need him to take me shopping or something we can't go until it's over.LOL
lindaohnowga
14 years ago
No, I don't. I'm not a tv watcher. I'd rather be crafting.
Maura63
14 years ago
I DVR General Hospital and have been a fan for 30 years.
jannie
14 years ago
I used to watch afternoon soaps in the 60's when I was in high school. . I liked Love Is a Many Splendored Thing and Dark Shadows. Both long gone. My baby sister is and always was a fan of All My Children.
hounds_x_two
14 years ago
Never
patti43
14 years ago
I like One Life to Live and usually have All My Children on since it comes on first. Don't you just love how nobody ever really dies on those shows? I love the story lines about how they can miraculously come back to life!
glenda_al
14 years ago
Watched The Edge of Night when I was pg, which was 44 years ago.

No, I don't!
carol_in_california
14 years ago
When DH and I first got married (in 1962) I watched General Hospital. When I changed jobs I couldn't watch it any longer.
After several years I was a SAHM and started watching it....but found out nothing had really changed so I quit.
Have never watched a soap opera since then.
Funny thing about soap operas. When I was eight years old I was very ill and out of school for four months or so. I started listening to Ma Perkins on the radio and got hooked.
I used to discuss it with my visiting teacher. (I think that was in 1948.)
monica_pa Grieves
14 years ago
I started watching GH the very first episode...stayed current while I was working only because ABC used top broadcast over a radio station.
Kept up until about 2003, then lost interest when my favortie characters were being canned and kids were SORAS'd (Soap Opera Rapid Aging Syndrome).
I think the only 2 shows I watched between them and the end of 2009 were the 25th Anniversary of Luke & Laura's wedding and Robin's wedding.
Out of sheer boredom,I turned it on last week when we had all that snow...been getting caught up, but not as totally into it as before.
pump_toad
14 years ago
No, I never watch them.
Lois
Lindsey_CA
14 years ago
I've watched General Hospital (with a few short gaps) since the beginning. I was even invited to be on the set for a full day of taping, back in 1995. It was Ingo Rademacher's first day (taping) as Jasper Jax. I was given an autographed script and blueprints of sets... It was a lot of fun!
juellie1962
14 years ago
I really don't watch soaps, but the Bold and the Beautiful is always on during my lunch hour. It is the most RIDICULOUS show I have ever seen. It's only 1/2 hr so there's limited characters. The same story line keeps going over and over and over and people are sleeping with their step mothers and brothers, etc. etc. I cannot believe anyone really watches this show.
bulldinkie
14 years ago
Ive watched days since childhood.My mother watched it back when Julie had long hair and was every man on the show...I still see it occasionally because its on when Im at dialysis.
evatx
14 years ago
I've watched All My Children off and on since it began. I used to watch Ryan's Hope years ago. I remember Another World also that ended a long time ago.
phyllis__mn
14 years ago
I don't watch any, but if I'm watching something else, and it is over, a SO will come on. What the heck was that about yesterday when a bride lifted her veil and guests were surprised that she wasn't really dead?!!!
organic_donna
14 years ago
I watched "All My Children" for 25 years. Then I switched to Y&R. One day I just thought to myself, "I'm wasting my time watching this". I guess it just didn't fit me anymore. So I stopped watching. That was about 15 years ago. I don't miss them at all.
Donna
jannie
14 years ago
My SIL used to watch a lot of the soaps. She was such a fan she actually went to Soap Opera Conventions. She got to mix and mingle with her favorite stars. She has a huge VHS library of past shows she taped. Wonder if she ever watches them? She's single (now age 52) and never had a boyfriend, so I guess they provided an emotional outlet.
gramzeeinmd
14 years ago
I only watch Y & R faithfully :-)
Deb
susanjf_gw
14 years ago
funny i should answer this post as i'm watching days, lol...
jannie
14 years ago
Thanks for mEntioning Another World. That was probably my favorite in the 60's. Russ Matthews, Alice Matthews, Steve Frame, all the rest.
jackie643
14 years ago
I've watched Days of our Lives since the start of the show.

Related Stories

BATHROOM DESIGN So You Want a Bathroom Television

By Lisa Frederick

Whether you want to wash with soap operas or primp with prime time, these guidelines for installing a TV in the bathroom can help

12 Features To Have You Wishing Every Day Was Wash Day

By Between Naps on the Porch

HOUSEKEEPING When You Need Real Housekeeping Help

By Becky Harris

Which is scarier, Lifetime's 'Devious Maids' show or that area behind the toilet? If the toilet wins, you'll need these tips

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Inspired by Downton Abbey

Add a nod to Edwardian style with upholstered furniture, damask prints and bone china

DECORATING GUIDES Secrets of a Quintessential English Home

Learn to design like a native of England with the newest book by British design maven Ros Byam Shaw

Contemporary Texas Style

By Janell Beals - House of Fifty

Designers Celebrate the Limestone and Landscape of Texas

LIFE A Month-by-Month Guide to ‘Downton Abbey’ Withdrawal

By Becky Harris

Missing Lady Grantham’s zingers? Edith’s furrowed brow? Romance simmering downstairs? Here’s help to get you through until season 6

FUN HOUZZ Binge on the Design of ‘House of Cards’

By Becky Harris

Pull up a seat to Netflix’s addictive political drama for sets and fashions rife with intrigue

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Eclectic Row House in London

Vintage treasures, original illustrations and family keepsakes make this bright home just right for a British family of four

MODERN STYLE Room of the Day: Party-Ready in Palm Springs

By Bryan Anthony

A swanky retro-inspired living room (full bar included) is set for a soiree in the desert

Sponsored

Remodel Repair Construction

9 Reviews

Industry Leading General Contractors in Westerville

More Discussions

Let's start a chain reaction game -- Part 4

306

Quit Smoking Support

47

Hope everyone in areas where severe weather is forecasted

16

Last Hurrah in L.A./Cruel World, then leaving L.A. for good

34

How to dispose of paperwork?

20