{"product_id":"prime-time-soap-operas-douglas-m-snauffer-9780275994730","title":"Prime Time Soap Operas","description":"\u003cp\u003ePrime time soaps are often revered long after their runs on television have ended, as \u003ci\u003eDallas\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eTwin Peaks\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eBeverly Hills 90210\u003c\/i\u003e readily demonstrate. Due to their profound impact, it's easy to forget how recently the genre itself was born.\u003ci\u003e Dallas\u003c\/i\u003e premiered in 1978, and was originally intended to air solely as a five-part mini-series. Then, in 1981, producer Aaron Spelling stepped in and introduced his own ultra-glitzy entry \u003ci\u003eDynasty\u003c\/i\u003e. Between these two mega-hits, the era of the nighttime soap was born. Soaps soon spun off into non-traditional avenues as well, in sitcoms like \u003ci\u003eFilthy Rich\u003c\/i\u003e and the supernatural drama \u003ci\u003eTwin Peaks\u003c\/i\u003e. Then, with the arrival of the more youth-oriented Fox Network, producers were able to hook an entirely new generation on programs such as \u003ci\u003eBeverly Hills, 90210, Melrose Place\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eParty of Five\u003c\/i\u003e. Pay-cable channels have also stepped into the picture and now act as trendsetters with hits like \u003ci\u003eSex and the City, Six Feet Under, The Sopranos\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eThe L Word\u003c\/i\u003e. Now, from the spiritually themed \u003ci\u003e7th Heaven\u003c\/i\u003e to the naughty neighbors of ABC's \u003ci\u003eDesperate Housewives\u003c\/i\u003e, soaps dominate prime time. \u003ci\u003ePrime Time Soaps\u003c\/i\u003e covers all the major shows within the soap-opera genre, and also investigates all the ways that soaps have contributed to the development of more general television trends. Interviews with producers, actors, and other artistic collaborators also supplement this revealing and entertaining account. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eEven outside of their genre, these shows continue to influence current programming. Few series on TV today are purely episodic, instead containing on-going storylines involving the personal dilemmas of their characters. Another very recognizable contribution from soaps occurred on the evening of March 21, 1980, when \u003ci\u003eDallas\u003c\/i\u003e finished out its third year with J.R. Ewing being shot by an unknown assailant, leaving fans to wait until the fall for the resolution. This was the beginning of the cliffhanger endings that are now implemented by just about every series on television. Prime Time Soaps covers all the major shows, and also investigates all the ways that soaps have contributed to the development of more general television trends. Interviews with producers, actors, and other artistic collaborators supplement this revealing and entertaining account.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Douglas M. Snauffer\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0275994732\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780275994730\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Praeger\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 09\/01\/2009\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 224\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.10lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.30h x 6.10w x 1.00d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eReference and Research Bk News\u003c\/i\u003e 02\/01\/2010 pg. 262","brand":"Douglas M. Snauffer","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":48241027907839,"sku":"9780275994730","price":100.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_30298d3f-72e3-49a9-b874-791a728a059c.jpg?v=1772652441","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/prime-time-soap-operas-douglas-m-snauffer-9780275994730","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}