Dear Oprah, We soap fans have been sorely disappointed by the cancellations of our beloved soaps and the threat of losing more. We are asking you who we know appreciates soaps and their actors, to give thought to a soap channel on your OWN network.
SoapNet had promised an "All soaps all the time" channel that lasted for about a nano second and then went the repeat, old B movie , reality channel with a few soaps thrown in. Now they are canceled as well in 2011 and that leaves us soap lovers one step closer to extinction. There are millions of soap lovers who are treated like second class citizens. Our soaps are bumped for sports, car chases, any one who wants to make a news statement, anything is alright to interrupt a soap but never a sporting event or even a kids show. We are just not given any respect I guess because most of us are just housewives who have nothing better to do.
Please do not think we think of ourselves that way. We are women who run families, who work and take care of our homes and families. Women who can run businesses and come home and after cooking and cleaning up, making lunches and giving baths we sit down to watch our soaps. We are men who like to unwind watching some of the most beautiful women and men in show business and the great storytelling.. We are grandparents who can finally sit down when we want to to watch "our stories". We are African American women, the largest number of soap watchers and we are all races, religions ethnic groups and sexes. Those who are lucky enough to have DVR's and can tape their favorites do so, others had Soapnet to watch. We need someone with enough foresight to see that soaps are still moneymakers as well as crowd pleasers. Someone who respects television viewers and knows we have always respected her. That person is You and we are asking you to please give us our dignity and respect back and to show the major networks the big mistake they make by showing us that lack of respect.
Another aspect of the cancellation of soaps is the loss of jobs for the soap actors , writers, directors, producers and the crews. The industry is losing so many great performers and we are missing them already. This soap channel would ideally be a place where the newly canceled soaps can be brought back, Guiding Light and As The World Turns who collectively were on for over 120 years. Can you name any other type of show with that longevity? We would love it to also bring back the old soaps. Shows like Another World, Edge of Night, Search for Tomorrow and Passions to name a few. We also would hope that the current soaps could be re-broadcast each day or at least once a week.
Oprah if anyone can understand our plight and give us a solution it would be you . Please give this some thought and please give us the answer we need. Thanks for taking the time to hear me out Sincerely, Soap Savers Inc. and the many soap fans who are counting on You.