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thursday, October 12, 1978
daily nebraskan
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UNL students brainwashed by tide of daytime TV
By Jeff Unger
From light-hearted moments to those of utter despair
the lives of doctors and lawyers, lovers and louses form
the core of a genre of television program that draws
views of all ages.
Morning through afternoon each weekday, millions
of women and men stare at a rectangular screen as a soap
opera's plot thickens or unravels.
Although plots are slow to change and often bizarre
soap fans continue to watch. This addiction can be found
in Nebraska Union television areas.
The sets, often tuned in to a channel showing a soap,
are the focal points for numbers of students as they
read, write, eat or just hypnotically stare at the screen.
Some come and go during the show and others rarely
move their eyes, even during a commercial.
In search of the answer to "why do students watch
soaps?", I sat in each of the television areas and inquired
of others there, sometimes wishing for more commer
cials so 1 could get more attention.
"I don't know why I watch them, partly out of habit, I
guess," said Pam Keeler, a UNL junior. "I like to sit down
and watch them after I eat. It's an escape for an hour
before I go to class."
Gail Kitto said she watches soaps because it is
something to do between classes and said that after awhile
they are addictive.
As another reason for watching them, she said "some
deal with everyday life."
"Some are so far-fetched, and others hit real life situ
ations," said another woman, who asked not to be iden
tified. "You can watch other peoples' problems instead
of your own."
Mark Pyke and Keith Thomas had other reasons for
watching. Pyke said that in high school, he and some
friends would watch soaps during study hall and that he
became attached to one of the characters and has been
watching the show since.
"They're not for me," Thomas said, as he occasionally
stared up at the screen. "I think they're very unrealis
tic even though some people would argue with me. The
only thing I like about them is that some of the people
wear some pretty nice clothes."
He said that he does not know any soap opera names
but watches them because they are on when he is in the
union.
Facing possible chastisement from friends or family
seems to be the least worry of soap fans.
"Yes, I get comments, especially from guys," Keeler
said. "Some people even call them garbage shows, but
they are just as believable as 'Happy Days' and
'Laverne and Shirley,' " she said.
Pyke said he receives little ribbing and that he knows
many people, men and women, who watch soaps. He also
said that soaps are unique.
"You don't have to watch soaps everyday. Other
shows you can watch any time and not feel lost. You
can miss soaps once in awhile and not lose track of a
character."
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Tara and Chuck are in love, but Donna got hit by a train, not to mention Samantha, who is disfigured for life,
but at least it brought Brad and Jenny back together
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