ABSTRACT
Liking soap opera has always been a risky business. Wooed by the television companies with an endless stream of character-centred publicity-for the soap watcher is that most desirable statistic, the regular and committed viewer-the fan is frequently abused by both the quality and the popular press.1 Even those involved in the production of soap operas, from actors to producers, are frequently apologetic about their occupation and their product.2
