Soap

In the fictional Connecticut town of Dunn's River, the wealthy Tates and the working-class Campbells are neighbors whose private dramas spill into each other's lives with increasing absurdity. The show strings together melodramatic twists, domestic snafus, and outrageous set pieces, so a punchline can follow a tense scene in the next episode. Jessica Tate presides over a chaotic household with style and denial, while Mary and Burt Campbell try to keep a steady routine amid setbacks. Plot threads about love, money, and temperament weave through serialized episodes, creating recurring jokes and ongoing complications that lampoon soap opera excess while treating characters as flawed, sympathetic people.

Created by Susan Harris and launched in 1977, Soap mixed sitcom timing with serialized soap conventions and a satirical eye. Its ensemble cast included Katherine Helmond, Cathryn Damon, Richard Mulligan, Robert Mandan, and a young Billy Crystal, giving the series a theatrical, character-driven energy.

The series drew serious attention from critics and industry observers, and its bold approach led to nominations that recognized writing and performances. Cast members and writers were singled out during awards seasons, reflecting how the industry debated its mix of satire and melodrama during the original run.

Soap pushed network television boundaries by parodying daytime melodrama while addressing topics many shows avoided. Billy Crystal’s Jodie Dallas stands out as an early recurring gay character on prime-time TV, and the show’s frequent controversies sparked public conversations about taste, standards, and the place of serialized comedy in mainstream broadcasting.

Initial responses were mixed, with some viewers shocked and others hooked, and the show cultivated a loyal audience over time. Critics commented on its satirical bite, its focus on family dysfunction, and the class contrast between the two families. Modern ratings place it around 7.3/10 from 67 votes, suggesting continued interest and reevaluation from contemporary viewers.