Soapdish

Celeste Talbert headlines The Sun Also Sets, a long running soap whose ratings are slipping. Her star power masks a maze of backstage competition, especially from Montana Moorehead, a ruthless rival, and the show's sharp tongued producer David Seton Barnes. They cook up a plan to push Celeste off the canvas by bringing back her old flame Jeffrey Anderson and introducing a glamorous young niece, Lori Craven, into the fold. The scheme triggers a whirl of on and off camera maneuvering as rivalries collide with fan service and a press hungry for controversy. Amid the chaos, Celeste faces the pressure of keeping her spotlight without losing who she is. The studio's meddling colors every scene with anxiety and humor throughout.

Directed by Michael Hoffman, Soapdish arrived in 1991 as an original screenplay by Robert Harling and Andrew Bergman that satirizes soap opera machinations with a bright, star packed cast and a witty, character driven vibe with a lighthearted, knowing wink.

The comedy earned 36,489,888 dollars worldwide against a 25 million budget, marking a solid return for a witty ensemble comedy released into a crowded market, and it performed respectably on home video and international screens overseas markets to varied audiences.

Soapdish skews behind the scenes drama and the spectacle of daytime TV with a playful wink. The film's brisk humor and ensemble energy capture a moment when Hollywood began to openly mine meta references to soap culture, inspiring TV parodies and becoming a touchstone for sets that blend celebrity satire.

Critics highlighted the sharp dialogue and the way the movie balances affectionate tribute with sly critique of fame, aging stars, and the price of television success. Its themes include show business vanity, loyalty among colleagues, and the tension between public persona and life, with warmth that keeps the humor grounded.