Review: Soap (Season 1)
Soap features the families of two sisters, Jessica Tate (Katherine Helmond) and Mary Campbell (Cathyrn Damon). The Tates are wealthy and the Campbells are middle class, but everyone has problems. As befits a soap opera, there are love triangles, misunderstandings, and murder. But Soap is not a soap opera but more of a soap comedy. The characters veer from very intense dramatic moments to broad slapstick humor in the space of a few beats. The mix makes the show very compelling to watch.
In some ways, I'm surprised that Soap was made back in the 1970's. I would have a hard time imagining the same show being made today. It dealt with a lot of sensitive topics from homosexuality, adoption, the feelings of an empty nester, and mental illness. Each topic is dealt with a mix of humor that draws you in and seriousness that makes you think.
The only real annoyance is that I couldn't believe how stupid the Jessica Tate character is. While it makes for a funny character I always have trouble taking her seriously when it comes to more dramatic scenes.
It's funny to look back at the show and see the future stars in its ranks. Katherine Helmond I knew from Who's the Boss. This show put Billy Crystal on the map. Robert Guilliaume would continue this character on his own spinoff Benson. And a pre-Spenser For Hire Robert Urich appeared in the first season as the gigilo tennis pro, Peter Campbell. I also had a couple of Hey It's That Guy sightings on Ted Wass (later appearing in Oh God, You Devil 2) and Richard Mulligan. I think the entire cast of WKRP in Cincinatti makes guest appearances at some point.
In some ways, I'm surprised that Soap was made back in the 1970's. I would have a hard time imagining the same show being made today. It dealt with a lot of sensitive topics from homosexuality, adoption, the feelings of an empty nester, and mental illness. Each topic is dealt with a mix of humor that draws you in and seriousness that makes you think.
The only real annoyance is that I couldn't believe how stupid the Jessica Tate character is. While it makes for a funny character I always have trouble taking her seriously when it comes to more dramatic scenes.
It's funny to look back at the show and see the future stars in its ranks. Katherine Helmond I knew from Who's the Boss. This show put Billy Crystal on the map. Robert Guilliaume would continue this character on his own spinoff Benson. And a pre-Spenser For Hire Robert Urich appeared in the first season as the gigilo tennis pro, Peter Campbell. I also had a couple of Hey It's That Guy sightings on Ted Wass (later appearing in Oh God, You Devil 2) and Richard Mulligan. I think the entire cast of WKRP in Cincinatti makes guest appearances at some point.
posted by mypetrock at 1:07 PM
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