Find Out the Only Thing That Will Make Soap Fans Stop Watching

It’s true that soap-watching began dropping in the last century (thanks, OJ), and continued into this one (thanks, reality TV). But the hardcore fans are still hanging in there, no matter what.

We asked over 5,000 soap fans what — if anything — could get you to stop needing a daily dose of your stories. Here’s what you had to say.

They’ll Have To Pry It From My Cold, Dead Hands
Nothing. Nothing could make you call it quits.

Well, except maybe one thing — 80% of you admit you’ll stop watching… if your favorite show is cancelled. (It does make you wonder what the other 20% plan to do — just keep turning on the TV anyway, and pretending it’s still on?)

Death, Not Be Watched
A smaller number, 15%, suspect you might tune out if your favorite character is killed off, like Sabrina (Teresa Castillo) on General Hospital? But is it really possible to watch a soap with a cast of some 30 people and only have a single favorite character?

There is really absolutely nobody else you could stomach? That’s… hard-core. Plus, what if the character is killed off not because the show wanted them gone, but because the actor left… or died? Did you when Adam was killed on The Young and the Restless because Justin Hartley quit?

Are you really going to punish a soap for an actor’s choice — or an act of God?

Bigger Picture
And then there are the 5% of you who could handle death and departure. But a stupid storyline is where you draw the line. So… uhm… how stupid, exactly, would it have to be?

As stupid as an island populated by insects that drive cute, shirtless boys crazy? As stupid as a mobster being the most respected man in town? As stupid as a second fake sexual harassment suit in six months? As stupid as a bikini fashion duel?

What qualifies as stupid enough to cut the cord on a multi-decade habit? I know that I’m still watching….

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