How Soaps May Be Saved By Classic Episodes But News Interruptions Are Brutal

When production was first halted for the soaps, no one knew how long it would be for and as the projected day for reopening continues to be pushed, networks have come up with a way to stretch their stockpile of episodes. Three soaps have been airing classic episodes on Fridays, but the constant news interruptions have frayed fans’ nerves.

Soaps Provide Needed Escape

While Days of our Lives (DOOL) airs weekdays on NBC, and has enough episodes to take them to December, The Young and the Restless, The Bold and the Beautiful, and General Hospital had to turn to the past to figure out a way to see things continue to the future — and it’s not just fans who have been looking forward to watching these classic episodes. The actors themselves are thrilled!

When YR tweeted out a reminder for fans to watch the honeymoon of Neil (Kristoff St. John) and Dru (Victoria Rowell), co-star Michelle Stafford (Phyllis) retweeted it, adding, “TODAY!! I can’t wait to watch!!!!” She followed that with several red hearts.

Former DAYS and YR star Chrishell Stause (ex-Jordan; ex-Bethany, YR), who loves watching soaps too, revealed her frustration about it that most fans today share when she wrote, “Please stop preempting during classic Friday #YR eps! Read the room-we need this! I wanted to escape into Neil & Drucilla’s wedding! Also I would like to officially vote for some classic Shelia & Lauren eps! 🙋🏻‍♀️”

Constant News Interruptions

News interruptions are obviously nothing new for soap fans who had to endure months of them during the televised trial of O.J. Simpson. At least these interruptions are for something that actually impacts everyone’s life — the coronavirus shutdown. Yet when nothing new is actually revealed, it can be incredibly frustrating.

“Can we for the love of god stop having daily briefings with zero new information? We don’t need to see you on tv everyday repeating the same information. Zip it until you have something new & helpful and get off our tv!” tweeted out Linsey Godfrey (Sarah, DAYS; ex-Caroline, BB).

It also feels like it’s something that could have been told to viewers on the later aired nightly news. Staying safe at home has the potential to increase viewership for soaps at a time when they desperately need it. Ratings have been slipping for years and with this odd silver lining, soaps need every chance they can get to grab more eyeballs.

How do you feel about these preemptions? Share your thoughts in the comment section!