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Original poster

Unrealistic expectations in tv soaps

75 replies

onlynotafan · 25/07/2023 23:41

I used to watch EE but haven't for the last 2 years. But even then so many inconsistencies it was unreal but yeah it's not real but it is meant to portray real life.

Only on going drama I watch is casualty bbc1

I'm currently to tired to list some of the things that happen in soaps/dramas that would not or never happen in real life! I'd like to see what you can come up with

OP posts:
Skinnermarink · 25/07/2023 23:47

Going into labour or giving birth at home, with no attempt made to get to hospital. I think Leanne from Corrie gave birth on the floor without taking her tights off 😆

At least one but sometimes 3 meals a day out in the cafe/pub/kebab shop, sometimes with drinks in pub on top. Easily a £50 a day spend.

MaidOfSteel · 25/07/2023 23:48

My mother always used to moan that the soaps were unrealistic. I haven't watched them for years now, but surely they'd be boring if they were realistic? I do think you're right if there are big holes or inconsistencies in plot lines; that's totally unnecessary.

YetMoreNewBeginnings · 25/07/2023 23:49

Nobody claims benefits. Even the single parents with half a dozen kids are never seen dealing with Universal Credit or the likes.

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TV
YetMoreNewBeginnings · 25/07/2023 23:49

Engagingly a cot death storyline, even a well done one (looking at you emmerdale) is always utterly ruined by a baby swap storyline. It seems compulsory

RichardsGear · 25/07/2023 23:53

I haven't watched soaps for years but do remember how one dimensional obedient children were in them.
"Go upstairs and play, girls," would, in real life, be met with a chorus of "But whyyyyyy? I want to see Aunty Rita. Do I have to? But Muuuuum!" while in soapland, no sooner the word and the kids are trotting around wordlessly doing exactly what they've been told.

HeddaGarbled · 25/07/2023 23:56

No one is ever faithful to their spouse/partner.

YetMoreNewBeginnings · 26/07/2023 00:23

Childcare is only a problem for work when tbt storyline suits.

when it comes time for the pub the unseen babysitter is always free

Original poster
onlynotafan · 26/07/2023 00:27

Also in soaps nearly all one night stands ends up in pregnancy 🤰

OP posts:
MobHistory · 26/07/2023 00:34

I've one!
EE, why does nobody own a washing machine?
The characters live in homes at least half/quarter of a million pounds if the square wasn't fictional!?

If they didn't spend all lunchtimes in the pub/caff they'd save themselves a few bob for a Hotpoint?

echt · 26/07/2023 00:41

This is a long time ago but I remember how Ken Barlow, when a teacher, was always in the Rover's Return, and never complained about the marking. Or mentioned it. A memorable exchange was when Albert Tatlock asked": What's this OFSTED all about then?" and received a non-committal, uninformative answer.

Education. Done and dusted.

askmeonemoretime · 26/07/2023 00:42

If you are unemployed you just wander round the few businesses outside your house for an hour and someone will give you a job.
No wedding is drama free.
Children are very easy to look after.

echt · 26/07/2023 00:42

EE - characters always saying "Mind the stall for me" while they ran off to further the plot in the Queen Vic.

RenoDakota · 26/07/2023 00:45

Everyone being available to go to a surprise party the following day, and having elaborate fancy dress costumes for it.

Skinnermarink · 26/07/2023 06:45

Elastic bedrooms. Six people living in a two up two down and seemingly all very happy with their space, even offering up room to a mate in need every now and then.

TeenDivided · 26/07/2023 07:05

The ease at which they sell property / businesses the drop of a hat with no due diligence, lawyers etc

WildFlowerBees · 26/07/2023 07:25

Police are very accusatory whenever they're called. David's small shop seems to have everything a person could ever want. Couples can't just get along and show a healthy relationship. The list is endless, I haven't watched soaps for a long time now.

I don't know how these script writers get jobs, do they really expect to cover 'hard hitting' stories but we have to suspend belief for most of it?

That annoying Sharon who gives soap updates or something is a writer isn't she? That's the calibre of talent soaps have these days.

I also don't know how as an actor you could read a script and not think this is utter shite.

TheThingIsYeah · 26/07/2023 07:29

No one ever takes more than two sips of a pint before someone comes into the pub and drags them away to deal with some drama.

TBH I haven't watched EE since Little Mo hit Trevor over the head with the iron. She was before a jury within 5 mins; the justice system is very efficient in soaps!

Remember that rare time EE went on location to Ireland and people complained it cariacatured the Irish? I thought well if you think EE is an accurate portrayal of live in East London, maybe soap operas aren't for you.

Coffeesnob11 · 26/07/2023 07:48

People leave jobs the same day with no notice and still get a leaving party/drinks at the pub.
People get married after no time at all and always have expensive weddings.
No one drives a battered or scratched car.

PicturesOfDogs · 26/07/2023 07:51

If someone cheats, the next day their partner will guaranteed make them a romantic dinner and apologise for being ‘distant’.
Then close up on cheaters guilty face.

Every time 😂

CarrieMoonbeams · 26/07/2023 08:14

I haven't watched them for years but I do remember commenting to DH that hardly anyone has pets, only maybe the occasional dog. Between the 10 houses on my side of the street there are:

14 dogs (6 are mine)
5 cats (1 is mine)
3 rabbits (1 is mine)
2 guinea pigs
2 snakes (mine)
3 tarantulas (eek, most definitely not mine 😳)

When someone comes to my door, it takes me ages to get there because I've usually got a pile of animals on me, so I'm trying to put the cat on the floor and simultaneously move at least 3 of the dogs because they all love to cuddle in and simultaneously find a place to put my coffee to keep it safe from slurpy tongues and simultaneously trying to keep my place in my book 🤪. Now THAT'S entertainment 😁

Clawdy · 26/07/2023 08:19

Sorry to nitpick, but Ofsted didn't start till 1992, and Albert Tatlock had been dead for years by then!

AppleCinnamonBagel · 26/07/2023 08:27

Skinnermarink · 25/07/2023 23:47

Going into labour or giving birth at home, with no attempt made to get to hospital. I think Leanne from Corrie gave birth on the floor without taking her tights off 😆

At least one but sometimes 3 meals a day out in the cafe/pub/kebab shop, sometimes with drinks in pub on top. Easily a £50 a day spend.

Think that was Daphne in Neighbours. 😊
Im not saying that Leanne didn't give birth in unrealistic circumstances (don't watch it so don't know who she is even!) but I do remember the Neighbours scene.

Alicetheowl · 26/07/2023 08:52

Agree with the housing situation in EE. They live in nice Victorian type houses around a green square,and from the look of the map at the beginning it's within easy commuting distance of Canary Wharf and The City, but nobody seems to have a decent career, just shifts on market stalls, and shop and pub work. They would never afford this!!

CharlotteStreetW1 · 26/07/2023 08:57

Designer wedding dresses.

Butteredtoast55 · 26/07/2023 08:58

They're on too frequently so have to come up with content, which gets increasingly far-fetched. People are either caricatured or have total personality transplants to fit a storyline. Back when I watched CS (and I started watching when my Grandma was alive in the early 70s!) It was relatively mundane but big events were truly shocking because of it (Emily Bishop's husband getting shot for example).