Do you think we will run out of soaps?

[Witchofzog]

I don't watch them as it feels a bit like a full time job, but with the frequency they are on, surely we will run out of episodes at some point if this goes on for a while. I can't imagine filming is classed as essential after all. Then what will happen?

Anyone? Apparently they have already reduced the frequency of Neighbours

Is it about 2-3 months ahead they film? That means if they cut down the frequency they'll last about 4-5 months?

I feel sad for older people. For a lot of them I work with, the soaps are literally their lives as they don't have family or regular visitors

Oh I thought you meant the hand washing kind!!

Thought you meant bars of soap .....

I think it is a possibility. They have heavily reduced the frequency each soap is on TV to help longevity and filming is 6 - 8 weeks in advance. We could go for a fair length of time on 2 episodes a week for most soaps - and if they do that then I doubt we will totally run out before they are able to start filming and do production again.

I remember when they were only on twice a week. It's one of the reasons I stopped watching them as it was just too much to keep up with

Quite possibly.

At that point the TV channels really have three options. Show reruns, which I think is most likely. Show something totally different. Or produce episodes in a new way.

In theory you could do it with actors at home and heavy reliance on greenscreening but the quality of the programme would definitely drop. Other options might be audio-only or animation.

I'm sure ITV said that they had enough episodes of their soaps to last until early Summer. I suppose they could cut them back further than they have done already if they started to run out.

I too thought the washing kind!

I was going to say I managed to buy some Cussons Imperial Leather soap last week.

I would send up a prayer to the imaginary god if there were no more soaps but shall refrain from doing so since for some inexplicable reason some people actually enjoy watching them which is a mystery.

Not if you are watching the episodes from the 90s on ITV3

Yep, another who thought you on about soap.

I thought you were going to show us your soap/handwash stash.

The archers are going keep recording but one character at a time from home. So everything is ok in my world

I have a feeling we will have a summer of 'repeats' of various programmes. I have my fingers crossed for The Bill and Torchwood.

Aroundtheworldin80moves.
The Bill is on everyday on the Drama channel.

Not sure if we have that channel... Our aerial came down in the storms so we only have streamed TV through the internet.

I, too, thought you meant bars of soap. Our local food bank is desperate for soap.

I was thinking the other day, that as everyone is now using loads of the stuff and will be for quite a while after this, surely there will be a worldwide shortage soon.

Hand washing stuff obvs, don’t watch the TV stuff.

I am not gonna be sad if soap operas are gone, but do hope shops will start stocking Carex soon!

I have a feeling we will have a summer of 'repeats' of various programmes.

I actually think the autumn is going to be a bit low on pre-filmed programming too - all dramas, Bakeoff etc. Depending on how long is lost to the lockdown obviously.

If they ration them, I’m sure will be fine.

Am loving The Archers at the moment. No virus, just modern slavery and Ben’s weird car. It’s bliss.

A report yesterday said Coronation Street were planning to go to an animated production with normal actors recording their voices from home. I know it was an April Fool prank, but it's not as daft as it first appears. Other April Fools have become reality - such as the one about commuters having smartcard/Oystercard chips implanted under their skin - this is happening now!

I was about to say I have a cupboard full, even with all the hand washing!