Structural pillars of soap operas - poll

KILL 'EM ALL

HIV positive issues man- although perhaps a bit too 80s/ 90s?

That'll be the "conflicted homo" I think.

I suppose there ought to be a category of sole survivor of original cast/ravens leave the Tower etc. but since that could encompass Ken Barlow, Jack Sugden and Ian Beale I'm not quite sure how to narrow that down further unless Ian counts as "ageing lothario" which I suppose he could.

Ian is the very definition of 'pompous local businessman' isn't he?

I should have included 'Blank vessel for ISSUES-based storyline' on my list.

Also forgot 'Plucky fat girl'.

Black dude (stall-holder)

Lesbian (this has never really caught on, let's be honest)

erm Brookside?

Person often referred to and seen but never required to speak

maybe only Eastenders went in for that

Gangster (local dude, in way over his head)

^^^ this

The problem with gay characters or lesbians for that matter is they tend to get written out once the writers have run out of 'Look, a gay!' type stories. Are there any gay characters that have lasted past the two-year mark?

Lifespan of a soap lesbian is even shorter (usually - arrive, get boyfriend, kiss hot girl, big storyline for three weeks, decide you like boys after all, don't appear for three months, decide to go stay with your mum and never come back).

Person often referred to and seen but never required to speak

-- blueski, Friday, 9 May 2008 16:04 (2 minutes ago) Bookmark Link

maybe only Eastenders went in for that

-- blueski, Friday, 9 May 2008 16:04 (2 minutes ago) Bookmark Link

Very much a staple of the archers. Burt's Frieda and Titcombe being notable.

Antony Cotton in Corrie is the only long-term gay character I can think of. I'm not sure Zoe Tate counts since she wasn't specifically a "lesbian" character for very long.

is 'filthy old letch' gender-specific?

Filthy old letch is a bloke, otherwise it's old lady (bit of a goer in her day).

I'm quite a fan of 'manipulative money-grabbing succubus' but Claire from EastEnders has undone all Janine's good work in that department.

Possibly "baby who grows to adult played by the same actor throughout" is exclusive to Corrie.

Also: never previously mentioned close relative who suddenly turns up, e.g. the Mitchell sisters.

They can be of any archetype though.

Where would Alfie Moon types fit in?

long-term loser (loveable)?

lesbians in soaps are not to be trusted.

I left off Cheeky Chappy, glaring oversight. Ditto Sharp Suited Ladies' Man With A Dark Past.

It is the law that EastEnders must have at least one SSLMWADP at any one time. None of them beat Steve Owen though.

You missed Doctor/Vicar,the source of moral authority for the rest of cast but stricken by personal problems/moral weakness/self doubt etc.

Oooh good one.

Except possibly Dirty Den with Actual IRL Dark Past (xxp).

Black Sheep Of Family (David Platt, Nick Cotton)?

Where does Ken Barlow fit into this? Browbeaten husband? Pompous (ex) local businessman? Long Term Loser? Annoying old twat who they can't get shot of?

Ageing lothario shurely.

Where does Deirdre come in?

Long-term henpecked but stoic wife, mother and daughter?

There are quite a few of those actually, Kathy Beale certainly. Does Little Mo fit in there as well?

I think the main reason why there aren't many long-term gay or lesbian characters in soaps is the sheer fact that any one character generally works their way through 60% of the cast in various love triangle/love cheat scenarios. And unless they made most of the cast gay/lesbian/bisexual, there isn't going to be much scope for that. Beyond, of course, the initial g/l/b love triangle conflicting interests or whatnot storyline. See EastEnders' Stephen and Christian.

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

this fits australian soaps pretty well too, with the only exception being the domineering indian father (there are no non-white people on australian soaps)

What about that black English guy that used to be on Neighbours and was rubbish?

gotta go with the raging homo

webber otm.

I think I like Old lady (dotty old bird but lovely with it).

Like Ethel and Dot from EE.

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

Gangster (local dude, in way over his head)

Eastenders going for this one in a big way at the moment. This is always the best type of storyline.

Because you can never have too many gangster-related storylines in EastEnders.

I would have voted long-term loser.