SEX, LIES AND SOAPS
PROGRAMME 2: BAD BEHAVIOUR
PROGRAMME OUTLINE
00.00 – 02.47
Introduction: Soaps are full of bad behaviour, whether it's represented by drunken teenagers in Emmerdale, or violent adults in EastEnders. In The OC, teenagers actually have guns, while in Hollyoaks, serial rapists resort to psychological torture. But do these storylines simply reflect teenage behaviour, or are they actually having an effect on people's lives?
02.48 – 04 35
Soaps are under constant pressure to come up with next big storyline, pull audiences and generate magazine publicity. They generally employ huge script teams; Hollyoaks, which runs script meetings of 22 writers, is under particular pressure because it turns out five half-hour shows per week – the equivalent of a feature film every seven days. Psychologist Aric Sigman claims that bad behaviour is essential to make people stare at the screen – it's the nature of the medium. Meanwhile OC-lovers Polly and Monica, 16, think teens in soaps are completely misrepresented in the attempt to keep viewers interested.
04.36 – 06.54
Under-age drinking is a staple of soap storylines, from The OC to Emmerdale to EastEnders, although it's frequently exaggerated and invariably ends badly. As with sex storylines, producers say that audiences demand that the consequences of irresponsible actions be depicted. Thus a responsible approach is adopted, although often in a more contained and immediate way than in real life. Teen viewers are well aware that soap producers are required to take a moral stance and so emphasise the dangers of excessive teenage drinking.
06.55 – 09.29
Soaps' depiction of the boozy student lifestyle is analysed by Brighton students, who see Brighton as 'Hollyoaks by the sea'. They discuss Hollyoaks' Mel Burton storyline as originally convincing but eventually overdone, and comment on the difference between getting off your face on cheap booze and becoming an alcoholic. Actress Cassie Powney (Mel) sees the storyline as offering an effective warning that there are consequences to everything, binge drinking included. Teens are unanimous that soaps do not encourage kids to drink in real life.
09.30 – 13.10
Other aspects of bad behaviour, such as smoking, are not shown. There are no rules about this in EastEnders, but characters are rarely seen smoking – although smoke machines are used to simulate the effect of smoke. More problematically, recreational drug use is never shown, and drug storylines must avoid any convincing representation of teenage drug use – a major flaw for some teens.
13.11 – 17.33
Does soap violence influence teens? The Mitchell brothers and the recent Johnny Allen storyline have turned EastEnders into a show more like The Sopranos, as clips of a shootout show. Two early-teen brothers are unashamedly impressed by the levels of violence, while older girls see it as ridiculous. Psychologist Aric Sigman claims (without substantiation) that there is incontrovertible proof that screen violence generates real copycat violence, and the boys agree. Meanwhile, writer and series consultant Tony Jordan argues that this storyline is heightened reality, and 'only telly'. He claims that Phil and Grant are caricatures or reflections of existing 'bald geezer' types, rather than causes of violent behaviour.
17.34 – 22.13
Can bad behaviour in soaps ever go unpunished? Part of the pleasure for the viewer is seeing people get their come-uppance. Hollyoaks has revelled in the gruesome death of psychotic serial date-rapist Andy Holt (Warren Brown), who explains the blood-curdling special effects behind his demise – clearly hugely enjoyable for teen audiences well aware of its moral message and escapist values. But how far should soaps satisfy the audience's need to see the baddie get it in the end? In a storyline from The OC, the teens believe Marissa is justified in gun violence, which is discussed in full psychological realism; but a Hollyoaks sequence where a date rapist is harshly sentenced is criticised by students for its unfeasibility. Alas, real life is not as fair as the soap world.
22.14 – end
The Big Question: is soap's bad behaviour invariably negative, or can it teach us something about the real world? Soaps represent issues and then neatly resolve them – but life isn't really like that. Perhaps they can be positive influences in allowing you to watch and learn vicariously from the mistakes made by soap characters. Ultimately, life may be a lot less fair, but it's a lot more balanced than a TV show.
