Jerry Springer, Soap Operas, and Wrestling.... What do they have in common?

Jerry Springer is a very popular show.... Why is that so?

Well, we know that when he stopped the fist-fights, the ratings went down.... This gives us a hint as to what SOME people want to watch.... They want to see CONFLICT....

A guy I know was talking to me once about wrestling.... He LOVES the wrestling! Sure, he knows it's fake, but to him he loves the conflict and theatrical nature it's done in.... Then he made an interesting comment to me....

He said that Wrestling is like a soap opera for men! Think about it....

Most soap operas mainly appeal to women.... They are full of EMOTIONAL conflicts. Each character has plenty of emotional crises and conflict per episode, and we become enthralled to see how these difficult emotional situations will play out....

Then, let's go to wrestling. It's also fictional, but here the fictional conflicts are PHYSICAL ones. Someone figured out a "soap opera" for men, appealing to what many men go for.

So, the underlying similarly seems to be that CONFLICT is of great interest to both men and women, though women may have more interest in EMOTIONAL conflict, and for men the interest may be more PHYSICAL....

What do you think? Am I on the right track? It'd be great to hear some feedback on these thoughts.... :)

Dien

> I work with a lot of Soap Opera Junkies
and they almost live vicariously through
the characters...one soapstar even has her
own line of clothes...

I think some people live out some of their fantasies through tv programs. While conflict
is an issue sometimes it can be other things.
I remember at one point being addicted to watching
90210( a show about people under 3/4 of my
age ;-) But I liked it because of nostalgic
reasons..

And usually you find a character you relate to
in some way....

mmmmmm ...good question Dien

Jerry Springer is a very popular show....
> Why is that so?

> Well, we know that when he stopped the
> fist-fights, the ratings went down.... This
> gives us a hint as to what SOME people want
> to watch.... They want to see CONFLICT....

> A guy I know was talking to me once about
> wrestling.... He LOVES the wrestling! Sure,
> he knows it's fake, but to him he loves the
> conflict and theatrical nature it's done
> in.... Then he made an interesting comment
> to me....

> He said that Wrestling is like a soap opera
> for men! Think about it....

> Most soap operas mainly appeal to women....
> They are full of EMOTIONAL conflicts. Each
> character has plenty of emotional crises and
> conflict per episode, and we become
> enthralled to see how these difficult
> emotional situations will play out....

> Then, let's go to wrestling. It's also
> fictional, but here the fictional conflicts
> are PHYSICAL ones. Someone figured out a
> "soap opera" for men, appealing to
> what many men go for.

> So, the underlying similarly seems to be
> that CONFLICT is of great interest to both
> men and women, though women may have more
> interest in EMOTIONAL conflict, and for men
> the interest may be more PHYSICAL....

> What do you think? Am I on the right track?
> It'd be great to hear some feedback on these
> thoughts.... :)

> Dien

Dien - interesting and accurate observations - I really think you've nailed the popularity motivations for all three genre.

I'd also add that the popularity of Springer is in part due to people wanting to see others in worse shape or weirder circumstances than them! Gives them temporary escape from their own dilemmas, and lets them know that somewhere, someone's life is in stranger shape than theirs:-)

Bob

Hi Bob,

> I'd also add that the popularity of Springer
> is in part due to people wanting to see
> others in worse shape or weirder
> circumstances than them! Gives them
> temporary escape from their own dilemmas,
> and lets them know that somewhere, someone's
> life is in stranger shape than theirs:-)

Yes, you're probably right! I must admit, watching Springer can make you feel MUCH better about your own life!

"Thank goodness I'm not like them" and also, "Thank goodness I'm not on Springer!" :)

Thanks Bob for your observations.... :)

- Dien

Hey all!

Here are my thoughts on this one:

> and they almost live vicariously through
> the characters...

> And usually you find a character you relate
> to
> in some way....

*****I have been watching "Days of Our Lives" off and on since I was 15....if you do the math, you will know that I have been watching it for more than half my life! Some of the characters are even played by the same actors.

One of the reasons I continue to watch it is simply for the chance to see where the writers are taking the characters as well as the humor factor. Another reason is I feel like I know these people! I think I grew up along with Bo and Hope who are STILL experiencing angst in their relationship!

And no one else seems to notice that Roman Brady is now being played by an actor who used to be Chris Kosichek whose brother Jake was the Salem Strangler....poor Kayla was terrorized by him before she fell in love with Patch and finally left Salem with Kimberly her sister and settled, where was that? Last I knew the actress who played Kayla and the actor who played Patch were on General Hospital, but I have not seen them on any Soap Magazine covers at the grocery store lately.....

> Jerry Springer is a very popular show....

****I refuse to watch this show, its the antithesis of what I am all about. My daughter Bianca watches it occassionally, I think for the "freak" factor. Grosses me out, literally makes me sick to my stomach.

Wrestling? I have no idea. Never saw the attraction in it quite frankly. I know a lot of women watch it as well, those who find the wrestlers attractive. Again, its another thing I just don't understand!

Have a great Thursday everyone!

JULIE

Thanks Julie and Sandy for your thoughts...!

On "Days of Our Lives"....

> One of the reasons I continue to watch it is
> simply for the chance to see where the
> writers are taking the characters as well as
> the humor factor. Another reason is I feel
> like I know these people! I think I grew up
> along with Bo and Hope who are STILL
> experiencing angst in their relationship!

Hehehee :) Well.... Okay, I admit it... I've seen some soap operas. I used to watch "Beverly Hills 90210" occasionally.... I think that's the only one off-hand..... Oh, and the occasional "Melrose Place" as well. Don't tell anyone, okay?

WHY did I watch these? Ummm.... Okay, I'll come clean. Some of the female characters were quite attractive, and I was a young man full of hormones, and with maybe too much free time.... Let's just leave it at that. :)

On Jerry Springer....

> ****I refuse to watch this show, its the
> antithesis of what I am all about. My
> daughter Bianca watches it occassionally, I
> think for the "freak" factor.
> Grosses me out, literally makes me sick to
> my stomach.

I know what you mean.... :) Well, I do watch occasionally, I must admit partly out of curiosity. But sometimes I just can't, because I get pretty grossed out too. It's not a regular thing.... Honest!

> Wrestling? I have no idea. Never saw the
> attraction in it quite frankly. I know a lot
> of women watch it as well, those who find
> the wrestlers attractive. Again, its another
> thing I just don't understand!

Ahh... I used to love the Wrestling when I was a teenager. Then I discovered it was fake! (Yeah, I know, I'm pretty quick, huh?)

Once I realized it wasn't real, it wasn't very interesting for me any more.... Some may not like this, but it's the truth....

I guess it's why professional boxing is so popular.... (Destructive sport that it is....)

I have a love-hate relationship with boxing. On one hand, I'm ideologically against it, because people's lives DO get destroyed, and occasionally a boxer is killed. These aspects appall me.

On the other hand, I find it fascinating. It's a contradiction, I know....

Thank you Julie for sharing your honest thoughts....

Best wishes :)

Dien

Dien said:

> I have a love-hate relationship with boxing.
> On one hand, I'm ideologically against it,
> because people's lives DO get destroyed, and
> occasionally a boxer is killed. These
> aspects appall me.

> On the other hand, I find it fascinating.
> It's a contradiction, I know....

****I simply wonder what the message is in the paradox or contradiction. Love boxing, hate boxing, love boxing, hate boxing.....

Personally, I have never liked boxing at all! Never "got" it, although these days I like the persona of Evander Holyfield.

Hmmmmm....I need to steep on this whole Paradox scenario for a few.....

JULIE