Most soap operas describe the daily lives of a small group of people who live in the same street or town or who work in the same place such as a hospital. Most soap operas have their own website and some people buy books about their favourite soap and visit the places where the stories are supposed to happen. They are called soap operas because in the US they were first paid for by companies who made soap. Episodes broadcast during the week are often repeated in a single omnibus programme at the weekend.

They are stories about the lives of ordinary people that are broadcast, usually in half-hour episodes, three times or more each week. write/produce a drama/sitcom/spin-off/comedy seriesĬulture soap operas soap operas Soap operas, also called soaps, are among the most popular television programmes.work on a soap (opera)/a pilot (episode)/a sitcom.do/film/make a show/a programme/a documentary/an episode/a pilot/a series/an ad/a commercial.be/become/work as a/an (British English) TV presenter/talk-show host/sports commentator/anchorman/ (British English) newsreader.host a show/a programme/series/a game show/a quiz show/a talk show/ (British English) a chat show.take part in a phone-in/a game show/a quiz show/a reality TV show.be on/appear on television/TV/a TV show.be a hit with viewers/audiences/critics.broadcast/ (especially North American English) air/repeat a show/a programme/a documentary/an episode/a series.show a programme/a documentary/an ad/a commercial.have/install satellite (TV)/cable (TV)/a satellite dish.sit in front of/switch on/switch off/turn on/turn off the television/the TV/the TV set.surf (through)/ (especially North American English) flip through/ (especially British English) flick through the channels.pick up/reach for/grab the remote (control).

catch/miss a show/a programme/a program/an episode/the news.

see (especially British English) an ad/ (especially North American English) a commercial/the news/the weather.

watch television/TV/a show/ (British English) a programme/ (North American English) a program/a documentary/a pilot/a rerun/a repeat.

Collocations Television Television Watching

Why is it called a soap opera