What's the diference between a series (for example:the oc) and a soap (for examp!
Question:
What's the diference between a series (for example:the oc) and a soap (for example:days of our lifes)????
Answers:
Based on previous answers "Dallas" was a series and not a soap despite of being hawked as a "prime time soap opera", in that it was aired weekly.
My understanding is that a soap requires a person to follow the show for a while in order to get "caught up" for lack of a better phrase. Each show in a soap will end with an unresolved issue in an attempt to bring the viewer back for the next show. The shows that bill themselves as soaps don't make stand alone episodes. For example watching one episode of "General Hospital" or "Days of our Lives" will only serve to confuse the viewer. It is like reading one chapter from the middle of a novel.
A series makes stand alone episodes. You can watch one "House" or "CSI" and enjoy the show. You can miss episodes without having to ask, "Who is that and where did they come from?". A series will frequently film a season finale and the next season premier as a two part show. It is just a teaser to get people to return the next season. A series is like reading one short story from a book containing many short stories that share main characters.
Correct or not, that is my take on the subject.