Soap (TV series) - Wikiquote Soap (TV series) Jump to: navigation , search Soap (1977–1981) was an American sitcom, airing on ABC, that was a night-time parody of daytime soap operas. Contents Season 1[ edit ] Episode 1 [1.01][ edit ] Narrator: [Opening Narration] This is the story of two sisters. Jessica Tate and Mary Campbell. Jessica lives in a neighborhood known as "rich". Jessica likes life, the only thing about life she would change if she could, is that she would set it all to music. The Tates have more secrets than they do money. We're approaching Mary Campbell's house. Mary, too, likes life. Unfortunately, life doesn't seem to be too crazy about her. As you can see the Campbell's don't have nearly as much money as the Tates. They do, however, have as many secrets. Our story begins early one morning in Dunns River, Connecticut. Jessica Tate: Oh, Benson, what are we going to do with you? Such a mind of your own! Episode 2 [1.02][ edit ] Narrator: [Opening Narration] Remember the Tates?

Jessica and her husband Chester? Chester's the guy who fools around with everyone but his wife. And poor Jessica, because Chester's been so busy, has taken up with Peter the tennis pro, who in turn has been busy with Jessica's daughter Corrine. Of course, Jessica doesn't know Peter's been busy with Corrine and Chester's been busy with everyone. Jessica just wishes she had gone shopping instead. Remember the Campbells? Jessica's sister Mary and her second husband Burt? The Campbells have problems. Mary has two problems, her son Danny is in the Mob. Her son Jodie is gay. Danny and Burt have a problem. They don't get along. Jodie and Burt have a problem, they don't get along either. Mary and Burt have a problem, Burt can't make love to Mary and she doesn't know why. Burt has the biggest problem of all, he knows why. He murdered her first husband. We begin this week's episode of Soap shortly after Jessica's tennis lesson. [Mary walks in to find her son, Jodie, wearing womens' clothing] Mary: Jodie?! What in the world are you doing? Jodie: Ma...

Mary: I better sit down. Episode 3 [1.03][ edit ] Narrator: [Opening Narration] In last week's episode of Soap, we discovered not only Jessica and her daughter are having an affair with Peter the tennis pro, but that Peter is Burt Campbell's long lost son. As for Burt Campbell, Mary's second husband, he can no longer make love to her. But this is nothing because Burt doesn't know that Mary's son Danny, in order to leave the Mob, has to kill the man who killed his father. Danny doesn't know that that man's Burt yet. Mary's other son Jodie is contemplating becoming her daughter. Life is also not exactly a bed of roses for Jessica's husband Chester, his affair with his secretary Claire has become complicated by the fact that she is now blackmailing him. Confused? You won't be after this week's episode of Soap. We begin this week's episode of Soap shortly after Peter's arrival at the Tate home. Burt: I just can't believe it. I cannot believe it! I mean, it's just a small, small world. I can't get over it!

I mean, my long, lost son from Hawaii comes to Connecticut and winds up teaching my sister-in-law and her daughter tennis. Benson: Bet that ain't all he teaches! Burt: And then, and this is really incredible, my sister-in-law and her daughter don't know they have the same tennis teacher. Plus which, he doesn't know they are mother and daughter. And then... and then to top it all off, no one, but no one knows he's my son! Chester: So what, Burt? Burt: So, it's a small, small world. And, I can't get over it. Can you? Chester: Yes. Episode 4 [1.04][ edit ] Narrator: [Opening Narration] In last week's episode of Soap, Mary realizes that Jessica and Corrine are playing something other than tennis with Peter the tennis pro. Neither Jessica nor Corrine realize that they are both engaged in a game of mixed doubles. Jessica is so overwhelmed with guilt, she attempts to confess her affair to Chester, but Chester isn't listening because he is so overwhelmed by his secretary Claire's blackmail attempts.

Meanwhile, at the Campbell's, Mary has threatened to move out unless Burt and Danny try to get along. Getting along with his stepfather Burt becomes even more difficult for Danny once the Godfather tells him Burt was the man who killed his father. Since the Mob will kill Danny if he doesn't kill Burt, Danny realizes trying to please his mother will be a problem. But Mary's problems don't end there, since her other son Jodie is about to become her daughter. Confused? You won't be after this week's episode of Soap. Billy: Sex. We also learned it in school. Of course in school they teach us about chickens and fruit flies mating. You know? Jessica: Chester, what would a chicken see in a fruit fly? Episode 5 [1.05][ edit ] Narrator: [Opening Narration] In last week's episode of Soap, Chester's secretary Claire had arranged for Chester's mistress Pigeon to find them together at lunch, thus ending Chester's relationship with Pigeon. But that's not all, Claire has threatened to repost Chester's illegal business activities, if Chester doesn't divorce Jessica.

Jessica has tried to end it with Peter but couldn't, but tells Mary she'll see him again to see if she can. Jodie has found that his quarterback boyfriend, in order to protect his image, has a girlfriend. Jodie tells him since he's planning a sex change operation for that very same reason, his boyfriend can get rid of his girlfriend. Danny has tried to follow the Godfather's order's to kill Burt but couldn't. Confused? You won't be after this week's episode of Soap. Eunice: It's incredible we have something in common. Jodie: Yeah, we both date guys. Episode 6 [1.06][ edit ] Narrator: [Opening Narration] In last week's episode of Soap, Danny once again tried to kill Burt, but couldn't. Corrine tried to talk Father Timothy Flotsky into leaving the church and going with her but couldn't. Unable to have the only man she wanted, Corrine decided to move in with Peter. Meanwhile, Jessica was telling Peter she could never see him again. Corrine walked in and found her mother kissing Peter, little did she know her mother was kissing him off.

Corrine, unable to have Father Tim, the man she wants, can't live with him and finding the man she has with her mother, cant live at home and since she has to live somewhere, she decides to move in with Peter anyway. Confused? You won't be after this week's episode of Soap. Corinne: I'm moving in with Peter Campbell... who's also having an affair with mother. Eunice: Mother? Our mother? The mother downstairs? Jessica? The redhead? Corinne: That's the one. Eunice: I can't believe it. I mean, it took me twenty years to believe she did it with Daddy. Episode 7 [1.07][ edit ] Narrator: [Opening Narration] In last week's episode of Soap, Jessica apologized to Corrine for having an affair with Peter, but Corrine refused to forgive her mother and moved out of the house and in with Peter, leaving Jessica sad and Chester mad. Burt received a telegram announcing the arrival of his other son Chuck and Chuck's little wooden doll, Bob, who Chuck thinks is real.

The Godfather gave Danny a key to a cabin in the woods, where a gun is hidden in the fire place and told him he must take Burt there within two days and kill him or the Mob will kill Danny. Confused? You won't be after this week's episode of Soap. Bob: [to Chuck] I love your family. This is great. Your father just laughs and stutters. The dame just sits. One guy's a fruit and the other guy's got an IQ slightly higher than kelp. Episode 8 [1.08][ edit ] Narrator: [Opening Narration] In last week's episode of Soap, another of Burt's sons, Chuck, and Bob, his wooden doll, arrived from Hawaii. Much to their horror, the Campbells discovered that Chuck believes that Bob is really real. Although he really isn't real, he is really obnoxious. Claire told Chester she was going to tell Jessica everything, but Chester didn't believe her. Much to Chester's surprise, Claire did tell Jessica everything, only Jessica didn't believe her. Or did she? Following the Godfather's orders, Danny invited Burt to a cabin in the woods in order to kill him.

Burt thought he was going in order to fish. Imagine his surprise when he found a pistol pointed at his head. Confused? You won't be after this week's episode of Soap. We begin this week's episode where we left off, with Danny about to kill Burt. Danny: It's a business trip. Jodie: Hey come on, Danny. I know what business you're in. We'll get a lawyer. We'll go to the police. Danny: If we go to the police, I'll be in jail when they kill me. If we get a lawyer, I'll be broke when they kill me. Episode 9 [1.09][ edit ] Narrator: [Opening Narration] In Last week's episode of Soap, Danny, unable to kill Burt, now has to run for his life so the Mob won't kill him. Since this news would kill his mother, Danny told her that he was going off to be a spy. So far he has been able to fool Mary, but not the Mob, because when Danny appeared in disguise at the Tate dinner party, the Mob tried to kill him. Fortunately, Danny got away. Unfortunately, Bob the dummy got hit. Confused?

You won't be after this week's episode of Soap. Mary: I have one son who's about to become my daughter, another son whom people are trying to kill, I have a lunatic stepson and a dummy living in my home and a husband who won't make love to me. That's not life, that's something by Tennessee Williams ! Episode 10 [1.10][ edit ] Narrator: [Opening Narration] In Last week's episode of Soap, Jodie checked into the hospital to become a girl, and wound up meeting a girl who would like him to stay a guy. Danny has been running around in disguises, running from the Mob. So far Danny has not been caught, but Chester has been. Jessica met Mary for lunch and saw him kissing Claire. Confused? You won't be after this week's episode of Soap. We begin this weeks episode of Soap shortly after Jessica and Mary saw Chester and Claire. Jessica: I think that there is a curse on this family. Benson: Well, if there isn't, there should be.

Episode 11 [1.11][ edit ] Narrator: [Opening Narration] In last week's episode of Soap, Jessica convinced herself that Chester's infidelity and all the bad things that had befallen the Tates and the Campbells are the result of a curse. But even though they're cursed, she's still not too thrilled with Chester. The Godfather came looking for Danny, but Danny was dressed up as a Rabbi, and instead of getting killed, Danny got a contribution. Burt, who came away from Doctor Medlow thinking he could, couldn't, because Mary, upset over the day's events, wouldn't. Dennis told Jodie there was no need for a sex change operation, because he's decided to marry a girl. On hearing the news, Jodie swallowed the contents of the pill cart for the entire west wing of University Hospital. Confused? you won't be after this week's episode of Soap. Barney: I don't know. I don't know what the world is coming to anymore. When a gay man who was thinking of becoming a woman then decides on suicide turns out to be the most normal member of the family.

Episode 12 [1.12][ edit ] Narrator: [Opening Narration] In last week's episode of Soap, Jessica admitted her affair to Chester but Chester wouldn't admit his affairs to Jessica, so Jessica walked out on him. Corrine caught Peter nibbling another woman's ear and told him if she ever caught him fooling around she would kill him. Jodie, who tried to kill himself because Dennis left him, woke up alive. Confused? You won't be after this week's episode of Soap. We begin this week's episode of Soap the morning after Jessica walked out on Chester. Eunice: Tell mother I won't be home this evening. I'm flying to Washington to cover Congressman McCallum's press conference. Benson: And then she's gonna cover McCallum. Episode 13 [1.13][ edit ] Narrator: [Opening Narration] In last week's episode of Soap, Jessica came back after walking out on Chester, and told him if he was ever unfaithful again she'll leave him for good. Jessica then went to visit Corrine, only Corrine wasn't there, but Peter was and with another woman.

Jessica was so angry that Peter was cheating on her daughter, she threatened to kill him. Corrine came home later and also found Peter with another woman, upset she checked into a motel, called Father Tim and said she was going to kill herself. Father Tim rushed over and found Corrine wasn't going to kill herself, she only felt like killing herself. Actually, Peter was the one she really wanted to kill. And Peter, who was taking a shower after his busy day, much to his surprise, was in fact killed. Confused? You won't be after this week's episode of Soap. We begin this week's episode the morning after Burt was able and Mary was willing. Chief Tinkler: What can assume from the fact that he was stabbed, strangled, shot, suffocated, and bludgeoned? Jodie: That he didn't commit suicide. Chief Tinkler: We can assume that Peter Campbell either had many killers or he had one killer who really hated his guts.

Episode 14 [1.14][ edit ] Narrator: [Opening Narration] In the last episode of Soap, Chief Tinkler informed the Tates and the Campbells that they are all suspects in the murder of Peter Campbell, the tennis pro, because all of them had a motive and most of them don't have and alibi. Chester, who knew Jessica had had an affair but didn't know who she had an affair with, found out her affair had been with Peter. Of course, before his death. Confused? You won't be after this week's episode of Soap. We begin this week's episode of Soap shortly after Chief Tinkler has left the stunned families. Jessica: I don't see what the big deal is. I mean, I told you I had had an affair. I mean you did know about it. Chester: But I didn't know who, Jessica. I didn't know who you were having your affair with. Jessica: Well I should think it would come as a relief. Chester: A relief? Jessica: Yes. Doesn't it make you feel better to know I had an affair with someone who's dead? I mean someone who's dead now.

Episode 15 [1.15][ edit ] Police Chief Tinkler: [while questioning Corrine] A lot of people knew you two weren't getting along. Jessica: Well of course, they weren't getting along, they were living together. I mean who ever heard of people living together and getting along. It's people who don't live together who get along. That's why one hears about so few divorces among them. Episode 16 [1.16][ edit ] Heinrich: You could have killed Peter because you were jealous. He was white. You are black. He had women, youth, freedom. You? You've got an apron, maybe a decent time-step. Benson: Let me tell you something you little Nazi shrimp. Now you can talk to them any way you want to. But now you talkin' to me, Benson and I personally have had it with your shouting, and your bullying, and your spitting. Nobody here killed anyone... not yet. Heinrich: We have precedence for this kind of homosexual behavior. Not in Germany of course. We have no homosexuals in Germany. They are in Austria. Or Switzerland. Jodie: Where in Switzerland?

Heinrich: Impotence? How classically American! A problem we do not have in Germany! No impotence, no smog... Bob: No Jews... Episode 17 [1.17][ edit ] Benson: [visiting Jessica in jail] I'm with the firm of Honeycutt, Pringle, Kaplan, and Black. I'm Black. Chester: Why are you posing as a lawyer? Benson: [while visiting Jessica] Cause I couldn't get in to see her as a butler. Episode 18 [1.18][ edit ] Mary: Why in the world are you doing this? Jessica: Oh Mary, let's face it; being a suspected murderess I am nothing but a burden to Chester and an embarrassment to the entire family. Now if I were needed there, that would be one thing. I mean I would still be a burden and a stigma but I would be a needed one. Jodie: The door was locked, Burt. Burt: Of course it was locked. I'm takin' a bath. Danny: Burt, you've been in here a day and a half now.

Burt: So what are we doing now, timing people in the bathroom? Episode 19 [1.19][ edit ] Jessica: Chester, all my life people have always believed me. See I have that kind of face. My mother once said to me "Jessica, with a face like that you could get away with murder." Mr. Mallu: [referring to Danny, Jodie, Chuck and Bob, and Bert] I have for character witnesses Al Capone , Tinkerbell , Punch and Judy , and the Invisible Man . Episode 20 [1.20][ edit ] Burt: I love bagels. Even though they are one of mankind's most dangerous foods which is something most people don't know. For instance, there's actually no safe way to slice a bagel. Except maybe you get someone to go it for you. You have no idea how many people have sliced an index finger in half along with a bagel. Walter: You sure took your time getting here. Eunice: Took my time? I'm standing on a ledge in a rainstorm and I took my time. What was I supposed to do? Jump down 38 floors on a messenger to stop him?

Walter: No, my luck you'd miss. Episode 21 [1.21][ edit ] Jessica: [arriving late in court] We simply could not find a parking spot outside. I thought surely there would be one reserved for the defendant, but there wasn't. Everything was marked "Official Parking Only." And Chester said, "This is just another example of the idiotic inefficiency of the judicial system." Carol: And you're Jodie? Carol: You're the suicidal homosexual? Jodie: Do we have mutual friends? Carol: Well no, no it just says uh- Jodie: What did you expect? That I'd be in a dress with a noose around my neck? Carol: I guess what threw me is that you're so adorable. Jodie: Most suicidal homosexuals are. Episode 22 [1.22][ edit ] Mary: Burt's missing. They checked all the rooms at bedtime, and he wasn't there. Bob: He never was, if you know what I mean. Mary: What if he never comes home? Bob: Drinks are on me. Jessica: [to Mr. Mallu] I'm afraid you'll have to cancel court this morning.

I have to take Billy to the pediatrician. Episode 24 [1.24][ edit ] Jodie: I don't know what's with you, Carol. I mean we agree we're coming up here as friends. Then you tell me you've rented a two bedroom cottage. We get here and one room, one bed and knowing I'm gay you're absolutely amazed when I don't turn out to be Burt Reynolds . Carol: I thought you'd be different here. Away from everything, in the country, all this clean air. Jodie: Clean air? Carol, I'm a homosexual not an asthmatic. Chester: Oh Benson, I need strong coffee. I was so worried about the trial I didn't sleep a wink last night. Benson: Me neither.

Soap - canceled TV shows - TV Series Finale Episodes: 85 (77 half-hours, eight hours), four seasons Show dates: September 13, 1977 — April 20, 1981 Show status: Cancelled/ended Performers include: Katherine Helmond, Robert Mandan, Cathryn Damon, Richard Mulligan, Ted Wass, Billy Crystal, Jennifer Salt, Jimmy Baio, Diana Canova, Arthur Peterson, Jay Johnson, Robert Guillaume, Donnelly Rhodes, Sal Viscuso, Rebecca Balding, Marla Pennington, John Byner, Dinah Manoff, Eugene Roche, Roscoe Lee Browne, Gordon Jump, Gregory Sierra, Nancy, Barbara Rhoades, Bob Seagren, Randee Heller, Caroline McWilliams, Inga Swenson, Jesse Welles, Allan Miller, Robert Urich, Howard Hesseman, Charles Lane, Lynne Moody, Joe Mantegna, and Rod Roddy. Series Description: This groundbreaking serial sitcom, created by Susan Harris, tells the story of two sisters — Jessica Tate (Katherine Helmond) and Mary Campbell (Cathryn Damon).

Naive Jessica is part of a rich family which includes her philandering husband Chester (Robert Mandan) and three children; man-crazy Corrine (Diana Conva), snotty Eunice (Jennifer Salt), and often-ignored Billy (Jimmy Baio). Jessica’s senile father, the Major (Arthur Peterson), and sarcastic butler Benson DuBois (Robert Guillaume) serve as consistent sources of humor and commentary on the crazy Tate household. Mary lives a middle-class life with her second husband Burt (Richard Mulligan) and two sons from her first marriage; gay Jodie Dallas (Billy Crystal) and Mafia tough guy Danny Dallas (Ted Wass). One of Burt’s sons, Chuck (Jay Johnson), also lives in the Campbell house. Chuck is a ventriloquist who believes that his nasty and constant companion puppet Bob is a live person. Later characters include convict Dutch Leitner (Donnelly Rhodes), Detective Donahue (John Byner), lawyer E. Ronald Mallu (Eugene Roche), and urbane butler Saunders (Roscoe Lee Browne). The series announcer is Rod Roddy.

Series Finale: Episode 85 Jessica has been kidnapped by El Puerco’s enemy and brought back to Malaguay. If El doesn’t return to the island, she’ll be killed. Mary is upset that her baby is likely half alien. After being hypnotized and regressed to a past life, Jodie still believes that he’s an old Jewish man named Julius. The Governor of Connecticut wants Burt to run as his Lieutenant Governor but insists that Burt distance himself from his crazy family. Before he can decide, Burt is lured into an ambush by thugs who’ve been told to kill him. Danny and Annie’s affair is discovered by a despondent Chester who’ll likely soon die in a duel with El. Feeling humiliated, he decides to shoot the pair first. Jessica tries to cajole and convince her captors not to execute her but is unsuccessful. She’s placed in front of a firing squad and we hear the guns fire. The series ends with several unresolved cliffhangers. First aired: April 20, 1981. What happened next?

In September 1983, over two years after the end of Soap, an episode of spin-off Benson gave viewers one last glimpse of Jessica Tate. In “God, I Need This Job,” Benson is very stressed about his job as budget director. It doesn’t help when he finds out that the Tates are trying to have still-missing Jessica declared legally dead. Moments later, his old friend appears to him in spirit form that only he can see. Jessica tells Benson that she needs to find a way to do a good deed that will help get her into heaven. After several bungled attempts, she succeeds in a way that also alleviates Benson’s problems. As the two share a tender farewell, Jessica realizes that she’s definitely not dead but is actually in a coma somewhere in South America. She tells him not to worry because she’ll get out of it somehow, she always does. As she “floats” out of the room, we hear the strains of Soap’s theme song one last time. The 31st episode of That ’70s Show called “Vanstock” includes a brief tribute to Soap.

During the end credits we hear Soap-like music and announcer Rod Roddy teases the audience about what will happen to the show’s characters. In the final scene, we see Chuck and Bob on the living room couch. The voice-over says “And what about Chuck and Bob? Oh wait, they’re not on this show!” Bob looks at Chuck and scolds, “See, I told you we weren’t on this show!” Chuck retorts, “Oh shut up, Bob.” The announcer ends the episode by saying, “Confused? You won’t be after the next episode of That ’70s Show!” (To hear more about this cameo, listen to the second part of our interview with Jay Johnson .) Soap - Complete TV Series on DVD Soap Soap The Complete Series DVD Set! Two families that have relationships as complex as those in a Russian novel, but a lot more fun. This controversial sitcom defined the late ’70s and was an instant classic! With its combination of implausible plots, exaggerated melodrama and a liberal dose of wackiness, this parody of TV soap operas was both popular and critically acclaimed, winning 4 Emmy Awards and 17 nominations.

Surprises and shenanigans abound between the families of two sisters, Jessica Tate and Mary Campbell, where each family member is either crazy, involved in an incriminating secret, or both. The unparalleled cast features Katherine Helmond (TV’s Who’s the Boss?), Richard Mulligan (TV’s Empty Nest), Robert Guillaume (TV’s Benson), Cathryn Damon (TV’s Webster), Robert Mandan (The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas), and Billy Crystal (When Harry Met Sally). Available Now! SOAP: THE INSIDE STORY OF THE SITCOM THAT BROKE ALL THE RULES by A.S. Berman Your shopping cart is empty! SOAP: THE INSIDE STORY OF THE SITCOM THAT BROKE ALL THE RULES by A.S. Berman $29.95 5/5 (1 reviews) Write a review Available Options Alternate Format PDF eBook (same price) (Download will be sent to you by Dropbox link; postage will be refunded to you as soon as possible.) Qty Reviews Description This is the story of two sisters, Jessica Tate and Mary Campbell, and the world that their two families made.

From its tumultuous beginnings in 1977 to its end by firing squad, onscreen and off, Soap was as passionate and controversial as the times in which it was made. During its four-year run, it tackled the subjects of sex, death, depression, infidelity, family, and the absurdities of the human condition, all with a wit and gentleness never before seen on American screens. Throughout that time, a vocal minority hounded the sitcom and its parent network, ABC, over its perceived irreverence toward the mores of a declining generation, even as the real world was convulsed by terrorism, energy crises and fallout from the Vietnam conflict and Watergate. Though continued pressures from these groups would bring about an early end to the series, its cast and crew would go on to change the face of American entertainment, earning Soap an enduring place in American culture. Go behind the scenes of the making of this classic show, from the producers’ battles with network censors over an earlier series to the creation of enduring story lines, such as the death of Peter Campbell and Corinne and Tim’s devil baby.

Based on interviews with nearly thirty members of the cast and crew, including creator Susan Harris, Katherine Helmond (Jessica) and directors Jay Sandrich and J. D. Lobue, and awash with extensive examination of every episode. Soap (1977) for Rent on DVD - DVD Netflix Color; interactive menus; scene access. Summary of Season 4 (1980) - 3 discs Jessica Tate (Katherine Helmond) is miraculously revived from death's door only to be abducted by a Latin American revolutionary in Season 4 of the cheeky soap opera satire. The final season doesn't skimp on wacky escapades as Jodie (Billy Crystal) undergoes therapy after falling for a woman and winds up channeling an old Jewish man, and the Tates and the Campbells deal with kidnappings, shocking paternity secrets, hookers and other absurdities. Soap (TV Series 1977–1981) - IMDb IMDb There was an error trying to load your rating for this title. Some parts of this page won't work property. Please reload or try later. X Beta I'm Watching This! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends.

Error The soap-operish antics of two families: the Campbells and the Tates. Creator: In a recap of season three, Jessica pleads with her guardian angel to allow her to rejoin her family on Earth. 7.9 The Tate family are rich and have many secrets to hide. The Campbell family are working class with many personal problems to tackle. 7.7 In the aftermath of Peter's murder, Chief of Police Tinkler goes over the facts with both the Tates and the Campbells. 7.7 a list of 36 titles created 06 Sep 2012 a list of 44 titles created 17 Sep 2012 a list of 32 titles created 28 Jun 2015 a list of 28 titles created 08 Jul 2015 a list of 30 titles created 5 months ago Search for " Soap " on Amazon.com Connect with IMDb Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 6 wins & 18 nominations.

See more awards » Photos The staff of a struggling radio station have a chance at success after the new programming director changes the format to rock music Stars: Gary Sandy, Gordon Jump, Loni Anderson The staff of a New York City taxicab company go about their job while they dream of greater things. Stars: Judd Hirsch, Jeff Conaway, Danny DeVito A working class bigot constantly squabbles with his family over the important issues of the day. Stars: Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, Rob Reiner The professional and personal misadventures of a psychologist and his family, patients, friends and colleagues. Stars: Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, Bill Daily Two men, a neat freak and a slob separated from their wives, have to live together despite their differences. Stars: Tony Randall, Jack Klugman, Al Molinaro The original rapid fire sketch comedy show. Stars: Dan Rowan, Dick Martin, Ruth Buzzi A compassionate teacher returns to his inner city high school of his youth to teach a new generation of trouble making kids.

Stars: Gabe Kaplan, Ron Palillo, John Travolta An anthology comedy series featuring a line up of different celebrity guest stars appearing in anywhere from one, two, three, and four short stories or vignettes within an hour about versions of love and romance. Stars: Stuart Margolin, Barbara Minkus, William Callaway The misadventures of a struggling rock band. Stars: Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork A greasy-spoon diner in Phoenix, Arizona is the setting for this long-running series. The title character, Alice Hyatt, is an aspiring singer who arrives in Phoenix with her teenaged son, ... See full summary » Stars: Linda Lavin, Beth Howland, Vic Tayback The misadventures of a divorced mother, her family, and their building superintendent in Indianapolis. Stars: Bonnie Franklin, Valerie Bertinelli, Pat Harrington Jr. The lives and trials of a young single woman and her friends, both at work and at home.

Stars: Mary Tyler Moore, Edward Asner, Gavin MacLeod Edit Storyline Parody of television soap-operas--the show's humor relies on exaggerating soap-operas' characteristic plot implausibility and melodrama to ridiculous extremes, then adds a fair bit of the truly bizarre, including some remarkable characters. Written by Tad Dibbern <DIBBERN_D@a1.mscf.upenn.edu> The Groundbreaking Comedy Series! See more » Genres: 13 September 1977 (USA) See more » Also Known As: Did You Know? Trivia Even though Billy Crystal played Ted Wass's younger brother, Billy is actually older than Ted. See more » Quotes See more » Crazy Credits Original network broadcasts opened with an on-screen content warning. This was one of the first TV programs to include such a warning, though such disclaimers are now commonplace. See more » Connections – See all my reviews This is a show that everyone deserves a chance to see. A more brilliant cast and crew was never assembled for anything! These days, they talk about how "Friends" and "Seinfeld" have such great ensembles--"Soap" wrote the book on great ensembles!

The only ones since which even come close are, first and foremost, the cast of "Remember WENN," and possibly the cast of "Frasier." Everyone was great. Jay Johnson as demure Chuck and his daffy doll Bob, and Ted Wass as dim bulb Danny were always hilarious. Enigmatic but always worth a belly laugh was Arthur Peterson as the shell-shocked Major, forever trapped in his own little war. Anyone who's seen the episode with Sigmund, the Major's long-dead, moth-eaten stuffed dog (that he still believes to be alive) knows why the Major was so funny. Billy Crystal brought an understated air of dignity to his role as homosexual Jodie. Robert Guillaume won an Emmy beffore departing into his own spinoff as back-talking, "I-ain't-getting-that," tell-it-like-it-is butler Benson. His show, "Benson," ran longer than "Soap," and he won a Best Actor Emmy there. But the main part of the show--the planets the other characters revolved around--were Katherine Helmond, Cathryn Damon, Richard Mulligan, and Robert Mandan as the Tates and Campbells.

Richard Mulligan was sidesplitting as Burt Campbell, a nervous, rubber-faced ball of energy. His physical comedy scenes were way out there, especially one where he stumbles in drunk, accidentally steps up onto a table, and is afraid to come down. Equally funny is a scene in which he and Danny are playing "police chase" while sitting in chairs in the living room. He was a great balance for the late Cathryn Damon, who beautifully and elegantly portrayed Mary Campbell. though some of her best stuff was when she really let loose (check out the third season), Damon's Mary was always a little more down-to-earth than the other characters, and one of the best-played on the show. They couldn't have matched up a better couple than these two, and it shows. Mulligan won an Emmy for "Soap" in 1980, and was nominated again the following year. Damon also won in '80, and was nominated each of the four seasons except the second, where Mary had less to do than usual. Surely, the episode she won for had to have been the one in which Mary thinks she has seen Burt disappear before her very eyes.

She goes over to the Tates' house and, trying to explain it all, lapses into insanity. By the time it's done, she's saying that she's crazy and laughing hysterically. That is classic television. Robert Mandan was big fun as pompous, skirt-chasing Chester, and was a great balance to my favorite, Katherine Helmond, as loony and delightfully dim Jessica Tate, Mary's sister. Helmond was dynamic, making the most of every second of screen time. She had a lot of top moments during the course of the show. Once, Jessica was being kidnapped by guerillas, and she has them put down their guns and help her move some furniture first, then asks if she can call "the nail lady" to cancel her appointment tomorrow--it seems that she charges anyway if you don't show up--then pulls the soldiers' own guns on them. Jessica's murder trial provides some of the show's most hilarious events. There's the time Jessica and her lawyer were in a small room outside the courtroom before the verdict is read, and her lawyer grabs her and tells her he loves her.

At this moment, in comes Chester, and Jessica (fearful of what Chester would say) launches into a a waltz with her lawyer. She claims that they're learning the Hustle, and invites Chester to join. In a matter of seconds, the three are strutting around and dancing. To this day, it's one of the funniest things I've ever seen. The first day of the trial is one of the show's best scenes. Jessica, late along with her family and already having made a bad impression on the judge), bursts into the courtroom and begins hugging and greeting people as if hosting a party. She walks up to the judge and explains her tardiness, managing to unwittingly toss in an insult to "the idiotic inefficiency of the judicial system." She then looks over and gasps. She asks proudly, "Is this my jury?" She goes over to them, arms open, before she is pulled to her seat. She then has a friendly conversation with the prosecutor before getting up and trying to pull the defense and prosecution tables together. "It creates an almost antagonistic atmosphere," she says. "So 'them vs. us." She is later appalled by the slanderous words of the prosecutor and stands.

"I don't have to take this--I'm going." Her attempt to storm out is stopped, but she warns: "All right, but if he continues in this manner, I will not come back tomorrow." Than, to the prosecutor: "Go ahead. But be nice." She could be dramatic, too, though; once, in one of her best moments on the show, Jessica single-handedly exorcises the Devil from her baby grandson in a bravura performance. Even after watching only one episode, it's easy to see why she was nominated (but, oddly enough, never won) for an Emmy every season that "Soap" was on the air. With a cast like this, what show could go wrong? 32 of 34 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes Soap | TV Series | 1977 Soap | 1977 Comedy A spoof of TV soap operas, in which the lives of two sisters are chronicled: the wealthy Jessica Tate, and the not-so-rich Mary Campbell, and the outlandish activities of their families, residents of the town of Dunns ...

more 60 mins Soap - Show News, Reviews, Recaps and Photos - TV.com EDIT Soap is a tale about two sisters, Mary Campbell & Jessica Tate. While the Tates are a rich family, the Campbells are just another blue-collared family, but they go through amazing and crazy situations. This series will make you travel through a world of crazy and funny situation that happen all in the family.

#13 in the 1977-1978 Season #19 in the 1978-1979 Season #25 in the 1979-1980 Season Not in Top 30 in the 1980-1981 Season From September 1977 to March 1978 it was aired on Tuesdays from 9:00 to 9:30pm From September 1978 to March 1980 it was aired on Thursdays from 9:00 to 9:30pm From October 1980 to January 1981 it was aired on Wednesdays from 9:00 to 9:30pm From March to April 1981 it was aired on Mondays from 10:30 to 11:00pm

Question: Which American TV sitcom featured the families of sisters Jessica Tate and Mary Campbell?
Answer: Soap