Люди
Watching TV is a very popular pastime in the UK. But what kind of programmes do British
people like to watch? Well, the most-watched TV programmes every week are very popular
dramas that are usually on at least four times every week. They are dramas based in one
neighbourhood that try to depict ordinary life in the UK - we call these dramas 'soap
operas' or 'soaps'.
In the early days of TV, there were often dramas on during the day. Back in those days, it
was traditional for the husband to go out to work and for the wife to stay at home and look
after the house and the children. Most of these daytime dramas were aimed at entertaining
the housewives who would traditionally be at home, probably doing the washing.
Companies selling washing powder would advertise their products at times when these
dramas were on, and sometimes those companies would even sponsor the drama. Hence
the word 'soap'.
So what about the word opera? Well, that's because these dramas are often an exaggeration
of real life. They are supposed to represent ordinary lives but, to make them entertaining, lots
of dramatic events, like murders, divorces, affairs etc., all happen probably much more
regularly than they would in a normal neighbourhood.
Most soap operas these days are shown in the evening. Each show will have several
different storylines happening at once that continue over several shows. The same cast
members will appear in every show, too.
rrornonding meaning​

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