I have done some research into soaps to find out what makes them popular with certain age groups. I handed out questionnaires to people ranging from the under 16's category, to the 50+ category to give me a wide range of vies and opinions on what made soap operas popular and interesting to certain age groups. I hope this will enable to make my soap more popular when I come to make it. This is a copy of the questionnaire I handed out.
Soap Opera Questionnaire Adam Howard
What age group do you fit into?
Under 16’s 16-24 24-30 30-50 50+ Do you watch soap operas regularly?
What is your favourite soap opera?
What attracts you to watch a soap opera?
Why is it your favourite soap?
Who do you think is the most memorable soap character of all time, and what makes them so memorable?
What was the most memorable scene of all time and why?
Where is the most enviable soap setting?
Originally I handed out 25 questionnaires, the biggest age group being the 16-24 age group. 11 questionnaires were filled out by the 16-24 age group and 9 of them claimed they watched soap operas regularly. 6 people said that Hollyoaks was their favourite soap, while Eastenders got 3 votes. The 3 fans of Eastenders sighted good/interesting storylines as the reason for their popularity, while the fans of Hollyoaks stated the fact if was targeted at a younger audience, plus an attractive cast, were reasons why it was so popular. 9 people said the episode where Phil got shot was the most memorable episode, as it was dramatic with good action, and had a bit of mystery to it. Peggy (Barbra Windsor) was the most popular character with 7 of the people, with Phil Mitchell in second.
5 questionnaires were handed out to the 50+ age group. 4 claimed to watch soaps daily, with 3 stating that Eastenders was their favourite soap. The 3 of them all agreed the realistic storylines attracted them to the soap. Interestingly, there were 4 different votes for favourite scene. Phil getting shot again got a vote, but was joined by the scene where Betty from Emmerdale was shot in the face by Paul; Little Mo standing up to her abusive husband Trevor in Eastenders and the lesbian kiss between Sarah and Zoe in Hollyoaks also got a vote.
Eastenders was the most popular soap opera with the 24-30 age group, with Phil Mitchell being the most memorable soap character of the time, and with his scene where he gets shot also being the most memorable.
I found my first vote for the "nations most popular soap" in the under 16's category, with Coronation Street getting its first pick. Doctors also got a vote. Peggy Mitchell and Norris from Coronation Street were voted the most memorable characters, with the Little Mo standing up to Trevor scene getting picked again as most memorable scene. Sarah Platt having a baby got the other vote.
