IOdds and Endsl Timothy Graham - Richardson, TX Usa Granberg · Tacoma. WA Joy Gregg· Columbiana. OH James Griffith - Viburnum. MO Ronald Grinnell - Oxford, AR Sabel Guifarro - Slidell, LA Michael Gulley - Dongola, IL Michael Gurganus· Cordova, AL Brenda Haas · Roanoke. IL Bradley HaddIx - Flint. Ml Dolla Hall · W. Memphis. AR Kevin Hall - Dundee. OR John Hamm - St. Jacob. IL Ramona Handy - Mena. AR Anthony Hankins · Oil Trough. AR Ronald Harlow · Cold Springs, KY Sheila H~per - Memphis, TN Jeri Harrington . Hartsburg, MO Gregory Harris · Senath. MO Jerry Harris - Lawrenceville , GA Philip Harris· Southaven, MS The Soap Opera Addiction On any given weekday. one can find Harding students gathered around the television sets in the Student Center, American Heritage lobby, and in the various dorms. What is the magnetism that draws people to the television sets? Soap Operas. What makes soap operas so enticing - is it the glamour, romance, and adventure? Do people watch the soaps because they are bored? Are they put· ting off work? Do the shows provide a period of relaxation in the middle of the day? The popularity of soap operas lies in all of these. What would General Hospital be without the romance of Luke and Laura? Would All My Children ever be the same without a villain like Palmer Courtland? What would the summer and spring breaks be like if one cou ld not catch up on his favorite soap? The same characteristics that make soap operas enticing are the ones that make them addictive, One student went so far as to put his favorite soap opera on his class schedule so he would not be disturbed during the show. When one real izes the powerful display of emotionsranging from intense passion to deadly hatred - it becomes easier to understand the habit forming qualities of soap operas_ During a murder in· vest igation on The Guiding Light, Tonya Mitchell asked one of her teachers to let her out of class ear ly so she could examine the clues and come to her own conclusion of who did it. Unfortunately, the teacher did not comply with her reo quest. A lot of people are devoted fans of soap operas not because of the intense emot ions they see, but simply because they developed the habit of watching them, For example, when one is sick or home for the holidays, he might turn on the television "j ust for some sound." However, before too long, the soap opera's magnetism has started drawing him toward the television set. All of a sudden, he realizes he is becoming in· valved in the lives of Eric Hollister. Alan Spaulding, Erica Kane. and others. Yes. soap operas are addictive, but they do have redeeming qualities. If one is watching a soap opera. that is an hour of the day he can put everything from his mind and enjoy himse lf. Soap operas may also serve as a conversation piece, According to Clay Sturgeon. "When Lori comes in and can't believe that Brandon is divorc· ing his wife, I need to be able to understand what's going on. Plus, it's on everyday. It gives you something to do. I do think that soap operas have become too explicit, though. " Another benefit of watching the serials is one can release his tensions by getting involved with the characters. Sharon Har · ri s pointed out a redeeming quality of soap operas by commenting that soap operas were good because " they provide escape - like a good movie." Therefore. as you look at the clock and see it is time for All My Children, The Young and Restless, or As the World Turns, remember there are others like you, who cannot wait until it is time for " their story." ~ - Michele Ellis - Chrislopher Thompson AS THE time draws near for the aftemoon soaps, the student centers television attracts many viewers. Cutts-Harris 153
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