Soap

Soap, a 1970s comedy, was a popular spoof on daytime soap operas. Featuring melodramatic stories and former soap opera stars, Robert Mandan, Donnelly Rhodes, and Arthur Peterson, Jr., Soap is one of the most respected television comedies of all time, appearing on lists from Time magazine and T.V. Guide. The show lasted for four seasons before being canceled. Fans met this abrupt cancellation with outrage, seeing as series creator Susan Harris had outlined a story arc for a fifth season. Soap was one of the first American sitcomes to feature an openly gay character. Jodie Dallas, played by Billy Crystal, was viewed as controversial among conservative groups as well as gay rights activists for the characters desire to take part in a sex change operation. Regardless of the criticism, Soap became a ratings powerhouse throughout its run. Other cast members included Jimmy Baio, Roscoe Lee Browne, Diana Canova, Cathryn Damon, Robert Urich, and Richard Mulligan. Soap originally aired on ABC. MORE