daytime soaps should address health crisis
Credit: Images: Jill Johnson/JPI, Howard Wise/JPI (2), XJ Johnson/JPI

Daytime’s been served an unusual opportunity to support and comfort its audience.

Growing up, I looked to daytime television not only for entertainment but inspiration. And when the soaps resume production, I want to be able to do that again — by seeing the shows incorporate into their storylines accurate, informative and uplifting depictions of these trying times.

I know some of you are already shaking your heads no so vigorously, you’re at risk of giving yourselves whiplash. In fact, my colleague Richard Simms disagrees so strongly with me, he’s writing a counterpoint to my opinion to run tomorrow. But hear me out, if you will…

None of us are really happy currently, are we? None of us are at ease. We are separated from many, if not all, of our loved ones and have been taken out of routines that we hadn’t even realized we’d liked until they were out the window. So what could be more relatable than plots, or at least subplots, in which our favorite characters are forced to struggle with the same sorts of upheaval?

It sounds like a downer, I know. “I don’t want to watch The Young and the Restless’ Phyllis and Nick wipe down their groceries!” you might say. But what if they also showed us a way that we hadn’t thought of to keep the romance alive during this stressful period? What if Days of our Lives’ Marlena found just the right words to comfort and reassure her worried grandchildren — and us along with them?

I take strength from my family and, crazy as it may sound, I consider the Bradys and the Forresters, the Spencers and the Abbotts, family. I want to see them face — and overcome — our current obstacles so that I can tell myself, “Hey, if Liam and Hope can get through this, so can I!” What do you think? Am I nuts to want real life, difficult as it may be, reflected in the shows when they get back in action? Hit the comments with your thoughts.

Before you go, check out our gallery on what our favorite soap characters would be doing during quarantine.