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Lemme Tell Ya ’Bout Soap - The Sitcom That Changed Television Forever
In this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, Tom dives into the wildly influential, boundary-pushing sitcom Soap — the 1977 ABC comedy that redefined what network television could say, show, and satirize. Created by Susan Harris, Soap shattered sitcom conventions with serialized storytelling, sharp political satire, and fearless social commentary that tackled taboo topics long before mainstream TV was ready.
Tom explores how Soap paved the way for modern television comedy, influencing everything from Arrested Development to Desperate Housewives, while also examining the controversy, protests, and network pressure that surrounded the show from day one. From Billy Crystal’s groundbreaking performance to the absurd brilliance of the Tate and Campbell families, this episode breaks down why Soap still matters decades later.
If you love television history, classic sitcoms, or the behind-the-scenes stories of how creative risks reshape pop culture, this is a must-watch conversation.
Topics include:
– Why Soap was considered revolutionary television
– The backlash and cultural panic surrounding the show
– How Soap changed sitcom storytelling forever
– The legacy of Susan Harris and the cast
– Why Soap still feels modern today
The Tom Gulley Show delivers thoughtful, entertaining deep dives into pop culture, media history, and the stories that shaped entertainment as we know it. See episodes of Soap on Tubi here:
https://tubitv.com/series/300007078/soap
thetomgulleyshow.com
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By Tom Gulley
3
1414 ratings
In this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, Tom dives into the wildly influential, boundary-pushing sitcom Soap — the 1977 ABC comedy that redefined what network television could say, show, and satirize. Created by Susan Harris, Soap shattered sitcom conventions with serialized storytelling, sharp political satire, and fearless social commentary that tackled taboo topics long before mainstream TV was ready.
Tom explores how Soap paved the way for modern television comedy, influencing everything from Arrested Development to Desperate Housewives, while also examining the controversy, protests, and network pressure that surrounded the show from day one. From Billy Crystal’s groundbreaking performance to the absurd brilliance of the Tate and Campbell families, this episode breaks down why Soap still matters decades later.
If you love television history, classic sitcoms, or the behind-the-scenes stories of how creative risks reshape pop culture, this is a must-watch conversation.
Topics include:
– Why Soap was considered revolutionary television
– The backlash and cultural panic surrounding the show
– How Soap changed sitcom storytelling forever
– The legacy of Susan Harris and the cast
– Why Soap still feels modern today
The Tom Gulley Show delivers thoughtful, entertaining deep dives into pop culture, media history, and the stories that shaped entertainment as we know it. See episodes of Soap on Tubi here:
https://tubitv.com/series/300007078/soap
thetomgulleyshow.com