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NEWS: Television soap operas set a poor example BMJ 2007; 335: 325-d [Full text]

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Yes, they do.

Alan Challoner   (17 August 2007)

Life is not a television soap opera

Hugh Mann   (3 February 2008)

Yes, they do. 17 August 2007
Alan Challoner, Retired LL71 7DL Send response to journal: Re: Yes, they do.	The researchers found that alcohol related behaviour frequently appears on the four most popular UK television soap operas (EastEnders, Coronation Street, Emmerdale, and Hollyoaks), but not drink-driving nor drinking or smoking during pregnancy. [1] The title of the paper was ‘Television soap operas set a poor example’, and with this I agree but for other reasons. The particular element that offends me is the representation of a ‘popular culture’ that seems to indicate that life as we live it contains a perpetual round of argument, shouting, anger, tears, bad language, poor relationships and other negative aspects of life in general. This is not representative of normal life in UK but it gives younger people and new people entering the country a slant that is easily copied and does little to restrain actions and emotions, a restraint for which the UK has been famously represented in the past. It is time that there was a counter-image presented that really reflects what we would like British culture to be. [1] J Epidemiol Community Health 2007;61:575-7 Competing interests: None declared
Life is not a television soap opera 3 February 2008
Hugh Mann, Physician Eagle Rock, MO 65641 USA Send response to journal: Re: Life is not a television soap opera	We are all hypnotized by television. The programs, commercials, graphics, and colors are designed to overwhelm our minds. In effect, we are being brainwashed to suspend our judgment and buy products we don't need. If we can't stop watching TV, we should simply get rid of it. I don't own a TV and haven't watched it in years. Getting rid of my TV was liberating. It gave me more time to think, read, write, socialize, exercise, relax, and sleep. I'm sure it will do the same for others. We need to live our real lives, not the fantasy lives of TV characters. Competing interests: None declared