eral elections. In soap opera this contemporary setting goes further than just modern day, they like to appear as if to be on the same day as the audience watching. This is achieved by covering the general elections as mentioned and characters making reference to the weekend in a Friday episode. The “Secular Action” in Coronation Street is clear as the narrative is character driven and the events are always seen from the characters point of view. “Secular Action“ is particularly prevalent in Coronations street rather than the other big soaps such as Brookside and Eastenders because Coronation Street relies on its characters for its narrative rather than big explosions and car chases that can be seen in the others.The “Socially extended” characteristic can be seen with most of the main characters working in the factory or pub. Although characters are present that wouldn’t be strictly defined as “working class” such as Mike Baldwin who owns the factory or Natalie Barnes who owns the pub, in Coronation Street it is important to note that these characters are easily immediately visible to the working class.Many commentators compare British Soaps with American soaps when discussing Realism. “ Realism is one of those words, like morality or wealth, whose definition is subjective. On the soaps reality is an artificial thing that is always being manipulated for the plot’s benefit… British soaps work in a naturalistic context which the American soaps do not attempt…..the British go for what I might call a “flattened” reality, a middle brow nuts and bolts, everyday sort of reality.”(All For Love, A Study in Soap Opera, Peter Buckingham, Secker & Warberg 1984, p.45)American Soap Operas such as Dallas or Dynasty are set in a contemporary setting but they are not concerned with secular action. These soaps rely on extravagant story – lines, a famous ...
