Soap Operas Conference

Soap Operas in Popular Culture Conference

October 31 & November 1, 2025  

The Department of Popular Culture and the School of Cultural and Critical Studies at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio, are proud to announce the Soap Operas in Popular Culture Conference.

Soap Operas are serialized dramatic programs that are characterized by a permanent cast of actors, continuing storylines, an emphasis on dialogue instead of action, a slow pace, and a consistently sentimental or melodramatic treatment. These programs began in the early 1930s with 15-minute daytime radio episodes that were often sponsored by manufacturers of soap and detergents. By the 1950s, soap operas dominated late morning and early afternoon weekday television programming as they had dominated a similar time period in radio programming during the previous decade. Plots emphasized romantic entanglements and marital problems. By the 1970s and 1980s the style and content of soap operas had been revolutionized. Controversial or previously taboo topics such as abortion, drug use, domestic violence, and sexually transmitted diseases were now openly discussed. Episodes also dealt more directly with promiscuous behavior, violence, and criminal activity. The format eventually moved into primetime viewing hours.

A key feature of the genre has been its profound understanding of the feminine perspective, often portraying their central female characters as strong embodiments of womanhood. Starting in the early 2000s daytime soap operas experienced an overall decline in viewership, with several programs being cancelled between 2007-2012 due to flagging ratings. Part of the reason for this decline is increased competition from other TV genres like talk shows, tabloid news programs, and reality shows that have drawn viewers away from soaps.

The scope of this conference is deliberately broad with the intention of highlighting the interdisciplinary nature and many avenues of research possible within Popular Culture Studies. For this conference, “Soap Opera” is being defined within the broadest possible terms to include both daytime and primetime serialized programming, international programs and formats like telenovelas, Internet-based programming, and more.

Alan Locher

Soap Opera fan and long-time publicist for As the World Turns and Guiding Light, Alan Locher, will be the keynote speaker at the conference. Locher has spent the last three decades working in communications and marketing in the film, TV and tourism industries. He began his career at The Walt Disney Studios in film promotions before finding his niche in publicity. In Alan’s eight-year tenure at Disney, he worked closely with talent and studio executives on marketing more than 200 films. Following Disney, he transitioned to the agency side of the business, serving as the Senior Account Director for Rubenstein Public Relations.

Alan later led the PR team for two legendary Procter & Gamble Productions, As the World Turns and Guiding Light. From November 2010 up until the pandemic, Alan managed a team of 30 across marketing, sales and operations for On Location Tours, one of the world’s largest TV and movie tour companies. At the start of the pandemic, Alan created The Locher Room, a virtual talk show on YouTube featuring celebrity guests from daytime, primetime and film. He also created a sub-series, Conversations with Alan, dedicated to the rise of hate, racism and antisemitism. Alan has produced over 500 episodes to date and has raised more than $130,000 for various charities. 

Alan spent two years as the Vice President, Sales for Truescope, a media intelligence company and joined Fotostori, a photo organizing company, earlier this year as the Director of Operations. He is a graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University. 

Call for Papers and Presentations

We are seeking presentations by graduate students, academics, television industry professionals, longtime viewers and fans interested in the study of Soap Operas as an iconic Popular Culture format.

Possible topics might include but are not limited to:

  • Textual analysis of specific programs, characters, storylines, and other texts related to Soap Operas
  • Analysis of specific television producers, writers, performers, & creators
  • Soap Operas and Diversity (race, gender, sexuality, disability, social class)
  • Fandom and Soap Opera-related publications
  • Soap Operas on Old-Time Radio
  • International Soap Operas
  • Audience analysis and Soap Operas as a reflection of cultural values and concerns
  • The evolution of Soap Operas within the television and media landscape
  • The future of Soap Operas in the 21st century

Please send a 300-word abstract describing your individual presentation to soapoperas@bgsu.edu with “Soap Operas in Popular Culture” in the subject line. Panel, roundtable, performance, and artistic display proposals should include a 300-word proposal for each individual and a 500-word proposal explaining the group presentation.

Submissions should be sent in a Microsoft Word document attachment with the following information:  

  • Author’s Name/Title

  • Institutional Affiliation (if applicable)
  • Email Address

  • Presentation Title and Abstract  

Deadline for Submissions is July 7, 2025.

Contact Dr. Charles Coletta or Dr. Matthew Donahue at soapoperas@bgsu.edu if you have questions.

Updated: 03/17/2025 09:49AM