Soap Operas Russianwise

Program of any TV channel shows that prime time is mainly given to news, talk shows and soap operas. There are three ways for a channel to include a serial into air time: buy foreign film series, create something original, probably basing on books of famous writers, or buy the rights for filming a version of a world popular serial. In any case, a serial is sure to have its audience; though some people do not consider soap operas as kind of art, because they are mostly purely commercial, with primitive plotline and lots of ads in breaks. Soap operas (produced in Mexico, USA, and Brazilia) were shown on Russian TV for the first time in the 90-s: Isaura the Slave, Santa-Barbara, The Rich Also Cry – were the main topic at work, in shops, everywhere.

The plotline circled around a man and a woman who loved each other but couldn’t be together due to insuperable hindrances; there were villains and envious persons, lots of beautiful women and courageous men in picturesque surroundings (keep in mind that at that time few people could afford traveling abroad whereas today a vacation to Egypt, Turkey or India is a common practice). No wonder these soap operas aroused genuine interest and passion, mainly in women who were trapped in work-and-household charges. Actors who played main characters came afterwards to Moscow to meet their admirers; it was an undoubted box-office success for the concert agency that organized their arrival.

In a while the range of soap operas on Russian TV increased; lots of teenager serials appeared: Beverly Hills 90210, Charles In Charge, Bossom, Helen et Garcons. Their success was confirmed by sales of t-shirts, posters, bags, notebooks, chewing-gums with pictures of main characters; at school teenagers would “distribute the roles” and behave like their favorite actors. In a while all-age humor serials were bought by Russian channels – Friends, 3rd Planet From The Sun, Alf, The Simpsons, First Russian TV series mostly reflected the social and economical situation in the country: redistribution of capital which took place in the 90-s in the form of numerous criminal grouping.

Attributes of “brethren” that entered folklore and anecdotes of the whole decade – raspberry jackets, weighty gold neck chain, expensive cars, and jeeps mostly, certain slang and “notions” – are the core features of such soap operas as Brigade. This type of serials developed into endless stories about work and life of policemen – lots of blood, guns, military humor and a tinge of love (to attract housewives); some of them have sequels like Cops-3, Streets Of Broken Lamps-6 etc. Several years ago historical serials came into fashion, based of books by Dostoevsky, Bulgakov, Akunin; they ARE to be considered as art, because plotlines, decorations, technical decisions, actors involved create an interesting and beautiful film which is pleasant to see and discuss with friends.

It seems like today Russian TV producers prefer a sure-to-be-success variant: buying the rights to remake a world famous serial. Today one of the most popular serials filmed on such conditions is Born Unpretty (the title in Russian resembles a part of well-known saying-wish: don’t be born a beauty, but be born happy). The story about the ugly secretary in unrequited love for her boss was embodied by broadcasting companies of many countries (Japan and China included). Main characters of these serials have different names and face specific national problems, but all of them have disgusting taste in clothes, idiotic glasses and teeth brackets. The first serial with such plotline and character was shot in Colombia under the title Betty the Plain Girl; it was so popular that even the president of the country participated in one episode.

Then the marketing rights were redeemed by American company SONY that started selling them in different countries. The remakes Betty The Plain Girl where accepted by audience enthusiastically everywhere; female performers of main characters became super popular, but it was always a problem to find an actress to play a plain girl – many women refused to look ugly in the film; those who agreed are real beauties in normal life. In Venezuela remake, Fat Girl, the leading actress Natalia Streignard put on latex suit to look as if she weighted 30 kilograms more. In German variant according to the plot the main character was only a waitress in a café (and not the director’s assistant as in the original); the serial was so popular that it was extended to 225 series instead of usual 169.

Russian remake Born Unpretty has been a top-ten leader in various ratings from the very beginning, the “ugly” clothes for the unpretty are designed by best fashion masters, the main theme performed by young singer who participated in Eurovision 2004 is one of the most popular ring tones; a contest was held for the best end of the plotline – everyone likes a-la Cinderella stories, because they are giving belief for the best and distract from everyday reality. There are also humor serials (situation comedy) that involve no drastic events or changes in life of main characters; they show common people in everyday situations which are worthy to laugh at.

Sasha and Masha is a remake of Canadian serial; mainly there are two main characters in front of the camera – husband and wife, so the effect of hidden camera is partially created. They rent a flat, go to their friends, have breakfast, get ready for vacation, go to the cinema, – and behave as average Russian of their age and income, which makes the serial a favorite among audience. According to the original serial, they don’t have children; so the channel bought the rights for American soap opera Married with Children and shot its Russian version, which is somehow a logical sequel of Sasha and Masha.

The original is the most successful project in history of the American TV; owing to this serial FOX Network less than in a year has turned from the little-known company to one of leaders of the American TV. Married with Children was successfully shown for more than 10 years; it’s amounted to 10 % of the American families (more than 40 million people). The characters of Russian version live in a big city in the middle of Russia, have mean income and do nothing extraordinary. According to general producer of the channel, “these are ordinary people who try to overcome ordinary problems with humor – it is much easier to live this way”. We’ll see.