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Soap was an American sitcom that aired on ABC from 1977 to 1981. The show was a satirical take on soap operas, with the main characters often experiencing outlandish and absurd situations. The show was created by Susan Harris, who would go on to create other successful sitcoms like The Golden Girls.

One of the main characters on the show was Jessica Tate, played by Katherine Helmond. Jessica Tate was the matriarch of the Tate family and often found herself in bizarre circumstances, including being kidnapped by aliens and held for ransom. She had a strained relationship with her husband, Chester Tate, played by Robert Mandan, who was a philanderer and constantly cheating on her.

Cathryn Damon played Mary Campbell, Jessica's sister, who was often trying to find a man to settle down with. She ended up marrying Burt Campbell, played by Richard Mulligan, who was a self-proclaimed "dummy" but had a heart of gold.

Robert Guillaume played Benson, the Tate family butler, who would go on to star in his own spin-off show called Benson. Benson was often the voice of reason on the show and would sometimes break the fourth wall to address the audience.

Jimmy Baio played Billy Tate, the youngest member of the Tate family. He was often caught up in his own love life, which included relationships with both men and women.

One of the most controversial storylines on the show was the character of Jodie Dallas, played by Billy Crystal. Jodie was one of the first openly gay characters on television and the show dealt with his coming out and subsequent relationships. The storyline was praised for its depiction of a gay character but also faced backlash from conservative groups.

The structure of the show was unique in that it followed multiple storylines at once and often ended episodes on cliffhangers. Soap operas were notorious for their melodrama and Soap played into that by exaggerating the plotlines and adding comedic elements.

The show was a critical and commercial success during its run, but faced controversy from some groups who claimed it was too vulgar and inappropriate for television. The show tackled controversial topics like homosexuality, infidelity, and even murder. Despite the controversy, the show won four Emmy Awards during its run and remains a cult favorite to this day.

In conclusion, Soap was a groundbreaking sitcom that parodied soap operas while also tackling complex issues. The show had a talented cast of actors who brought their unique characters to life in a way that was both hilarious and touching. While the show courted controversy during its run, it remains a classic example of how sitcoms can push boundaries and challenge societal norms.

Soap is a series that ran for 4 seasons (90 episodes) between September 13, 1977 and on ABC