Soap
1977 - 1981
A soap opera parody about a dysfunctional family and their bizarre relationships and adventures.
- Stars: Katherine Helmond, Rod Roddy, Cathryn Damon, Richard Mulligan, Ted Wass, Robert Mandan, Billy Crystal, Jennifer Salt, Jimmy Baio, Arthur Peterson, Jay Johnson, Diana Canova, Robert Guillaume, Gregory Sierra, Howard Hesseman
- Created by: Susan Harris
- Tags: family, quirky, spoof
Where to Watch :
Episode Tropes
Season 1
- Limp Willy: Episode 1 (1977). Mary is fed up because Burt hasn't been able to get it up for six months; Burt reveals in an aside that it's because he feels guilty for killing Mary's first husband.
- What a Dummy: Episode 7 (1977). Burt's son, Chuck, arrives from Hawaii with Bob, his ventriloquist dummy that he treats like a real person.
- Walt Disney: Episode 13 (1978). After Peter's funeral, the Tates and Campbells are discussing what they want to happen to them after they die, and Chester says he wants to be frozen so that when they find a cure for what killed him, he can be revived.
- False Arrest: Episode 14 (1977). Everyone is shocked when Chief Tinkler arrests Corrine for Peter's murder, but it's not long before the Chief absolves Corrine and arrests someone else.
- False Arrest: Episode 16 (1978). The Tates and Campbells are shocked again when all the evidence from Peter's murder points to Jessica as his killer, and Chief Tinkler arrests her. Eventually, someone else will confess to the crime.
- I'm My Own Grandpa: Episode 20 (1978). Howard Hesseman, who previously played a defense attorney who refused to take Jessica's case, returns as his twin brother, who's prosecuting Jessica's case.
- See You in Court: Episode 21 (1978). Jessica is put on trial for Peter's murder, even though she maintains her innocence.
- Going Your Way: Episode 25 (1978). After Corrine tempts him for over 20 episodes, Father Tim Flotsky finally decides to leave the priesthood to be with her, and he asks her to marry him.
Season 2
- Sham Wedding: Episode 2 (1978). Danny marries Elaine Lefkowitz, even though he doesn't love her and thinks she's a "pig," because if he doesn't, her crime boss father will kill him.
- The Old Pie in the Face Gag: Episode 3 (1978). Mary gets fed up with Elaine's constant complaining and insulting everyone at dinner, so she throws their dessert, a chocolate cream pie, in her face.
- Amnesia: Episode 6 (1978). Chester wakes up from a coma and can't remember who he is or who any of his family members are.
- Hot for Student: Episode 8 (1978). When Mary decides to go to college, her English professor drives her home and gets into the house by asking for aspirin, then tries to make out with her.
- Sham Wedding: Episode 12 (1978). Jodie plans to marry Carol, even though he's gay, because she's pregnant with his child. However, she doesn't show up, and he's left alone at the altar.
- Close Encounter: Episode 20 (1979). Burt sees a flying saucer, and nobody believes him. Later, he's proven right when the aliens abduct him and replace him with a duplicate.
- Sure, I'll Join Your Cult: Episode 22 (1979). A beautiful former classmate convinces Billy to join a cult called the Sunnies, but Billy realizes something's up and tries to leave, prompting the cult to hold him prisoner and brainwash him.
Season 3
- Hot for Teacher: Episode 4 (1979). Billy falls for his teacher, and shockingly, she falls for him, too. Later, they actually begin dating.
- Sneaking Around: Episode 10, (1979). Chester is with a woman in a hotel room when Jessica shows up unexpectedly, so he tells his date to get down on all fours, and he covers her with a blanket and pretends she's a table.
- World Record: Episode 14 (1980). Burt tries to break a world record so he can leave a legacy when he dies, but every attempt he makes fails.
- Election: Episode 18 (1980). After Burt learns that he's not dying, he wants to help his fellow man, so he launches a campaign to run for sheriff.
- See You in Court: Episode 20 (1980). Carol sues Jodie for custody of their daughter, Wendy, and Jodie goes to court to plead his case.
Season 4
- Weird Wedding Venue: Episode 4 (1980). Eunice and Dutch get married in the Tate family home.
- Limp Willy: Episode 10 (1981). When Jessica and Chester get officially divorced, Chester struggles to get it up with his girlfriend, Annie.
- Kidney Transplant: Episode 11 (1981). Danny gets caught in the crossfire when criminals come after his new girlfriend, and both his kidneys are damaged. Only a blood relative can donate a kidney, and Mary's won't do. When Jodie volunteers, Mary has to confess that Danny has a different father.
- 15 Minutes of Fame: Episode 14 (1981). Burt takes on a whole mob in retaliation for the boss disgracing him in public, and his bravery makes him famous overnight, but the fame makes him act like a jerk.
Character Tropes
- Sassy Butler: Benson - Played by Robert Guillaume.
- Sweet Summer Child: Jessica Tate - Played by Katherine Helmond.