Some of the most memorable shows of all time were good old-fashioned primetime soap operas.
Think “Dallas,” “Dynasty” and “Knott’s Landing.” All of these were long-running series that still influence today’s television era.
While television may have moved away from the genre, many series still follow the core tenets of those beloved soap operas: throw everything at the wall and see what sticks.
There are a lot of downright scandalous dramas on the air these days and over the past few years. Stories filled with drama and mind-boggling plot points that may not entirely make sense in the world, but are too interesting to matter.
Some of the current and past series we’re watching embody the spirit of wacky and dramatic television, where everyone gathers around the water cooler (remember those?) to discuss the latest attempted murder or cheating scandal!
Check out our list and let us know some of your favorite soap operas over the years!
scandal
When you think of the craziest, most ridiculous storylines you watch on your TV screens every week, you think of Shonda Rhimes’ The Jewel scandal.
All Shondaland shows could make such a list (you’ll see another one later!), but Scandal remains one of the biggest shows of the past two decades, and its cultural impact can still be felt today.
Olivia Pope, her white hat, President Fitzgerald Grant III, Defiance and B613 are just a few of the various things Scandal gave us that viewers read with gusto A sordid tale of espionage, political intrigue and high-profile affairs.
“Scandal” is a drama upon drama, a show that constantly outdoes itself and finds new, more twisty ways to shock viewers who think they’ve seen it all.
In this age of television, the era of instant tweets and instant reactions has really taken off, and scandal is a big reason why.
watch scandal online
gossip Girl
“Hey, Upper East Siders, this is Gossip Girl.”
You’ve probably never watched The CW’s 2000s staple series, but you’ve no doubt heard this phrase before. “Lady” arrived at a time when mobile phones were quickly becoming the place to get all your information, and the series helped spark the craze.
On the surface, this isn’t entirely relevant, as there aren’t too many teenagers across America living the lavish lifestyles of Serena van der Woodsen and Blair Waldorf, but they can be compared to what often befalls young adults High school hierarchy, betrayal, and heartbreak.
The characters are deceptive in their own way, and the series relies on shock value, though it doesn’t always come in the form of surprising deaths, but in the form of good old-fashioned betrayal.
Every year on Thanksgiving, a clip from the 11th episode of Season 3 of “The Lord of the Rings” circulates and becomes a microcosm of the show. Secret after secret is revealed, causing embarrassment, sadness, anger and everything in between.
This is not a prestige drama. But Lord of the Rings remains one of the most twisted series in recent memory, and it remains one of the funniest series we’ve ever seen.
Watch “The Lace Master” online
bridgeton
Think Ladybug meets the Regency era, and you’ve got Bridgerton, a Shondaland product that has become one of the most popular shows of the past five years.
The entire premise of Bridgerton is basically someone in town hiding behind the nickname Lady Whistledown and gossiping about everyone in the little newspaper she publishes.
Sound familiar?
The show is sexy and raunchy in all the right ways, and while it may not be too relatable to the period, the brutal courtship, backstabbing and betrayal transcend all eras.
Bridgerton has become a household name, exciting viewers with a new romance and a new set of trials and tribulations each season.
The show has it all and will often leave you stunned.
Watch Bridgerton online
ginny and georgia
Ginny and Georgia is a complex but compelling story about Ginny and Austen’s mother, Georgia Miller. She moved to many places with her children and opened a store in Wellsbury, Massachusetts.
Georgia and her children go through a difficult time, and the show delves into several serious topics, such as childhood abuse and self-harm.
Georgia struggled to fit in when she arrived, but Cynthia and her friends in season 1 spread so much gossip about her that she never did.
If you don’t fit in with ladies’ society, you’re not the right woman.
There’s a lot of drama going on in this sleepy town, and it’s a soap opera that will remind you of those 80s comedies that dealt with serious themes thoughtfully.
Ginny and Georgia watch online
Elite
Look, if you want to discuss why Elite is still on the air in 2024, that’s a conversation that can be had. But when the show was in its prime (we’re looking at the first three seasons), it was a thriller.
The Las Encinas high school student was involved in a variety of dramas, including crime and outright murder. While the series is risqué when it wants to be, it also delves into broader and more serious topics.
Audiences are captivated by this high school drama filled with heart and gripping mystery as the show takes social media by storm.
Like many others on this list, the series became popular on social media and launched the careers of many series stars.
Season 1 remains one of the most captivating teen drama seasons ever. They had one job, and one job only: cram as much drama as possible into eight episodes, and they did just that.
watch elite online
revenge
Emily Thorne comes out for revenge, but encounters many other problems along the way.
The story of someone seeking revenge is an old one. Still, revenge makes Emily’s journey an unexpected one as she battles the feelings of her enemies, faces from her past, and so-called dead men!
Emily shoulders the mission of avenging her father. To achieve this goal, she walks into the lives of various families in the Hamptons with only a dream and a marker. But the secrets she encounters are many, as are the lies and dangerous situations she and others discover.
The show stands out, especially in its early seasons, for taking itself very seriously while leaning into the ridiculous. Sometimes it’s predictable (heck, a lot of the time), but it’s highly addictive.
Each week, Emily takes a deeper look into the lives of people she wants nothing more than to tear apart from the inside out.
This series may have gone on for a season or two too long, but when it’s great, it’s really great.
watch revenge online
Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin
The latest entry in the Pretty Little Liars franchise is better than its fate.
“Original Sin” takes us to Millwood, Pennsylvania, where a group of new friends come together to discover that their lives are threatened by a masked killer named A, who may be connected to the mysterious incident that happened to their mother’s classmate. related to deaths.
The chemistry between the girls is the heart and soul of this horror teen drama, which has the perfect blend of drama, mystery, intrigue, and revenge to keep things interesting every week.
While trying to find A’s identity is the ultimate goal, there’s so much deception and madness along the way to keep you hooked.
Having the girls attend summer school in season two expands the universe and raises the stakes. This is soap opera at its best, and it’s a shame that we don’t get to see the girls continue to grow and uncover the never-ending secrets and mysteries of small-town Penn.
Watch Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin online
opponent
If you haven’t had a chance to watch Feud on Disney+ yet, do yourself a favor and do so now.
This British drama explores the rivalry surrounding independent commercial television. It’s sexy and risqué, with romance and backstabbing sprinkled around almost every corner.
Every character has their naughty moments, and the show takes us back to the ’80s, with high hair, high-waisted jeans, and a relatively high tolerance for debauchery.
There aren’t many TV shows on the air right now that can truly evoke the wildness and craziness of yesteryear and do it with such aplomb. The cast has compelling characters and engaging storylines from top to bottom.
If those watercooler conversations were still what they were during the period this series took place, Feud would be the kind of show that would have everyone talking.
Watch competitors online
Now that you’ve seen our list, tell us your favorite gossip-worthy series in the comments below!
Is your favorite shortlisted? What else would you add and what would you delete from the list?
We can’t wait to hear from you!
