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The World of Polish Soap Operas


Janka  
21 Feb 2007 /  #1
It can be say with no doubt that Poles are soap opera-obsessed nation nowadays. You will not find a single person in Poland, be it a 5 year old child or a 93 year old grandpa who does not know what is “M jak milosc” ("M like Love"). Popularity of this series exceeded all possible expectations. Actors playing in it acquired national fame and all important prizes standing for their public popularity. Moreover, as funny as it may sound this soap opera has such a universal appeal that is even popular among serious criminals serving their sentence in jail.

The plot of the series is based on Mostowiaks’ family. The parents, the eldest of the family, live in a small village with their son, his wife and his two children, one of whom is adopted. Their daughter with her family lives in a small town of Grodek but the main story takes place in Warsaw. The reason why it is so immensely popular is that it caters for the needs of all the age groups among the television audience. Be it a prison convicts crazy in love with Anna Mucha, or the retired whose main reason to live is to trace the future fate of their favorite characters and mix it with reality.

Firstly, there is a student apartment which is the scene of betrayal, love, young marriage life and crazy student parties. The part of the Warsaw-based story caters also for the needs of yuppies and other successful professionals. There is a character of Marta Mostowiak- a judge. At the beginning of the series she was changing her partners as often as some of us loose winter gloves. However, recently she has changed and decided to remarry her previously divorced husband and to have a baby with him. The favorite character of the inhabitants of small cities is Marysia who works as a nurse and deals with all kind of life drama from betrayal of her husband to his death and helps all her miserable, struggling for love middle-aged friends to survive different life dilemmas.

In contrast to American series, the Polish ones host all kind of talented and well-known actors such as: Małgorzata Kożuchowska, Dominika Ostałowska, Jacek Poniedziałek, Edward Lubaszenko, etc.

The other series which gain more and more popularity among the affluent, professional circles is “Magda M”. In my opinion it is just a poor remake of Ally McBeal. Magda, Joanna Brodzik is a successful lawyer in her early thirties. She has almost everything, from a beautiful and specious apartment, a car, good looks to promising career, the best boss you can ever imagine. However, she is not happy in love. The intention of the producers was to show the reality of professional lawyer’s life in their thirties living in a big city. Unfortunately, basing on the opinions of extremely angry viewers presented on the internet forums, this is the most unrealistic picture you could ever imagine. Just to present you a few facts. Magda can have vacation any time she wants. She can walk out of the office because she felt offended and her boss will later call her, apologize for the nasty clients and send her flowers. She was raised in a small town located in the Mazury district and six years after her graduation she is a successful lawyer. Can you expect a more distorted image of the Polish reality?

If you are looking for something far more realistic, you should certainly watch the series “Wiedzmy” (The Witches). Due to the fact that these series were targeted at more sophisticated audience, only ten episodes appeared in the Polish public television. The action of these tv series takes place in the most dangerous and doomed district of Warsaw – Praga. Three women: Maria Seweryn (the owner of a small advertising agency), Magdalena Rożyczka (a talented lawyer who decided to open her office in the cradle of Warsaw crime) and Katarzyna Figura (an owner of a female underwear boutique, the only real long-term resident of Praga in this group). The women are struggling to have a pretty normal life in the district which is not that friendly for newcomers. This is a typical slap-stick comedy, full of funny events and everyday obstacles. I have not seen a comedy which is so accurate, intelligently funny and different from the rest of the homogenous crap available in the Polish television. It shows Praga both with its positive and negative sides but it also illustrates a very important thing that there is always something good even in people who did not choose the right path in life. This movie stands out among bleak, American-like comedies. Even though that problems which the characters have to deal with are sometimes similar to the ones that are encountered in the plot of other soap operas, the Witches try to solve them in the most unusual, sometimes almost magical way. In my opinion, if you have time to have a look at the Polish soap operas, do not waste it watching sentimental dullness offered in most of them, choose fun offered by “The Witches”.

Janka
pingwin 2 | 117  
21 Feb 2007 /  #3
They are way better than the American Soap Operas!:)
Patrycja19 62 | 2,688  
21 Feb 2007 /  #4
lol I dont watch them either :)
LoneStranger 3 | 382  
21 Feb 2007 /  #5
0000000000000 ------ SOAP OPERAS ------ 0000000000000000

------------------------------------Y
---------------------------------Y U K
------------------------------------K

FAKE - UNREAL - WASTE OF TIME - MISERABLE - SICK - IMMORAL - STRESSFUL - IDEOTIC
Patrycja19 62 | 2,688  
21 Feb 2007 /  #6
Yes, we have enough soap operas going on in real life to not have to sit down
at a TV and watch one which isnt even real life. or true stories.
Huegel 1 | 296  
21 Feb 2007 /  #7
FAKE - UNREAL

pssst. What's your favourite tv show? Unless it's the news, or a documentary then that's fake and isn't real either. :)

WASTE OF TIME

pssst. All human endeavor is ultimately pointless, as we're all going to bite the big one. As you said yourself in another thread:

'Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.

That even applies to people who make soap operas. :)

MISERABLE

Probably: reference Eastenders. :)

SICK IMMORAL

Lucky it's all pretend then. :)

STRESSFUL -

TV is meant to dull the senses, it's obviously not working. Do Poles have to pay a license fee? I'd ask for a refund. :)

IDIOTIC

See above.

Nah, seriously, soaps are like belly button fluff. Absolutely no purpose, but keeps you entertained and stops you navel gazing. :)
simska  
22 Feb 2007 /  #8
I miss L like Love!! I watched it in Poland all the time!! I was so addicted, I hardly understand anything that was going on I'd have to ask my cousin to translate the little English she knew. Does anyone know how I can catch it in English?! The twins are soo cute.
LoneStranger 3 | 382  
22 Feb 2007 /  #9
news, or a documentary

and a good song...

'Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.

Whatever we do is insignificant, because human capabilities are such.... that even when we think we have given our best ~ we should know that we could do better, and even better than that.....so even when we do something good....its insignificant infront of our potential and responsibilities. :) ... But we must not sit ~ but do it ~ do something good...give out some joy .... no a loaf of misery....showing the more toxic aspect of man (which soap operas usually do).

keeps you entertained

well dear one!... I propose all my fellow human kinds to try other things out for entertainment.....such as goods books....going travelling :)....or a walk through a park!...

:) ...i am sure it will be more entertaining.

I was so addicted

:( ... oh noooooooooooo!....
Sherri  
17 Apr 2007 /  #10
Merged: M Jak Milosc (Polish soap opera)

Does anyone watch the Polish soap opera M Yak Milosc? I get up early every Sunday to watch it and really enjoy it.:)
ukinpoland 5 | 338  
17 Apr 2007 /  #11
I actually do because it has English subtitles. I made the mistake of confessing this to my students. It lead to a lot of laughter:) I enjoy the program though Especially Kinga :) :)
ola123  
17 Apr 2007 /  #12
Believe it or not but every Monday and Tuesday 6-8 millions polish ppl watch it. This is most popular polish opera ever. I like it as well.
ukinpoland 5 | 338  
17 Apr 2007 /  #13
Ah well my Polish isnt quite good enough to watch it on monday/tuesday I have to wait for TV Polonia on sat/sun for my viewing pleasure.
TripTic 3 | 95  
17 Apr 2007 /  #14
Oh!! Yeah !! I'm watching it every time I can.
Thanx to Polsat Cyfrowy - polish satellite TV provider !!

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