''The Soap Opera Encyclopedia'' is a 1997 reference book by Gerard J. Waggett which assembles comprehensive information about American daytime

soap opera A soap opera, or ''soap'' for short, is a typically long-running radio or television serial, frequently characterized by melodrama, ensemble casts, and sentimentality. The term "soap opera" originated from radio dramas originally being sponsored ...

s. ''The Soap Opera Encyclopedia'' features commentary, analysis and criticism of every American daytime soap opera that had aired prior to the book's publication. It also discusses background, significant storylines and impact of each program, and lists performers and characters. Waggett includes "The Soap Opera 100," his look at "Daytime's 100 Most Noteworthy Actors, Writers, and Producers." The book also gives overviews and background for the

Daytime Emmy Award The Daytime Emmy Awards, or Daytime Emmys, are part of the extensive range of Emmy Awards for artistic and technical merit for the American television industry. Bestowed by the New York–based National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences ...

s and ''Soap Opera Digest'' Awards, and lists nominees and winners. Finally, the book lists US daytime soap opera ratings from 1952 through 1997.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Soap Opera Encyclopedia, Waggett 1997 non-fiction books Books about soap operas HarperCollins books 20th-century encyclopedias Specialized encyclopedias