I hate novelas!

[gerd]

Still I wonder what makes it so easy to tell it's a novela when I'm zapping through the channels.
No matter what language it's in, just looking at it for one second is usually enough to tell it's a novela. But I don't know why.
Is it the picture resolution, or the light they use, that is different from movies or other TV series? No idea. Can anyone solve this mistery for me?

[JDub]

Me too!! I hate them, but so many family members and friends back in DR LOVE them so much. I don't know why I have so much hate

[mkohn]

I recommend them for people who want to practice or improve their Spanish. Listening skills and vocabulary top the list.
mk

[DamnYankee]

I think there shot on video, soap operas have the same look.

[ricktoronto]

You'd not have Noelia, Thalia, Paulina Rubio and hosts of other Latina Pop Stars. There seems to be a progression between being discovered and being a pop star.

Also vs. US soap operas the babe factor in novelas is about 1000% higher.

And just like soaps for non-English speakers learning English they have such simple plot lines and dialogue they are a good way to train the ear when learning Spanish.

[gerd]

Your all right. But what is it after all, that makes me recognize at once, that it's a novela. I'm not talking about the local novelas only....no matter where they're from, they look different somehow, but what is it?

[arturo]

You can add Shakira to your list of latin pop stars with soap opera skeletons in their closets. She was a hot property on Colombian daytime television in her younger years.

[Jane J.]

And Salma Hayek.

[andy a]

Which came first, the novela or the low life, mean spirited attitudes that they teach? Are Dominicanas better because of watching them?

Under the best of circumstances, it's debatable whether tv has enough entertainment (concerts, sporting events, whatever), documentaries, new clips, etc. to outweigh the negatives. In the DR, one has to wonder why have a tv at all.

In a hotel with a girl, especially, one should make sure that the room doesn't have a tv. You certainly don't want her to sit there watching tv all night, and getting into a vengeful mood as well. It's a nobrainer.

As far as the babe factor, why not turn off the sound and simply watch them? BTW, are any of those babes Dominicanas?

[DunHill]

Novelas are a real killer for your lovelife
Normally when my girlfriend is coming i try to sabotage the tv, else your whole evening/night is destroyed. For many dominican woman the novela is more important than .... (just fill in whatever you want)

AvK