Supercouple: Difference between revisions
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For pairings such as [[Bianca Montgomery and Maggie Stone|Bianca and Maggie]] (see below), where the relationship between the two never reaches the length and fashion of a true supercouple, but rather their popularity does, it is one of soap operas rarest feats.<ref name=soapoperadigest.com/> |
For pairings such as [[Bianca Montgomery and Maggie Stone|Bianca and Maggie]] (see below), where the relationship between the two never reaches the length and fashion of a true supercouple, but rather their popularity does, it is one of soap operas rarest feats.<ref name=soapoperadigest.com/> |
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====Emergence of gay and lesbian couples==== |
====Emergence of gay and lesbian couples==== |
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Soap operas are traditionally heterosexual when featuring tales of romance and true love. For American soap opera, that began to change with characters [[Bianca Montgomery]], [[Lena Kundera]], and [[Maggie Stone]] from ''All My Children''. Bianca's unveiling as a lesbian marked uncharted territory for daytime television. By being a core character and the daughter of legendary diva [[Erica Kane]], "the show initiated an innovative discourse about the possibility, location, and representation of lesbian and gay characters in a television genre historically predicated on the celebration of heterosexual courtship, romance, and family life."<ref name="goliath.ecnext.com"> |
Soap operas are traditionally [[heterosexuality|heterosexual]] when featuring tales of romance and true love. For American soap opera, that began to change with characters [[Bianca Montgomery]], [[Lena Kundera]], and [[Maggie Stone]] from ''All My Children''. Bianca's unveiling as a lesbian marked uncharted territory for daytime television. By being a core character and the daughter of legendary diva [[Erica Kane]], "the show initiated an innovative discourse about the possibility, location, and representation of lesbian and gay characters in a television genre historically predicated on the celebration of heterosexual courtship, romance, and family life."<ref name="goliath.ecnext.com"> |
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{{cite book | author = C. Lee Harrington | title =[http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/summary_0199-3090675_ITM Homosexuality on All My Children: transforming the daytime landscape] | id = ISBN | publisher = Blackwell Publishing | year = 2003}}</ref> |
{{cite book | author = C. Lee Harrington | title =[http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/summary_0199-3090675_ITM Homosexuality on All My Children: transforming the daytime landscape] | id = ISBN | publisher = Blackwell Publishing | year = 2003}}</ref> |
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"While the past decade has witnessed a growing number of lesbian, gay, [[bisexual]], and [[transgender]]ed characters in primetime dramas and situation comedies, daytime soap operas offer unique challenges (and possibilities) regarding the inclusion and 'normalization' of varied sexualities in entertainment television." Daytime television has been ahead of primetime for some time in exploring diverse or controversial storylines. The one glaring exception has been [[homosexuality]].<ref name=goliath.ecnext.com/> Gay and lesbian issues or characters existing on television back in the 1950s and early 1960s could be characterized as having been virtually invisible. When it came to the mainstream, audiences were built up as "replications of the idealized, middleclass nuclear family, defined as monogamous heterosexual couples with children" (Buxton, 1997, p. 1477). Because of this perception of what was ideal, networks geared programming toward it, feeling that viewers were exactly like these images on their television screens.<ref name=goliath.ecnext.com/> In contrast to primetime, daytime dramas have different obstacles to developing innovative programming, with their advertising sponsors being more conservative, their audience smaller and "genre restrictions that emphasize continuity and respect for history over innovation."<ref name=goliath.ecnext.com/> Soap opera tried its first chance at including a gay character back in 1983 on ''All My Children.'' Actress [[Donna Pescow]] portrayed Dr. Lynn Carson, who [[Coming out|came out]] as a lesbian to a patient she had a crush on — "and that’s about as sexual as the good doctor, or any other gay soap character, would get for quite some time. A gay man whose never-seen partner with [[AIDS]] came later, followed by a couple of gay teens who battled community homophobia in the 1990s."<ref name="www.sovo.com">{{cite web| title=All my gay children: Soap operas continue inclusive, if incidental use of gay characters|publisher=sovo.com|accessdate=2007-11-21|url=http://www.sovo.com/2006/7-7/arts/feature/soap.cfm}}</ref> |
"While the past decade has witnessed a growing number of lesbian, gay, [[bisexual]], and [[transgender]]ed characters in primetime dramas and situation comedies, daytime soap operas offer unique challenges (and possibilities) regarding the inclusion and 'normalization' of varied sexualities in entertainment television." Daytime television has been ahead of primetime for some time in exploring diverse or controversial storylines. The one glaring exception has been [[homosexuality]].<ref name=goliath.ecnext.com/> Gay and lesbian issues or characters existing on television back in the 1950s and early 1960s could be characterized as having been virtually invisible. When it came to the mainstream, audiences were built up as "replications of the idealized, middleclass nuclear family, defined as monogamous heterosexual couples with children" (Buxton, 1997, p. 1477). Because of this perception of what was ideal, networks geared programming toward it, feeling that viewers were exactly like these images on their television screens.<ref name=goliath.ecnext.com/> In contrast to primetime, daytime dramas have different obstacles to developing innovative programming, with their advertising sponsors being more conservative, their audience smaller and "genre restrictions that emphasize continuity and respect for history over innovation."<ref name=goliath.ecnext.com/> Soap opera tried its first chance at including a gay character back in 1983 on ''All My Children.'' Actress [[Donna Pescow]] portrayed Dr. Lynn Carson, who [[Coming out|came out]] as a lesbian to a patient she had a crush on — "and that’s about as sexual as the good doctor, or any other gay soap character, would get for quite some time. A gay man whose never-seen partner with [[AIDS]] came later, followed by a couple of gay teens who battled community homophobia in the 1990s."<ref name="www.sovo.com">{{cite web| title=All my gay children: Soap operas continue inclusive, if incidental use of gay characters|publisher=sovo.com|accessdate=2007-11-21|url=http://www.sovo.com/2006/7-7/arts/feature/soap.cfm}}</ref> |
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A prominent obstacle for gay and lesbian characters on daytime television is interference from television network executives who fear a decline in their ratings.<ref name=www.sovo.com/> The characters are often denied fulfilling and lasting romances with others of the same sex. "Before Bianca's gay character was written into ''All My Children'', the purpose of gay characters was to make a point or explain homosexuality for the audience — a task handled within the course of a few episodes. The distraught parents or angry bullies who caused the early gay characters so much turmoil would suddenly see the light. Then the story — and the character — would simply vanish." It was not until Bianca, that prominent gay characters and couples seemed possible within daytime.<ref name=goliath.ecnext.com/><ref name=www.sovo.com/> Since then, soap operas have tried to replicate the success of the Bianca character with the introduction of their own gay and lesbian characters.<ref name=www.sovo.com/> One soap opera in particular, ''As the World Turns'', has been successful in launching the first popular romance between two men on a daytime drama |
A prominent obstacle for gay and lesbian characters on daytime television is interference from television network executives who fear a decline in their ratings.<ref name=www.sovo.com/> The characters are often denied fulfilling and lasting romances with others of the same sex. "Before Bianca's gay character was written into ''All My Children'', the purpose of gay characters was to make a point or explain homosexuality for the audience — a task handled within the course of a few episodes. The distraught parents or angry bullies who caused the early gay characters so much turmoil would suddenly see the light. Then the story — and the character — would simply vanish." It was not until Bianca, that prominent gay characters and couples seemed possible within daytime.<ref name=goliath.ecnext.com/><ref name=www.sovo.com/> Since then, soap operas have tried to replicate the success of the Bianca character with the introduction of their own gay and lesbian characters.<ref name=www.sovo.com/> One soap opera in particular, ''As the World Turns'', has been successful in launching the first popular romance between two men on a daytime drama, [[Luke Snyder and Noah Mayer]]. The popularity of the pairing, though not not as widespread, borders on the fascination level that centered around the Bianca and Maggie romance. Not even months into their relationship, ''TV Guide'' named the duo a top power couple.<ref name="entertainment1.sympatico.msn.ca">{{cite news| first=Nelson| last=Branco | title= |
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Soaps’ best super-couples!|publisher=''[[TV Guide]]''|accessdate=2007-11-12|url=http://entertainment1.sympatico.msn.ca/TV_Guide/Soaps/Features/Articles/071018_supercouples_astheworldturns_NB |
Soaps’ best super-couples!|publisher=''[[TV Guide]]''|accessdate=2007-11-12|url=http://entertainment1.sympatico.msn.ca/TV_Guide/Soaps/Features/Articles/071018_supercouples_astheworldturns_NB |
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Still, gay couple storylines, whether female-female or male-male, are making an impact. "These stories have the ability to reach the many different generations of viewers who watch daytime and share with them stories of our lives. What viewers are seeing is that more and more of their own neighbors and friends are dealing with these issues, and the soaps are merely reflecting the reality of the world we live in."<ref name=www.sovo.com/> |
Still, gay couple storylines, whether female-female or male-male, are making an impact. "These stories have the ability to reach the many different generations of viewers who watch daytime and share with them stories of our lives. What viewers are seeing is that more and more of their own neighbors and friends are dealing with these issues, and the soaps are merely reflecting the reality of the world we live in."<ref name=www.sovo.com/> |
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===Soap opera supercouples=== |
===Soap opera supercouples=== |
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Below is a list of regarded past and present soap opera supercouples: |
Below is a list of regarded past and present soap opera supercouples: |
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Revision as of 04:11, 24 November 2007
A supercouple (also known as a power couple or dynamic duo) is a term used to describe a popular or financially-wealthy pairing that captivates and intrigues its observers beyond normal expectations, applying primarily to soap opera, primetime, film, and celebrity. The term was coined in the early 1980s when soap opera couple Luke Spencer and Laura Webber were elevated beyond the soap opera medium and well into the public eye, making them a phenomenon in popular culture and reference to having defined the term.[1]
In American soap opera, often a supercouple will become a de facto symbol for the show itself, granting them the title of either elite, popular, or true supercouple. While a second type of soap opera supercouple exists, encompassing the same factor of fighting through turmoil for years and finding their way back to each other in the end as an elite supercouple would, they do not have a significant pull on television ratings, therefore this type of couple is referred to as a regular supercouple.[2]
Outside of the soap opera medium, the supercouple title has become quite prolific, such as in the naming of certain celebrity pairings and being referred to within primetime dramas as well. Extremely popular romances in film are also often recognized as supercouples,[3][1] sometimes producing memorable catch phrases in which can be cited as "Here's looking at you, kid", "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn", "You had me at hello", etc. In addition, the term has entered into psychology, with several psychologists describing a type of mental stress known as Supercouple Syndrome, where two overachieving individuals within a romantic pairing strive to be super in union.[4]
Despite, however, supercouples existing in other forms of media, the success of the title is greatly attributed to the soap opera genre.[1]
Soap opera
Becoming a supercouple
In soap opera, a supercouple storyline is typically detailed by the couple facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, such as a difference in social class, strong family interference, simple disagreements, marriages to other people, children with other people, etc.[2]
However, the two characters that make up the supercouple will usually reunite and marry.[2] The most significant obstacle to the couple, though, is that the soap opera genre is neverending, thus there can be no closure for the pairing unless both characters leave the show together or one of them dies. It is because of this, that after the usual fairytale wedding, if the supercouple remains on the show, they cannot live happily ever after as a couple in a fairytale would, but are rather subjected to a continual cycle of being separated and reunited. This factor has contributed to two characters of a supercouple divorcing and re-marrying each other several times.[2]
Notable supercouples
While the term was not coined until the early 1980s, and early supercouples could be noted as Jeff Baker and Penny Hughes[5] and Bob and Lisa Hughes on As the World Turns, the first supercouple is primarily considered to be Doug Williams and Julie Olson on Days of our Lives.[6] From 1970 until 1976, Doug and Julie tread the thin line between love and hate. The chemistry that the two actors exhibited became evident off-screen; the real-life couple, Bill Hayes and Susan Seaforth, were married in 1974. This set off a commotion among fans, thousands, who wrote endless letters to the show asking that the couple also be allowed to marry in the story, since the actors were married already. NBC milked the tension for all it was worth, lengthening the anticipation of the wedding, but eventually caved into the audience's pressure, and the characters Doug and Julie were married in October 1976.[7] Doug and Julie were also the first soap opera characters to grace the cover of Time Magazine.[8]
The most famous supercouple is perhaps Luke Spencer and Laura Webber, portrayed by Anthony Geary and Genie Francis on General Hospital. "Their romance enthralled viewers, and, when they wed on November 16 1981, daytime television recorded its highest-ever ratings, with 30 million people tuning in to watch them say 'I do'."[9] As a result, Luke and Laura have arguably become daytime's quintessential and most iconic couple.[10]
Supercouple Golden Age: 1980s
The 1980s is known as the "Golden Age" of supercouples[11] and shows such as All My Children, As the World Turns and along with the aforementioned General Hospital and Days of our Lives were well known for their supercouples.
Days of our Lives in particular had a particularly large number of them — Bo and Hope,[12] Shane and Kimberly, Steve and Kayla[12] and Jack and Jennifer all going on at roughly the same time.
All My Children was represented by Cliff and Nina, Greg and Jenny[13] and Jesse and Angie, the first African-American supercouple.[14]
As the World Turns had the immensely popular couples Craig and Sierra, Tom and Margo, and Steve and Betsy, with Betsy Stewart being portrayed by future star Meg Ryan.
Along with Luke and Laura, General Hospital also boasted Alan and Monica and Frisco and Felicia. At the same time, Santa Barbara introduced another supercouple, Eden and Cruz Castillo.
The phenomenon even spread to foreign shores around this time, with Scott Robinson portrayed by Jason Donovan and Charlene Ramsay portrayed by Kylie Minogue on the Australian soap Neighbours, and "Dirty" Den and Angie Watts portrayed by Leslie Grantham and Anita Dobson on the British soap opera Eastenders, generating an audience response similar to that of the supercouples on American soap operas. Den and Angie are renowned as arguably Britain's most iconic soap couple, having broken the record for episode ratings to 30.1 million viewers on the episode of their divorce, a record that remains unbeaten by any British soap opera episode today.[15]
Supercouples today
While there are many popular couplings on soap operas today, very few earn the right to be called a supercouple by fans and the soap media alike.[2] Usually, the term is reminiscient of the 1970s and 1980s. As such, the few supercouples that are still on serials today were from the 1980s, or at the latest, the early 1990s. After that, the supercouple phenomenon slowly faded and the nature of soaps today allows few characters and couples to truly define the nature of the show anymore, as the original supercouples once did.[12]
Shows have attempted to revive the success of the supercouples through modern couples, but only a few, such as Zach and Kendall (All My Children),[16] J.R. and Babe (All My Children),[17] Will and Gwen (As the World Turns), Luke and Noah (As the World Turns), Shawn and Belle (Days of our Lives), Lucas and Sami (Days of our Lives), Lucky and Elizabeth (General Hospital), Nikolas and Emily (General Hospital),[18] Rafe and Alison (Port Charles),[12] Nick and Phyllis (The Young and the Restless),[19] have resonated with fans. Though these couples are popular with fans, they have yet to reach true "supercouple status." The case for couples such as Ethan and Theresa and Luis and Sheridan leaves their status as supercouples in doubt, as the soap opera on which they appear, Passions, didn't exist during the "supercouple era." However, the inordinate emphasis placed on them in the show, as well as their overwhelming popularity, suggests that (by at least Passions standards) they are supercouples.
There are some instances where a character becomes a part of two popular pairings, where both couples in which include the character develop the same or close to the same amount of positive fan reaction from viewers. This causes a certain rivalry between the two couples, with both vying for the title of supercouple, as only one of the two can be crowned as such. An example of this was especially evident with the early 1990s storyline of General Hospital's Sonny Corinthos, Brenda Barrett, and Jasper "Jax" Jacks, often referred to as "the hottest love triangle in soap opera history" by the soap opera media.[20] The couple combinations within the love triangle of either Sonny and Brenda or Jax and Brenda were equally in demand, and which of the two is the actual supercouple remains in dispute to this day. Sonny and Brenda, however, do gain reference to being a supercouple often. In particular, Yahoo! TV commented:
Vanessa Marcil’s coupling with Benard, gave 'GH' its first legitimate heir to the 'Luke and Laura' throne of soap coupledom. Marcil’s Brenda Barrett, a spoiled, troubled beauty drawn to danger and dangerous men, ignited explosive sparks with reputed gangster Corinthos, the likes of which had not been seen on daytime television in some time — if ever. The 'Sonny and Brenda' pairing, along with the return of Luke and Laura after a decade-long absence, ushered in the soap’s second golden age of being thee daytime appointment television.[21]
The character Sonny eventually acquired definite supercouple status in the pairing of Sonny and Carly, as he became a part of two successful romances to viewers.[17]
In other instances, a character is part of two equally popular couplings, but the storyline does not lend itself to the scenario being referred to as a love triangle. For example, Samantha "Sami" Brady of the soap opera Days of our Lives is romantically desired by the two men, Lucas Roberts and EJ Wells. However, she is not considered to be actively involved in a love triangle, yet both couples, Lucas and Sami and EJ and Sami, resonate with fans and appear to be at least equal in comparison and popularity.[22][23] This particular aspect can also be related to the relationships involving Elizabeth Webber on General Hospital. The difference is that Elizabeth is in love with both Lucky Spencer and Jason Morgan. Both couples very popular among viewers.[24]
In today's medium, there are couples which come close to gaining supercouple status in terms of popularity. Although these pairings have explosive chemistry and immense potential, the couple's story is cut short, often due to the actors leaving to pursue jobs outside of soaps or due to the writers changing direction in a storyline. These wildly popular couples simply don't last long enough on-screen to garner the long history of a true supercouple. Such couples include Leo and Greenlee (All My Children),[25] Ryan and Gillian (All My Children), Dusty and Lucy (As the World Turns), Simon and Katie (As the World Turns), Robin and Stone (General Hospital), Jonathan and Tammy (Guiding Light). These couples were or are extremely popular with critics and fans, and with time, they arguably would have become beloved supercouples.
For pairings such as Bianca and Maggie (see below), where the relationship between the two never reaches the length and fashion of a true supercouple, but rather their popularity does, it is one of soap operas rarest feats.[12]
Emergence of gay and lesbian couples
Soap operas are traditionally heterosexual when featuring tales of romance and true love. For American soap opera, that began to change with characters Bianca Montgomery, Lena Kundera, and Maggie Stone from All My Children. Bianca's unveiling as a lesbian marked uncharted territory for daytime television. By being a core character and the daughter of legendary diva Erica Kane, "the show initiated an innovative discourse about the possibility, location, and representation of lesbian and gay characters in a television genre historically predicated on the celebration of heterosexual courtship, romance, and family life."[26]
Bianca's relationship with Lena resulted in daytime's first lesbian kiss. But it was not Bianca and Lena's romance that thoroughly captured the hearts of the audience. Bianca's relationship with close confidante Maggie had the show's fans excited.[27] What made this topic particularly unique was the show's insistance that character Maggie Stone was not gay. Their insistance, however, did not deter viewers from desperately wanting the two romantically paired; the audience often wrote in to the network pleading and demanding that Bianca and Maggie become an official item. Eventually, little hints that Maggie might not be so heterosexual after all started to appear throughout the series, complicated by Maggie (instead of the show's executives) insisting to not being anywhere close to lesbianism but rather very much "into guys" and only guys. The audience saw this as a clear case of a woman in denial of her sexual orientation. Fan mail for the Bianca and Maggie pairing became enormous,[27] as the show continued to tease the audience with subtext that implied that the two romantically desired each other. Bianca and Maggie were often written as being on the verge of becoming an item, but never quite making it there. This approach by the writers infuriated viewers, but they remained entranced. The couple's popularity grew beyond soap opera press, as newspapers and television magazines became fascinated by the love story as well. TV Guide, The Advocate, The New York Daily News, among others, were media taking interest in the duo.[27][28][29] The pairing eventually became the most popular gay couple in soap opera history, shocking industry insiders that a gay pairing could be this in demand.[27]
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Though Bianca and Maggie's romance was not made official until both were offscreen, it made clear the answer to writers and execs who had been conflicted on including gay and lesbian love stories — daytime was interested.
"While the past decade has witnessed a growing number of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered characters in primetime dramas and situation comedies, daytime soap operas offer unique challenges (and possibilities) regarding the inclusion and 'normalization' of varied sexualities in entertainment television." Daytime television has been ahead of primetime for some time in exploring diverse or controversial storylines. The one glaring exception has been homosexuality.[26] Gay and lesbian issues or characters existing on television back in the 1950s and early 1960s could be characterized as having been virtually invisible. When it came to the mainstream, audiences were built up as "replications of the idealized, middleclass nuclear family, defined as monogamous heterosexual couples with children" (Buxton, 1997, p. 1477). Because of this perception of what was ideal, networks geared programming toward it, feeling that viewers were exactly like these images on their television screens.[26] In contrast to primetime, daytime dramas have different obstacles to developing innovative programming, with their advertising sponsors being more conservative, their audience smaller and "genre restrictions that emphasize continuity and respect for history over innovation."[26] Soap opera tried its first chance at including a gay character back in 1983 on All My Children. Actress Donna Pescow portrayed Dr. Lynn Carson, who came out as a lesbian to a patient she had a crush on — "and that’s about as sexual as the good doctor, or any other gay soap character, would get for quite some time. A gay man whose never-seen partner with AIDS came later, followed by a couple of gay teens who battled community homophobia in the 1990s."[30]
A prominent obstacle for gay and lesbian characters on daytime television is interference from television network executives who fear a decline in their ratings.[30] The characters are often denied fulfilling and lasting romances with others of the same sex. "Before Bianca's gay character was written into All My Children, the purpose of gay characters was to make a point or explain homosexuality for the audience — a task handled within the course of a few episodes. The distraught parents or angry bullies who caused the early gay characters so much turmoil would suddenly see the light. Then the story — and the character — would simply vanish." It was not until Bianca, that prominent gay characters and couples seemed possible within daytime.[26][30] Since then, soap operas have tried to replicate the success of the Bianca character with the introduction of their own gay and lesbian characters.[30] One soap opera in particular, As the World Turns, has been successful in launching the first popular romance between two men on a daytime drama, Luke Snyder and Noah Mayer. The popularity of the pairing, though not not as widespread, borders on the fascination level that centered around the Bianca and Maggie romance. Not even months into their relationship, TV Guide named the duo a top power couple.[31]
Noah Mayer, the latest soap character to come out, joins Bianca and others as visible gay characters in daytime. However, while "the boys are garnering attention, their female counterparts are, so far, garnering the most affection."[30]
Still, gay couple storylines, whether female-female or male-male, are making an impact. "These stories have the ability to reach the many different generations of viewers who watch daytime and share with them stories of our lives. What viewers are seeing is that more and more of their own neighbors and friends are dealing with these issues, and the soaps are merely reflecting the reality of the world we live in."[30]
Soap opera supercouples
Below is a list of regarded past and present soap opera supercouples:
Primetime
Primetime supercouples, although at first combination might not seem to follow a formulaic road of courtship, often tend to have a paradigm as well, in which sometimes spins the occasional tragic love story. One such love story was that of Buffy and Angel, from the show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Voted Number 2 on IGN's list of top ten favorite television couples, the tear-jerker of a romance was described in all of its gloomy angst:
Buffy and Angel were the ultimate star-crossed lovers. After all, when you're a Vampire Slayer, it hardly seems like the appropriate person to fall for would be a Vampire. But fall for Angel Buffy did, setting up one of the most involving and tragic love stories we can remember on TV. After all, it's pretty rare for one half of a great couple to go from gentle and caring to sadistic and murderous in the course of a single night…and spurred on by having sex with the girl he loves no less.[56]
Of course, not all shows are apt for the telling of a tragic love story. For comedies, there's often the mismatched couple approach,[58] and for dramas, there tends to be the will-they-won't-they setup. Cinemablend states, "There’s two general formulas for a will-they-wont-they setup. The first one is when one person pursues the other, then finally gives up and dates someone else, and the other scenario is when the two characters are so different and often do not get along with one another, they fight and argue constantly, but then one thing or a series of 'things' happen and they are forced to put up with each other", citing such popular couples as Buffy and Spike (of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Ross and Rachel (of the show Friends), Logan and Veronica (of the show Veronica Mars), etc.[59]
One of the greatest will-they-won't-they setups is considered to be the sexual-tension induced relationship of Agent Fox Mulder and Agent Dana Scully, from the show The X-Files.[60][61] Mulder and Scully, two FBI agents investigating cases that involve the paranormal, bordered on the line of subtle hints of romance throughout the entire series, without ever being heavily romantically paired. While the excitement was there with waiting for Mulder and Scully to romantically commit to each other, when the two finally kissed in 1999 after seven seasons of buildup, some viewers could not help but feel that the show waited too long for such an event, and were left wondering where to go from there.[62][63] In this case, if a series goes on too long with sexual tension, the downside can be that when the couple finally begins their romance, the best part of watching that pair was all of the years of their will-they-won't-they status. Although, there are viewers who will love such a situation under any circumstance.
With some fictional supercouples, soap opera or primetime, the couple might have either started out as unexpected, therefore not necessarily following a certain paradigm, but due to viewers citing the chemistry of the two, the show decides to pair the unlikely lovers.
Primetime supercouples
A list of some of the most notable couples within primetime follows:
Non-romantic or ambiguous
| Supercouple | Years of reign | Show | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seeley Booth and Temperance Brennan | 2005 to present | Bones | [95] |
| Christian Troy and Sean McNamara | 2003 to present | Nip/Tuck | [77] |
| Felix Unger and Oscar Madison | 1970 to 1975 | The Odd Couple | [96] |
| J.D. and Turk | 2001 to present | Scrubs | [97] |
| Will Truman and Grace Adler | 1998 to 2006 | Will & Grace | [98] |
| Xena and Gabrielle | 1995 to 2001 | Xena: Warrior Princess | [99] |
Film
Given that films inherently have a shorter amount of time in carrying out storylines, the task of convincing the audience that the two main lovers within the film are of true love can be somewhat daunting. With films, if not enough of the plot is focused on the buildup of the two lovers interacting with each other, then the love story can come off as more so contrived than a soap opera or a primetime drama putting together a quick romantic union, but naturally having more time to eventually win over its audience, if at all possible.
Film love stories will often resort to the fairy-tale notion that romance is a solution to life's problems, tapping into the audience's need for love to conquer all,[100] as even in tales of doomed romance, the underlying concept may be that the love story was cut short, but that the love itself was not.
Just as within soap operas or primetime dramas, not all romances will have an impact on observers, but on occasion there are two lovers within a film that manage to captivate their audience in such a way that the two are launched into supercouple status, ultimately standing far above any of the deemed average couples.
Film supercouples
Film couples that were elevated beyond the rest:
The films An Affair to Remember, Beauty and the Beast, Casablanca, Dirty Dancing, Ghost, Grease, Gone with the Wind, Jerry Maguire, The Little Mermaid, An Officer and a Gentleman, Pretty Woman, The Princess Bride, Titanic, and West Side Story were all featured in AFI's list of 100 Years...100 Passions...100 Greatest Love Stories Of All Time.[117]
Celebrity
The media is known to focus their attention on celebrity couples, but only certain ones in which either seem to fascinate the public or create a power coupling due to finances are granted the title of supercouple. A notable supercouple that spun such media frenzy was the former pairing of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez. The highly publicized couple became so popular that not only did they become known by the portmanteux Bennifer (for Ben and Jennifer) to much of the media, as well as to fans combining their first names, but the term Bennifer itself became just as popular, eventually being entered into urban dictionaries or neologism dictionaries as of notability,[118] ultimately starting the trend of other celebrity couples being referred to by the combination of each others' names. However, the pairing of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez eventually succumbed to overexposure, and the public interest in their romance resulted in less admiration.[119] Even so, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez's former union within its previous popularity serves as a clear example of a celebrity supercouple. The best description of what often defines a celebrity supercouple may be of what sofeminine.co.uk reports.
Media and public interest in the super-rich, famous and beautiful, and their equally beautiful offspring, is at an all-time high, and mono-monikers are just one sign that the supercouple is becoming a virtual phenomenon of the society we live in. When magazines are prepared to pay millions of dollars just for the first baby pics of your little Suris and Shilohs, and the paparazzi start setting up camp outside your doorstep, you know you've gone from A-listers to fully-fledged supercouple. There's something about a celebrity love match that really captures the imagination and brings out the voyeur in us: when rich, famous and successful meets rich, famous and successful, does it equal a passionate relationship based on mutual understanding and respect, or a showcased play-act lived out in front of the cameras? Let's face it, in the plastic world of stardom it's been known for celebs to fake entire relationships with other celebs just for the tabloid space that's in it.[120]
Celebrity supercouples
Celebrity supercouples of past and present:
| Supercouple | Years of reign | Couple status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson | 1995 to 2007 | Divorced; on and off romance | [121] |
| Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston | 1998 to 2005 | Divorced | [122] |
| Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball | 1940 to 1960 | Deceased | [123] |
| David and Victoria Beckham | 1997 to present | Married | [124] |
| Jay-Z and Beyoncé | 2003 to present | Dating | [125] |
| Johnny and June Carter Cash | 1968 to 2003 | Deceased | [126] |
| Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw | 1984 to present | Married | [127] |
| Sonny & Cher | 1962 to 1975 | One deceased; other still active in career | [128] |
| Jude Law and Sadie Frost | 1993 to 2003 | Divorced | [129] |
| Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes | 2005 to present | Married | [130] |
| Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens | 2006 to present | Dating | [131] |
| Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie | 2005 to present | Partners | [132][133] |
| John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy | 1953 to 1963 | Deceased | [134] |
| Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman | 1990 to 2001 | Divorced | [135] |
| Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez | 2002 to 2004 | Broken up | [136] |
| Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez | 2004 to present | Married | [137] |
| Sean Penn and Madonna | 1985 to 1989 | Divorced | [138] |
| Guy Ritchie and Madonna | 2000 to present | Married | [127] |
| Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe | 1954 to 1962 | In life, on and off romance; both now deceased | [139] |
| Bruce Willis and Demi Moore | 1987 to 2000 | Divorced | [140] |
| Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore | 2003 to present | Married | [141] |
| Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne | 1979 to present | Married | [142] |
| Brad Pitt and Gwyneth Paltrow | 1995 to 1997 | Broken up | [143] |
| Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver | 1986 to present | Married | [127] |
| Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson | 2002 to 2005 | Divorced | [144][145] |
| Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith | 1997 to present | Married | [146][127] |
| Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears | 1998 to 2002 | Broken up | [147] |
| Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson | 1988 to present | Married | [127] |
| Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones | 2000 to present | Married | [148] |
Platonic or other
| Supercouple | Years of reign | Couple status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir | 1929 to 1980 | Writing partners/occasional lovers (both now deceased) | [149] |
| Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert | 1999 to present | Co-anchors | [150] |
| Ben Affleck and Matt Damon | 1997 to present | Best friends | [151] |
| Corey Feldman and Corey Haim | 1987 to 1989 | Close friends | [152] |
| Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn | 1959 to present | Magic and illusion entertainment duo/lovers | [153] |
| Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie | 2003 to present | Best friends/rivals | [154] |
| Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper | 2000 to present | Film critic team | [155] |
| Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel | 1975 to 1999 | Film critic team | [156] |
| Penn Jillette and Teller | 1975 to present | Magic and illusion entertainment duo | [157] |
Supercouples in other media
Literature, mythology, and legends
| Supercouple | Year/Time of creation | Origin | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hagbard and Signy | Gesta Danorum | [158] | |
| Edward Rochester and Jane Eyre | 1847 | Jane Eyre | [159] |
| Lancelot and Guinevere | Lancelot, the Knight of the Cart | [160] | |
| Pyramus and Thisbe | Metamorphoses | [161] | |
| Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet | 1813 | Pride and Prejudice | [159] |
| Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet | Originally 1562. 1597 with William Shakespeare | Romeo and Juliet | [159] |
| Tristan and Isolde | 12th century | Tristan and Iseult | [162] |
| Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw | 1847 | Wuthering Heights | [163][159] |
Comic book
| Supercouple | Year of couple creation | Comic book | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jessica Jones and Luke Cage | 2002 | Alias/The Pulse | |
| Archie Andrews and Betty Cooper or Veronica Lodge | 1941 | Archie Comics | |
| Hank Pym and Wasp | 1963 | Avengers | |
| Vision and Scarlet Witch | 1968 | Avengers | |
| Susan Storm and Reed Richards | 1961 | Fantastic Four | [164] |
| Wally West and Linda Park | 1989 | Flash | |
| Black Canary and Green Arrow | 1963 | Green Arrow | |
| Dawnstar and Wildfire | 1976 | Legion of Super-Heroes | |
| Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson | 1966 | Spider-Man | [165] |
| Katchoo and Francine | 1993 | Strangers in Paradise | |
| Clark Kent and Lois Lane | 1938 | Superman | [166][167] |
| Cyclops and Jean Grey | 1963 | X-Men | |
| Rogue and Gambit | 1991 | X-Men | |
| Havok and Polaris | 1969 | X-Men |
Toys, video games, and other
| Supercouple | Year of couple creation | Origin | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mickey and Minnie Mouse | 1928 | Disney | |
| Ken and Barbie | 1961 | Mattel | [168] |
| Kermit and Miss Piggy | 1976 | The Muppet Show | [169][170] |
| Super Mario and Princess Peach | 1985 | Super Mario Bros. | |
| Link and Zelda | 1986 | The Legend Of Zelda (Nintendo) |
Internet and media trends
In the popularity of message boards, fans have used portmanteux for their favorite couples, including supercouples from the past. For example, Logan and Veronica becomes "LoVe," Josh and Reva becomes "Jeva," Jack and Kate becomes "Jate," Michael and Sara becomes "MiSa," and so on. Seth Cohen of the show The O.C. parodied this when he talked about real couples' overexposure to one another; he wondered whether or not his pairing with Summer Roberts would be called "Summereth" or "Sethummer".[171] Occasionally, even anti-fans come up with names for couples, such as General Hospital's Sonny and Emily. The unpopular pairing of the mob boss and his enforcer's sweet younger sister became known as "Soily."
As the press is also known for coining the names of popular and unpopular celebrity pairings, the existence of such nicknames can ultimately seem inescapable in their usage.
See also
References
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{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ DOWD, MAUREEN. "America's Anchors: Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert faked it until they made it. Now they may truly be the most trusted names in news". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2007-09-12.
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{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Davis, Kyra. "Excerpt: The matchmaking strategy that made Bonny and Clyde the twentieth century's top super couple". kyradavis.com. Retrieved 2007-09-11.
Further reading
- O'Rourke, Michael (June 3 2006). San Antonio Express-News, S.A. LIFE; Pg. 1E. Supercouple must have supername. An analysis concluding that "Bennifer, Tomkat and Brangelina. To be considered a supercouple, it isn't enough to be compatible, loving and gorgeous anymore. Your names have to fit together to form a headline-pleasing moniker. You have to be a portmanteau."
- Meet a geriatric ‘supercouple’ Elderly couple baffles medical experts due to what seems like superhuman abilities at such old ages. "Most people are amazed by their age and what they are capable of doing," said Mitch Solarsh, the club’s general manager. "It is unbelievable to exercise as consistently as they do and lift what they do." (Retrieved on 2007-11-20)