Soapdish, the 1991 film that spoofed the soap opera genre, is getting the TV treatment. The movie that gave an inside look into soaps is set to return and the film’s original star Whoopi Goldberg (The View) will reprise her role as Rose Schwartz.
Whoopi Goldberg and Soapdish Are Coming Back
Deadline reports that the new Soapdish will air on Paramount+. Jennie Snyder Urman (Jane the Virgin) is set to co-write the new incarnation, which is described as a “dramedy.” Whoopi Goldberg plays Rose, the head writer of the fictional long-running soap opera The Sun Also Sets.
No word on casting or if any of the film’s other original cast will be joining the new Soapdish. In addition to Goldberg, the movie starred Sally Field (Brothers & Sisters), Kevin Kline (The Big Chill; Search for Tomorrow), Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Elisabeth Shue (Back to the Future II), Teri Hatcher (Desperate Housewives; Capitol), Cathy Moriarty (Raging Bull), the late Garry Marshall (Happy Days; Laverne & Shirley), Kathy Najimy (Sister Act), and the late Carrie Fisher (Star Wars).
Soapdish’s Backstory
The film told the story of Celeste Talbert (Field), the veteran star of The Sun Also Sets, who was pitted in a backstage battle for power against Montana Moorehead (Moriarty). Montana tried to stack the deck in her favor by pursuing a personal relationship with the show’s young producer, David Seton Barnes (Downey, Jr.). Celeste learns that a new performer on the show, Lori Craven (Shue), is actually her real-life niece. But the surprise is on everyone as their real relationship is eventually revealed.
Whoopi Goldberg Says “He Doesn’t Have A Head!”
Goldberg’s Rose spoke a line that likely resonated with many soap opera head writers when Rose was asked to resurrect a character who had been decapitated in a tragic accident. “How am I suppose to write for a guy who doesn’t have a head?” a frustrated Rose queried.
Real-life soap stars Stephen Nichols (Steve, Days of our Lives) and Finola Hughes (Anna Devane, General Hospital) made cameo appearances in the film as fictional characters in rival soap operas.
Whoopi Goldberg is the moderator and host of The View, which airs daily on ABC. Urman’s credits include being the showrunner of Jane the Virgin, which starred two faces familiar to fans of The Bold and the Beautiful. Gina Rodriguez (ex-Beverly) played the title role. Justin Baldoni (ex-Graham Darros) played her love interest Rafael.