TELEVISION

A glance back at soap operas--and the meta-soap sendups that have kept the American fanny on the American sofa for half a century and counting.

Peyton Place
ABC (1964-1969)
The first hit prime-time soap, based on Grace Metalious's novel. Rich- boy Rodney Harrington (Ryan O'Neal) romanced Allison Mackenzie (Mia Farrow). And many others.

Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman
Syndicated (1975-1977)
Norman Lear's soap parody with an over-the-top-typical housewife (Louise Lasser) and country-singin' pal Loretta Haggers (Mary Kay Place)

Rich Man, Poor Man
ABC (1976)
A six-parter from Irwin Shaw's novel. Rudy Jordache (Peter Strauss) built an empire; poor brother Tom (Nick Nolte) was finally murdered. Coolest guest star: Gloria Grahame.

Soap
ABC (1977-1981)
This satirical half-hour sitcom about the upper-crust Tates and the blue-collar Campbells drew pickets and protest letters. Billy Crystal played the bisexual Campbell stepson.

Dallas
CBS (1978-1991)
The big daddy of prime-time soaps, thanks largely to J. R. Ewing (Larry Hagman), a Shakespeare villain turned oil tycoon. We forget now who shot J.R., but he'll never die.

Knot's Landing
CBS (1979-1993)
A Dallas spinoff in southern California: neer-do-well Gary Ewing (Ted Shakleford), with William Devane and a young troublemaker, Nicollette Sheridan.

Dynasty
ABC (1981-1989)
Basically Dallas in Denver, with oilman Blake Carrington (John Forsythe), his put-upon wife Krystle (Linda Evans) and her rival, ex-wife Alexis (Joan Collins).

Falcon Crest
CBS (1981-1990)
Basically Dallas in the Napa Valley, with a female tyrant, Angela Channing (Jane Wyman), vineyards instead of oil rigs, a six-month coma and a plot to take over the world.

Twin Peaks
ABC (1990-1991)
David Lynch's coolly surreal cult fave: an FBI agent (Kyle MacLachlan) investigating the murder of a homecoming queen. We can't remember who killed Laura Palmer either.

Beverly Hills 90210
Fox (1990-2000)
This show inspired names of countless babies, now teens: Dylan (Luke Perry), Brandon (Jason Priestly).

Melrose Place
Fox (1992-1999)
90210, cloned in a building whose tenants, like Amanda (Heather Locklear) couldn't decide if they were friends or lovers.

The O.C.
Fox (2004)
Place: Orange County. Time: very much now. The trials and tribulations of Marissa (Mischa Barton) and Ryan (Ben McKenzie) seem to take place in an hourlong music video.