docusoap

docusoap

English

Etymology

Blend of documentary +‎ soap (for soap opera)

Noun

docusoap (plural docusoaps)

1. A form of reality television in the style of a documentary in which an apparent plot is constructed by intention or editing in order to make programmes in this genre resemble soap operas.
   • 2010, Troy Patterson, “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” Slate, 21 October, 2010,

     The latest of a venerable franchise of docu-soaps, it opens, like its predecessors, with a voiceover giving the audience the lay of the promised land.

   • 2011, Tim Oglethorpe, “A slice of paradise: Hectic Christmas? Try a change of pace with the sixth series of gentle documentary An Island Parish,” The Daily Mail, 30 December, 2011,

     Nigel [Farrell] and Paul Sommers created the docusoap genre of programmes almost 20 years ago, applying the cliffhanger endings and multi-character storylines of soap operas to series such as The Village and Country House.

Alternative forms

• docu-soap